The Honorable James Langevin
Representative, RI - 2nd District
United States House of Representatives
AWARD PROFILE
Courageous Thinking and Actions
Congressman Langevin serves on the House Committee on Homeland Security’s Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Recovery. In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Congressman has worked tirelessly to ensure that the country is prepared to respond to the evolving nature of this pandemic and any future public health crises.
Given the unpredictability of this pandemic, and the many public health, national security, and weather-related emergencies, quick-thinking and creative solutions are critical to the success of our nation’s emergency response. And Congressman Langevin always rises to the challenge. He has long fought to ensure that our emergency preparedness plans are designed with America’s most vulnerable populations in mind, including aging Americans and those with disabilities. Through his subcommittee work, Congressman Langevin has the unique opportunity to ensure structure and order in place of chaos when emergencies strike, and he does so with the courage and wisdom.
Vision and Innovation
As co-founder and co-chair of the Congressional Cybersecurity Caucus and a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee, cyber experts have dubbed Congressman Langevin a key player in the world of cyber policy. The Congressman’s leadership in the field has encouraged members of Congress, private-sector leaders, and local governments and organizations to take the issue seriously. He’s created opportunities for more lawmakers to join the larger conversation about cybersecurity policy and what it means to keep Americans safe in cyberspace.
Congressman Langevin served on the Cyberspace Solarium Commission, established by the FY19 National Defense Authorization Act, and provided Congress with more than 80 recommendations for defending the U.S. against cyberattacks. The Congressman’s work on the Commission resulted in dozens of cybersecurity recommendations being codified into law, as well as the establishment of the Office of the National Cyber Director, a position within the White House that serves as the principal cyber advisor to the President. Congressman Langevin’s passion for and foresight in the cybersecurity field have made our country significantly safer and more secure in cyberspace.
Inspiring Leadership
As one of the 61 million Americans living with a disability, Congressman Langevin has worked tirelessly to make our communities more accessible. As co-chair of the Bipartisan Disabilities Caucus, the Congressman has played a critical role in drafting legislation to increase the accessibility of our public transportation, education, and health care systems.
Congressman Langevin was also a key player in the passage of the ADA Amendments Act, which revised the protections afforded by the original Americans with Disabilities Act, clarifying the definition of “disability” and expanding the number of Americans protected by the law.
Congressman Langevin is the first quadriplegic to serve in Congress, and on the 30th anniversary of the passage of the ADA, he became the first person in a wheelchair to preside over the U.S. House of Representatives. It is Congressman Langevin’s hope that his career reminds other people living with a disability that anything is possible.
Community Mindedness
Congressman Langevin has often referred to education as “the great equalizer.” He believes that when people are given access to quality education, they can do anything they set their sights on. The Congressman also believes that a bachelor’s degree is not – and should not be – the only path to a meaningful, good-paying career. As co-chair of the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Caucus, Congressman Langevin has worked tirelessly to raise awareness about and secure funding for CTE programming.
These programs exist in every congressional district across the country, and they prepare learners of all ages for careers in healthcare, construction, IT, manufacturing, cybersecurity, and other fields that keep our middle class strong and the United States competitive in the global economy. Throughout his career, Congressman Langevin has had the pleasure of meeting with dozens of CTE students and graduates, many of whom have shared their stories of how CTE programming has changed their lives.
JA Mission Moment
Congressman Langevin had the opportunity to engage with the 5th grade classes at Stephen Olney Elementary School in North Providence as part of the JA Career Speaker Series, where he was so impressed by their interest in his work in Congress – along with his favorite color and favorite video game, of course!
Congressman Langevin has always been grateful for the work Junior Achievement does. Taking part in a JA program allowed him to experience firsthand just how hard the Junior Achievement team works to prepare RI students for their futures. By exposing them to different career paths and secondary education opportunities, Junior Achievement is placing students on an important path to success.