On July 13, 1990, Senator Tom Harkin gave the first-ever Senate floor speech in American Sign Language. Why? Senator Harkin knew firsthand about the challenges of facing people with disabilities from his brother, Frank, who had been deaf since an early age. Fun Fact: Senator Harkin was the lead Senate author of the #ADA, which passed later that month. #ThanksToTheADA, equal rights for people with disabilities became law. #ADA35 #DisabilityJustice #RepresentationMatters #NothingAboutUsWithoutUs #
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On July 13, 1990, Senator Tom Harkin gave the first-ever Senate floor speech in American Sign Language. Why? Senator Harkin knew firsthand about the challenges of facing people with disabilities from his brother, Frank, who had been deaf since an early age. Fun Fact: Senator Harkin was the lead Senate author of the #ADA, which passed later that month. #ThanksToTheADA, equal rights for people with disabilities became law. #ADA35 #DisabilityJustice #RepresentationMatters #NothingAboutUsWithoutUs #
230K viewsJul 13, 2025
FacebookdisAbility Law Center of Virginia
Senator Harkin Delivers Floor Speech in American Sign Language Upon Passage of the ADA
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Senator Harkin Delivers Floor Speech in American Sign Language Upon Passage of the ADA
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YouTubeTom Harkin
Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) Delivers Floor Speech in American Sign Language
Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) Delivers Floor Speech in American Sign Language
2.1K viewsDec 13, 2014
C-SPAN.org
Former Senator Tom Harkin used ASL during a speech today at the Democratic National Convention and taught the audience how to sign, "America." Check out the clips from PBS NewsHour and USA TODAY! | The Daily Moth
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Former Senator Tom Harkin used ASL during a speech today at the Democratic National Convention and taught the audience how to sign, "America." Check out the clips from PBS NewsHour and USA TODAY! | The Daily Moth
265.6K viewsJul 26, 2016
FacebookThe Daily Moth
Former U.S. Senator Tom Harkin taught delegates at the Democratic National Convention the sign for America in sign language as a nod to the 26th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. | Detroit Free Press
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Former U.S. Senator Tom Harkin taught delegates at the Democratic National Convention the sign for America in sign language as a nod to the 26th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. | Detroit Free Press
3.4M viewsJul 26, 2016
FacebookDetroit Free Press
Former Senator Tom Harkin teaches Democratic National Convention the sign for "America": "It's a beautiful sign...we're all together." http://abcn.ws/2auXikM #DemsinPhilly | ABC News Politics
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Former Senator Tom Harkin teaches Democratic National Convention the sign for "America": "It's a beautiful sign...we're all together." http://abcn.ws/2auXikM #DemsinPhilly | ABC News Politics
188.8K viewsJul 26, 2016
FacebookABC News Politics
File:Senator Tom Harkin Delivers Floor Speech in American Sign Language.webm - Wikimedia Commons
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File:Senator Tom Harkin Delivers Floor Speech in American Sign Language.webm - Wikimedia Commons
Mar 19, 2023
wikimedia.org
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Tom Harkin teaches sign language at Dem convention
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I am deeply honored that former Senator Tom Harkin, who led the fight for Americans with Disabilities Act, is endorsing my run for Congress. Having grown up with a Deaf brother, he knows sign language and was the first legislator to use sign language in Congress. I am grateful to have worked closely with Senator Harkin on congressional initiatives to improve federal standards for people with disabilities, and appreciate his ongoing dedication to making America accessible to all of us. | Howard R
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Tom Harkin teaches Democratic National Convention sign language
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Today, 35 years ago, the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) was passed because the communities and allies fought for civil rights of persons with disabilities. One ally was Senator Tom Harkin of Iowa who was a soda. Today, some progress have been made, and some cases, it may have fell backwards. Another great source to follow to keep up with the disability rights watch is @photonovic so follow to keep up. Thanks to @disabilitylawva for sharing this video. Video id: POV ASL on the Senate Floor
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23 Years After Americans with Disabilities Act
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Tom Harkin reflects on Americans with Disabilities Act 35 years after its signing
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Watch former Sen. Tom Harkin's full speech at the 2016 Democratic National Convention
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Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
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