Rep. Jamaal Bowman is uplifting Rye High School freshman Madelyn (Maddy) Walsh as his virtual guest to President Biden’s Joint Address to Congress on Wednesday. Walsh, along with Geoffrey Lien, Hannah Lloyd, and Della Goodman, co-founded the RHS Vaccine Hotline, an enthusiastic corps of Rye High School students who stepped up to help Rye seniors and other community members in need of assistance making online COVID-19 vaccination appointments. The hotline helped more than 70 community members secure appointments between February and April.
The joint address, which is President Biden’s first speech to a Joint Session of Congress, marks 100 days into the president’s first term. In the past, members of Congress have often invited constituents to join them as guests to such speeches. While COVID-19 safety protocols mean this year’s in-person attendance will be limited, Rep. Bowman said inviting Maddy as his virtual guest is an important way to honor the people of New York’s 16th Congressional District and lift up their stories.
“Our district was the epicenter of New York’s fight against COVID-19 this time last year. With a new administration and leadership, the American Rescue Plan is delivering shots in arms, money in pockets, children in schools and people in jobs. Americans like Maddy Walsh are the true heroes of this recovery, and I am proud to uplift them as my virtual guest to the Presidential Address,” said Rep. Bowman.
“It is a true honor to represent our group at such a prestigious event. The four founding members, Geoffrey, Della, Hannah, and I, were inspired to help local seniors obtain vaccine appointments knowing how difficult it was for many to navigate the system. All of the positive feedback from the callers made our hard work completely worth the effort,” said Walsh, who plans to watch the speech with her family at home in Rye.
