Sen. Prague in rehab center; too soon to say if she'll be returning for session

State Sen. Edith Prague, D-Columbia, is recuperating at a rehabilitation center from the "minor" stroke she experienced Christmas Day, a legislative spokesman said Tuesday.

"She is resting and recovering," spokesman Lawrence Grotheer said, adding that the veteran legislator is alert and cogent. "There is no reason to believe she won't be back soon."

He declined to disclose the location of the rehabilitation center, as Prague's family wishes to ensure the privacy of patients and staff there.

Shelley Prague of Enfield said Tuesday that her mother is now doing well and declined further comment.

Prague, 86, experienced the stroke the afternoon of Dec. 25. Grotheer said she had undergone a minor outpatient surgery earlier in the month.

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman both visited the veteran legislator prior to her discharge from an undisclosed hospital.

Senate President Donald Williams, D-Brooklyn, said it remains to be seen whether Prague will be back in Hartford for the start of this year's General Assembly session, which runs from Feb. 8 through May 9.

"We want her to take it one step at a time," he said.

"She's making progress, but she is not entertaining visitors yet," state Sen. Andrea Stillman, D-Waterford, said Tuesday afternoon.

Prague has represented the 19th Senate District since 1995. She previously served as commissioner of the former State Department of Aging and was a state representative for eight years.

Her Senate district includes the towns of Andover, Bozrah, Columbia, Franklin, Hebron, Lebanon, Ledyard, Lisbon and Sprague, along with portions of Montville and Norwich.

j.reindl@theday.com