Sen. Prague back, 'practically 100 percent recovered'

Hartford - State Sen. Edith Prague, D-Columbia, returned to the state Capitol Friday for the first time since her stroke on Christmas Day.

The 86-year-old looked and sounded like her regular self as she joined a news conference on home health care options for seniors.

"I'm standing before you today because I'm practically 100 percent recovered," Prague said, speaking before a lectern in the Legislative Office Building. "The only thing I can't do yet is get clearance from my doctor to drive my own car."

State Rep. Betsy Ritter, D-Waterford, was delighted by the progress report.

"We can see that you're rested up and ready to go," she said.

Prague said she will be around for this year's General Assembly session, which begins Feb. 8, as "too many important things are happening, I'd like to be here."

And the veteran legislator is planning to be around for several more legislative sessions; she told a group of reporters she will run for re-election to the state Senate this fall.

Prague recalled how one of her daughters came to visit her on Christmas and noticed something wrong with the left side of her face. She sought medical assistance, and a doctor informed Prague she had experienced "a very minor stroke."

The legislator spent a week at Windham Hospital in Willimantic, then moved to a rehabilitation center for physical therapy. U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn, was among the many friends who called to check on her.

"I'm fine now, thank God," Prague said. "And believe me, I don't take that for granted. My husband died as the result of a stroke - it was devastating."

Prague leads the legislature's Aging and Labor & Public Employees committees and has represented the 19th Senate District since 1995. She is the oldest member of the General Assembly.

jreindl@theday.com