October 25,
2019
Congresswoman
Clarke Honors the Life and Legacy
of
Chairman Elijah E.
Cummings
Washington, D.C.- I relayed the
following sentiments in honor of Chairman Elijah Eugene Cummings (MD-07) as
he is laid to rest today:
“Our great nation mourns the
devastating loss of a giant, Chairman Elijah E. Cummings.
As one of
seven children born to sharecroppers, it is safe to say that Chairman
Cummings embodied the epitome of our ancestors’ wildest dreams, as
one of the greatest leaders in the United States Congress. Chairman
Cummings represented Baltimore, Maryland with pride and dignity, and
dedicated his career to ensuring that his beloved community was never left
behind.
As Chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform,
Mr. Cummings used his voice to protect our democracy and Constitution
until his last breath and we are forever indebted to his lifelong
dedication to public service. He will be remembered as a steadfast
advocate of the Congressional Black Caucus who used his voice to elevate our
colleagues in leadership positions and to mentor Black staffers. Let
us take comfort in knowing that Chairman Cummings’ legacy will be
forever ingrained in the halls of Congress through the next
generation of leaders that his work impacted and inspired.
Chairman Cummings
completed his mission--he is now dancing with the angels and will go
down in American history as a pillar in preserving our democracy and our
core American values.
Words cannot express the pain that our
community feels during this time of sorrow, but we must lift our heads and
continue to walk in the light of Chairman Cummings’ legacy. We are
standing on the shoulders of a giant and we will live out his mission
of creating a better America for all. On behalf of the Clarke Family
and the Ninth Congressional District of New York, I am lifting Mrs.
Maya Rockeymoore Cummings, his children, and loved ones in prayer. Thank
you for sharing such a beautiful spirit with the American
people.
May
Chairman Elijah E. Cummings Rest in Power. We will miss
him.”
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