Congressman Elijah Cummings, a civil rights leader, and important voice of reason and ethics in this time of chaos in our country, unfortunately passed away on Thursday October 17, 2019 of, what was reported to be, “complications concerning longstanding health challenges". Cummings was 68 years old.
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I must admit that Representative & Chairman Cummings hadn’t come to my attention until this administration, but I felt like he should have sooner, so don’t feel behind if you hadn’t heard of him before. But if you have watched or listened to the news in the past year, or even last couple months you probably have seen and or heard Cummings speaking. The first time I saw him I thought, hey, who’s this man? He seems poised and calm, but strong and determined. Cummings was a wise looking African American man who spoke in a way that caught my attention. That made sense, since I learned more about him on the day of his passing, listening to the Brian Lehrer on NPR station WNYC, that I liked about him. Lehrer’s guests Missouri Congressman Emanuel Cleaver II (D-5) and Michael Eric Dyson, Georgetown University professor and New York Times contributing opinion writer, reflected on the life and passing of the Baltimore Congressman. They talked about him being a great orator and Lehrer’s show played a few clips of Cummings speaking in the moving and emotional manner, with strength and conviction, that has been a common tradition in great African American orators, leading people in issues of social justice. I have been a person who has been drawn to this kind of almost poetic speech that makes it hard for one to not stand up for justice.
Cummings, a Democrat, won his congressional seat in 1996 representing Maryland’s 7th District. Prior to that he served on the Maryland House of Delegates for 14 years. Cummings was born on January 18, 1951, in Baltimore, the son of sharecroppers. He was married to Maya Rockeymoore Cummings. She was elected chairperson of the Maryland Democratic Party in December of 2018. They had three children.
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Cummings has a distinguished career of 23 years in the House. Although he did many things, I wanted to mention what he was doing and working on towards the end of his life, which has made him come into the spotlight more; enough for Trump to lambast Cummings in a series of infamous tweets.
Prior to his death, Cummings was on the House & Oversight Committee where he oversaw several investigations into the administration, including Trump’s government dealings, including probes in 2019 related to Trump’s family members serving in the White House (The Associated Press). His committee, along with two other committees are part of the House Democrats’ Impeachment Inquiry.
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Trump of course spewed the regular toxicity about Cummings, that is common of his ilk. According to Politico, “The president denigrated the African American lawmaker online as "a brutal bully," and characterized his predominantly black, Baltimore-based congressional district as "a disgusting, rat and rodent infested mess" where "no human being" would want to live.” Cummings’ response was of course more civil. He “responded in an address at the National Press Club by inviting the president to visit his Baltimore district and encouraging all politicians, including the president, to rise above the negative discourse that has defined the Trump era”.
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In 2015, after the police killed a young man named Freddy Gray from Baltimore (hearing all the details about Gray’s death was very disturbing to me, and could be triggering), there were riots following the crime. Cummings Spoke at Gray's funeral. According the the Baltimore Sun he called for “oceans of justice” and “rivers of fairness,” saying that’s what Gray would have wanted. “I’ve often said that our children are the living messages we send to a future we will never see,” he said. “But now our children are sending us to a future they will never see. There’s something wrong with that picture.” He also shared his personal grief about the murder of his own nephew. And then says, “For me, I am in the twilight years, but I am telling you we will not rest, we will not rest until we address this and see that justice is done.”
In 2016 Cummings was the top Democrat on the GOP-led Benghazi Committee, pushing back on the controversial probe that seemed like a political witch hunt against Hillary Clinton and her 2016 campaign. He said it was nothing more than a taxpayer-funded effort to harm Hillary Clinton’s campaign.
Cummings also led an investigation into politicization of the U.S. Census that kept pressure on the Trump administration to ultimately withdraw plans for a citizenship question on the 2020 questionnaire (Politico). This issue was obviously a racist ploy, which Trump often implemented, and made no effort to hide, unlike the Pre-Trump Republicans, who usually used less overt tactics while attempting to pass racist legislation and such, using terms that were not possible by definition, such as “post-race/racist world/society” or “post-feminism.” But not understanding the meaning of the word “post” is an issue for another time.
I thought I would end this with quotes from people who knew Cummings, in which you can learn more about who the man really was from reading.
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Barack Obama: “He and Michelle are heartbroken--- and said that Cummings was “steely yet compassionate, principled yet open to new perspectives.”
In a written statement Thursday [Oct. 17] former president Bill, and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called him "a resounding voice of moral courage who fought the good fights for the people of Baltimore, and faithfully honored his oath to protect and defend the Constitution with a passion, skill, determination, and dignity rarely matched in our history." (U.S. News)
Hillary tweeted “America lost a giant with the passing of Rep. Elijah Cummings, a man of principle who championed truth, justice and kindness. He fiercely loved his country and the people he served. Rest in Peace, my friend.” (BET)
"In the House, Elijah was our North Star," Pelosi [Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House] said in a statement, later telling reporters she was "devastated" by the news. "He was a leader of towering character and integrity, whose stirring voice and steadfast values pushed the Congress and country to rise always to a higher purpose."
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Congressman and civil rights leader John Lewis says that with the death of Rep. Elijah Cummings, Americans "have lost a great leader at a time of crisis in our democracy." (U.S News)
Joe Biden said the Maryland congressman's life was "defined by the love of his community and a fierce commitment to ensuring truth wins over power." (U.S. News)
“We lost a giant today,” Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris tweeted. “Congressman Elijah Cummings was a fearless leader, a protector of democracy, and a fighter for the people of Maryland. Our world is dimmer without him in it.” (BET)
Elizabeth Warren called him a dear friend, and said "good people everywhere will miss his rumbling voice, his kind heart, and his deep conviction that every human being has worth." (U.S.News)
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, a fellow Maryland Democrat, said Cummings was a quiet man who did not seek the limelight but "was not afraid to step out into the arena and fight hard for the causes in which he believed strongly. (U.S.News)
Even on the other side of the aisle there were:
“I am heartbroken. Truly heartbroken,” Representative Mark Meadows of North Carolina, the founding chairman of the conservative House Freedom Caucus. (The Atlantic via CNN)
“I will miss him and always cherish our friendship.” The House Republican leader, Representative Kevin McCarthy of California, hailed Cummings as “a leader for both parties to emulate.” (The Atlantic)
And even celebrities:
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“A champion for the poor and downtrodden, Rep. Elijah Cummings has departed,” [George] Takei wrote. “He strove through decades of service to bring justice and dignity to greater numbers in this world. We honor his life and his work, and pledge to continue his fight. Rest now, great soul.” (latimes.com)
“Elijah Cummings—Your bold intellect and fierce courage will continue to inspire us. With gratitude and love we celebrate your legacy and mourn your passing. Love and light to your family,” Kerry Washington via Twitter (latimes)
“My Heart is Broken, Elijah Cummings Has Died. Elijah Cummings Was a GIANT Among Men, a Fearless Man, a GentleMan, A Man Of Great Character, A Stand Up Man, A Man To Revere, A Man To EMULATE. I Felt Safe When I Saw Him Wade Into Any Situation. ELIJAH CUMMINGS WAS A GODLY MAN,” Cher via Twitter (latimes)
I wish all those voices together, as if their words were singing, and rising in a chorus of epic stature, could be the words and the song we can start to live by.
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I thought I would end with this picture I found of Cummings smiling. It's a little contagious.
I must admit that Representative & Chairman Cummings hadn’t come to my attention until this administration, but I felt like he should have sooner, so don’t feel behind if you hadn’t heard of him before. But if you have watched or listened to the news in the past year, or even last couple months you probably have seen and or heard Cummings speaking. The first time I saw him I thought, hey, who’s this man? He seems poised and calm, but strong and determined. Cummings was a wise looking African American man who spoke in a way that caught my attention. That made sense, since I learned more about him on the day of his passing, listening to the Brian Lehrer on NPR station WNYC, that I liked about him. Lehrer’s guests Missouri Congressman Emanuel Cleaver II (D-5) and Michael Eric Dyson, Georgetown University professor and New York Times contributing opinion writer, reflected on the life and passing of the Baltimore Congressman. They talked about him being a great orator and Lehrer’s show played a few clips of Cummings speaking in the moving and emotional manner, with strength and conviction, that has been a common tradition in great African American orators, leading people in issues of social justice. I have been a person who has been drawn to this kind of almost poetic speech that makes it hard for one to not stand up for justice.
Cummings, a Democrat, won his congressional seat in 1996 representing Maryland’s 7th District. Prior to that he served on the Maryland House of Delegates for 14 years. Cummings was born on January 18, 1951, in Baltimore, the son of sharecroppers. He was married to Maya Rockeymoore Cummings. She was elected chairperson of the Maryland Democratic Party in December of 2018. They had three children.
Cummings has a distinguished career of 23 years in the House. Although he did many things, I wanted to mention what he was doing and working on towards the end of his life, which has made him come into the spotlight more; enough for Trump to lambast Cummings in a series of infamous tweets.
Prior to his death, Cummings was on the House & Oversight Committee where he oversaw several investigations into the administration, including Trump’s government dealings, including probes in 2019 related to Trump’s family members serving in the White House (The Associated Press). His committee, along with two other committees are part of the House Democrats’ Impeachment Inquiry.
Trump of course spewed the regular toxicity about Cummings, that is common of his ilk. According to Politico, “The president denigrated the African American lawmaker online as "a brutal bully," and characterized his predominantly black, Baltimore-based congressional district as "a disgusting, rat and rodent infested mess" where "no human being" would want to live.” Cummings’ response was of course more civil. He “responded in an address at the National Press Club by inviting the president to visit his Baltimore district and encouraging all politicians, including the president, to rise above the negative discourse that has defined the Trump era”.
In 2015, after the police killed a young man named Freddy Gray from Baltimore (hearing all the details about Gray’s death was very disturbing to me, and could be triggering), there were riots following the crime. Cummings Spoke at Gray's funeral. According the the Baltimore Sun he called for “oceans of justice” and “rivers of fairness,” saying that’s what Gray would have wanted. “I’ve often said that our children are the living messages we send to a future we will never see,” he said. “But now our children are sending us to a future they will never see. There’s something wrong with that picture.” He also shared his personal grief about the murder of his own nephew. And then says, “For me, I am in the twilight years, but I am telling you we will not rest, we will not rest until we address this and see that justice is done.”
In 2016 Cummings was the top Democrat on the GOP-led Benghazi Committee, pushing back on the controversial probe that seemed like a political witch hunt against Hillary Clinton and her 2016 campaign. He said it was nothing more than a taxpayer-funded effort to harm Hillary Clinton’s campaign.
Cummings also led an investigation into politicization of the U.S. Census that kept pressure on the Trump administration to ultimately withdraw plans for a citizenship question on the 2020 questionnaire (Politico). This issue was obviously a racist ploy, which Trump often implemented, and made no effort to hide, unlike the Pre-Trump Republicans, who usually used less overt tactics while attempting to pass racist legislation and such, using terms that were not possible by definition, such as “post-race/racist world/society” or “post-feminism.” But not understanding the meaning of the word “post” is an issue for another time.
I thought I would end this with quotes from people who knew Cummings, in which you can learn more about who the man really was from reading.
Barack Obama: “He and Michelle are heartbroken--- and said that Cummings was “steely yet compassionate, principled yet open to new perspectives.”
In a written statement Thursday [Oct. 17] former president Bill, and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called him "a resounding voice of moral courage who fought the good fights for the people of Baltimore, and faithfully honored his oath to protect and defend the Constitution with a passion, skill, determination, and dignity rarely matched in our history." (U.S. News)
Hillary tweeted “America lost a giant with the passing of Rep. Elijah Cummings, a man of principle who championed truth, justice and kindness. He fiercely loved his country and the people he served. Rest in Peace, my friend.” (BET)
"In the House, Elijah was our North Star," Pelosi [Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House] said in a statement, later telling reporters she was "devastated" by the news. "He was a leader of towering character and integrity, whose stirring voice and steadfast values pushed the Congress and country to rise always to a higher purpose."
Congressman and civil rights leader John Lewis says that with the death of Rep. Elijah Cummings, Americans "have lost a great leader at a time of crisis in our democracy." (U.S News)
Joe Biden said the Maryland congressman's life was "defined by the love of his community and a fierce commitment to ensuring truth wins over power." (U.S. News)
“We lost a giant today,” Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris tweeted. “Congressman Elijah Cummings was a fearless leader, a protector of democracy, and a fighter for the people of Maryland. Our world is dimmer without him in it.” (BET)
Elizabeth Warren called him a dear friend, and said "good people everywhere will miss his rumbling voice, his kind heart, and his deep conviction that every human being has worth." (U.S.News)
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, a fellow Maryland Democrat, said Cummings was a quiet man who did not seek the limelight but "was not afraid to step out into the arena and fight hard for the causes in which he believed strongly. (U.S.News)
Even on the other side of the aisle there were:
“I am heartbroken. Truly heartbroken,” Representative Mark Meadows of North Carolina, the founding chairman of the conservative House Freedom Caucus. (The Atlantic via CNN)
“I will miss him and always cherish our friendship.” The House Republican leader, Representative Kevin McCarthy of California, hailed Cummings as “a leader for both parties to emulate.” (The Atlantic)
And even celebrities:
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“A champion for the poor and downtrodden, Rep. Elijah Cummings has departed,” [George] Takei wrote. “He strove through decades of service to bring justice and dignity to greater numbers in this world. We honor his life and his work, and pledge to continue his fight. Rest now, great soul.” (latimes.com)
“Elijah Cummings—Your bold intellect and fierce courage will continue to inspire us. With gratitude and love we celebrate your legacy and mourn your passing. Love and light to your family,” Kerry Washington via Twitter (latimes)
“My Heart is Broken, Elijah Cummings Has Died. Elijah Cummings Was a GIANT Among Men, a Fearless Man, a GentleMan, A Man Of Great Character, A Stand Up Man, A Man To Revere, A Man To EMULATE. I Felt Safe When I Saw Him Wade Into Any Situation. ELIJAH CUMMINGS WAS A GODLY MAN,” Cher via Twitter (latimes)
I wish all those voices together, as if their words were singing, and rising in a chorus of epic stature, could be the words and the song we can start to live by.
I thought I would end with this picture I found of Cummings smiling. It's a little contagious.
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