[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 55 (Thursday, April 25, 1996)]
[House]
[Pages H3822-H3824]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
WELCOMING THE HONORABLE ELIJAH E. CUMMINGS TO THE HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES
(Mr. HOYER asked and was given permission to address the House for 1
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, it is my great honor and privilege, on behalf
of all of my colleagues in the Maryland delegation, to first welcome
two of America's most outstanding leaders who have represented the
Seventh Congressional District which the gentleman from Maryland [Mr.
Cummings] now represents.
They are our friends, they were our colleagues, they are great
Americans: The Honorable Parren Mitchell, our former colleague; and
another example of the extraordinary quality that the constituents of
the Seventh District sends to the Congress of the United States, the
president and chief operating officer of the NAACP, our former
colleague and great American, Kweisi Mfume.
Mr. Speaker, I have the opportunity to introduce to the House their
newest colleague. He is the son of Rev. Ruth Cummings and Rev. Robert
Cummings. Mr. Speaker, before I make my brief remarks and yield to the
minority leader, I would like to acknowledge Senators Sarbanes and
Mikulski, who have joined us from the other body.
Mr. Speaker, although under the rules I cannot recognize them as
being in the gallery, and I shall not do so, it has been brought to my
attention that the distinguished Speaker of the Maryland House of
Delegates, Casper Taylor, will be able to hear my words. Mr. Speaker;
with all due apologies to our distinguished friend, Mr. Johnson.
Come walk with me. Come walk with me. I say these words with
reverence to our newest Member of the House. These are his words, his
words which have been spoken often in the chambers of Annapolis, and
which I know will be spoken often here to us. Words like these are not
heard often enough these days. It is more often ``Come fight with me.''
But these words represent the heart of what Elijah Cummings is all
about: A consummate legislator, a dedicated public servant, a consensus
builder, a fighter for what is right; a man, as you will all find, of
drive and determination, a man who has ascended to leadership through
integrity, hard work, and a belief in the good in mankind.
Born in Baltimore City, a graduate of City College in Baltimore, a
graduate
[[Page H3823]]
of Howard University, where he was president of the sophomore class,
junior class, and student government. He graduated, as Members will not
be surprised upon knowing him, Phi Beta Kappa. He graduated from the
University of Maryland Law School.
Elijah Cummings comes to the House with a vast background in working
closely in his community, particularly as a mentor and Big Brother to
the young people of his city and his community. He is a father figure
to many, and always has hoped in time to find the one golden glimmer
which will help turn a youth's life around. As an advocate for youth,
he is unshaken.
I recall over a year ago when then-Delegate Cummings was accosted
outside his Baltimore home and ordered to lie face down on the street
while being robbed. Even through this terrorizing experience, he was
and remains undeterred, and has never given up his faith in youth.
His service the past 14 years with the Maryland General Assembly,
where he was the first African-American in the history of our State to
be elected Speaker pro tempore, the No. 2 position in the House of
Delegates, has brought him recognition by his colleagues, as well as
being one of its most effective members.
Elijah Cummings brings the same talent, drive, and personal
conviction as his predecessors who I have previously introduced. I
encourage you, Elijah, to use your spirit of good will in reaching out
to all of us to come walk with you.
Join me in welcoming our newest colleague, an extraordinary human
being, the gentleman from Maryland, Elijah E. Cummings.
Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Missouri [Mr. Gephardt],
the distinguished minority leader.
Mr. GEPHARDT. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague. On behalf of all of
our colleagues, Democrat and Republican as well, I rise to recognize
and welcome our new colleague, the gentleman from Maryland, Elijah
Cummings. As the gentleman from Maryland, Steny Hoyer, has said, this
new Member has very big shoes to fill, and those shoes are represented
by the two former Representatives in this district who are here today,
and we are honored by their presence.
As Steny has said, this young man was born and raised in the same
city he now serves, the city of Baltimore. He knows the neighborhoods,
the schools, the stores and the churches, because he lived among them
all of his life. He has never lost his passion for building a better
Baltimore, for giving something back to the city and community that has
given so much to him.
As Steny said, he took his Phi Beta Kappa degree from Howard
University and his law degree from the University of Maryland, and went
right back to Baltimore, building a highly distinguished career as a
lawyer, and then serving four terms in the Maryland General Assembly.
In the Maryland House he was a leader on criminal justice issues, on
constitutional law, and on economic issues. After one term he was
elected chairman of the Maryland Legislative Black Caucus, the youngest
person ever to hold that post. Last year he was elected Speaker Pro Tem
to the House of Delegates, the second ranking position in the House.
His colleagues thought he did such an outstanding job they voted him
one of Maryland's most effective legislators in a poll.
Beyond all these titles and accomplishments, Mr. Speaker, I believe
Elijah will make a difference in this Congress for less tangible
reasons than Steny cited: His abiding sense of decency and humanity,
his ability to see the subtleties in our public problems, and his
determination to pass on to the next generation the opportunities that
he earned in his own life.
On behalf of all of us, Republican and Democrat alike, I am delighted
to welcome the gentleman from Maryland to the 104th Congress. I think
he is going to be a powerful force for progress in his State and in our
country, and I know that we will count on his leadership, as Maryland
has counted on his leadership, for many years to come. Welcome to the
House of Representatives.
Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I yield to our colleague, the gentleman from
Maryland [Mr. Cardin], the former Speaker of the House of Delegates.
Mr. CARDIN. Mr. Speaker, let me thank my friend, the gentleman from
Maryland, for yielding to me.
Mr. Speaker, in 1982 I had an experience similar to the gentleman
from Maryland's of presiding over the session when Elijah Cummings
became a member of the legislature, of the Maryland House of Delegates.
I had the opportunity to serve with our new colleague in the House of
Delegates, and I can tell each one of the Members that they are in for
a treat: a person who is dedicated to public service and dedicated to
helping people.
Mr. Speaker, as we have already heard, the torch of leadership in the
Seventh Congressional District has not passed very often in the last
quarter of a century. Elijah is now the fourth person to hold that
seat, with Parren Mitchell, who became a leader of this Nation on urban
issues, on banking issues, and particularly small business.
Kweisi Mfume was elected a decade ago to this body, the same time I
was. We became and are very close friends. Kweisi became a national
leader, chairman of the Black Caucus, and has spoken out so well on so
many issues. I was very proud when Kweisi was selected as the head of
the NAACP. It was a great decision for that organization and for this
Nation, but I lost a colleague and a friend in this legislative body.
Today I am very excited that Elijah Cummings is taking that position.
He will follow in that tradition.
{time} 1045
He was an outstanding member of the House of Delegates, holding the
vice chairmanships of two of our standing committees. Mr. Speaker, we
only have six standing committees in the Maryland House of Delegates
and Elijah has shown expertise in two of those. He went on to become
the Speaker Pro Tem, very actively involved in the leadership of our
General Assembly.
So, Mr. Speaker, it is particularly a pleasure for me to say hello
and welcome my colleague for so many years in the House of Delegates,
now in the Congress of the United States. I know Elijah Cummings will
add to the great tradition of the Seventh Congressional District.
Over the past quarter century, the torch of leadership has not been
passed often in Maryland's Seventh Congressional District. When it has
passed, the Nation has come to know that it should take notice, because
Maryland's Seventh District has sent leaders of stature and vision.
In 1970, the voters of Baltimore sent Parren Mitchell to the
Congress. Over 16 years in the House, Congressman Mitchell became an
acknowledged expert and leader on issues finance, banking, and
especially small business.
A decade ago, Congressman Mitchell announced his decision to step
down. Rising up to take his seat was a young, articulate, but little
known city council member named Kweisi Mfume; 1986 marked my own
election to the House. Over the past decade, Congressman Mfume and I
forged a strong working relationship and close friendship.
In his years in the House, Congressman Mfume rose to become a
national spokesman on behalf of African-Americans and all
Americans concerned about justice, fairness, and the realization of the
American dream.
Congressman Mfume rose, as Congressman Mitchell had before him, to
chair the Congressional Black Caucus. From that post, he used his
exceptional skills as a tactistian, an orator, and as a strategist to
fight effectively for the people of his district and the Nation.
Nobody was prouder than I when, this winter, the NAACP announced that
Congressman Mfume would become its new CEO and President.
While I miss my good friend in this body, I am excited over the
prospect of serving with the newly elected Congressman from the
Seventh.
Elijah Cummings is an honorable and able successor as the
representative of the Seventh District. He brings all the dedication,
intelligence, and vision that distinguished his two predecessors, and I
have no doubt he will follow in their footsteps as a national leader.
Elijah and I have served together before, in Maryland's House of
Delegates. I was delighted to welcome him to Annapolis in 1982 when he
arrived as a new member.
In his 14 years in the State legislature, he has demonstrated a
talent for legislative craftsmanship and responsiveness to the concerns
of the people he represents that will serve him--and the Nation--well
here in Congress. He also has a gift for building consensus and
bringing people together that this body desperately needs.
His colleagues in Annapolis have recognized his leadership, as he has
risen to be
[[Page H3824]]
chairman of Maryland's Legislative Black Caucus, the youngest person
ever to attain that position.
As vice chairman of the House Constitutional and Administrative Law
Committee and as vice chairman of the Economic Matters Committee, he
has acquired a wealth of expertise and experience that he will now
bring to bear on the considerable problems facing this Nation. Most
recently, he became Speaker Pro Tem of the House of Delegates, the
second highest position of leadership in that body.
I am delighted to join my other colleagues in welcoming my neighbor
to the House of Representatives. I am sure he will follow in the proud
tradition of his district and enjoy a long and distinguished career
here in the people's House.
Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I would now like to yield to a gentleman who
served with Elijah in the House of Delegates and then was his colleague
as a member of the Maryland State senate, will now be again his
colleague here in the House of the people, the distinguished
Representative from the Fourth Congressional District of Maryland, Mr.
Albert Wynn.
Mr. WYNN. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend and colleague for yielding.
In 1983 I was elected to the Maryland House of Delegates. As I looked
around the orientation, I noticed another young man who really
impressed me. That man stands before you today.
So I can tell you from personal experience, having stood shoulder-to-
shoulder with Elijah Cummings, that he is a true worker for people. I
do not have to tell you a lot. Let me simply say that I have watched
this man and worked with this man. He has worked for economic
development, but he has never forgotten the needs of the downtrodden or
the less fortunate. He brings to this House tremendous compassion.
All Members need to know about Elijah Cummings is that he is a man of
tremendous sincerity, commitment, compassion, and faith in God. He will
do a wonderful job for the people of the Seventh Congressional
District. He will do a wonderful job for the people of this country. I
am looking forward to working with him. Congratulations and welcome,
Elijah.
Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, the last person before I introduce Mr.
Cummings or yield to Mr. Cummings is the dean of the Republican
delegation. We are one delegation, but the dean of our Republicans, the
distinguished gentlewoman from Montgomery County who herself served
with Mr. Cummings, Connie Morella.
Mrs. MORELLA. Mr. Speaker, I thank the distinguished gentleman for
giving me the opportunity to congratulate not only Congressman Cummings
but all of us in the 104th Congress for having him added to our
numbers. He will speak in a very strong voice, with compassion, with
justice, with knowledge.
Indeed, it has been mentioned that he has been handed quite a legacy.
Our very good friends who have represented that district so well who
are here today: Kweisi Mfume, whom I consider one of my dearest
friends, who was elected with me and Ben Cardin to the historic 100th
Congress; Barbara Mikulski, our Senator who also represented that
district. Senator Sarbanes, did you represent that direct? You did in
your heart, that is for sure.
But we all reflect the kind of fine work that has been done there,
and I did have the grand opportunity to serve for 4 years with
Congressman Cummings in the House of Delegates. Very proud of your
background, the temperament, the compassion, and I particularly like
the fact that here is a man who is going to work for the American
people, both sides of the aisle. He is not predisposed to any one
specific myopic kind of philosophy. He wants to work for the American
people, for the people of Maryland. I salute him and I congratulate
him.
Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman. I might observe that
our senior Senator has always served every district in our State.
Ladies and gentlemen, I am deeply honored to introduce to you a very
fine human being who we will be privileged to serve with and walk with,
Elijah Cummings.
Mr. CUMMINGS. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker and Members, to the
Maryland congressional delegation, to two of my mentors, both of whom I
love. Their spirit is a part of my spirit. Their hopes and dreams are
part of my hopes and dreams.
To Kweisi Mfume and Parren J. Mitchell, I just want you to know that
I love you, and I thank you for all that you have done for the city of
Baltimore, the State of Maryland, the Nation, and the world. I
appreciate you.
To my family and friends and to the members of the Maryland
Legislature who are up there, only God could create this path, only
God. Only God could create a path where the son of two sharecroppers
from Manning, SC could rise to represent the people of the Seventh
Congressional District in the Congress of the United States of America.
Only God, and so I must first thank God for this opportunity.
I also thank Him for giving me the strength, the humility, and the
courage to walk the path that He has given me. So often we in public
life forget that we are very fortunate to come upon this Earth and have
an opportunity to serve. So often we forget, because we get so caught
up in our battles and our struggles, that so many people wish they
could have the problems we have.
So I am just a happy, happy man. I am also very happy, they tell me
it is unusual for Members of the other body--I have got to get this
language right--to come over, but my two Senators, I want to thank you
for being here and for all that you have done. It is not just that they
are here today, but they have been walking with me for a long time, and
I appreciate you.
Mr. Speaker, I represent a diverse district, a very diverse district.
We have people who have a lot of problems. We have people who have very
nice homes. We have people who are struggling just trying to make it.
It honors me tremendously to know that they would send me here to
represent them.
I have often said on the floor of the Maryland House of Delegates
that our world would be a much better world and a much better place if
we would only concentrate on the things we have in common instead of
concentrating on our differences. It is easy to find differences, very
easy. We need to take more time to find common ground.
So my mission is one that comes out of a vision that was created
long, long ago. It is a mission and a vision to empower people, to make
people realize that the power is within them, that they, too, can do
the things that they want to do. So I am about that mission. I am
looking forward to joining with all of you as we travel this road I
often call journey, which I define as life.
There is a poem that Parren Mitchell said many, many years ago, that
I say sometimes 20 times a day, and it is a very simple poem but it is
one that I live by. It says: ``I only have a minute, 60 seconds in it,
forced upon me, I did not choose it, but I know that I must use it,
give account if I abuse it, suffer if I lose it, only a tiny little
minute, but eternity is in it.''
So I join you as we move forward to uplife not only the Nation but
the world. May God bless you all and may God bless America.
____________________