[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 164 (Thursday, October 17, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Page S5857]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      REMEMBERING ELIJAH CUMMINGS

  Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, we woke up this morning to learn with 
profound sadness that our friend and colleague Congressman Elijah 
Cummings, the son of sharecroppers who became the chair of the House 
Oversight Committee, passed away last night at the age of 68.
  It was the first thing I saw when I read the paper this morning, and 
it hit me like a punch in the stomach.
  In his 23 years in Congress, Elijah amassed a legacy that will live 
on long after his sudden passing. He served the people of his Maryland 
district with selflessness, passion, and grace.
  Since it only happened this morning, I can't do justice to the legacy 
of Elijah Cummings, but I would like to share a few reflections, and I 
know that my dear friend Senator Cardin was close like this--like 
brothers--with Elijah Cummings, and they had worked together on so many 
things for Maryland and the country. I know he is here sharing our deep 
sadness.
  Now, truly, Elijah Cummings was not just a great Congressman. He was 
a great man. He had a presence--a commanding presence--when he entered 
the room, and he could be strong when he had to be, and he had to be 
strong quite often. But he also was always kind and decent and caring 
and honorable.
  It is a rare combination, that inner strength and that decency and 
that kindness. Elijah had it. If we had lived in happier times, maybe 
the public would have seen this kind side more often, but Elijah was 
never one to shrink from the moment.
  I talked to him frequently. We would talk about the goings-on in the 
House or the Senate or the political trivia of the day. Sometimes we 
would talk about Maryland politics. He was an expert.
  Elijah was revered by his constituents and indeed by the entire State 
of Maryland. Liberal or conservative, Democrat or Republican, Black or 
White, you went to Elijah Cummings for advice. His loss is an enormous 
one for his constituents, for his staff and, above all, his family. I 
pray for them this morning, as I pray for our country when people like 
Elijah Cummings of the world are no longer with us.

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