[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 166 (Monday, October 21, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1319]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





  TRIBUTE TO CONGRESSMAN CUMMINGS FROM THE AMERICAN DENTAL ASSOCIATION

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MICHAEL K. SIMPSON

                                of idaho

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 21, 2019

  Mr. SIMPSON. Madam Speaker, I am deeply saddened by the loss of my 
colleague, Congressman Elijah Cummings. He was a true leader in 
Congress and had the respect of his colleagues. I feel honored for 
having the opportunity to work with him as his Co-chair of the 
Congressional Oral Health Caucus. As a former dentist, I appreciated 
Congressman Cummings for being an advocate for oral health and 
advancing many important issues in a bipartisan manner. He will be 
missed in the halls of Congress and I send my deepest condolences to 
his family.
  On behalf of the American Dental Association, I would like to include 
in the Record the following statement which recognizes Congressman 
Cummings for his dedication to oral health:

       The American Dental Association (ADA) would like to offer 
     its sincerest condolences to the colleagues, family, friends 
     and constituents of Representatives Elijah Cummings. 
     Representative Cummings dedicated his life of service to 
     uplifting and empowering the people he was sworn to represent 
     in Congress.
       Since 1996, Congressman Cummings has proudly represented 
     Maryland's 7th Congressional District in the U.S. House of 
     Representatives, where we have discussed many of the complex 
     challenges of health care in his state. Rep. Cummings 
     understood the significance between oral health and general 
     well-being for overall health.
       As Co-chair of the Oral Health Caucus, Rep. Cummings was 
     dedicated to increasing awareness of oral health care and to 
     funding emerging dental research. Americans will forever be 
     thankful for his support of initiatives that address oral 
     health equity, including the Action for Dental Health Act. He 
     was a staunch supporter and promoter of oral health as a part 
     of overall health policy. Rep. Cummings knew that greater 
     access to dental care needed to include education and 
     awareness and made it a priority to help initiate Maryland's 
     first statewide oral health literacy campaign.
       Rep. Cummings often said that ``Our children are the living 
     messages that we send to a future we will never see.'' We 
     admired his dedication to ensuring that our next generations 
     have access to quality health care and education. Congress 
     lost a true advocate for the people today. His willingness to 
     work and fight for those who need him most is the biggest 
     loss to our nation.
       The ADA will sincerely miss the wisdom and dedication of 
     Congressman Cummings to make real and lasting change with the 
     continued commitment and collaboration of the oral health 
     community. We will remain saddened yet dedicated to help make 
     that lasting change as part of his legacy.
           Sincerest condolences,
                                           Chad P. Gehani, D.D.S.,
     President of the American Dental Association.

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