The Following Are Statements Made By Leaders Across Maryland Regarding The Life And Service Of The Late Rep. Elijah Cummings

Editor’s Note: Services for Elijah Cummings will be held Oct. 25 at New Psalmist Baptist Church in Baltimore. The wake will begin at 8:00 a.m., followed by the funeral at 10 a.m.

He Will Be Missed But His Legacy Will Live

Congressman Cummings will be sorely missed. He was impassioned by his constituents and empowered by God for a special time. We are deeply saddened by his passing, but rejoice in the certainty that he woke up this morning among the angels. His legacy will live forever.

--Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks

We Have All Been Made Better By His Leadership

The Prince George’s County Council is deeply saddened by the news that U.S. Congressman Elijah Cummings has passed away.

His wife, Maya Rockeymoore Cummings and their entire family are foremost in our thoughts and prayers, as they embrace this personal and heartbreaking loss.

We also offer our condolences to the colleagues and beloved constituents of Congressman Cummings. Guided by his faith, he was an inspiring and tireless advocate for his constituents, the City of Baltimore, the great state of Maryland, and our nation. We have all been made better by his leadership and service.

A powerful and gracious leader, Elijah Cummings was a shining example of a true public servant, an inspiring voice for the people, a champion for civil rights, and a fighter for justice.

His unmatched legacy of service will have an enduring impact on us all, and as we remember him, we are grateful for a job well done.

--Prince George’s County Council Chair Todd M. Turner

He Spoke For Those Who Had No Ability To Speak For Themselves.

"America lost one of its greatest champions for justice. We mourn the passing of Congressman Elijah Cummings and extend our heartfelt condolences to his wife, Dr. Maya Rockeymoore Cummings, and the Cummings family. Congressman Cummings contributed a lifetime of amazing public service to the residents of our state and our nation. His tireless advocacy and passion for the needs of the poor and disenfranchised was a hallmark of his tenure. He frequently spoke for those who had no ability to speak for themselves. His leadership in Congress was always marked by irreproachable levels of statesmanship and dignity, even amidst the recent decline of decency at the highest offices of our Executive Branch. Congressman Cummings reminded us of the conscience of the American Dream and the promises of a more perfect union. He urged us to reach back and lift up our forgotten communities so that they could eventually find a place at our nation’s table of opportunity and prosperity. Congressman Cummings, now you rest with the angels rejoicing in heaven. Let us now take up your mighty mantle."

--Prince George's County Council Council Member At-Large Mel Franklin

He Served With Distinction, His Life Has Been One Of Dedication

We are all still at a loss of words to express our sadness over the loss of an icon, Congressman Elijah Cummings.

I've known the Congressman a long time, and everything you've heard about him is true. He served his community, his state, and his country with distinction, and his presence will be missed at home and in Washington.

For nearly 40 years, he has served the state, first as a Delegate in Annapolis, and, since 1996, as Congressman for the 7th District, serving not just Baltimore City, his birthplace and lifelong home, but Baltimore and Howard Counties as well.

He graduated with distinction from Howard University, serving as Student Government President there, and went on to graduate from the Maryland School of Law.

His life has been one of dedication to his constituency, and, more than once, his constituency included all of us who have called Maryland home.

Hopefully, we all learn from his words as we recover from the stunning news. He said, "Every time something bad happens to me, I don't ask the question, Why did it happen to me? The question I ask is, Why did it happen for me?"

Rest in Peace, Congressman. You will be missed and never forgotten.

—-M.H. Jim Estepp, President & CEO, Greater Prince George's Business Roundtable and the Andrews Business & Community Alliance

Congressman Cummings Was A Leader To Emulate And A Role Model.

“I was heartbroken to learn about the passing of Congressman Elijah Cummings. Congressman Cummings was a champion for civil rights in our great state and throughout our nation. He was passionate about constituent service, fairness, equality, and justice. As an African American mayor, I personally looked at Congressman Cummings as a leader to emulate and as a role model. He spoke out even when his words weren’t popular, he fought tirelessly for what he felt was right, and he was a strong believer in an open, inclusive, and participatory democracy. He will be sorely missed.”

– Upper Marlboro Mayor Wanda Leonard

He Fought For Civil Rights, Protected the Tenets Of Our Democracy

“Rep. Cummings was a powerhouse, a champion of civil rights, and an icon, his loss will be felt across the country, and especially in his hometown of Baltimore. We must continue the unwavering work of pursuing justice and rights for all in his memory. For generations to come, his legacy will be remembered as one that fought tirelessly for civil rights, protected the tenets of our democracy, and lifted up marginalized Americans. His passing was a sad day, but the future, thanks to Rep. Cummings’ work, is brighter and more hopeful. We will keep his wife Maya and their children lifted up in prayer and honor his legacy in the work we do each day.”

--Executive Director of Faith in Action, Rev. Alvin Herring

Mr. Speaker: We All Knew His Passion For Justice, Intellect And His Devotion To Making Government Work For The People

“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have the sad task of announcing what probably most of you already know. We have lost a great American; a decent American; a wonderful member of this body, Elijah Cummings.”

“The Members of the House, the people of Maryland, the people of the United States of America woke up to this sad and shocking news that we had lost this dear friend, a devoted public servant, a dedicated patriot who reflected courtesy and respect for all. In a time of confrontation and disagreement and anger and, yes, sometimes hate, he was a beacon of civility, of fairness, of justice.”

“He was Chairman of the Oversight and Reform Committee. He passed away too early at 68 years of age. All of us who served with him knew his passion for justice, his sharp intellect. We knew his wit. We knew his devotion to the cause of making government work for the people.”

“It will be surely said of Elijah that he worked hard until the very end He never wavered in his dedication to the cause he made the hallmarks of his career those causes were equality, opportunity for all voting rights, civil rights, alleviating poverty, establishing justice, ensuring that those entrusted with high office are held accountable and carry out their responsibilities lawfully and ethically.”

“Elijah Cummings was, of course, a true son of Baltimore, a city of grit and hope, a city of dreams and hard work. He was loved in the city of Baltimore”

“His life will forever be an example to all of us of striving to better one's community and one's country, of passion and service to one's fellow man and woman, and of perseverance in the face of adversity while in pursuit of making this country and the world a better place.”

“We will miss him dearly. My thoughts are with his wife, Maya, and his three children, and I offer my condolences to the people of Maryland’s Seventh District who loved their Congressman... May God bless Elijah Cummings, his family, all of us, and this great country.”

—Congressman Steny Hoyer on The Floor Of The House Of Representatives

A Stalwart In Maryland Public Service And An Example Of Moral Leadership

The Prince George’s Chamber of Commerce expresses our condolences to the Maryland community and the Cummings Family on the passing of Chairman Elijah Cummings.

Chairman Cummings was a stalwart in Maryland public service and an example of moral leadership. Mentored by such luminaries as Dr. Ronald Walters of Howard University, Chairman Cummings took his learning to become one of the most admired advocates and public officials in Maryland’s history. Indeed, Chairman Cummings became a global voice for justice and righteousness. He led by the heart and legislated with passion.

To quote Chair Cummings: “I am called by God for this moment.”

With his passing, we say: “Well done, good and faithful Servant.” Let us give thanks for the life of Chairman Cummings.

--The Prince George’s Chamber of Commerce

Hoyer Statement on the Passing of Congressman Elijah Cummings

“I was shocked and saddened to learn the news this morning of my dear friend’s passing. Elijah Cummings was a man of principle, patriotism, and conviction, whose loss will be deeply felt throughout the State of Maryland and our country.

“For over two decades, we served together in the House, and I learned many lessons from observing Elijah at work. He taught his colleagues how to persevere in the face of adversity, laboring through health challenges in recent years out of a love for serving his constituents and country. He taught us patience and fortitude when confronted with malice from opponents, which he answered with ‘charity for all.’ And his faith in democracy served as a lesson to us all. When talking about the times we fell short of our Founders’ vision, Elijah would say ‘we are better than this.’ Elijah Cummings was better than most. He led the charge to make our democracy better by being better than those who would bring it low and leading by example.

“As the son of sharecroppers, Elijah grew up understanding the challenges of poverty and fought throughout his career in elected office to bring hope and relief to those in need, particularly the youth, in whom he had great faith and was dedicated to empowering and lifting up. A former Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, he made voting rights, equality, justice, and access to opportunity hallmarks of his career. He was also committed to ensuring that the next generation of Americans had access to greater opportunity and a better future. As Chair of the Committee on Oversight and Reform, he was the House’s crusader for making government work better and holding public officials accountable when they failed the American people. His memory will long guide us in that pursuit.

“I will never forget my dear friend, my trusted colleague, and my partner in serving Maryland in this House. I join in offering my condolences to his wife Maya and his children and to the entire Cummings family - and to the people of Maryland’s Seventh District whom he so ably served.”

Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05)

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A True American Champion

It is with deep sorrow that we lost a true American champion of the people with the passing of Congressman Cummings. His stance for justice, democracy, and equal rights must never be forgotten and continue to live in the minds of all people as an example of what can be When we stand tall together.

—Dr. James Dula, Major, USAF (Ret)

As Tough and Strong As The City And State He Represented

Elijah Cummings was as passionate and tough and as strong as the city and state he represented. When necessary he was the comforting voice of a learned preacher. He was the fair leader that befriended people of all walks and all political leanings. He was a street fighter who stepped into the battle when Baltimore needed him and he was the wise statesman when others attempted to besmirch it. Like his namesake, we will long remember Elijah Cummings.

—Raoul Dennis, Prince George’s Suite Magazine & Media