Rep.Elijah Cummings, A Giant in The History of The U.S. Congress, Died This Morning
Rep. Carolyn Maloney will become the Acting Chair of the House Oversight committee following the death of Chairman Elijah Cummings, a senior Democratic leadership aide tells CNN.
“Pursuant to House Rules, Rep. Carolyn Maloney becomes Acting Chair as number two in seniority on the committee. The caucus process to elect a permanent Chair will be announced at a later time.”
The Oversight Committee is one of the panels involved in the impeachment inquiry of Trump.
Speaker Pelosi: "In the House, Elijah was our North Star"
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she is “personally devastated" following the death of Rep. Elijah Cummings, calling him the “North Star” of the House of Representatives.
“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," she said.
Here's her full statement:
“The people of Baltimore, the U.S. Congress and America have lost a voice of unsurpassed moral clarity and truth: our beloved Chairman Elijah Cummings. I am personally devastated by his passing.
In the House, Elijah was our North Star. 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. His principled leadership as Chair of the Committee on Oversight and Reform was the perfect testament to his commitment to restoring honesty and honor to government, and leaves a powerful legacy for years to come.
As a senior member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, he was always fighting for his district and for the state of Maryland. He was a powerful voice for building the infrastructure of America and creating good-paying jobs. As a Member of the U.S. Naval Academy Board of Visitors, he took great pride in Maryland’s role in our national security.
Chairman Cummings’ story was the story of America: a sharecroppers’ son who dedicated his life to advancing justice, respecting human dignity and ending discrimination. He believed in the promise of America because he had lived it, and he dedicated his life to advancing the values that safeguard our republic: justice, equality, liberty, fairness.
Earlier this year, Chairman Cummings asked us, ‘When we’re dancing with the angels, the question will be asked: in 2019, what did we do to make sure we kept our democracy intact?’ May Chairman Cummings’ strength guide us as we carry on his work to honor the oath and protect our democracy.
In the Congress, we will miss his wisdom, his warm friendship and his great humanity. In Baltimore, we will miss our champion. May it be a comfort to his wife Maya, his three children and Chairman Cummings’ entire family that so many mourn their loss and are praying for them at this sad time.”
Cummings "never forgot his duty to fight for the rights and dignity of the marginalized," Baltimore mayor says
Baltimore Mayor Bernard C. “Jack,” Young said the city, nation, and world have lost "one of the strongest and most gifted crusaders for social justice" following the death of Elijah Cummings.
"He was, put simply, a man of God who never forgot his duty to fight for the rights and dignity of the marginalized and often forgotten," Young said in a statement.
He continued: "Rest easy, Congressman. We love you and will draw strength by remembering your selfless acts of service and dedication to pursuing equality and basic human rights for all people.”
Here's his full statement:
“With the passing of U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings, the City of Baltimore, our country, and people throughout the world have lost a powerful voice and one of the strongest and most gifted crusaders for social justice.
Rep. Cummings, the son of sharecroppers whose ancestors were slaves, wasn't afraid to use his considerable intellect, booming voice, and poetic oratory to speak out against brutal dictators bent on oppression, unscrupulous business executives who took advantage of unsuspecting customers, or even a U.S. President. He was, put simply, a man of God who never forgot his duty to fight for the rights and dignity of the marginalized and often forgotten.
As we enter this period of mourning, let us remember his long legacy of justice as an example to us all of a life well lived.
Rest easy, Congressman. We love you and will draw strength by remembering your selfless acts of service and dedication to pursuing equality and basic human rights for all people.”
House chairs remember Cummings: He was "the heart and soul of our caucus"
House Intelligence Committee Chairman Schiff and House Judiciary Committee Chairman Nadler have both tweeted this morning on the death of Elijah Cummings.
Cummings was the chair of the House Oversight and Reform Committee.
Schiff called Cummings “the heart and soul of our caucus,” and Nadler said his “presence passion and moral clarity will be missed.”
Here are their messages:
Elijah Cummings was the heart and soul of our caucus, a dignified leader with a voice that could move mountains.
He was our moral and ethical North Star. Now we will be guided by his powerful memory and incomparable legacy.
Rest In Peace, my friend.
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Such sad news this morning. @RepCummings was my friend and a giant of public service and the U.S. Congress. His presence, passion and moral clarity will be missed and my heart goes out to his family and constituents. twitter.com/baltimoresun/s…
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1 hr 13 min ago
Trump on Cummings: "His work and voice on so many fronts will be very hard, if not impossible, to replace!"
President Trump has just tweeted his “warmest condolences” following the death of Congressman Elijah Cummings.
“I got to see first hand the strength, passion and wisdom of this highly respected political leader. His work and voice on so many fronts will be very hard, if not impossible, to replace!”
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