This morning, with the passing of Congressman Elijah Cummings, the Cummings family, the Maryland Democratic family, and all the people of the great 7th Congressional District of Maryland are in our thoughts.
The son of a sharecropper, Congressman Elijah Cummings dreamed of becoming a lawyer from a young age. When he was told he would never fulfill is dreams of becoming a lawyer because he was a slow learner and a poor speaker, Congressman Cummings persevered nonetheless. He died not just an accomplished lawyer, but as Chairman of one of the most powerful committees in the U.S. House of Representatives.
The Talbot Democratic Party was honored with his presence last May at our annual Douglass-Tubman Dinner. The walls of the Armory shook with his impassioned rhetoric – he was an incredible orator. Congressman Cummings lived up to the high expectations fellow Marylanders Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman. He was a worthy speaker to our incredibly lucky audience.
We have lost a man of valor and uncommon decency. His light shines in our world today, casting aside any darker place. And while our hearts may be heavier today, Congressman Cummings would not want us to stop and rest – he never did.
Congressman Cummings valiantly fought the good fight; we rededicate ourselves today, and in his memory, to carry on his mission as a standard bearer for justice, equity, and respect for all who walk this land. His mother’s final words to him were “Do not let them take our votes away from us.” We won’t.
Scott Kane, Chair
Talbot County Democratic Central Committee
Carol Voyles says
Thank you for this lovely and most fitting tribute to Congressman Cummings.