I rise today to pay special tribute to congressman elijah e. Cummings. A man of great honor and a giant within the house of representatives. Congressman cummings was born in baltimore on january 18, 1951. He was one of seven children of robin and ruth robert and Ruth Cummings and although his family struggled financially, they always found a way to help others in their community. Representative cummings and his family, like thousands of other africanamericans, had to face the brutal experience of the jim crow period. When representative cummings was a child at 11, he was attacked while trying to swim in the neighborhood swimming pool. Racist adults threw rocks and bottles that resulted in injuries. But left him with a determination to study law and to become the fighter for social justice that characterized his life. He would go on to receive his bachelors degree in Political Science from howard university. And while at howard, he served as Student Government president. After gragg graduating from howard university, he obtained his law degree from the university of Maryland School of law. Congressman incumbentings practiced law in Baltimore Cummings practiced law in baltimore and was elected to the maryland house of delegates where he served for 14 years and ascended to become the first africanamerican speaker pro tempore. In 1996, congressman cummings won a special election to congress. He immediately demonstrated his leadership talent and won the respect of his colleagues. In 2003, he was elected as chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, where he served with distinction. In 2011, he was elected by the Democratic Caucus as the Ranking Member of the committee on oversight and reform, and in january of this year, he became the chair of the committee. At this difficult time in the history of our country, we were so fortunate to have had representative cummings and the leadership of in the leadership of such an important an contentious committee. He fought passionately for the rights of children separated from their families. He fought for everyone to have health care and medications that were affordable. He fought for everyone to have access and the right to vote. And anyone who attended a Committee Hearing could feel his passion and even if they disagreed with him, they knew his passion was based on his belief in a commitment to fight for justice. The respect he afforded his opponents demonstrated for everyone to see how to lead with integrity and humility. Chairman cummings once said, im not trying to do anything extraordinary. Im trying to do what the constitution says im supposed to do. Representative cummings passing is a loss to the entire nation, especially at this moment in history, where he provided for us all an example of true leadership. Leadership for the people, not leadership for selfadvancement. He provided an example for us all to emulate. His memory will forever be in our hearts and his legacy is secured in history. Because in spite of his word, he was in fact extraordinary. I yield back. Mr. Horsford i thank the chair for her timely remarks. And for her leadership and compassion for our entire Congressional Black Caucus membership during this very difficult time. I would like to yield now to the majority whip, congressman james e. Clyburn from south carolina. Mr. Clyburn thank you very much. I thank you so much for yielding the time. I thank the chairlady of our caucus for giving us somewhat of a resume of the life of Elijah Cummings. Most people know that Elijah Cummings roots were deep in south carolinas soil. I happen to represent the county in which he was born. Or which his parents were born. Ey came north to baltimore seeking a better life for their children. They were sharecroppers. In the county that gave birth to brown vs. The board of education of topeka, kansas. The interesting thing about the ople of that community, that formed that movement, that spurred a national, and i dare say an international movement, was the simplicity of their lives, their aspirations. The brown case was not about integrating schools. It was about getting a school bus for their children. The people who came together. Ere people of modest means mr. Briggs, harry briggs, was an ordinary man working at a filling station making 23 a week. 18 a week making motel. Ir lady in a that is the community that Elijah Cummings family left. And he came back to that community often. And we would talk about it. The dreams and aspirations of his parents. And what they instilled in him. They were both evangelicals. Of elijah took on the mantle an eadvantage list. Evangelist. He didnt work to prepare people for the hereafter. He worked to prepare people for he here and now. I have been approached by the s media sources with question, what is the legacy of Elijah Cummings . Its a simple legacy that i hope all of us would remember. Rst of all, it matters not where you come from. What really matters is how far you go. He came to this body knowing full well that he was coming to a body where people stood on the shoulders of giants. He didnt set out to be a giant. But he became one. And we today are much better off because of Elijah Cummings. I often think about a long conversation elininga and i had over elijah and i had over near the wall. About being day placed in special education as a child. And he told me what it was like when a teacher saw him and decided that the only thing special about Elijah Cummings was his inquisitiveness. He was inquisitive. A little bit too much for some. Ople and they thought to get rid of him, to put him in special education. This teacher took him out of that class. And Elijah Cummings went on to graduate college phi beta kappa. Finish law school to become the first africanamerican to head a position in the house of delegates of maryland. Nd to come here to this body and to chair a committee, a committee that he chairs with distinction and reverence. Were going to miss elijah this bodyall of us in will stand upon his strong shoulders. Thank you, elijah. Thank you. Mr. Horsford i thank the majority whip for his heartfelt marks and for sharing yo personal reflections on your friendship and service with chairman cummings. At this time we have a number of our colleagues who will speak. And in order to give ample time to all the members, were asking that if the members can please keep their remarks to a minute, a minute and 30. Now id like to yield to a civil rights icon, a man who im very honored to serve in this body with each and every day, the great congressman john lewis from the state of georgia. Louis riddick i rise to pay tribute to mr. Lewis i rise to pay tribute to a close, dear and beloved friend. Almost like a brother. Congressman Elijah Cummings. This great man, this brother, spent 36 years in Public Service to his people, his home state, and to our country. He was the leader who loved this nation, all of its people, and fought until his very last breath for those who had been left out and left behind. He dedicated every single moment of his life to strengthening and preserving our union. He spent every waking moment thinking of those who were hurting and suffering. He focused all of his energy into this congress and the people we represent. I tell you, it was an honor to know and to love him. It was an honor to serve with him. It was a great honor to consider him my brother and my friend. Sometimes people would confuse us. And say, hello, elijah. Or hello, john lewis, to hip. Him. And we would joke about it. We would laugh about it. And i would tell the people in maryland, and people around our , weon, and around the world have lost a warrior. And i dont think well be so lucky or so blessed to see the ikeness of this man again. As a nation, as a people, we owe chairman cummings a debt, a debt of gratitude. There are no words to describe the loss of our brother, our friend and our colleague who lived up to this great and powerful name. It hurts so deeply that all i can do is keep his wife, his family and all who knew and love im in my constant prayers. Elijah, we hope to see you again one day. Blessed be your name. I yield back. Mr. Horsford i thank the gentleman from georgia. And we do, as a body, extend our sincerest condolenessences to chairman cummings condolences to chairman cummings wife, dr. Maya moore, chair children, grabbed children, friends, grandchildren, friends, staff and all those who he positively impacted in his life and work. I now would like to yield to the gentlelady from the district of columbia, congresswoman eleanor mahomes norton. Eleanor holmes norton. Ms. Norton i thank my good friend for yielding. , my good ke these friend cho chaired the oversight and who chaired the oversight and Government Reform Committee on which i also served, serve, was compelled to be a strong leader. But thats who elijah was anyway. Elionela cummings was Elijah Cummings was known for calling out his republican colleagues on countless issues, from the cummings census to the treatment of children coming across the order. Yet always chairman cummings took a principled stand whenever he saw the strong against the weak. Elijah cummings strong sense of principle was reinforced by his commanding presence, booming voice, and convincing sense of rectitude. Yet the presence of the passing of chairman cummings drew widespread sympathy and comments from the very republicans in this house he most opposed. It is republicans who give the best witness to chairman cummings resolute fairness. Even as he held the gavel, he always let his adversaries have their say. Fterwards, he took them to the cleaners. We have lost aligea cummings when the house needed his premmed leadership. Our committee on oversight and reform is one of the committees deeply involved in the impeachment inquiry. Almost every day, republicans and democrats are sitting in to hear testimony and ask questions of witnesses during this investigation stage of the impeachment inquiry. Ijah cummings is legendary evenhandedness will be most missed by all who are looking for a role model and for best practices for the rare impeachment inquiry and for that moment and for that matter hereafter. Lets is all remember our good friend. Mr. Horsford thank you for sharing your remarks and reflections. E definitely had a presence as a dignified leader and chairman and what it means to oversee his committee with stability and respect for each member. I had served on that committee and i learned a lot. At this time, i would like to yield to sanford bishop, from the great zate of state of georgia. Mr. Bishop i thank the gentleman for yielding. This is the day the lord has made despite the fact that our hearts are heavy, we must rejoice and be glad in it because we celebrate the life of life. G time as you have heard, elijah became one of the greatest public serve vants that our country has seen. He did what he believed was right to earn respect and friendship on both sides of the aisle. Is courage, his passion, his integrity were unden ible. He inspired regularly as one of the greatest servers in this house. He came to georgia as a guest speaker and when he finished, everyone was in awe. Elijahs powerful voice made everyone take notice. Listen intently and then act. America has host a fierce warrior who was committed to doing the right thing regardless of politics. We will truly feel his absence in this house, where he spoke truth to power and advocated for justice and equality for all. Y wife and i send out our done dollenses to his wife and children as we mileanhour this great man. Winston churchill once said, you make a living by which you get o make a life by which you give. Elijah cummings gave so much to so many for so long. He made his life. But even greater, he made a life for his constituents and for countless others all across this nation. Truly, this world is a better place because of the life and legacy of Elijah Cummings. To god, be the glory, our riend, our colleague and the legacy of elijah d. Cummings. I yield back. Lors horse i thank the gentleman heartfelt your remarks. This body tonight is very humbling to be each with the members great in their own way as one of the new members, it gives me a great provided to be a part of the Congressional Black Caucus and you made significant contributions not only to our districts to but to the entire country. Bobry to the honorable rush. R. Rush the lord says that in psalms 15 and 16, precious in lord. Ght of the with that in mind, the people of the first Congressional District of illinois send me to send their condolences to the family and friends to Elijah Cummings and to the citizens of the great 7th district of maryland. Elijah loved the lord because the lord first loved elijah. How do i know this . I know this for the many times that we have had many discussions. Rarely in those discussions did we talk about anything other han the gospel of jesus christ and how good the lord has been been to both elijah and to myself. I just stopped by the u. S. House of representatives this evening. To tell somebody to tell everybody that the lord is good forever. Ures thenation shall surely miss love, the compassion, the strength, the brilliance, the tireless dedication and the mazing work of Elijah Eugene cummings. Proclaims now to all ho are here, is praising for elijah and for elijahs work. The lord proclaims, well done, faithful servant. Well done. Mr. Horsford thank you for your encouraging words. The word we needed not the day we heard of the passing of chairman cummings but the word that sustains us each and every day. I would like to yield to the chairman of the education and labor committee, one of the big five as we call him in the Congressional Black Caucus, the congressman from the great state of virginia, congressman bobby scott. Mr. Scott thank you mr. Speaker. I join the chorus and to mourn the passing of our distinguished colleague. He served with passion with the rule of law and gomped in a respectful manner even dealing with the most controversial issues dealing with congress today. Is rightly noted, when he spoke, he spoke with moral authority reminding us we are better than that. He believed in the promise of america and served as an example of it every single day. We are better off from his leadership and the contributions he made over his life of service. I send my concxds con dolenses to his wife and three children. I hope they not only did he love the people of baltimore, he loved this great country. If we can just pattern our lives after Elijah Cummings path, well be fine. So to a great warrior, a great patriot, a great leader, who obviously in a lot of our minds god aken too short, we say bless you. We understand that if we had it we would o with have kept you hear but it just wasnt in the plan. So part, i say to you, as well as my colleagues, elijah, we appreciate you. Your job here in this Congress Speaks volumes bt. Speaks volume. God bless you. I yield back. I thank the chairman for coming to the floor and speaking on behalf of your experience and friendship with chairman cummings and as you said, he really demonstrated a life worth iving and an example, an embodyment, of young people and Young Leaders of what they should do to exemplify a good role model. I thank you for your remarks. At this time wed like to yield to congresswoman Sheila Jackson lee from the state of texas. Ms. Jackson lee to elijahs wonderful wife, my friend, his children and family, we have said over and over again how much we will miss him but we realize how much you will miss him. Elijah cummings was my classmate. He came in during a special election. But we always viewed each other classmates coming in in the mid 1990s. His spirit was so strong that he was able to provide his own internal strength and also to provide strength for others. I think we knew about elijahs parents more than anyone else. He talked about robert and Ruth Cummings, not only as sharecroppers but as preachers. And he talked about how they poured into his life. Elijah was a successful man, though he started with a designation that he was slow in chool. To phi beta kappa, to becoming the first africanamerican speaker protom. What i know about him is elijah would not want us to talk about all those successes. He probably wouldnt want us to talk about him being chairman, powerful chairman, of the Oversight Committee or talk about his work in criminal , or even when he took a whole group of members over to baltimore when he first got elected because of the scourge of hivaids. He wanted us to see it. He wanted us to stand with him. He wanted to show his community he was going to fight on their behalf. What i love most about elijah is that he mentored people anywhere he could find them. On the floor of the house. We joined each other in wanting to mentor young interns and every time the Congressional Black Caucus foundation called him to speak to the interns, i remember it was a time when john, myself, and elijah spoke to the class and elia lifted them beyond even anyones expression or belief. Elijah cummings gave his maiden speech and i want to give his words when he first came to the United States congress. When i saw these i said, how powerful and potent. Elijah cummings said, i only have a minute, 60 seconds in it, forced upon me, i did not choose it but i know i must use it, give account if i abuse it, suffer if i lose it, only a tiny little minute but eternity is in it. So as i close my remarks, being reminded that elijah would not want us to give his whole lit thi of success, i began to think of the speech of dr. Martin luther king on the night before his death. When he reminded people that he wanted to be known as someone who tried to help someone. He said he feared no man and when elijah spoke and worked, when he worked with republicans, he did not fear them but he brought them to him. He made peace while he also fought for justice. And in the words of dr. King in that last speech, he said, when people get caught up with that which is right, they are willing to sacrifice for it. Point of a opping real victory. I believe in this life, our dear friend secured real victory, victory for his people and his constituents, a victory for these who believe in justice and equality, and a victory for the people of the United States of america. And so elijah, the minute you had, the minute that was given to you, you did not waste it. And you have gained eternity. And as dr. King said, you are the orchestrateor of letting justice roll down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream. You were part of that justice, part of that victory, you didnt stop short. You only had a minute but boy what did you do with that. May god bless your soul. May you be at peace. May you r. I. P. And may we love you until we meet again. Thank you. I yield back. I thank the gentlelady for your remarks and now would like to yield to another great leader, she is one of the cochairs of the steering and policy committee for the House Democrats and a true champion on so many issues, particularly for women, children and families. I yield now to congresswoman barbara lee from the state of alifornia. Ms. Lee thank you, i thank the gentleman and also representatives bass and plaskett for leading this special order tonight. I rise in honor of representative Elijah Cummings who have a great statesman and leader but also a kind and gentle human being who led with both his head and his heart. My heart is heavy tonight as i offer my deepest condolences to rock nd, dr. Maya dembingsmore cummings, to his staff and to the people of baltimore he served with courage and boldness. He was a person of deep faith which was a Guiding Light in everything he did. Elijah was the son of two pass tors and he took care of his mother and his father in their last years on earth. Elijah has been a friend and adviseor to me since i first came to congress. When i was first elected he gave me muchneeded encouragement, knowing i had come in a special election, replacing my mentor and friend the late, great congressman rondellham who had some big shoes to fill. But elijah told me early on, hey, youve got to step out there, carve out your own agenda, get out there and to your job, what you need to do to serve the people of your district. He wanted to help me. We talked about how he could do that. He was the first member of congress, an he was so eager to do this, to visit my district early on in my tenure. We had a town meeting on gun safety, mass incarceration and criminal justice reform. My constituents were in awe and they also send their condolences this evening. But this was a defining moment for me as he lifted me up as a new member of congress in my district in a way that no one had. And he continues to support me and invited me on many important decisions. Also like congresswoman jackson lee, i had the privilege to be with congressman cummings in his district several times, the first time was when he invited c. B. C. Members to visit his h. I. V. Clinics and other community organizations. It was so remarkable to see how people not only respected him as a great member of congress but how they love and connected with him as their brother who never lost touch with the people. Elia will be remembered as a man who pull nod punches, was authentic to the core, and a champion for our democracy. The greatest tribute to his work will be for all of us to continue to stand and defend our democracy with the same passion, vigor, and determination that he had. I will miss elijahs wise counsel, his words of encouragement, his support and his leadership. May his legacy live on, may he rest in peace and power, i will miss you so much, lee jay elijah, may god bless you. Mr. Horsford i thank the gentlelady for her, again, heart felt remarks. Each one of us can tell our own story of our experiences and opportunities that weve had to share with chairman cummings and thats really the opportunity that we have tonight during this special order hour. And another person with a great legacy who continues to serve his constituents with dignity is the gentleman who i will yield to now, congressman lacey clay jr. , from the lacy clay jr. From the state of missouri. Mr. Clay i thank my friend from nevada for yielding. He was my chairman, my colleague, and my friend, the late, great, Elijah Cummings. I not only had the good fortune of serving with chairman cummings, i also was blessed to get to know him well over the years. He was a powerful and passionate advocate for the city of baltimore, which he love sod dearly. And i want to say to thousands of my constituents back in st. Louis have posted messages of condolence for chairman Cummings Family. And one of the most moving messages simply said this. One of the nicest things that can be said about a man is that we believed him. And thats the truth. Chairman cummings fearlessly spoke truth to power, not to defeat an opponent, but to challenge us. To lift up this institution. To give the American People a government that is as good and decent as they are. I think the true measure of what Elijah Cummings meant to us was that early last thursday, whened were of his untimely death began to spread, there was Many Republicans there were as Many Republican tears as democratic tears mourning the passing of this very good man. In the spirit of compassion and reconciliation that the lord has endowed within each of us, if we have the wisdom to seek it, i want to extend my deepest sympathy to chairman Cummings Family, and i want them to know that i share their grief. I have lost a brother and a a brother, an american hero, and a true a true leader of this house. Mr. Speaker, i yield back the balance of my time. Mr. Horsford i thank the congressman for coming to the floor to share his remarks. Many experiences from the oversight and Government Reform Committee, those who served on that committee, those who worked with chairman cummings on his staff. He is known to have one of the best staffs here in the house of representatives and its partly because they got to work with such a great chairman. I now would like to yield to former chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, congressman g. K. Butterfield from the state of north carolina. Mr. Butterfield let me thank you, congressman horsford, for yielding time this evening and thank you for your extraordinary leadership. Elijah cummings was my friend. Nearly every legislative day for the past 15 years, we talked about every subject you can imagine. Some of it consisted of small talk. But very often it consisted of serious conversations about our families and about our communities. And so on behalf of my family, on behalf of the 750,000 people of the first Congressional District of north carolina, i extend condolences to the Cummings Family and to the good people of baltimore. You know, mr. Speaker, several years ago, i shared with congressman cummings a very sad situation in my district involving an africanamerican attorney who had suffered a debilitating stroke and was having financial problems. Immediately, immediately, mr. Cummings said, you know, i have great affection for black lawyers who have served their communities and im going to send him some money. And he did. From time to time i would see mr. Cummings on national television, on the talk shows, and i would come back to the floor on monday night or tuesday night and i would sit next to him and i would compliment mr. Cummings about his appearances on television and how he handled himself. And i recall one day he told me that every minute that hes on television he spent one hour preparing for that one minute. He was one of preparation. I sat next to congressman cummings as he cast his last floor vote several weeks ago. He didnt know it was his last. But it was. S his staff as his staff assisted in getting him out of the chair and he proceeded right over where ms. Clark is seated right now, as his staff assisted in getting him out of the chair, he looked at me, he looked at me that day and said, im so sick, i love you, man. I say to you tonight, congressman cummings, i love you, we love you, america loves you. Mr. Speaker, we celebrate a life welllived. Elijah Eugene Cummings belongs to the ages. Rest in peace, my brother. Rest in ac