Elijah Cummings: “Mr. Speaker, there is a spiritual I learned as a little boy called ``Faith of Our Fathers.'' It talks about an enduring…”

“Mr. Speaker, there is a spiritual I learned as a little boy called ``Faith of Our Fathers.'' It talks about an enduring faith in the ideals and principles of our forefathers. It goes like this; it says: Faith of our fathers, living still, in spite of dungeon, fire and sword. Oh, how our hearts beat high with joy whene'er we hear that glorious word. Faith of our fathers. Holy faith. We will be true to thee till death. It goes on to say: Faith of our fathers, chained in prisons dark, were still in heart and conscience free. How sweet would be their children's fate. If they, like them, could die for thee. Faith of our fathers. Holy faith. We will be true to thee till death. Finally it says: Faith of our fathers. We will love both friend and foe in all our strife; and preach thee, too, as love knows how, by kindly words and virtuous life. Faith of our fathers. Holy faith. We will be true to thee till death. The solution to these problems lies in creating and maintaining a vibrant economic base that will help our cities and families. Economic development is crucial to survival of the African-American community.”