Political Quotes

“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, who died early this morning of illnesses he had been suffering from for a significant period of time. Members of the House, the people of Maryland, and 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, and a dedicated patriot, who reflected courtesy and respect for all. At a time of confrontation, disagreement, anger, and, yes, sometimes hate, he was a beacon of civility, of fairness, and 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, having graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Howard University, where he was president of the student government association; his wit; and 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 was on a telephone call with all of us on Sunday talking about how we ought to proceed with the heavy duties that confronted him, his committee, and the Congress. He never wavered in his dedication to the causes he made the hallmarks of his career, even in recent days when, as I said, his health was waning.…”