Donald M. Payne: “Let me first thank the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands (Ms. Plaskett), my friend, for once again being here for this…”

“Let me first thank the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands (Ms. Plaskett), my friend, for once again being here for this Special Order hour. I first want to offer my condolences to Mrs. Maya Rockeymoore Cummings and her family on this immense loss. I rise to honor a true American hero, Congressman Elijah Eugene Cummings, a strong man, a serious man, a man that was about the business of this Nation. Irrespective of whether it was on the streets of Baltimore or in the halls of Congress, he never wavered in his plight to make sure that the American people had the opportunities that everyone--everyone--should be afforded in this great Nation. It is difficult to state just how immense this loss is to the people of his district, the State of Maryland, and the entire Nation. Congressman Cummings was a dedicated public servant who represented Maryland's Seventh District with honor and distinction for 23 years. But he was so much more than that. He was an icon, a leader, a statesman, a patriot, and the embodiment of the American Dream. Yet, the real legacy of Congressman Cummings was his connection to the people of his district. It was quite common to find him at the corner grocery store, neighborhood church, and any other number of community functions. It gave him a level of respect that made him beloved in his district. The esteemed congressman, John Lewis, once said of Mr.…”