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[Pages H8301-H8302]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF ELIJAH CUMMINGS
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Cuellar). The Chair recognizes the
gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Brown) for 5 minutes.
Mr. BROWN of Maryland. Mr. Speaker, as we mourn our dear colleague,
Elijah Cummings, I rise today to say farewell to a good man, a faithful
servant, and a true friend.
During the past 2 days, much has been said about Elijah. His life was
well documented, although his humility prevented him from seeking the
attention or the limelight, either in life or in death.
I admired and respected Elijah. I looked up to him.
When I was first elected in 1998 to the Maryland House of Delegates,
Elijah was one of the first calls I got. He didn't call to say
congratulations, although his kind words meant a great deal to me.
Rather, he called to tell me about my responsibility to the people whom
I serve. Elijah told me, if you are going to be your best, you can only
be so if you focus your work on empowering the people we serve.
Years later, when I struggled with the decision to run for Lieutenant
Governor, I called Elijah for his advice. During our conversation, he
didn't tell me what to do. Rather, Elijah challenged me to do that
which best positioned me to empower the people.
For Elijah, everything we did was about empowering the people we
serve.
In Elijah's first floor speech delivered 23\1/2\ years ago, after
winning a special election, he told us that he was on ``a mission and a
vision to empower people, to make people realize that the power is
within them.''
Elijah, you did your job. You fulfilled your mission.
Elijah was not an ordinary man who lived an extraordinary life. No,
Elijah was an extraordinary man who did extraordinary things during his
life, things to empower people.
Raised out of poverty and through adversity, he achieved many
successes despite the odds and the obstacles. The son of sharecroppers,
he earned not only a law degree but received 12 honorary doctoral
degrees, all of which represent his dedication to empowering people.
[[Page H8302]]
I, like so many in this Chamber, was the recipient of Elijah's
generosity. His greatest gift to us was the ability to challenge all of
us to do better and not just to accept things as they are.
Elijah would always say, ``We are better than this.'' He led by
example, taught us by doing and showing, not just talking--although his
talk, his speech, his quiet advice, and most memorably, his powerful
oratory were truly inspiring and matchless.
When I ran for Governor, Elijah supported me. What I will always
remember is not that he stood by my side on the stage on the evening of
my primary election victory, but, rather, that months later, he was
standing by my side late into the night as I experienced a difficult
general election defeat.
That was Elijah. His support was unwavering, his friendship
unconditional, and his encouragement uplifting.
When I successfully ran for Congress, Elijah and Maya were there for
me and Karmen, ready and eager to help us prepare for the rigors of
Congress. I thank both Elijah and Maya from the bottom of my heart for
always picking up the phone, answering my texts, lending an ear, and
offering a word of encouragement, advice, and support.
Mr. Speaker, Elijah was distinguished. He not only mastered the
science and statecraft of governing, but he was also conspicuous in the
art of understanding and representing his constituents, the people of
the city of Baltimore--their dreams and aspirations, their challenges
and frustrations.
Elijah possessed a keen intellect and understanding of government as
a vehicle to empower the people. He possessed a radiant, remarkable
passion that was both commanding and, when necessary, calming, as only
Elijah could accomplish.
Whether Elijah was wielding the gavel from his elevated positions as
chairman of the Oversight and Reform Committee or when Elijah was
wielding a bullhorn on the streets of Baltimore city, the community
that he cherished and that adored him, Elijah was always leading at the
intersection of intellect and compassion, bringing just the right mix,
at the right moment, to address the right issues, and moved us and his
people in the right direction. And that direction was always toward
righteousness.
History will be kind to Elijah, even when others were not, because
Elijah did his work with kindness and compassion, and with moral
clarity.
Mr. Speaker, Elijah closed his floor speech in April 1996 with a
poem. He said:
I only have a minute, 60 seconds in it.
Forced upon me, I did not choose it.
But I know that 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.
Elijah, what you did with the minute that God gave you will last an
eternity.
Rest, my dear friend. Rest well.
____________________
