Currents News Staff
The American flag that normally flies high above the White House was lowered to half-staff today in honor of one of America’s staunchest civil rights advocates.
Elijah Cummings, a Christian and longtime representative from Maryland died this morning, the reason described only as ‘complications concerning long standing health challenges.’ Cummings is being remembered as a deeply spiritual man and a leader of towering character.
“He lived the American dream and he wanted it for everyone else. He spoke with unsurpassed clarity and moral integrity when he spoke on the floor,” said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
President Trump tweeted condolences to the family – noting Cummings strength, passion and wisdom – and writing ‘his work and voice on so many fronts will be very hard, if not impossible to replace.”
The President’s tweet continued, “My warmest condolences to the family and many friends of Congressman Elijah Cummings. I got to see first-hand the strength, passion and wisdom of this highly respected political leader. His work and voice on so many fronts will be very hard, if not impossible, to replace!”
Cummings was a tireless advocate for the poor and a campaigner for social justice. As Chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, he used the powerful position to fight for justice and democracy and to investigate the president and his administration.
Cummings was the son of sharecroppers; whose parents eventually became preachers. His faith was always central in his life and his life’s work.
“He would go to church on Sunday in Baltimore when he could, when he wasn’t traveling. He was a very compassionate man, someone who was very spiritual, and someone who was a fighter til the very end,” said April Ryan of American urban radio networks.
A fighter who battled tirelessly for the Baltimore community he loved and represented for more than two decades, Cummings was not recently seen on capitol hill because of illness.
“He was the Martin Luther King of Baltimore,” said resident Haki Ammi.