Page 11 - BHM Program 2021

Congressman Elijah Cummings
1951-2019

At the age of 11, Elijah Cummings
and his friends worked to

integrate a neighborhood

swimming pool in their hometown
of Baltimore. They were attacked

with bottles and rocks.

As a member of Congress, his

colleagues gave him a bullhorn
inscribed with the words, “The

Gentleman Will Not Yield.” Over

23 years representing Baltimore,
he became known, according to

one observer, as “the
quintessential speaking-truth-to-

power representative.”

Congressman Cummings served

as chairman of the House

Committee on Oversight and
reform during his final term in

office. He also served as

chairman of the Congressional
Black Caucus from 2003-2005.

After his death in October 2019,

Congressman Cummings was the

first African American citizen to lie
in state in the U.S. Capitol.

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