Congressman Elijah Cummings: 1951-2019

October 17, 2019 8:40 AM

U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings of Baltimore, a committee chairman known for his devotion to Baltimore and civil rights and for blunt and passionate speechmaking, died of longstanding health problems early Thursday morning, his office said. He was 68 years old (Baltimore Sun). "In the Congress, Elijah was considered a north star," Pelosi said. "He was a leader of towering character and integrity." She added, "He lived the American dream, and he wanted it for everyone else." (NPR) More remembrances on the Baltimore Sun, and Elijah's story, from his campaign site.
posted by filthy light thief (136 comments total)

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posted by mcdoublewide at 8:44 AM on October 17, 2019

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posted by Not A Thing at 8:46 AM on October 17, 2019

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posted by supermedusa at 8:47 AM on October 17, 2019

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posted by dbmcd at 8:49 AM on October 17, 2019

I recommend everyone watch his speech following the Michael Cohen hearing

...as well as his speech at the 2016 convention

RIP, sir. You will be sorely missed.
posted by magstheaxe at 8:50 AM on October 17, 2019 [21 favorites]

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posted by mikelieman at 8:50 AM on October 17, 2019

“The country and Congress lost a great man this morning,” Rep. Dean Phillips (D-Minn.) wrote on Twitter. “May his memory be for a blessing, and his kindness and fierce pursuit of justice inspire a rising generation of public servants.”

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posted by katra at 8:51 AM on October 17, 2019 [2 favorites]

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posted by ChuraChura at 8:51 AM on October 17, 2019 [1 favorite]

................ way more than I have time to type
posted by sfts2 at 8:51 AM on October 17, 2019 [1 favorite]

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posted by octothorpe at 9:00 AM on October 17, 2019 [1 favorite]

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posted by Gaz Errant at 9:00 AM on October 17, 2019

It doesn't feel like . is enough. But it's all I have.

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posted by The Bellman at 9:00 AM on October 17, 2019 [2 favorites]

What a loss for his family, constituents, and country. He will be missed.
posted by Rosie M. Banks at 9:01 AM on October 17, 2019 [4 favorites]

Never a good age for a good man to die, but he was WAY too young WTH

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posted by grandiloquiet at 9:04 AM on October 17, 2019 [4 favorites]

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posted by The Great Big Mulp at 9:22 AM on October 17, 2019

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posted by dannyboybell at 9:22 AM on October 17, 2019

I hadn't realized he was so young, somehow. Innallillahe wa inna elaihi rajeoon.
posted by bardophile at 9:27 AM on October 17, 2019

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posted by lostburner at 9:30 AM on October 17, 2019

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An incredible man and leader. May we all strive to have even a shred of the integrity he did.
posted by marshmallow peep at 9:30 AM on October 17, 2019 [7 favorites]

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posted by Gelatin at 9:31 AM on October 17, 2019

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posted by JoeXIII007 at 9:31 AM on October 17, 2019

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posted by Brainy at 9:33 AM on October 17, 2019

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Cummings was my representative for more than half of my life. Although I sometimes disagreed with his priorities or strategies, I never for a moment doubted his integrity and dedication.
posted by Faint of Butt at 9:33 AM on October 17, 2019 [20 favorites]

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posted by Bee'sWing at 9:38 AM on October 17, 2019

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posted by nightrecordings at 9:47 AM on October 17, 2019

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posted by Fizz at 9:48 AM on October 17, 2019

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posted by jzb at 9:48 AM on October 17, 2019

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posted by Silverstone at 9:52 AM on October 17, 2019

rest in power.
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posted by peakes at 9:54 AM on October 17, 2019 [2 favorites]

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posted by Oyéah at 10:00 AM on October 17, 2019

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One of my old coworkers was related to him (he was her brother-in-law, I think) and always said nice things about him.
posted by wicked_sassy at 10:02 AM on October 17, 2019 [4 favorites]

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posted by Joey Michaels at 10:07 AM on October 17, 2019

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posted by Weeping_angel at 10:09 AM on October 17, 2019

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So many .s
posted by blurker at 10:09 AM on October 17, 2019

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posted by tonycpsu at 10:10 AM on October 17, 2019

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posted by brambleboy at 10:13 AM on October 17, 2019

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posted by ZeusHumms at 10:15 AM on October 17, 2019

So very sad. When we needed him the most.

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posted by Splunge at 10:16 AM on October 17, 2019 [5 favorites]

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posted by HoopsMcCann at 10:21 AM on October 17, 2019

Not a lot of politicians so willing and able to cut through bullshit in their professional capacity. Pain, passion, And purpose.
posted by es_de_bah at 10:24 AM on October 17, 2019 [4 favorites]

I'm only now seeing this, and I'm just in shock. We're lucky to have had him in a leadership role during these times.

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posted by LobsterMitten at 10:24 AM on October 17, 2019 [6 favorites]

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posted by cirhosis at 10:30 AM on October 17, 2019

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posted by Reverend John at 10:37 AM on October 17, 2019

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Also, shout out to his staff. I called his office a couple times in 2016 or 2017 regarding various outrages being perpetrated in the government. He was always on the right side of things, and his staff were very patient and engaged and could always explain exactly what initiative or committee he was on that was working on it.
posted by Miko at 10:46 AM on October 17, 2019 [14 favorites]

I heard this while I was on the road. Such a powerful voice for all that is right. He will be sorely missed.

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posted by Thorzdad at 10:48 AM on October 17, 2019 [1 favorite]

May his memory inspire more to follow his path.

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posted by mochapickle at 10:50 AM on October 17, 2019 [5 favorites]

. I hope that Mr. Cummings receives the same reverence and respect in the coming years accorded to John McCain. He has been a national treasure.
posted by carmicha at 11:27 AM on October 17, 2019 [8 favorites]

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It's a shame he won't be here to see the curtain come down on Trump, after being so strong in opposition.
posted by snuffleupagus at 11:28 AM on October 17, 2019 [13 favorites]

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posted by hijinx at 11:34 AM on October 17, 2019

He was there for us all when we needed him, but now we'll have to manage without him. He leaves a huge gap in American civic life, but also an inspiration to follow.

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posted by biogeo at 11:35 AM on October 17, 2019 [5 favorites]

Rep. Ocasio-Cortez posted her condolences on Twitter with the phrase "rest in power." Which got more than one comment from the Twits to the effect of "hurr durr, what does that mean, LOL."
So, rest in power, Mr. Cummings, and to hell with the haters.
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posted by The Ardship of Cambry at 11:41 AM on October 17, 2019 [23 favorites]

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posted by JakeEXTREME at 11:41 AM on October 17, 2019

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posted by ikahime at 11:45 AM on October 17, 2019

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So very sad.
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posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 12:01 PM on October 17, 2019

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posted by ltl at 12:03 PM on October 17, 2019

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Beloved by his home state. We will miss you.
posted by sallybrown at 12:04 PM on October 17, 2019 [2 favorites]

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posted by bookmammal at 1:02 PM on October 17, 2019

If anyone ever deserved a "rest in power", it's Rep. Cummings.

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posted by saturday_morning at 1:10 PM on October 17, 2019 [8 favorites]

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posted by 20 year lurk at 2:09 PM on October 17, 2019

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posted by KillaSeal at 2:15 PM on October 17, 2019

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posted by droplet at 2:21 PM on October 17, 2019 [1 favorite]

Elijah Cummings Was a Winter Soldier of the First Rank
posted by TedW at 2:27 PM on October 17, 2019 [5 favorites]

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posted by Justinian at 2:41 PM on October 17, 2019

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posted by Pouteria at 4:22 PM on October 17, 2019

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posted by XMLicious at 4:38 PM on October 17, 2019

I'm an archivist who cares a lot about federal records policy, and Cummings was the main sponsor for the passage of 2014 amendments to the Federal Records Act and Presidential Records Act. He led the House on further updates to federal records law, but it hasn't cleared the Senate. It's rare for legislators to take such an interest in recordkeeping, even though it is so essential to holding elected officials accountable. I hope other legislators take up this area of concern.

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posted by mostly vowels at 4:44 PM on October 17, 2019 [22 favorites]

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posted by ahimsakid at 4:54 PM on October 17, 2019

another reason he was awesome: this e e cummings actually USED CAPS!
rip
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posted by zaixfeep at 5:01 PM on October 17, 2019 [4 favorites]

Just underlining so much unfairness, long-term and particularly in this moment.

Godspeed, Mr. Cummings.

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posted by allthinky at 5:34 PM on October 17, 2019

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posted by Reclusive Novelist Thomas Pynchon at 5:38 PM on October 17, 2019

Only the good die young.

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posted by jonp72 at 6:38 PM on October 17, 2019

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posted by Lyme Drop at 6:39 PM on October 17, 2019

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posted by eirias at 7:12 PM on October 17, 2019

Damn.
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posted by Johnny Wallflower at 7:55 PM on October 17, 2019

The passing of Elijah Cummings leaves us less safe as a country. Not only did he resist the current evil so well, he had real eloquence and was able to reach out to people on the other side in a really good way. A friend of my East Coast relatives knew him. She had not heard from him, had no idea he was so ill. She was in shock. Check on your friends and family. Again, a terrible loss for our country. He is gone far too young and his like will never be seen again.
posted by Katjusa Roquette at 8:25 PM on October 17, 2019 [5 favorites]

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posted by homunculus at 8:43 PM on October 17, 2019

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posted by The Wrong Kind of Cheese at 9:27 PM on October 17, 2019

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posted by amanda at 9:49 PM on October 17, 2019

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posted by p3t3 at 10:01 PM on October 17, 2019

He was in hospice, and according to Rachel Maddow, spent his last day signing subpoenas.

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posted by jrochest at 10:30 PM on October 17, 2019 [11 favorites]

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posted by Standard Orange at 12:08 AM on October 18, 2019

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posted by rangefinder 1.4 at 1:26 AM on October 18, 2019

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posted by daybeforetheday at 3:25 AM on October 18, 2019

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posted by coldhotel at 3:40 AM on October 18, 2019

. Rest in Power, good and faithful public servant
posted by childofTethys at 4:25 AM on October 18, 2019

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posted by filtergik at 6:21 AM on October 18, 2019

A sweet and reverent tribute from Trey Goudy. This brings home the essence of Elijiah Cummings grace and power, an unbreakable compass.
posted by Oyéah at 7:07 AM on October 18, 2019 [3 favorites]

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posted by jgirl at 9:12 AM on October 18, 2019

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posted by kewb at 9:40 AM on October 18, 2019

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posted by riverlife at 10:01 AM on October 18, 2019

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I fear we may not see his like again. Godspeed sir.
posted by Two unicycles and some duct tape at 10:06 AM on October 18, 2019

The man was a giant, and we are lessened for losing him.
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posted by rmd1023 at 1:32 PM on October 18, 2019

He helped to integrate a public pool at the age of 11, while people threw rocks and bottles at him. What a brave, powerfully right person.

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posted by chainsofreedom at 5:48 PM on October 18, 2019 [4 favorites]

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posted by Riverine at 8:26 PM on October 18, 2019

He was in hospice, and according to Rachel Maddow, spent his last day signing subpoenas. - posted by jrochest

Rep. Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) (assigned to the Committee on Oversight and Reform) tweeted on Oct. 17: As I was paying my respects to our forever Chairman, his staff told me that in his final hours he signed subpoenas to USCIS and ICE, pursuing justice for immigrants in my district & across the country with chronic medical conditions. A man of his word every moment of his life.
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posted by Iris Gambol at 7:27 PM on October 19, 2019 [8 favorites]

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posted by photoelectric at 12:53 PM on October 20, 2019

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posted by cass at 9:44 AM on October 22, 2019

Congressman Cummings wrote a column for the Baltimore Afro-American newspaper. Their website today features many tributes to him.
posted by ZeusHumms at 3:28 PM on October 25, 2019