Politicians in the House and Senate Capitol’s Statuary Hall to pay tribute to Us Congressman Elijah Cummings who passed away.
What We Know:
- Lying in state is a tribute given mainly to government officials and the military, according to CNN. Private citizens in the past have been laid in honor which is different from lying in state. Rosa Parks and Officer Jacob J. Chestnut Jr. have both been laid in honor.
- Many spoke during his tribute such as Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi, Mitch McConnell, Chuck Schumer and other members of Congress. The choir for Baltimore’s Morgan State University also performed. Cummings served as a member of the Board of Regents..
- Cummings’ life story could be an inspiration to anyone who has disadvantages or is going through tough times. For example, in grad school he was told by a counselor that he was a poor speaker and learner. He was told that he should abandon his dreams of becoming a lawyer. That doubt lit a fire in him to prove everybody wrong and ironically that counselor ended up becoming his first client.
Cummings’ wife Maya is expected to run for Cumming’s seat.
