HR0578 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0578 LRB101 14941 MST 63948 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of U.S. Congressman Elijah Eugene Cummings, who passed away on October 17, 2019; and

WHEREAS, Rep. Cummings was born in Baltimore to Robert and Ruth Cummings on January 18, 1951; he graduated from Howard University in Washington and received his law degree from the University of Maryland; and

WHEREAS, Rep. Cummings served in the Maryland House of Delegates from 1983 to 1996; he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives for Maryland's 7th Congressional District in 1996; and

WHEREAS, Rep. Cummings was chairman of the House Oversight and Reform Committee; from that platform, he sought the truth and upheld the Constitution; he was a powerful orator and even when criticizing others maintained a dignified respect for the institution and the people he served; he was slow to talk about his achievements and quick to offer counsel and support to constituents and colleagues of every political persuasion; and

WHEREAS, Rep. Cummings was chair of the Black Congressional Caucus from 2003 to 2004; he was an early backer of Barack Obama for president in 2008 and was the Maryland chair of the campaign; and

WHEREAS, Rep. Cummings's background explains his effectiveness as a leader; he was a child of sharecroppers, student government president at Howard University, Phi Beta Kappa, and the first Black speaker pro tem of the Maryland House of Representatives; his life stands as an example of public service at its finest; and

WHEREAS, Rep. Cummings is survived by his wife, Maya Rockeymoore, and his three children; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of U.S. Congressman Elijah Cummings and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Rep. Cummings as an expression of our deepest sympathy.