Members of Congress from both sides of the aisle bid farewell Thursday to Rep. Elijah Cummings, hailing the son of sharecroppers as a “master of the House” while the veteran Maryland Democrat became the first African-American lawmaker to lie in state in the Capitol.
Lawmakers, some choking back tears, eulogized Cummings as a mentor and close friend, with a voice that could “shake mountains” in the words of Senate Democratic Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, and a passion for justice and his hometown of Baltimore.
“He had a smile that would consume his whole face. But he also had eyes that would pierce through anybody that was standing in his way,” said conservative Republican Rep. Mark Meadows of North Carolina, whose bond with the liberal Cummings was among Congress’ most surprising friendships.
“Perhaps this place and this country would be better served with a few more unexpected friendships,” Meadows added, growing emotional. “I know I’ve been blessed by one.”
Cummings’ death at 68 on Oct. 17 stunned many on Capitol Hill accustomed to seeing him with the gavel as chairman of the House Oversight and Reform Committee — or zipping by on his scooter between votes.
On Thursday, his casket rested in the National Statuary Hall for the service and was later moved to a passage directly in front of the House chamber, where he served for 23 years.
Cummings never left Baltimore, friends and family recalled Thursday, even as he tended to official duties in Washington.
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