United States Representative Elijah E. Cummings Post Office Building

Floor Speech

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Ms. OCASIO-CORTEZ. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding, and I thank my colleague, Representative Mfume, for presenting this tremendously important legislation.

What else can there be said about the great chairman, Elijah E. Cummings? He was a father, mentor, visionary civil rights leader, and fierce defender of democracy.

As the son of sharecroppers rising to become chairman of one of the most powerful committees in the United States Congress, his life and his existence were a testimony to the American Dream.

As chairman of the House Committee on Oversight, he would often remind us of our purpose within this body. He asked: ``When we are dancing with the angels, the question will be asked . . . what did we do to make sure we kept our democracy intact?''

Our democracy is what made Elijah's life possible, the great arc of his life possible. He was an inspiring coach and mentor who was uniquely focused on serving his hometown of Baltimore and improving the lives of the American people.

His work inside and outside of this building was a master class in how to speak truth to power and keep our country together. He was tough yet compassionate and always reminded people that they were never too late to do good.

Elijah dedicated his life to preserving American democracy, a fight that will be even more prevalent in the years to come, and his legacy guides many in our work today.

I am proud to support the renaming of the South Loudon Avenue post office after Chairman Elijah E. Cummings as a nod to his incredible legacy.

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