U.S. Congressman Elijah Cummings Passes Away at 68

At approximately 6:20 AM this morning, the Office of Congressman Elijah E. Cummings Released the Following Statement:

At approximately 2:30 A.M. on Thursday October 17, 2019, Congressman Elijah E. Cummings (MD-07) passed away at Gilchrist Hospice Care, a Johns Hopkins affiliate, due to complications concerning longstanding health challenges. More details will be forthcoming.

The energetic Cummings was best known in maritime circles for his time spent as chair of the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation where, among other things, he advocated for a more diverse student body at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. Additionally, he was a vocal supporter of bringing maritime related curriculum to secondary and elementary schools, primarily as a way to recruit a more diverse and robust waterfront workforce at a time when existing maritime workers - ashore and afloat - were retiring in alarming numbers. 

Without a doubt, his influence on the domestic waterfront impacted many aspects of the nation's maritime industry, and he was passionate about his responsibilities there.

More information regarding his funeral arrangements and other related matters were not available at this time.