Elijah Cummings, esteemed longtime Baltimore congressman, has died at 68
Source: CBS News
Representative Elijah Cummings, of Baltimore, died early Thursday at the age of 68, his office said. Cummings died at Johns Hopkins Hospital at 2:45 a.m. from "complications concerning longstanding health challenges," his office said. He hadn't returned to work after having a medical procedure that he said would only keep him away for about a week, The Baltimore Sun pointed out.
The House Oversight and Reform Committee chairman, a Democrat and 23-year House veteran, was a key figure in the impeachment inquiry into President Trump and a recent target of intense criticism from the president. Cummings missed two roll call votes Thursday, the first day back following a two-week House recess. He previously released a statement saying he'd be back by the time the session resumed. He hadn't taken part in a roll call vote since Sept. 11. The procedure already caused Cummings to miss a September hearing on Washington, D.C., statehood. The statement didn't detail the procedure. He previously was treated for heart and knee issues.
A sharecropper's son, Cummings was a formidable orator who passionately advocated for the poor in his black-majority district, which encompasses a large portion of Baltimore as well as more well-to-do suburbs. As chairman of the House Oversight and Reform Committee, Cummings led multiple investigations of Mr. Trump's dealings, including probes in 2019 relating to the president's family members serving in the White House. The president responded by criticizing Cummings' district as a "rodent-infested mess" where "no human being would want to live."
The comments came weeks after Mr. Trump drew bipartisan condemnation following his calls for Democratic congresswomen of color to get out of the U.S. "right now" and go back to their "broken and crime-infested countries." Cummings replied that government officials must stop making "hateful, incendiary comments" that only serve to divide and distract the nation from its real problems, including mass shootings and white supremacy. "Those in the highest levels of the government must stop invoking fear, using racist language and encouraging reprehensible behavior," Cummings said in a speech at the National Press Club.
Read more: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/elijah-cummings-esteemed-longtime-baltimore-congressman-died-68-today-2019-10-17/
OMG just heard on the radio. There are no words.
Above OP article has now been updated.
Original articles WUSA9/CBS - https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/local/dc/congressman-elijah-cummings-dies-at-68/65-67da7b61-d4a4-491a-b705-265d359a2b98
BALTIMORE -- Congressman Elijah Cummings died on Thursday morning, according to an official from his office.
Congressman Cummings passed away at Johns Hopkins hospital due to complications concerning longstanding health challenges.
He has represented Maryland's 7th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives since 1966. Before then he served14 years in the Maryland House of Delegates. During his tenure he made history as the first African American in Maryland to be named Speaker Pro Tem.
This story is developing. We will update as soon as information becomes available.
(note the updated WUSA9 article has an incorrect year of "1966" - should be "1996" )
BALTIMORE -- Congressman Elijah Cummings died on Thursday morning, according to an official from his office.
Congressman Cummings passed away at Johns Hopkins hospital due to complications concerning longstanding health challenges.
This story is developing. We will update as soon as information becomes available.
= new reply since forum marked as read
My deepest sympathy to his friends and family.
sad and so young! RIP Elijah Cummings! 
Mahalo, BRDS
on him and the city of Baltimore.
RIP, Elijah Cummings. You were clearly loved and we thank you for all you did.
He will be sorely missed. 
This is terribly sad news. We needed him now, more than ever.
More proof that life is NOT fair. You know who should have been in his place if this world was fair.
Elijah Cummings was a kind and caring person who served his district and country well.
Standby for Orange Slice's Tweets;
Based on his history of stepping on graves (John McCain), it won't be long until he does it again.
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Dammit. We needed him.
he was loved
and deeply appreciated
i am heartbroken
What a shock and loss for so many!
A truly great man has left the fight. May new fighters step up to continue to fight for human rights and our country! He has been one of my heroes and I will miss his voice in congress. May his passing be gentle.
He is irreplaceable.
We have lost a great man.
I weep for our state's loss, and that of our nation as well.
Rest in Peace, Elijah Cummings. Gone too soon.
Thank you for your service and loyalty and dedication to the cause of what's just and what's right.
K&R.
This is terribly sad news. RIP Congressman!
I hope he crossed gently. I am dreading the vomitous response we will inevitably have to endure from the WH.
RIP Congressman Cummings
That is so sad.
I hope he knew how much he was loved and appreciated. He will be sadly missed by many.
He was an outspoken voice for truth, fairness, and human rights.
Rest in peace, Brother Elijah
So sad.
Bernie/Elizabeth or Elizabeth/Bernie 2020!!
Either way, they're stronger together!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!
A great man.
We've lost a great man.
We lost a giant; Elijah Cummings is now dancing with the angels. RIP, Elijah.
A man of extraordinary grace and wisdom. Let America bathe in the light of his goodness.
A real American Hero has passed and we are not exactly minting them new these days.
So very sad.
He was one of the greats and will be remembered by history as a trailblazer.
Struggled and fought for just causes his entire life. Rest in peace our great champion.
Rest In Peace. You are a true patriot!
I knew he wasn't in the best of health, but I never knew he was that sick. Our country has lost a great public servant, patriot, and human being. This is so sad. He will be greatly missed. My condolences to his family.
I never fully understood the saying till today.
We will not give up the fight that Cummings dedicated his lifes work to make this country a more perfect union.
We lost a great man - one whom I adored.
As I collect my thoughts, I send my heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.
Had heard nothing about him being ill, and in the hospital.
He was everything tRump is not. A fine example of morality and patriotism.
You will be sorely missed, Rep. Cummings. 
Rest in peace Elijah, you will be greatly missed.
Its sad he will not get to see it.. but we will carry on, on this sad. sad day... とても
悲しい ね。
なんて悲しい日。彼は逃されます。
ほんと。せいしきな さよなら。このたびは わ ご愁傷様です。お悔やみ申し上げます (O-kuyami moshiagemasu, “I offer my condolences”)
over this news. What a truly great man Elijah Cummings was.
You will be greatly missed, Elijah!
Run free in those Elysian Fields!
This news was an awful surprise this morning. Condolences to everyone.
(good morning to you otherwise
)Aloha BRDS!
I just saw this and am happy to get a wave from you. Of course, the circumstances could be better!
service to us all, and your shining example. You are sorely missed.
He will be truly missed!
...68 years of age is old...to people my age, 68 years is young, too young for a man this great to pass...
...The Honorable Representative Elijah Cummings will be sorrowfully missed and I feel may never be replaced...he casted a large shadow of moral righteousness over this nation...today more than ever we need that righteous shadow, we need Elijah Cummings, but
...sadly, the good die young, too young...RIP Elijah
...
I was so shocked this morning when I heard the news...….
