The public is getting its chance to honor and say goodbye to Maryland Rep. Elijah Cummings Thursday before his funeral service and burial.
Cummings, 68, died Oct. 17, according to The Baltimore Sun.
A formal ceremony is being held for the long-time lawmaker that will include the members of Congress, his family and invited guests in National Statuary Hall in the U.S. Capitol building before the doors open to the public, ABC News reported.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn and Sen. Ben Cardin of Maryland are speaking during the Washington, D.C. ceremony, the Sun reported.
He will lie in state throughout Thursday, with the public paying respect from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m., the Sun reported.
Friday, his funeral will be held in Baltimore. Cumming's aides said former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton will speak, as will Hillary Rodham Clinton, Pelosi and former NAACP Leader Kweisi Mfume, the Sun reported.
Family members and Larry Gibson, a University of Maryland law professor and Cumming's mentor, will also deliver remarks during the ceremony at New Psalmist Baptist Church, according to the Sun.
Cummings served 22 years in the House of Representatives, Reuters reported.
About the Author
