For my family (and probably your own), Labor Day is a civil rights holiday – especially for those of us who are Americans of Color. U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings When my kids were young, they would ask me about Labor Day. I would tell them about A. Phillip Randolph of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car […]
Author Archives: U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings
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Guarding our Democracy
U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings For Americans, and especially Americans of Color, this year’s elections are not an abstract debate. They are a struggle upon which our livelihoods and lives may well depend. During the last four years, we have seen a Tea Party Minority in the U.S. House and Senate do everything within its power […]
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Protecting Our Progress
In our time, we are witnessing a reenactment of the civil rights struggles of the 1960s – foremost among them, efforts to suppress the African-American vote. Now in 2014, our progressive, multiracial coalition must once again exercise our most basic civil right by voting in record numbers. Even as we fight against voter suppression in […]
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Standing Up For Those Who Stand Up for Us
During “Public Service Recognition Week,” observed each year during the first week in May, we come together to honor the women and men who serve our nation at all levels of government. Almost without exception, they are proud of their service – and so should we be. Their dedication, talent and tireless efforts have made […]
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Protecting our Progress
This year, Americans of conscience celebrate the 50th anniversary of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson on July 2, 1964, after a Senate filibuster that lasted 54 days. To mark that historic event, President Obama delivered a critically important address at a Civil Rights Summit held on April 10 […]
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Honoring women of character, courage and commitment
I was pleased when “character, courage and commitment” was selected as the theme for Women’s History Month this year. These are the personal qualities by which societies are transformed. In his 2012 Proclamation, President Obama acknowledged our nation’s progress in assuring universal equality and opportunity, even while he challenged each of us to continue the […]
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Hard-working Americans deserve a raise
No working American should be forced to survive in poverty. That is why I am proud to be an original co-sponsor of the proposed “Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2013,” (H.R.1010) introduced by U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-Calif). Our bill would increase the federal minimum wage to $10.10 per hour over three years, increase the […]