Body of Rep. Elijah Cummings Will Lie in State at US Capitol

Chairman Rep. Elijah Cummings (Md.) at a House hearing in front of the Committee on Oversight and Reform, in Washington on July 12, 2019. Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times

The body of Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.) will lie in state at the U.S. Capitol in Washington this week.

Cummings died at age 68 on Oct. 17 from complications concerning longstanding health issues, his office said.

Cummings will lie in repose at Morgan State University on Oct. 23, the university said. Details of the public viewing were expected to be released on Monday.

“Morgan State University is deeply saddened by the loss of one our fiercest advocates and supporters,” President David Wilson said in a statement after Cummings’ death. “Beyond serving on the University’s Board of Regents, Rep. Cummings was not only a dear friend to Morgan, he was family. His wisdom, wise counsel and superb leadership will be greatly missed. I will miss him personally.”

Cummings’s body will lie in state at the National Statuary Hall in the Capitol on Oct. 24, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said.

A formal ceremony will be held Thursday morning, which will be open to Members of Congress, the Cummings family, and invited guests. Following the memorial service, there will be a public viewing.

Additional details will be announced at a later date.

Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.) speaks at the National Press Club in Washington on Aug. 7, 2019. Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times

A woman looks at flowers and messages outside of the office of the late Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.) a day after the congressman died Oct. 18, 2019, in Catonsville, Md. AP Photo/Julio Cortez

“In the House, Elijah was our North Star,“ Pelosi said in a statement after the lawmaker’s death. ”He was a leader of towering character and integrity, whose stirring voice and steadfast values pushed the Congress and country to rise always to a higher purpose. His principled leadership as Chair of the Committee on Oversight and Reform was the perfect testament to his commitment to restoring honesty and honor to government, and leaves a powerful legacy for years to come.”

Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) said the hall is an appropriate place for Cummings.

“Statuary Hall is the historic House of Representatives chamber, so it is a very appropriate location,” he told the Baltimore Sun. “It’s a tribute to his incredible accomplishments. I’ve been receiving calls from all over the country. There is no question Congressman Cummings struck a chord with the American people.”

Cummings’s funeral will be held on Oct. 25 at New Psalmist Baptist Church, where Cummings attended services for nearly four decades.

A public viewing will start at 8 a.m. on Friday, followed by a funeral at 10 a.m. The building can fit 4,000 people.

Bishop Walter S. Thomas, Jr., pastor of New Psalmist since 1975, is slated to deliver a eulogy for Cummings.