"He worked until his last breath because he believed our democracy was the highest and best expression of our collective humanity," Cummings' wife shared in an official statement.

Elijah Cummings, a key figure in Congress has died at the age of 68. For nearly a quarter century since 1996, Cummings represented his home city of Baltimore as a Democratic leader.

Vanity Fair reports that Cummings "did not return to Capitol Hill this week following a medical procedure, [and] passed away early Thursday from longstanding health issues."

Cummings was the most recent chairman of the House Oversight Committee. As the son of sharecroppers his humble beginnings ultimately led him to graduate from Baltimore City College High School in 1969, as reported by CNN. Cummings grew up during the Civil Rights era and would later graduate from Howard University and University of Maryland School of Law. He also served as the first African-American Speaker Pro Tempore in the Maryland State House. He is well known for being an avid voice for social justice.

In Congress, Cummings was an outspoken critic of President Donald Trump and was a notable figure in the impeachment inquiry Democrats organized and launched recently.

His wife, Dr. Maya Rockeymoore Cummings, chair of the Maryland Democratic Party released an official statement reflecting on his life:

"He worked until his last breath because he believed our democracy was the highest and best expression of our collective humanity and that our nation’s diversity was our promise, not our problem."

Source: Vanity Fair