Post Office Renamed in Honor Of Late Rep. Elijah Cummings
Family, friends, former colleagues, and community members gathered Friday to honor the late U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings with the renaming of an Irvington post office in his name.
Cummings, a Democrat who served Maryland’s 7th Congressional District for 12 terms, represented parts of Baltimore City, Baltimore County, and Howard County before his passing in 2019. Known as a powerful voice for civil rights, working-class communities, and democratic institutions, Cummings left behind a legacy that still resonates deeply throughout the region.
The dedication ceremony took place at Green Street Academy’s Elijah E. Cummings Innovation Center—fittingly located in the building that once housed Cummings’ own middle school. It stands in the same neighborhood where he was raised and not far from his final resting place.
“Just as a post office is the center of a community, so was Elijah,” said Ivan Butts, president of the National Association of Postal Supervisors. “Let that post office serve as a beacon of light on what it means to serve.”
Dozens of attendees, including students from the Elijah Cummings Youth Program, listened as speakers paid tribute to Cummings’ life and mission.
His daughter, Jennifer Cummings, shared memories of her father’s devotion to public service and his deep respect for government workers.
“He saw the Postal Service as one of the essential threads that binds our nation together,” she said.
The post office renaming was made possible through legislation introduced by U.S. Rep. Kweisi Mfume, U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen, and former Sen. Ben Cardin. The bill passed Congress in December 2024 and was signed into law by President Joe Biden in his final days in office.
For some speakers, the moment carried added significance as the country enters a second term under former President Donald Trump—a figure Cummings often challenged. Cummings chaired the House Oversight Committee during Trump’s first term, leading investigations into the administration and helping launch impeachment proceedings.
In 2019, Trump infamously attacked Cummings on social media, calling his district a “disgusting, rat and rodent infested mess”—remarks that drew sharp criticism nationwide and sparked an outpouring of support for Cummings.
“In 2019, he said, ‘Always ask yourself what you’ve done to help preserve, save and advance democracy,’” Van Hollen recalled. “That call to action is more important now than ever.”
Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, who considered Cummings a mentor, underscored the symbolism of honoring a man who stood as “the conscience of the Congress.”
“When a democracy is under attack from the Office of the President, who better to lift into the memory of this country than Elijah Cummings,” Scott said.
Cummings’ enduring impact continues to be felt through youth mentorship, public service, and the belief that every voice deserves to be heard.
