The Honorable Elijah Cummings, Keynote Speaker, Blacks In Government (BIG) National Conference, Baltimore, MD
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As the son of a Chief Petty Officer who was serving as a seaman at sea on a high endurance cutter when I was born I have always felt a mixture of pride at my heritage combined with a sense that I was an "enlisted brat." I went to school with children of officers and wondered how their life was different from ours. It wasn't that our life was bad, in fact it was just the opposite. My parents filled our days with activities, a sense of purpose, and hope for the future. My parents created the art of the possible for us. My father's service had purpose and our family had purpose. Every Guardian who serves honors our Nation. After that, it was up to us/me to take our dream where it would lead us.
Today in Baltimore at the Blacks in Government National Conference I had a chance to recall how I felt as a chid as I listened to Representative Elijah Cummings describe his personal journey. His parents moved from South Carolina to Baltimore after they married with the express purpose of providing an environment and education for their children ... who had not yet been born.
In a stunning outpouring of personal emotion and passion, Chairman Cummings led us through his journey of self discovery and understanding of what his parents had done for their children. He reminded us all that it is our children that see us and gauge the art of the possible through us.
There has rarely been a more powerful and impacting message delivered in a public forum. I thank him for his honesty, passion, conviction, and steadfast devotion to our children. In his own words, "our children are a message to a future we will never see."
We will try to make the video of his inspiring message available to you all, and you should watch and listen closely.
In the meantime, I thank the Chairman for his inspirational words and his recognition of the work and integrity of Terri Dickerson, our Assistant Commandant for Civil Rights.
It was a moving experience for everyone in the room.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
ADM A
