Kudos to Elijah Cummings, U.S. Representative for the 7th Congressional District of Maryland. This man is a first-rate, top-notch guy. I've had the privilege of meeting him on several occasions...the last time by chance several weeks ago in front of my office, when we got into a lengthy discussion about current events and he was preparing to be on Meet the Press the next day. This is a man with a strong moral compass who doesn't just speak from the cuff. He shared with me that he had about 12 hours of research to do before he appeared on air. From what I see on TV with all pundits all the time, Mr. Cummings seems to be a rarity.
That is not why I am writing about him tonight. The reason is to share with you a program that he has started and been very committed to for the last 15 years. It is the Elijah Cummings Youth Leadership Program. It is in partnership with the Baltimore Jewish Council to "infuse the youth with the spirit of bridge-building". ECYP has produced "180 outstanding alumni-achieveing a college graduation rate near 100%...They demonstrate a commitment to public service, global activism, and leadership" turning out teachers, doctors, firefighters, Peace Corps volunteers, etc. These are children who, in all likelihood, would never have left Baltimore for a local trip, let alone an international one.
I had the pleasure of hearing 5 of his current participants who spent weeks in Israel last summer. They seemed to have experienced life-changing experiences (as I did when I was there)-- completely transfomational experiences. One of them in particular struck me by what he learned: the power of sharing, of doing the right thing, and in trusting your neighbor for sheer survival.
What powerful lessons to learn! I can only imagine the good that can come to this world because of what one youth learned on his "summer vacation". Thank you, Elijah Cummings, for exposing the Israeli culture to these kids. The world will surely be a better place for it.
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