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Hundreds Line Up to Attend Congressman Elijah Cummings Funeral

Associated Press

   BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - The body of congressman and civil rights champion
   Elijah Cummings returned Friday to the church where he worshipped in
   his beloved Baltimore for a final farewell.

   Former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton are among the scheduled
   speakers for the funeral Friday at New Psalmist Baptist Church, where
   Cummings worshipped for nearly four decades. His bishop, Walter S.
   Thomas Jr., will deliver the eulogy.

   Cummings' flag-draped casket arrived at the church shortly after 6 a.m.
   An honor guard of service members walked in the casket as people lining
   up to enter the sanctuary watched quietly and respectfully in the low
   light of early morning.

   The open casket was placed in the front of the sanctuary with wreaths
   on either side and an American flag folded in a triangle to the left.
   Around 8 a.m., mourners began filling the 4,000-seat sanctuary.

   "I felt like it was my civic duty, my responsibility to come and pay
   respects to a man who has done so much for Baltimore city, so much for
   the people, trying to keep us together," said the Rev. Jacqueline
   Williams, 67, of Baltimore, as she waited in line outside in hopes of
   securing a seat inside for the service.

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