Congressman Kweisi Mfume
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Kweisi Mfume (D-MD) issued the following statement on the July 16, 2022, passing of Mr. Vernon Simms, a congressional staffer for three decades who served under Congressmen Mfume and Elijah Cummings.
“It was devastating to hear of the passing of my friend and former colleague Vernon Simms, who passed on from this life after a heroic battle with long illness.
For more than two decades, Vernon served as chief of staff to my dear friend, the late Congressman Elijah Cummings. He was renowned for his work on Capitol Hill, toiling day in and day out on behalf of the constituents of Maryland’s 7th Congressional District he held so dearly and in such high regard.
Prior to his stint with Congressman Cummings’ staff, Vernon was the special assistant for government and community operations on my congressional team. I had unwavering confidence in him because of his selflessness, diligence, and kindness.
And since 2020, Vernon has been a leader within the Smithsonian as the director of the Smithsonian’s Office of Government Relations, a role where he utilized his full skillset of intergovernmental communication and collaboration to bolster the institution.
To Linda, his wife of over thirty years, as well as to his children, grandchildren, and other family members, I offer my deepest condolences. Your loss is shared by so many friends, colleagues and others who, like myself, loved and respected Vernon and the simple eloquence of his example. It was, and remains, an example of class, courtesy and caring.”
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