A high-ranking US Congressman will visit the Island next month for Labour Day celebrations.

Congressman Elijah E. Cummings, of the 7th Congressional District of Maryland, will be the guest speaker at the Bermuda Industrial Union's 17th annual Labour Day Banquet on September 5 at the Southampton Princess Hotel.

Exhibiting expertise in various areas, Congressman Cummings serves on the Government Reform and Oversight Committee and is the Ranking Democrat on the Civil Service subcommittee.

He is also a member of the National Security, International Affairs and Criminal Justice subcommittee, the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and is a member of its Surface Transportation and Aviation subcommittees.

Congressman Cummings also serves on the House Democratic Policy Committee, the Congressional Black Caucus, and is co-chair of the House AIDS Caucus and a member of the Democratic Task Force on Health Care.

Prior to his election to Congress, Mr. Cummings served in the Maryland General Assembly as Speaker Pro-Tem -- the second highest position in the House of Delegates.

His General Assembly career began in November, 1982 as a Delegate.

In 1984 -- at the age of 33 -- he was elected chairman of the Maryland Legislative Black Caucus, the youngest person ever to serve in this capacity.

Mr. Cummings' colleagues declared him to be "one of the most effective members of the Maryland Legislature''.