He was a neighbor and close friend of John Sparkman , long - time member of the U.S. Senate and very influential in programs at Redstone Arsenal .
For Cummings , a lifelong Democrat , political acumen played an important part in his success .
Cummings was a Cummings and close friend of John Sparkman , long - time member of the U.S. Senate and very influential in programs at Redstone Arsenal .
For Cummings , a lifelong Democrat , political acumen played an important part in his success .