Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Email
Answers.com

Danny K. Davis

 
Black Biography: Danny K. Davis
Home > Library > History, Politics & Society > Black Biographies

legislator; social reformer

Personal Information

Born on September 6, 1941, in Parkdale, AR; son of a cotton farmer; married to Vera; children: Jonathan, Stacey. Religion: Missionary Baptist.
Education: Arkansas AM & N College, B.A., 1961; Chicago State University, M.S., 1968; Union Institute, Ph.D., 1977.
Religion: Missionary Baptist.

Career

United States Representative, Seventh District of Illinois, member of the Democratic Party. Clerk, Chicago Post Office, 1961-65; teacher, Chicago Public Schools, 1962-68; became director of training, Martin Luther King Neighborhood Health Center, 1969; became executive director, Westside Health Center, 1975; elected to Chicago City Council, 1979; backed Mayor Harold Washington in "council wars," early 1980s; elected as Commissioner, Cook County Board, 1990; ran for mayor of Chicago, 1991; elected to U.S. House of Representatives, 1996-.

Life's Work

A survivor of the "council wars" that plagued Chicago's combative and racially divided city government, Danny Davis emerged in the 1990s as one of the leaders of the city's large and influential African American community. In 1996, after two previous attempts, he was elected to the U.S. Congress. Far from mellowing politically, Davis continued as a staunch advocate of government social programs, and proved surprisingly effective in protecting some of them against the budget-cutters who flourished in the Republican-dominated Congress of the 1990s.

Davis was born in Parkdale, Arkansas, on September 6, 1941, the son of a cotton farmer. He graduated with a B.A. degree from Arkansas Agricultural, Mechanical, and Normal College, now the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, in 1961, and moved to Chicago's West Side shortly thereafter, landing a job as a postal clerk. Davis pursued a career in education, teaching and serving as a guidance counselor in Chicago's public schools during the 1960s. In 1968, Davis received a master's degree from Chicago State University. Married with two children, he has established deep roots within his West Side community, and serves as a deacon of the New Galilee Missionary Baptist Church.

Became Health Care Administrator

A strong commitment to his community prompted the idealistic Davis to switch careers, putting him on a path that would ultimately lead him into politics. He became a health care administrator at the community level, serving as director of training at the Martin Luther King Neighborhood Health Center between 1969 and 1971, and then once again laying the educational groundwork for further advancement in the field; he earned a Ph.D. degree from the Union Institute in Cincinnati in 1977. Davis had already become the executive director of the Westside Health Center, a post he held until 1981. He has served as president of the National Association of Community Health Centers.

Davis combined his health care career with a commitment to grassroots community organizing, founding and becoming president of an organization called the Westside Association for Community Action. A run for the Chicago City Council was the next logical step. Davis was elected in 1979 as alderman of the Twenty-Ninth Ward, a district on the city's western edge. He served on the council through some of its most turbulent years, emerging as a key ally of Mayor Harold Washington, who was elected on a groundswell of African American support in 1983 and became Chicago's first African American mayor. Finding that Washington's initiatives were frustrated by entrenched whites who controlled the council, Davis received an education in the difficulty of bringing about political change through established channels.

With an eye to the future, Davis challenged veteran U.S. Representative Cardiss Collins twice in primary elections, in 1984 and 1986. He was unsuccessful both times, but in 1990 was elected to the Cook County Commission. He ran for mayor of Chicago in 1991 against the extremely popular Richard Daley Jr. Although he lost the election, Davis broadened his name recognition, and went on to build his influence within the Chicago-area Democratic Party. In 1992, he became a state co-chair of Bill Clinton's successful campaign for the presidency. Clinton, in return, named Davis to the board of directors of the National Housing Partnership, and he continued to serve on the county commission.

Called for Minimum-Wage Hike

In 1996, Collins finally retired, and Davis entered a ten-way race for the Seventh District Congressional seat. A campaigner with a booming voice and a stately personal presence that contrasted favorably with the other, more flamboyant candidates in the race, Davis offered a liberal platform that called for increased spending on urban concerns and health care, and for a rise in the federal minimum wage to $7.60 an hour. Running, according to The Progressive, on a slogan of "jobs, justice, equality, and peace," Davis called for cuts in defense spending and argued for the maintenance of affirmative action programs, a favorite target of Republicans. He also led journalists on tours of Chicago's public housing projects during the Democratic National Convention. Davis won the primary by a margin of 13 percentage points over his nearest competitor, and cruised to victory in the general election in his overwhelmingly Democratic district.

Among the most liberal members of the House--in addition to his long-standing Democratic affiliation he also maintains ties with a small left-wing organization called the New Party--Davis might have been expected to have his influence severely circumscribed in the Republican-dominated House of the late 1990s. But Davis brought his considerable persuasive skills to bear on his fellow House members. He voted against a 1997 tax-cut bill, arguing, according to the Almanac of American Politics, that "[w]e cannot have a great, civilized and humane nation without paying the cost; if all we can do is cut, cut, cut, all that we will get is blood, blood, blood." On that issue and on many other votes, Davis ended up in the minority.

However, on other issues, Davis enjoyed more success. He worked with the House Transportation Committee leadership on a bill to increase funding for services that would transport inner-city workers to suburban jobs. This issue gained importance in the late 1990s as the economy flourished and suburbs grew dramatically. Inner-city workers, many of whom did not own a car, were unable to commute to jobs that often went unfilled. Davis sponsored new funding for neighborhood health care centers, and worked with fellow Chicago Representative Bobby Rush to secure emergency help for the perennially strapped Chicago Housing Authority.

Challenged Supreme Court Hiring Practices

During the late 1990s, Davis took a strong stand on several controversial issues. He vigorously opposed the charter school movement, and was quoted by the Almanac of American Politics as saying that it was "a sinister move to dismantle public education." In 1998, Davis was the first to point out that the U.S. Supreme Court had employed very few minority lawyers on its staff of clerks. Although this situation went virtually unchanged, Davis earned national recognition within progressive circles. That same year, Davis took the lead in resisting Republican-inspired budget cuts aimed at home-improvement loans for low-income Americans and at summer jobs programs for urban youth. "Having them [young people] on our streets instead of working is a crazy plan that is detrimental to their futures and to our communities," Davis told Jet. At the turn of the century, American liberalism had found a vigorous new champion in Danny Davis and, with his record of ambition and accomplishment, he seemed to be a politician to watch for years to come.

Further Reading

Books

  • Barone, Michael, and Grant Ujifusa. The Almanac of American Politics: 2000. National Journal, 1999.
  • 1997-1998 Congressional Directory: 105th Congress. United States Government Printing Office, 1997.
Periodicals
  • Ebony, January 1997, p. 64.
  • Jet, April 8, 1996, p. 40; August 3, 1998, p. 32.
  • Progressive, November 1996, p. 25.
Online
  • Additional information for this profile was obtained at www.house.gov/davis/.

— James M. Manheim

Search unanswered questions...

Enter a question here...
Search: All sources Community Q&A Reference topics

Wikipedia: Danny K. Davis
Top
Home > Library > Miscellaneous > Wikipedia

For other persons named Danny Davis, please see Daniel Davis (disambiguation).

Danny Davis

Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Illinois's 7th district
Incumbent
Assumed office 
January 3, 1997
Preceded by Cardiss Collins
Born September 6, 1941 (1941-09-06) (age 68)
Parkdale, Arkansas
Political party Democratic
Spouse(s) Vera Davis
Residence Chicago, Illinois
Alma mater Arkansas AM&N College, Chicago State University, Union Institute & University
Profession educator, nonprofit program coordinator
Religion Baptist

Daniel K. (Danny) Davis (born September 6, 1941) has been a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives since 1997, representing Illinois's 7th congressional district (map). He is currently collecting petition signatures to run for a seventh Congressional term, as well as signatures for a possible run for President of the Cook County Board of Commissioners. By law he cannot run for both offices.[1] On, 11/9/09, Rep. Davis announced that he is running for re-election.

Contents

Early life

Davis was born in Parkdale, Arkansas, and educated at Arkansas AM&N College (B.A. 1961), Chicago State University (M.S. 1968) and the Union Institute & University in Cincinnati, Ohio (Ph.D. 1977). Davis worked as a government clerk, a high school teacher, executive director of the Greater Lawndale Conservation Commission, director of training at the Martin L. King Neighborhood Health Center, and executive director of the Westside Health Center before entering politics.

Career

Chicago City Council

Davis was a member of the Chicago City Council from 1979 to 1990, where he represented Chicago's 29th Ward. He challenged Congresswoman Cardiss Collins in Democratic primaries in 1984 and 1986, but lost both races. Davis was then elected to the Cook County Board of Commissioners, serving from 1990 to 1996 before entering the House. [2] Davis also waged an unsuccessful campaign against Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley in the 1991 Democratic mayoral primary.

He is a member of the Congressional Black Caucus,[3] Progressive Caucus, and Democratic Socialists of America.[4][5]

1996 Congressional election

On December 6, 1995, Davis announced his candidacy for the 7th Congressional District, adding his name to those already announced Democratic candidates including first-announced Alderman Percy Z. Giles, Bobbie L. Steele, Ed Smith, and Dorothy Tillman.[6] Five other Democratic candidates entered the race later: S. Mendenhall, Joan Sullivan, G. Winbush, Anthony Travis, and Joan Powell making it the largest field of candidates for U.S. Congress in Illinois for 1996.[7] Davis actually resided a block outside the 7th Congressional District, but issues of carpetbagging were not a major issue with residency not required[8] and familiarity with Davis inside the district.[9]

Position on issues

Davis ran on the progressive Democratic platform popular in the district. He is pro-choice and supports gay rights, the ERA, single-payer health care, and some federal support for child nutrition and care.[9]

Operation Silver Shovel

In early January 1996, the FBI revealed its Operation Silver Shovel, which included an investigation into Alderman Percy Z. Giles.[10] What Operation Silver Shovel may have done to undermine Giles's chances for election are unclear as he was already lagging with a mere 3% among likely Democratic primary voters in a mid-December poll compared to Davis’ 33%, Smith’s 8%, Tillman’s 7%, and Steele’s 6%.[11] However, up until Operation Silver Shovel Giles did have Mayor Richard M. Daley's support and that of other well-known area figures—some of whom continued their support during the controversy.[12]

Gator Bradley endorsement

On March 10, 1995, during a radio debate hosted by WMAQ-AM, Tillman and Smith called for Davis to reject the endorsement of former alderman candidate Wallace "Gator" Bradley,[13] spokesman for convicted Gangster Disciples leader Larry Hoover.[12] "Why do you keep badgering me with this question? You got a problem with something? You're not going to catch me going around saying I hate Gator Bradley….I'm not in the business of disavowing individuals. The good Lord said he hated sin, but not sinners. I'm not hating Gator Bradley. I disagree with those who commit crime and those who'd use drugs, but you won't catch me going around saying that I hate Gator Bradley." [12] Davis never rejected Bradley’s endorsement during the campaign and after winning the primary claimed that Bradley’s endorsement played no role in the outcome, though Bradley asserted the contrary.[14]

Ebony Magazine remarks

During the campaign, Tillman highlighted comments Davis made in an August 1970 issue of Ebony: “(T)he white female often gives the black man certain kinds of recognition that the black woman oftentimes does not give him."[15] The Davis campaign countered that Davis was speaking as a psychologist in his role as a training director at a health center. [15]

Allied groups

Although Davis was fully promoted as a Democratic candidate, he also ran as a New Party candidate.[16][17][18] Supporting this was New Party’s celebration of him as the “first New Party member elected to the U.S. Congress.”[19] Although the State of Illinois did not permit fusion voting, New Party advocated fusion voting as a means to promote their party and party agenda and to particularly project New Party ideology into the mainstream Democratic Party.[20] Candidates were referred to as “N[ew]P[arty] Democrats”[20] and were required to sign a contract mandating a “visible and active relationship” with New Party.[21] During this timeframe, New Party was experiencing substantial growth[22] and included in its ranks a young Barack Obama.[16][17][21][23]

Davis also received the endorsement of the Chicago Democratic Socialists of America (CDSA)[24] of which he is a member[25][26] and had a relationship pre-dating his congressional run.[27] ACORN, AFL-CIO, Sierra Club, and International Brotherhood of Teamsters are included in other groups also endorsing Davis in his bid.[28]

Election results

In the March 19 Democratic primaries, Davis received more votes than the two closest candidates — Tillman and Smith — combined.[7] The first five announced candidates all received more than double the five late-entering candidates with none of the latter receiving more than 2,700 votes.[7] In the November 5 general election, Davis won with over 82 percent of the votes cast over Republican Randy Borow and third-party candidates Chauncey L. Stroud (Independent), Toietta Dixon (Libertarian), and Charles A. Winter (Natural Law). [29]

Recent events

Davis was one of 31 U.S. Representatives who voted against counting the electoral votes from Ohio in the 2004 presidential election.[30]

Davis expressed interest in being President Barack Obama's replacement in the U.S. Senate, and Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, who was expected to appoint Obama's successor in late 2008 before his own major scandal erupted, stated that Davis would "make a great senator."[31] In a December 31, 2008 article published on the website of The New York Times, Davis said that he turned down an offer from representatives of Blagojevich to appoint him to the Senate.[32] Instead, Blagojevich appointed Roland W. Burris.[33]

2010

In early July, 2009, Davis gave a number of interviews in which he stated that he was exploring a bid for President of the Cook County Board of Commissioners. According to the Suntimes News Group, Davis stated that he is considering a run for the post.[1] Candidates to replace Davis include Jim Ascot[34] and Darlena Burnett.

Controversies

Affiliation with Rev. Sun Myung Moon

In 2004, Davis was met with national controversy when he crowned the Rev. Sun Myung Moon in a religious ceremony at the Dirksen Senate Office Building honoring the controversial spiritual leader.[35][36] Moon declared himself the Messiah at the crowning ceremony, in which Davis appeared on the invitation as a sponsoring co-chair.[36] Davis wore white gloves and carried the crown on a pillow to crown Moon and his wife "the King and Queen of Peace."[37] Davis told Christian Challenge that Moon declaring himself the Messiah "was similar to a baseball team owner telling team members that 'we are the greatest team on earth'" prior to a baseball game. Davis said the peace awards were to "recognize people for promoting peace. Of course the highest recognition goes to the highest promoter and the highest promoter is Reverend Moon, so they come up with something higher than the certificates and plaques that other folks get."[36] Salon later said that Davis was the only member of Congress in attendance who took pride in the ceremony. They also reported that Davis has accepted money from fundraisers organized by Moon.[3] In 2003, Davis gave a speech on the House floor and praised Moon, along with Congressman Curt Weldon. Davis said, "Many of my colleagues will join me and the gentleman from Pennsylvania Mr. Weldon, co-chair, in giving tribute to some of the outstanding Americans from our districts. We are grateful to the founders of Ambassadors for Peace, the Reverend and Mrs. Sun Myung [Moon], for promoting the vision of world peace, and we commend them for their work."[3]

Trip paid for by Tamil Tigers

As the 15th most prolific traveler in Congress, he stirred up controversy by accepting a trip to Sri Lanka in 2005 on behalf of the Tamil minority there, paid for by the Tamil Tigers, a group that the U.S. government has designated as a terrorist organization for its use of suicide bombers and child soldiers. Davis said that he was unaware that the Tigers were the source of the trip's funding.[38]

Accusation of racial profiling

On November 19, 2007, Davis was pulled over near 15th Street and Kedzie Avenue in Chicago by two white police officers. Davis was issued a $75 ticket for driving to the left side of the center yellow line. Davis, however, has claimed that he did not do anything wrong and that he was a target of racial profiling, saying, "My only offense is driving while black." He vowed to challenge the ticket.[39]

Community involvement

Davis is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha, the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity established for African Americans.[40] Davis is notable for his friendship with the National Federation of the Blind. He has spoken at their conventions in 2004 and 2005.[citation needed]

Committee assignments

Party leadership and Caucus membership

  • Chair of the Congressional Postal Caucus
  • Regional Whip

References

  1. ^ a b "Davis opens two campaign offices: One for county, one for Congress". Chicago Sun Times. http://www.pioneerlocal.com/norridge/news/1710117,norridge-davis-081309-s1.article. 
  2. ^ Biographical Directory of the United States Congress-Danny K. Davis
  3. ^ a b c John Gorenfeld (2004-06-21). "Hail to the Moon king". Salon. http://dir.salon.com/story/news/feature/2004/06/21/moon/index.html?pn=2. Retrieved 2007-06-20. 
  4. ^ Roman, B.:Recommendations for November, New Ground 60, Sept-Oct 1998. Retrieved 2008-11-2
  5. ^ Llewellyn, F.: DSAPAC Swings into Action, Democratic Left, 34(1):3 Summer 2006. Retrieved 2008-11-2
  6. ^ Fornek, S: “Davis Opens House Campaign With a Shot at Giles”, Chicago Sun-Times, December 7, 1995. Retrieved 2008-11-1 from Newsbank
  7. ^ a b c “U.S. CONGRESS PRIMARIES”, Chicago Tribune, March 21, 1996. Retrieved 2008-11-2 from Newsbank
  8. ^ Heard, J.: “Davis Looks Like Collins’ Likely Successor In U.S. House”, Chicago Tribune, October 4, 1996. Retrieved 2008-11-2 from Newsbank
  9. ^ a b Ritter, J.: “7th District Contest Drawing a Crowd”, Chicago Sun-Times, January 22, 1996. Retrieved 2008-11-2 from Newsbank
  10. ^ Oclander, J. and Spielman, F: “Mole Gave Alderman Cash - Politician Suspected of Receiving $20,000”, Chicago Sun-Times, January 9, 1996. Retrieved 2008-11-1 from Newsbank
  11. ^ Neal, S.: “Davis' Poll Gives him Lead in 7th Dist.”, Chicago Sun-Times, January 15, 1996. Retrieved 2008-11-1 from Newsbank
  12. ^ a b c Neal, S.: “Silver Shovel Digs Into House Race”, Chicago Sun-Times, March 11, 1996. Retrieved 2008-11-1 from Newsbank
  13. ^ “Wallace "Gator" Bradley”, Chicago Sun-Times, December 29, 1995. Retrieved 2008-11-1 from Newsbank
  14. ^ “Corrections and clarifications”, Chicago Tribune, March 22, 1996. Retrieved 2008-11-1 from Newsbank
  15. ^ a b Bey, L.: “Rivals Revive Davis ' 1970 Comments on Black Women”, Chicago Sun-Times, March 14, 1996. Retrieved 2008-11-2 from Newsbank
  16. ^ a b March Update, New Party (website), Retrieved 2008-11-2
  17. ^ a b October Update, New Party, Retrieved 2008-11-2
  18. ^ The New Party of Illinois: Contacts and Links, New Party, Retrieved 2008-11-2
  19. ^ Member Profiles, New Party (website), Retrieved 2008-11-2
  20. ^ a b Supreme Court Decides Fusion Case, New Party (website), Retrieved 2008-11-2
  21. ^ a b Bentley, B.: Chicago New Party Update, New Ground 42, Sept-Oct 1995. Retrieved 2008-11-2
  22. ^ New Party Profile: Members, Chapter, National, New Party (website), Retrieved 2008-11-2
  23. ^ Cullen, J.: The next campaign(editorial) Progressive Populist, 2(11) November 1996. Retrieved 2008-11-2
  24. ^ Chicago DSA endorsements in the March 19th primary election, New Ground 45, Mar-Apr 1996. Retrieved 2008-11-2
  25. ^ Send a student to Minnesota, Democratic Left, 30(2):5 Fall 2002. Retrieved 2008-11-2
  26. ^ Roman, B.: Cornel West at Preston Bradley Hall, New Ground 75, Mar-Apr 2001. Retrieved 2008-11-2
  27. ^ Roman, R.: Chicago DSA Endorses Danny Davis for Mayor, New Ground , 40:6 Winter 1990-1991. Retrieved 2008-11-2 only article header available
  28. ^ Davis for Congress (political ad), South Street Journal, 3(8):9. Retrieved 2008-11-2
  29. ^ Statistics of the Presidential and Congressional Election, Clerk of the House of Representatives, p. 21. Retrieved 2008-11-2
  30. ^ Final Vote Results for Roll Call 7 Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives, January 6, 2005
  31. ^ Klaus Marre, Blagojevich’s slip fuels Davis speculation The Hill, November 29, 2008
  32. ^ http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/01/us/01illinois.html?_r=1&hp
  33. ^ http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/31/us/31illinois.html?ref=us
  34. ^ "Race for 7th District wide open". Austin Weekly News. http://www.austinweeklynews.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=2369&TM=83120.28. 
  35. ^ Lawmakers attend Moon ‘coronation’ in Dirksen, James Kirchick, The Hill, June 22, 2004
  36. ^ a b c Ron Gunzburger (2004-06-18). "SPINNING MOON". Politics1 blog. http://www.politics1.com/blog-0604a.htm#crown2. Retrieved 2007-06-20. 
  37. ^ Bill Alexander (2004-06-25). "The Money-Mooners Meet on Capitol Hill". BET.com. http://www.rickross.com/reference/unif/unif231.html. Retrieved 2007-06-20. 
  38. ^ Davis Claims He Was Unaware Terrorists Paid For Trip NBC5 News, August 25, 2006
  39. ^ Congressman alleges racial profiling Chicago Tribune, November 22, 2007
  40. ^ Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity (2006-11-06). "U.S. Senate approves resolution". Press release. http://www.alphaphialpha.net/PressNewsDetails.php?newsID=25&newsCat=Press+Release. Retrieved 2008-12-31. "Alpha Phi Alpha is an exceptional organization that deserves to be recognized and honored for all of its many great achievements. The fraternity has helped shape more than 175,000 young men into extraordinary leaders who contribute positively to their communities and the world." 

External links

Articles
United States House of Representatives
Preceded by
Cardiss Collins		 Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Illinois's 7th congressional district
1997–Present		 Succeeded by
Incumbent
v • d • e
Illinois's current delegation to the United States Congress
Senators
Representative(s)
State delegations
Alabama • Alaska • Arizona • Arkansas • California • Colorado • Connecticut • Delaware • Florida • Georgia • Hawaii • Idaho • Illinois • Indiana • Iowa • Kansas • Kentucky • Louisiana • Maine • Maryland • Massachusetts • Michigan • Minnesota • Mississippi • Missouri • Montana • Nebraska • Nevada • New Hampshire • New Jersey • New Mexico • New York • North Carolina • North Dakota • Ohio • Oklahoma • Oregon • Pennsylvania • Rhode Island • South Carolina • South Dakota • Tennessee • Texas • Utah • Vermont • Virginia • Washington • West Virginia • Wisconsin • Wyoming
Non-voting delegations

This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)

 
 

 

Copyrights:

Black Biography. Contemporary Black Biography. Copyright © 2006 by The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.  Read more
Wikipedia. This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Danny K. Davis".  Read more