Danny K. Davis

For other people named Daniel Davis, 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
Personal details
Born September 6, 1941
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) is the U.S. Representative for Illinois's 7th congressional district, serving since 1997. He is a member of the Democratic Party.

Early life, education, career, and family

Davis was born in Parkdale, Arkansas, and educated at Arkansas AM&N College (B.A. in history, 1961), Chicago State University (M.S. in guidance, 1968) and the Union Institute & University in Cincinnati, Ohio (Ph.D. in public administration, 1977).[1] 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, 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 had also waged an unsuccessful campaign against Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley in the 1991 Democratic mayoral primary.

He is married to Vera G. Davis. They have two children, Jonathan and Stacey.[3] His niece, Quinshaunta Golden, achieved prominence as chief of staff at the Illinois Department of Public Health, under the direction of Eric E. Whitaker.

U.S. House of Representatives

Committee assignments

Party leadership and Caucus membership

Davis is a member of the Congressional Black Caucus,[4] Progressive Caucus, and Democratic Socialists of America.[5][6]

Davis was one of 31 U.S. Representatives who voted against counting the electoral votes from Ohio in the 2004 presidential election.[7]

Political campaigns

Danny K. Davis

On December 6, 1995, Davis announced his candidacy for the 7th Congressional District, adding his name to the already announced Democratic candidates including Alderman Percy Z. Giles, Bobbie L. Steele, Ed Smith, and Dorothy Tillman.[8] 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.[9] Davis resided a block outside the 7th Congressional District, but he was familiar in the district,[10] and actual residency was not required[11] Davis ran on the progressive Democratic platform popular in the district. He was pro-choice and supported gay rights, the ERA, single-payer health care, and some federal support for child nutrition and care.[10]

In early January 1996, the FBI revealed its Operation Silver Shovel, which included an investigation into Alderman Percy Z. Giles.[12] 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%.[13] 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.[14]

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,[15] spokesman for convicted Gangster Disciples leader Larry Hoover.[14] "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." [14] 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.[16]

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 often does not give him."[17] The Davis campaign countered that Davis was speaking as a psychologist in his role as a training director at a health center.[17]

Although Davis was fully promoted as a Democratic candidate, he also ran as a New Party candidate.[18][19][20] Supporting this was New Party’s celebration of him as the “first New Party member elected to the U.S. Congress.”[21] 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.[22] Candidates were referred to as “N[ew]P[arty] Democrats”[22] and were required to sign a contract mandating a “visible and active relationship” with New Party.[23] During this timeframe, New Party was experiencing substantial growth.[24]

Davis also received the endorsement of the Chicago Democratic Socialists of America (CDSA)[25] of which he is a member[26][27] and had a relationship pre-dating his congressional run.[28] ACORN, AFL-CIO, Sierra Club, and International Brotherhood of Teamsters are included in other groups also endorsing Davis in his bid.[29]

In the March 20 Democratic primaries, Davis received more votes than the two closest candidates — Tillman and Smith — combined.[9] 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.[9] 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).[30]

Other political interests

Davis expressed interest in being President Barack Obama's replacement in the U.S. Senate, and Illinois Governor in late 2008 before Blagojevich's major scandal erupted.[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]

Controversies

Rev. Sun Myung Moon

In 2004, Davis was met with national controversy when he crowned the late Rev. Sun Myung Moon in a religious ceremony at the Dirksen Senate Office Building honoring the controversial spiritual leader.[34][35] Moon declared himself the Messiah at the crowning ceremony, in which Davis appeared on the invitation as a sponsoring co-chair.[35] Davis wore white gloves and carried the crown on a pillow to crown Moon and his wife "the King and Queen of Peace."[36] 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."[35] Other lawmakers who attended included Senator Mark Dayton (D-Minn.), Representatives Roscoe Bartlett (R-Md.) and Elijah Cummings (D-Md.), as well as former Representative Walter Fauntroy (D-D.C.) . Key organizers of the event included George Augustus Stallings, Jr., a controversial former Roman Catholic priest who had been married by Moon, and Michael Jenkins, the president of the Unification Church of the United States at that time.[37] Salon later said that Davis was the only member of Congress in attendance who took pride in the ceremony, and that he has accepted money from fundraisers organized by Moon.[4]

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."[4]

Trip paid for by Tamil Tigers

As the 15th most prolific traveler in Congress, Davis 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]

Personal life

Davis as a representative

Davis is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity.[39] Davis is notable for his support of the National Federation of the Blind. He spoke at their conventions in 2004 and 2005.

References

  1. ↑ "Danny Davis' Biography". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved 23 December 2014.
  2. ↑ Biographical Directory of the United States Congress-Danny K. Davis
  3. ↑ http://votesmart.org/candidate/233/danny-davis#.UuVT9f16g_U
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 John Gorenfeld (2004-06-21). "Hail to the Moon king". Salon. Retrieved 2007-06-20.
  5. ↑ Roman, B.:Recommendations for November, New Ground 60, Sept-Oct 1998. Retrieved 2008-11-2
  6. ↑ Llewellyn, F.: DSAPAC Swings into Action, Democratic Left, 34(1):3 Summer 2006. Retrieved 2008-11-2
  7. ↑ Final Vote Results for Roll Call 7 Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives, January 6, 2005
  8. ↑ Fornek, S: “Davis Opens House Campaign With a Shot at Giles”, Chicago Sun-Times, December 7, 1995. Retrieved 2008-11-1 from Newsbank
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 “U.S. Congress Primaries”, Chicago Tribune, March 21, 1996. Retrieved 2008-11-2 from Newsbank
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Ritter, J.: “7th District Contest Drawing a Crowd”, Chicago Sun-Times, January 22, 1996. Retrieved 2008-11-2 from Newsbank
  11. ↑ Heard, J.: “Davis Looks Like Collins’ Likely Successor In U.S. House”, Chicago Tribune, October 4, 1996. Retrieved 2008-11-2 from Newsbank
  12. ↑ 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
  13. ↑ Neal, S.: “Davis' Poll Gives him Lead in 7th Dist.”, Chicago Sun-Times, January 15, 1996. Retrieved 2008-11-1 from Newsbank
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 Neal, S.: “Silver Shovel Digs Into House Race”, Chicago Sun-Times, March 11, 1996. Retrieved 2008-11-1 from Newsbank
  15. ↑ “Wallace "Gator" Bradley”, Chicago Sun-Times, December 29, 1995. Retrieved 2008-11-1 from Newsbank
  16. ↑ “Corrections and clarifications”, Chicago Tribune, March 22, 1996. Retrieved 2008-11-1 from Newsbank
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Bey, L.: “Rivals Revive Davis ' 1970 Comments on Black Women”, Chicago Sun-Times, March 14, 1996. Retrieved 2008-11-2 from Newsbank
  18. ↑ March Update at the Wayback Machine (archived February 2, 1999), New Party (website), Retrieved 2008-11-2
  19. ↑ October Update at the Wayback Machine (archived February 3, 1998), New Party, Retrieved 2008-11-2
  20. ↑ The New Party of Illinois: Contacts and Links at the Wayback Machine (archived October 23, 1999), New Party, Retrieved 2008-11-2
  21. ↑ Member Profiles at the Wayback Machine (archived February 10, 2001), New Party (website), Retrieved 2008-11-2
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 Supreme Court Decides Fusion Case at the Wayback Machine (archived February 20, 1999), New Party (website), Retrieved 2008-11-2
  23. ↑ Bentley, B.: Chicago New Party Update, New Ground 42, Sept-Oct 1995. Retrieved 2008-11-2
  24. ↑ New Party Profile: Members, Chapter, National at the Wayback Machine (archived April 23, 1999), New Party (website), Retrieved 2008-11-2
  25. ↑ Chicago DSA endorsements in the March 19th primary election, New Ground 45, Mar-Apr 1996. Retrieved 2008-11-2
  26. ↑ Send a student to Minnesota, Democratic Left, 30(2):5 Fall 2002. Retrieved 2008-11-2
  27. ↑ Roman, B.: Cornel West at Preston Bradley Hall, New Ground 75, Mar-Apr 2001. Retrieved 2008-11-2
  28. ↑ Roman, R.: Chicago DSA Endorses Danny Davis for Mayor, New Ground , 40:6 Winter 1990-1991. Retrieved 2008-11-2 only article header available
  29. ↑ Davis for Congress (political ad), South Street Journal, 3(8):9. Retrieved 2008-11-2
  30. ↑ Statistics of the Presidential and Congressional Election, Clerk of the House of Representatives, p. 21. Retrieved 2008-11-2
  31. ↑ Klaus Marre, Blagojevich’s slip fuels Davis speculation The Hill, November 28, 2008
  32. ↑ Davey, Monica; Swarns, Rachel L. (January 1, 2009). "Tough Calculus for Blagojevich on Senate Seat". The New York Times. Retrieved March 28, 2010.
  33. ↑ Davey, Monica (December 31, 2008). "Defiant Governor Picks Obama Successor". The New York Times. Retrieved March 28, 2010.
  34. ↑ Lawmakers attend Moon ‘coronation’ in Dirksen, James Kirchick, The Hill, June 22, 2004
  35. ↑ 35.0 35.1 35.2 Ron Gunzburger (2004-06-18). "SPINNING MOON". Politics1 blog. Retrieved 2007-06-20.
  36. ↑ Bill Alexander (2004-06-25). "The Money-Mooners Meet on Capitol Hill". BET.com. Retrieved 2007-06-20.
  37. ↑ Babington, Charles; Alan Cooperman (June 23, 2004). "The Rev. Moon Honored at Hill Reception - Lawmakers Say They Were Misled". Washington Post: A01.
  38. ↑ Davis Claims He Was Unaware Terrorists Paid For Trip NBC5 News, August 25, 2006
  39. ↑ "U.S. Senate approves resolution" (Press release). Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. 2006-11-06. 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.

Further reading

External links

Wikisource has original works written by or about:
Daniel K. Davis
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
United States order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by
Kevin Brady
R-Texas 		United States Representatives by seniority
71st 		Succeeded by
Diana DeGette
D-Colorado