Danny K. Davis
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For the other persons named Danny Davis, please see Danny Davis.
| Danny Davis | |
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| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office January 3, 1997 |
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| Preceded by | Cardiss Collins |
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| Born | September 6, 1941 Parkdale, Arkansas |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Vera Davis |
| 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 was born in Parkdale, Arkansas, was 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). He was a clerk, a teacher, executive director of the Greater Lawndale Conservation Commission, director of training at the Martin L. King Neighborhood Health Center, executive director of the Westside Health Center, and a member of the Chicago City Council and Cook County Board of Commissioners before entering the House.[citation needed] He is a member of the Congressional Black Caucus.[1]
Davis is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha, the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity established for African Americans.[citation needed] 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]
He was one of the 31 who voted in the House against counting the electoral votes from Ohio in the United States presidential election, 2004. [2]
Contents |
[edit] Committee Assignments
- Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
- Domestic Policy Subcommittee
- Federal Workforce, Postal Service and the District of Columbia Subcommittee (Chairman)
- Committee on Education and Labor
- Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education
- Subcommittee on Higher Education, Lifelong Learning, and Competitiveness
- Chair of the Congressional Postal Caucus
- Regional Whip
[edit] Controversies
[edit] 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.[2][3] Moon declared himself the Messiah at the crowning ceremony, in which Davis appeared on the invitation as a sponsoring co-chair.[3] Davis wore white gloves and carried the crown on a pillow to crown Moon and his wife "the King and Queen of Peace."[4] 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."[3] 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.[1] When asked to name an initiative or program that Moon had promoted that advanced the cause of peace, Davis could not answer.[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."[1]
[edit] 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.[5]
[edit] 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 has vowed to challenge the ticket.[6]
[edit] Supporting release of Mumia Abu-Jamal
Congressman Davis appears to be the only sitting member of Congress to have signed the demand to release Wesley "Mumia Abu-Jamal" Cook, who was convicted of the December 1981 murder of Philadelphia police officer Daniel Faulkner. [7] (Cynthia McKinney signed, but she was defeated in the 2006 Georgia primaries.)
[edit] References
- ^ a b c John Gorenfeld (2004-06-21). Hail to the Moon king. Salon. Retrieved on 2007-06-20.
- ^ Lawmakers attend Moon ‘coronation’ in Dirksen, James Kirchick, The Hill, June 22, 2004
- ^ a b c Ron Gunzburger (2004-06-18). SPINNING MOON. Politics1 blog. Retrieved on 2007-06-20.
- ^ a b Bill Alexander (2004-06-25). The Money-Mooners Meet on Capitol Hill. BET.com. Retrieved on 2007-06-20.
- ^ Davis Claims He Was Unaware Terrorists Paid For Trip NBC5 News, August 25, 2006
- ^ Congressman alleges racial profiling Chicago Tribune, November 22, 2007
- ^ [1] PartisanDefense.Org, February 5, 2008
[edit] External links
- U.S. Congressman Danny K. Davis official House site
- Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
- Voting record maintained by The Washington Post
- Campaign finance reports and data at the Federal Election Commission
- Campaign contributions at OpenSecrets.org
- Biography, voting record, and interest group ratings at Project Vote Smart
- Issue positions and quotes at On The Issues
- Current Bills Sponsored at StateSurge.com
- Danny K. Davis for U.S. Congress official campaign site
Articles
- BuzzFlash Interview: Congressman Danny Davis April 2001
| Political offices | ||
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| Preceded by Cardiss Collins |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Illinois's 7th congressional district 1997–Present |
Succeeded by Incumbent |
