Danny K. Davis

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Danny K. Davis is an openly socialist Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives, representing the 7th district of Illinois.

Early life/education

Danny K. Davis was born a sharecropper's son on September 6, 1941, in Parkdale, Arkansas. He attended Savage High School in Parkdale, where he graduated in 1957. A history major with an education minor, Davis earned a B.A. from Arkansas A.M.& N. College at Pine Bluff, Arkansas in 1961.

Moving to Chicago, Davis clerked for the United States Post Office before going to work as a teacher at Ferdinand Magellan School in 1962. Davis received an M.S. in school guidance from Chicago State University in 1968 while continuing his education in 1969 and 1970 with courses in administration, supervision, psychology, and political science. In 1977, he was awarded the Ph.D. in public administration by Union Institute.^[1]

Politics/activism

During the 1960s, Davis, became involved in theCivil Rights Movement. He also became active in politics on Chicago's west side. In 1969, he became executive director of the Greater Lawndale Conservation Commission, and then left to become director of training for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Health Center.

By 1971, Davis was a manpower consultant for the Westside Health Planning Organization and in 1972, became executive director of WHPO. From 1976 through 1981, he served as special assistant to the president of Mile Square Community Health Center. Davis also taught college courses at Malcolm X College, National College of Education, Illinois Benedictine College, Roosevelt University and the University of Illinois School of Public Health.

In 1979, Davis won the Aldermanic seat for Chicago's 29th Ward as an independent. He then became 29th Ward Committeeman in 1984. Active during Chicago's Harold Washington years, Davis served until 1990 when he resigned from the Chicago City Council to take a seat on the Cook County Board of Commissioners. After an unsuccessful bid for mayor in 1991, he ran for and won the U.S. 7th Congressional District seat in 1996.^[2]

Supporting Timuel Black

In the late 1970s Communist Party USA member Harold Rogers served on a "Citizen's Committee" supporting Timuel Black's unsuccessful campaign for State Representative in the 22nd District.

The "Citizen's Committee" included "former" communist Charles Hayes, radical journalist Don Rose, socialist Chicago Alderman Leon Despres, future Democratic Socialists of America members members Saul Mendelson (a former Trotskyite), Danny Davis and Milt Cohen (another former communist).

Committee in Support of Southern Africa

Committee in Support of Southern Africa was an anti-Apartheid group active in Chicago in the early 1980s.

Members of the committee iincluded^[3]: Charles Hayes, Rep. Carol Moseley Braun, Coalition of Black Trade Unionists, Bob Simpson, Frank Rosen, Congressman Harold Washington, Harold Rogers, Rep. Monica Stewart, Jim Wright, Alderman Danny Davis, Alice Peurala, Lu Palmer, Milt Cohen, Timuel Black.

New Mayor and New Politics

On May 17 1983 Danny Davis was a Panelist on A New Mayor and New Politics forum at Chicago State University Auditorium.

The election of Harold Washington as Mayor of Chicago was more than one man's victory. It was a progressive people's declaration. The Black community and progressive Latinos and whites formed an unbetable force in a campaign for justice and equality.

Panelist were Paul Booth, Juanita Bratcher, David Cantor, Slim Coleman, Danny Davis, Keith Davis, Ron Davis, Ishmael Flory, Rev Harry Gibson, Nancy Jefferson, Richard Newhouse, Lu Palmer, Art Vasquez, Conrad Worrill sponsored by Black Press Institute and Independent Citizens Alliance^[4].

PROCAN

In 1988, then Chicago Alderman Danny K Davis was Co-chair with Greg Kinczewski of PROCAN (Progressive Chicago Area Network), an oganization top heavy with Democratic Socialists of America members.^[5]

Communist Party connections

Danny Davis was also on good terms with the Communist Party USA. In Chicago, the Communist Party has for many years held an annual a fund raising banquet for its paper, the Peoples Weekly World (formerly the Peoples Daily World).

According to the Peoples Daily World of July 28 1990, Chicago alderman Danny K Davis attended the 1990 banquet on July 15th.

Davis applauded those at the banquet, who, he said, are always in the midst of struggle. PDW readers, he said, are "steadfast in the fight for justice".

The affair netted $2,500 for the PDW fund.

According to the Peoples Weekly World October 3 1998, Congressman Danny K. Davis interrupted his campaign work for United States Senate candidate Carol Moseley Braun to present an award at the 1998 Chicago Peoples Weekly World banquet.

This event raised $10,000 towards keeping the Communist Party paper afloat.

Sponsored Communist Party "Jobs Bill"

H.R. 950, the Job Creation and Infrastructure Restoration Act of 1997 was introduced in the 105th Congress on March 5, 1997 by Congressman Matthew Martinez of California. It had 33 original co-sponsors, including Danny Davis. The primary purpose of this emergency federal jobs legislation was to provide much needed jobs at union wages to crisis ridden cities by putting the unemployed to work rebuilding our nation's infrastructure (schools, housing, hospitals, libraries, public transportation, highways, parks, environmental improvements, etc. $250 billion is authorized for emergency public works jobs over a five year period.

Congressman Martinez had previously introduced this bill in the last Congress (as HR 1591) at the the request of over 50 prominent Labor leaders who formed the Los Angeles Labor Coalition for Public Works Jobs, which is why it is often referred to as the "Martinez Public Works Jobs Bill."^[6]

This is the most significant jobs legislation introduced in Congress since Franklin Delano Roosevelt's New Deal established the Works Progress Administration (WPA). This bill is the WPA-type program for today. It has strong provisions which will put hundreds of thousands of unemployed building trades workers to work as well as provide jobs for victims of plant closures, welfare recipients who are parents, youth, and the long term unemployed. The public works projects which will be established under this bill will be built in communities with the highest levels of unemployment and with the greatest needs.

The goal of the New York Coalition for Public Works Jobs is to build the movement to pass the Martinez Jobs bill as part of the National Labor Coalition for Public Works Jobs. You can help by asking your union, community organization, or local government body to to join those who have already passed resolutions to endorse the bill. Such a resolution has been introduced in the New York City Council. Calling on additional Congressional Representatives to co-sponsor the bill is very important. We will be organizing petition campaigns, visits to elected officials, and demonstrations and other actions for a public works jobs program.

The leaders of the Los Angeles Labor Coalition for Public Works Jobs and its only affiliate New York Coalition for Public Works Jobs, were all known supporters or members of the Communist Party USA.

Los Angeles , National Labor Coalition For Public Works Jobs

• Jerry Acosta - Chairman
• Art Rodriguez - Coordinator

A New York affiliate, New York Coalition for Public Works Jobs, c/o Utility Workers Union of America Local 1-2.

• Eddie Davis
• Bill Davis

Progressive Chicago

In late 1993 Progressive Chicago letters were always signed by 17 people;^[7]

• Ron Sable
• Dwayne Harris, 21st Century Vote
• David Orr Cook County Clerk
• Ernestine Whiting, ACORN
• Madeline Talbott, ACORN
• Bessie Cannon, President SEIU Local 880
• Keith Kelleher, Head organizer SEIU Local 880
• Joe Gardner Commissioner, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District
• Lou Pardo, (Northwest Voter Registration Project)
• Rene David Luna, (ADAPT)
• Dick Simpson
• Danny K. Davis
• Carol Harwell, United Voter Registration League
• Barack Obama
• Ron Davis
• Carl Davidson, Networking for Democracy
• Philip Jahn, Teamsters Local 743

Congressional Progressive Caucus

In 1998 Danny Davis Democrat was listed as a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus^[8].

As of February 20 2009 Danny Davis was listed as a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus^[9].

Support for Alice Palmer

Davis was an early supporter of Alice Palmer in her bid for U.S. Congress.

In the mid 1990s Danny Davis was listed^[10]as a member of Friends of Alice Palmer (in formation), alongside Timuel Black, Tony Rezko and Barack Obama.

CCDBR Bicentennial Celebration

On November 10, 1991 Danny K. Davis was listed as the Master of Ceremonies for the Chicago Committee to Defend the Bill of Rights Bicentennial Celebration.^[11]

Democratic Socialists of America

Danny Davis is one of the few Democratic Party Congressmen open about his membership of Democratic Socialists of America.

In 1990 Chicago DSA endorsed Danny Davis for the Chicago mayoralty.^[12]

According to a December 29 1998 email from DSA membership officer Solveig Wilder;^[13]

"Ron Dellums (who recently retired from Congress) is a Vice Chair of DSA, and Danny Davis, John Conyers, and Major Owens are all DSA Members."

When Danny Davis ran for Congress in 1998, Democratic Socialists of America did not officially endorse any candidates but he was "recommended" as worthy of a vote by Chicago DSA-citing his membership of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and his support for Progressive Challenge.

Danny Davis, U.S. House of Representatives, 7th District

Danny Davis is a member of the Progressive Caucus, an old friend of DSA and a member of the New Party. If that's not enough, you can...^[14]

Davis was still a DSA member at least as late as his 2006 Congressional race according to DSA's Democratic Left Summer 2006.

DSA has also endorsed DSAer and Congressmember Danny Davis in his bid for re-election in Chicago.^[15]

In 2006 Danny K. Davis, received $50 from the Democratic Socialists of America Political Action Committee for his campaign as Democrats candidate for the the Illinois seat in the U.S. Congress Primary.^[16]

DSA endorsement

Chicago Democratic Socialists of America endorsements^[17]in the March 19th 1995 Primary Election went to Danny Davis, Patricia Martin, Willie Delgado and Barack Obama

In Chicago DSA's New Ground, Danny Davis was described only as...

...certainly not foreign to Chicago DSA. From the very beginning, he has always been willing to help: appearing as a speaker with Michael Harrington, serving as a Master of Ceremonies without peer at the annual Debs - Thomas - Harrington Dinner.

...not as the full fledged DSA member he actually was.

The New Party

Danny K. Davis joined the Chicago New Party (along with Barack Obama) during his successful Congressional 1996 campaign on the Democratic Party ticket.

New Party News Spring 1996 page 1, celebrated the Davis’ Congressional victory and went on to say;

"New Party members won three other primaries this Spring in Chicago: Barack Obama (State Senate), Michael Chandler (Democratic Party Committee) and Patricia Martin (Cook County Judiciary)..."these victories prove that small 'd' democracy can work' said Obama".

Danny Davis was still a New Party member in late 1997.^[18]

Committees of Correspondence connection

Davis also had ties to Communist Party USA splinter group Committees of Correspondence.

According to Chicago DSA’s New Ground of September 1994:^[19]

"Over 500 delegates and observers (including 140 from Chicago) attended the founding convention of the Committees of Correspondence (CoC) held here in Chicago in July.

New Ground reported that speakers…included Charles Nqukula, General Secretary of the South African Communist Party, Dulce Maria Pereira, a senatorial candidate of the Workers Party of Brazil, Angela Davis of CoC, Andre Brie of the Party of Democratic Socialism of Germany (a revamp of the old East German Communist Party). Guests during the Convention included Cook County Commissioner Danny Davis, Chicago Aldermen Helen Shiller and Rick Munoz, a representative of the Green Left Weekly of Australia and a "representative of the Cuban Interest Section."

In 1994 Danny Davis, Chicago was listed on a "Membership, Subscription and Mailing List" for the Chicago Committees of Correspondence, an offshoot of the Communist Party USA.^[20]

Citizen Action of Illinois

In 1997 Congressman-elect Danny K. Davis served on the board of directors of Citizen Action of Illinois.^[21]

Progressive Challenge

Democratic Socialists of America member Bob Roman, wrote of a 1998 Chicago Progressive Challenge meeting attended by Illinois Congressmen Jesse Jackson Jr, Luis Gutierrez and Danny Davis:^[22]

On the evening of Monday, April 21, the Progressive Challenge came to Chicago. Starting off with a town hall style meeting that brought together about 150 people in the UNITE hall at 333 S. Ashland in Chicago, the meeting was structured to present testimony from representative of various local organizations to local Congressional members of the Progressive Caucus.

DSA was particularly well represented by the testimony of the Youth Section's International Secretary, Daraka Larimore-Hall. Daraka Larimore-Hall gave an impassioned, coherent presentation that linked the various aspects of DSA's agenda with the project at hand.

Congressmen Jesse Jackson, Jr., Luis Gutierrez and Danny Davis attended the meeting...

The Progressive Challenge is an effort to link the Congressional Progressive Caucus with the larger left grass roots network of single issue, constituent, labor and ideological organizations. The Institute for Policy Studies is very much the keystone organization of this project, which has brought together some 40 organizations including DSA, Americans for Democratic Action, United Electrical Workers, NETWORK, National Jobs for All Coalition to name a few. No one of these groups is a major player inside the Beltway, but together they have captured the attention of the Progressive Caucus and contributed to its growth.

Chicago Committee to Defend the Bill of Rights

Congressman Davis has a close relationship to the the Chicago Committee to Defend the Bill of Rights - founded in 1960 as a Communist Party USA front, but now also heavily influenced by members and supporters of Democratic Socialists of America and Committees of Correspondence for Democracy and Socialism.

Richard Criley Memorial

In 2000, Danny K. Davis served as Honorary Chairperson on the welcoming committee for the Chicago Memorial Service for Richard Criley, a long-time activist with the Communist Party USA and a leader of the Chicago Committee to Defend the Bill of Rights.^[23]

Honoring Frank Wilkinson

Chicago Committee to Defend the Bill of Rights organized a "Celebration of the The Dynamic Life of Frank Wilkinson (1914-2006)" on Sunday October 29, 2006. Wilkinson had been a leader of the Communist Party USA, the New American Movement and Democratic Socialists of America.^[24]

Honoring Committee members included Danny K. Davis.

Evening with Sister Helen Prejean

The Chicago Committee to Defend the Bill of Rights and the Bill of Rights Foundation presented an evening with anti death penalty campaigner Sister Helen Prejean March 15, 2007.

The event was endorsed by: Timuel Black, Jane Bohman, Locke Bowman, Thomas Breen, Rep. Danny Davis, Tony Fitzpatrick, Aviva Futorian, Bernard Harcourt, Jeffrey Howard, Rabbi Peter S. Knobel, Elizabeth Kooy, Peter Kuttner (IATSE Local 600), Barbara Lannan and John Lannan, Haki Madhubuti, Martin Marty, Lisel Mueller, Sara Paretsky, Father Arturo Perez, Mary Powers, Dick Simpson, Elizabeth Solomon, Thomas Sullivan, Studs Terkel, Scott Turow, Standish E. Willis ; All Saints' Episcopal Church, Campaign to End the Death Penalty, Black Radical Congress, Center on Wrongful Convictions, 8th Day Center for Justice, Illinois Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty, The Lannan Foundation, the MacArthur Justice Center, Midwest Center for Justice, Murder Victims Families for Human Rights and the National Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression.^[25]

Free Mumia Abu-Jamal

In 2008 Danny Davis, Congressman, 7th District Illinois signed a statement circulated by the Partisan Defense Committee calling for the release of convicted “cop-killer” Mumia Abu-Jamal.^[26]

"Progressives" on "Ways & Means" committee

In 2008, the U.S. Congress' most powerful committee, "Ways & Means" was heavily influenced by members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus including Chairman Charles Rangel, Pete Stark, John Lewis, Xavier Becerra and Jim McDermott.

Congressional Progressive Caucus Vice Chairman Raul Grijalva and Danny Davis, joined "Ways & Means" late in the year.

Staff

The following have worked as staff members for Danny K. Davis:^[27]

External links

• Davis' website with the House of Representatives

References