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]

Early career

After graduation, Davis was a public school teacher, health planner and founder of the Westside Center for Community Action. He was later chair of the National Association of Community Health Centers and later co-chair of the Progressive Chicago Area Network.^[2]

Politics/activism

During the 1960s, Davis, became involved in the Civil Rights Movement. In 1966, when Martin Luther King, Jr. came to Chicago to campaign against discriminatory housing codes, Davis "walked and worked with him, and was inspired by his message".^[3]

Davis 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.^[1]

Committees/Caucuses

In the 113th Congress, Representative Davis serves on Committee on Ways and Means. His subcommittee assignments are: Oversight and Human Resources.

Congressman Davis is a member of several Congressional Caucuses including the, the Urban Caucus, the Community Health Center’s Caucus and the Congressional Sugar Caucus.Danny K. Davis, “Committees,” House.gov, http://davis.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=20&Itemid=40 (accessed April 11, 2013)

"Community organizer"

Writing in the Huffington Post of September 8, 2008, in an article entitled "From Organizer To Elected Official" Democratic Socialists of America member Peter Dreier listed several serving US politicians who had begun their careers as "community organizers". They were US Senator Barbara Mikulski of Maryland, Representatives John Lewis of Georgia, Jan Schakowsky and Danny Davis of Illinois, Raul Grijalva of Arizona, Linda Sanchez of California, and Donna Edwards of Maryland, Washington House of Representatives Speaker Frank Chopp, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, New York City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn, Minnesota Secretary of State Mark Ritchie, state legislators Beth Low of Missouri, Michael Foley of Ohio, Gilbert Cedillo of California, Tom Hucker of Maryland, Tony Hill of Florida, and Crystal Peoples of New York, Alameda County (California) Supervisor Nate Miley, City Council members Jay Westbrook of Cleveland, Chuck Turner and Sam Yoon of Boston, and Melvin Carter of St. Paul, and San Francisco School Board member Jane Kim. ^[4]

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 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^[5]: 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.

Harold Washington campaign committee

In 1983, Danny Davis served on the Harold Washington Campaign Steering Committee.

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^[6].

Communist Party connections

Danny Davis was also on good terms with the Communist Party USA.

New Agenda conference

In August 1987 Danny Davis addressed and endorsed the Communist Party USA's New Agenda conference, in Chicago.^[7]

PWW banquets

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).

1989 Chicago PWW banquet

Chicago alderman Danny Davis was keynote speaker at June 25th, 1989 Peoples Daily World banquet.

1990 Chicago PWW banquet

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.

People's World 1997 dinner

Bobby Rush was the guest speaker at the Chicago Communist Party USA's annual People's Weekly World fundraising banquet, September 20, 1997, which raised $6,000 to support the communist newspaper. 1997. Rep. Rush urged support for the Martinez Jobs Bill (HR-950), then before Congress. His sentiments were echoed by Congressman Danny Davis.^[8]

1998 Chicago PWW banquet

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. Davis praised the work of Communist Party USA member Harry Gaynor's "active role in tearing city's segregated walls and working for peace". ^[9].

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

Danny Davis, was pictured in the People's Weekly world October 3, 1998 page 3 with Harry Gaynor, John Randolph, Alma Washington, Lupe Lozano, Johnnie Jackson, and Scott Marshall]].

2000 Chicago PWW banquet

The 2000 banquet, held October 28 at the House of Fortune restaurant featured Congressman Danny Davis as guest speaker.

Local honorees were;

• Jarvis Williams, president SEIU local 46, and vice president Chicago AFL-CIO
• Alice Bush, director District 1199, SEIU Local and leader of last summer's strike against Methodist Hospital in Gary Indiana.
• Bea Lumpkin, author of "Always bring a crowd"
• Jesus Garcia, former member of the Illinois State Legislature and presently director of the Little Village Community Development Center.

A special award went to Evelina Alarcon, co-ordinator to the Cesar E. Chavez Holiday Campaign.

Lance Cohn was a banquet organizer.^[10]

2011 Chicago PWW banquet

Labor and community activists, elected officials, readers and supporters of the PeoplesWorld.org and MundoPopular.org gathered in Chicago Nov. 20th, 2011, for the annual banquet bash at the Parthenon Restaurant. They feasted on sumptuous Greek food and honored heroes of the growing labor and people's movement.

"Something's terribly wrong when 1% of the population controls 40% of the nation's wealth," said Congressman Danny Davis, D-Ill., who appeared on behalf of his longtime friend Brenetta Howell Barrett.

Barrett was one of those receiving the Rudy Lozano-Chris Hani Social Justice award.

Davis said it was the steadfastness of fighters like Barrett, who had been in every fight he could recount, that the movement for justice and equality would be successful.

Barrett, who among other things is a leader of Chicago Committee to Defend the Bill of Rights, a former commissioner in Mayor Harold Washington's administration and trailblazing fighter for political independence, said it was critical to reelect Pres. Barack Obama in 2012 and blasted the racist attacks on him.

"Everyone needs to be involved in that fight if we are to have any meaningful change," said Barrett, who it was noted was a master of combining street heat with political and electoral action.

^[11]

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."^[12]

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

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

• Eddie Davis
• Bill Davis

Less military spending

In 1997 Danny Davis of Illinois, at the request of the National Labor-Community Coalition for Public Works Jobs, wrote a letter to his colleagues in Congress, asking them to address the real issues and solutions related to the economy, starting with the Martinez Jobs Bill. "The debate over the size of the military budget has not been fully aired, has not been conducted with the same vigor and intensity as the scrutiny over other discretionary spending....military experts have earmarked savings of over $200 million over the next ten years, while continuing to maintain our military supremacy".^[13][14]

Communist funeral

On April 24, 2011, Congressmembers Jan Schakowsky and Danny Davis, addressed the funeral service of Communist Party USA member Frank Lumpkin, whose ashes were interred next to the famous Haymarket Memorial in nearby Forest Home Cemetery. Among those who paid tribute to Lumpkin's lifelong work were congresspeople, state legislators, the governor of Illinois Pat Quinn, union and community leaders.

Communist Party leaders in attendance included Scott Marshall, Roberta Wood, Pepe Lozano, Rudy Lozano, Jr. and Jarvis Tyner.^[15]

Celebrating African American History Month

On February 26 2012, U.S. Representative Danny K. Davis attended a Celebrating African American History Month 2012, cultural performance at the Communist Party USA's Unity Center, 3339 S. Halsted St. Chicago.

Hosts: PeoplesWorld.org, South Halsted Unemployed Action Center, Workers Education Society.^[16]

Chicago mayoralty run

In 1990/1991, Davis ran unsuccessfully in the primary for the Democratic Party nomination for the Chicago mayoralty against Jane Byrne and incumbent Richard M.Daley.

Because of his long involvement in "progressive" politics, Davis' campaign included groups such as Women for Davis, Labor for Davis, Clergy for Davis, Youth for Davis and committees representing Greeks, Koreans and Hispanics.

Labor for Davis was co-chaired by Frank Rosen, general vice president of the United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers, and Johnnie Jackson, president of the Chicago chapter of the Coalition of Labor Union Women.^[17]

Davis' campaign committee was headed by Louanner Peters, who previously worked for Independent Voters of Illinois-Independent Precinct Organization and 1977 Independent mayoralty candidate William Singer. Peters was on leave from her position as chief of staff in the Washington office of Rep. Gus Savage.^[18]

Progressive Chicago

In late 1993 Progressive Chicago letters were always signed by 17 people;^[19]

• 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

"African Americans and the 1996 Elections."

In conjunction with the Chicago Chapter of the Committees of Correspondence, the University of Chicago Democratic Socialists of America hosted a panel discussion on "African Americans and the 1996 Elections." Panelists included Danny Davis, Cook County Commissioner and Democratic Party nominee for Illinois' 7th Congressional District, Barbara Ransby, Chair of the Center for African American Research at DePaul University, and Salim Muwakkil, columnist (for In These Times and the Chicago Sun-Times. Long-time political activist Timuel Black moderated.^[20]

Congressional Progressive Caucus

In 1998 Danny Davis Democrat was listed as a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus^[21].

As of February 20 2009 Danny Davis was listed as a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus^[22].

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^[23]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 Communist Party USA front Chicago Committee to Defend the Bill of Rights Bicentennial Celebration.^[24]

Democratic Socialists of America

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

Socialist School

In the fall of 1983, Alderman Danny Davis lectured at the Chicago Democratic Socialists of America's Socialist School.

Democratic Alternatives conference

On October 31 1987 Chicago Democratic Socialists of America, hosted the Illinois Democratic Alternatives conference.

Sponsors included Congressman Charles Hayes, Paul Gibson from the UAW, Sue Purrington from Chicago NOW, Alderman Danny Davis, Charles Williams, IAM and Sen, Howard Brookins. ^[25]

PROCAN

In 1988, then Chicago Alderman Danny K. Davis was Co-chair with Greg Kinczewski of PROCAN (Progressive Chicago Area Network), an organization top heavy with Democratic Socialists of America members.^[26]

1989 Debs Dinner

In 1989 Danny Davis gave the opening address to Chicago Democratic Socialists of America's annual Debs Dinner.

DSA endorsements

In 1990 Chicago DSA endorsed Danny Davis for the Chicago mayoralty.^[27]

In July 1996, the Democratic Socialists of America Political Action Committee endorsed Danny Davis, running in, Illinois 7 in that year's Congressional elections.^[28]

Chicago Democratic Socialists of America endorsements^[29]in the March 19th 1995 Primary Election went to Danny Davis, Patricia Martin, Willie Delgado and Barack Obama

DSA conference

Cook County Commissioner Danny Davis, welcomed Democratic Socialists of America's 1991 National Convention to Chicago.^[30]

DSA member

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.

According to a December 29 1998 email from DSA membership officer Solveig Wilder;^[31]

"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...^[32]

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.^[33]

DSA funding

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.^[34]

DSA "Globalization From Below" conference

Globalization From Below was a conference held May 29 - 31 , 1998 in Chicago Illinois, organized by Democratic Socialists of America.

Invited speakers were Profirio Munoz-Ledo, PRD-Mexico; Audrey MacLaughlin, New Democratic Party-Canada; Rev. Jesse Jackson; Dolores Huerta, United Farm Workers; Clare Short, Secretary of State for Overseas Development, UK; Rep. Luis Gutierrez; Rep. Danny Davis; Jose LaLuz, AFSCME, Karen Nussbaum, AFL-CIO; Stanley Gacek, AFL-CIO; Stephen Yokich, United Auto Workers; Enrique Herandez, Han Young/ Hyudai plant organizer, Tijuana.^[35]

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.^[36]

Committees of Correspondence connection

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

CoC conference

According to Chicago DSA’s New Ground of September 1994:^[37]

"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."

Coc contacts list

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.^[38]

Supporting Bobby Rush's mayoralty tilt

In 1998 Bobby Rush was busy preparing for a tilt at the Chicago mayoralty.

At his campaign launch, Rush was introduced by Reps Danny Davis, Jesse Jackson, Jr., Mexican-American activist and Committees of Correspondence affiliate Emma Lozano, as well as by anti police brutality activist Rev. Jaul Jakes.^[39]

Citizen Action of Illinois

In 1997 Congressman-elect Danny K. Davis served on the board of directors of Citizen Action of Illinois.^[40]

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:^[41]

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.

Immigrant "rights" rally

Some 8,000 working people joined the March and Rally for a New Amnesty in chicago September 23. 2000. "Si se puede" was the chant of the day at the rally for the millions of immigrant workers in the United States. Janitors, home health care workers, garment workers, and meat packers were among those at the action.

The confidence, unity, and working-class composition evident at the march were reflected in the banners and signs throughout the demonstration: "It's Time For Amnesty!" "Living Wage For All Workers," "Union Organizing Is A Human Right!" and "Amnesty Means Workers' Rights."

The demonstration was sponsored by the Grassroots Collaborative, the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 880, ACORN, American Friends Service Committee, Chicago Coalition for the Homeless, the Interfaith Leadership Project, and others. ^[42]

Statements of support came from Democratic Socialists of America members AFL-CIO president John Sweeney and rep. Danny Davis and Roman Catholic archbishop of Chicago, Francis Cardinal George.

Rep. Jan Schakowsky told the crowd "i support complete amnesty , total restoral of benefits....and an end to employer sanctions. Danny Davis' message echoed these themes.

Rep. Luis Gutierrez told the assembly that on October 2 he would introduce legislation to accomplish amnesty... into the House of Representatives, and asked for the pressure to be kept up.^[43]

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.^[44]

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.^[45]

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.^[46]

2002 ACORN convention

Rep. Danny Davis (D-Ill.) brought some 2,000 delegates attending the national convention of the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now to their feet with a ringing call for “the people’s agenda.”

Standing before a banner bearing the convention theme “Justice Now, Justice Always,” Davis drew cheers as he ticked off a list of demands of the people’s movement: livable wage, affordable prescription drugs and health care, higher minimum wage, public education, equal opportunity and affirmative action.^[47]

HR 3000

On September 3, 2003 Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) introduced H.R. 3000, the United States Universal Health Service Act, which would provide health coverage for all Americans. H.R. 3000 would establish a United States Health Service (USHS), which would eliminate profit issues from health care because it would be owned and controlled by the public and administered primarily at the local level.^[48]

According to the Communist Party USA's People's World, initial supporters of HR 3000 were Julia Carson, (D-Ind.), Donna Christensen (D-Va.), John Conyers (D-Mich.), Elijah Cummings (D-Md.), Danny Davis (D-Ill.), Jesse Jackson, Jr. (D-Ill.), Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio), Major Owens (D-N.Y.), Donald Payne (D-N.J.), and Lynn Woolsey (D-Calif.).

The World went on to say;^[49]

We will not win the United States Health Service without a massive, prolonged struggle by working people against the corporate defenders of the current for-profit health care industry.

Attended Event Honoring Rev. Sun Myung Moon

On March 23, 2004, a congressional reception was held in the Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C., honoring Korean-born businessman and religious leader, the Rev. Sun Myung Moon. Moon, 85, has been controversial for years. Renowned for officiating at mass weddings, he received an 18-month prison sentence in 1982 for tax fraud and conspiracy to obstruct justice. In a 1997 sermon, he likened homosexuals to "dirty dung-eating dogs."^[50] Democrats Sen. Mark Dayton of Minnesota, Rep. Danny K. Davis of Illinois, Rep. Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. of Georgia; and Republicans Rep. Roscoe G. Bartlett of Maryland, Rep. Christopher B. Cannon of Utah, and Rep. Curt Weldon of Pennsylvania – received "Ambassadors for Peace" awards at the ceremony. There were reportedly 81 members of Congress total at the event.^[51]

Crossroads Fund

In 2007, Danny K. Davis was an honorary host for the 25th Anniversary of the Crossroads Fund.^[52] The fund, founded in 1981 supports community organizations working on "issues of social and economic justice" in the Chicago area.

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.^[53]

"Trade Act of 2008"

The "Trade Act of 2008" (HR 6180) was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Representative Mike Michaud of Maine in early June.

It has gathered 63 cosponsors, including Illinois Representatives Danny Davis, Phil Hare, Jesse Jackson, Jr., Daniel Lipinski, Jan Schakowsky. In the Senate, the legislation (S 3083) was introduced by Senator Sherrod Brown of Ohio and gathered 4 cosponsors.^[54]

"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.

Coalition to Save Community Banking

The Coalition to Save Community Banking is a group of several dozen metro Chicago organizations and individuals, including Chicago Democratic Socialists of America member Peg Strobel, that came together after the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) seized the assets of a local community bank, Park National Bank (PNB) with two branches in Oak Park, Illinois, on October 30, 2009. PNB and eight sister banks (including several in California) were all owned by First Bank of Oak Park, Inc. (FBOP), which the FDIC then sold to US Bancorp, also known as US Bank. This seizure happened in the afternoon; that same morning, the Treasury Department awarded FBOP/PNB Initiatives (an affiliate of PNB) $50 million in federal "New Market Tax Credit" allocations to continue PNB's long-standing investment in under-resourced and minority communities. ^[55]

Accomplishments of the organization included;

• Rep. Luis Gutierrez (chair of the House Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit) held a Congressional hearing January 21 on the issue of FPOB/PNB and community banks. We sent more than 60 people to Washington.
• We gained the support of Rep. Danny Davis; Rep. Bobby Rush; State Sen. Don Harmon; David Pope, President of the Village Board, Oak Park; and State Rep. LaShawn Ford.
• Sponsored by Sen. Don Harmon, Senate Joint Resolution 81 has passed the Illinois Senate and moves to the Illinois House, where it is cosponsored by Karen Yarbrough, Angelo Saviano, Deborah L. Graham, LaShawn Ford, and Marlow H. Colvin. The resolution "urges the United States House of Representatives Financial Services Committee and the United States Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs to continue hearings to investigate the FDIC's seizure of Park National Bank."
• December 16, 2009, the Chicago City Council joined with our coalition in demanding a Congressional hearing to investigate the seizure and sale of First Bank of Oak Park/Park National Bank and the repercussions for other community banks reinvesting in our communities. As reported by the Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago aldermen condemned as "absurd, bordering on criminal" the federal government's decision to seize Park National Bank."
• Within a month of the seizure, community groups that comprise the Coalition delivered petitions with over 1,000 signatures to the D.C. office of Rep. Luis Gutierrez.^[56]

Committee to Stop FBI Repression delegation

In mid November 2010, a delegation from the Committee to Stop FBI Repression ( returned home from several days of bringing the "issue of the FBI raids and grand jury subpoenas of people doing international solidarity work and anti-war organizing to the U.S. Capitol". Three supporters of the Marxist-Leninist Freedom Road Socialist Organization/FightBack!, Deb Konechne of the Committee to Stop FBI Repression, Anh Pham, who is facing a reactivation of her subpoena and Joe Iosbaker, whose home was raided, spent two days meeting with U.S. Representatives on the issue. The delegation asked each Congressperson to sponsor a “Dear Colleague” letter condemning the raids and grand jury subpoenas. In the two days, the delegation met with either the Congressional Representative’s staff or the Representative themselves fro[[m the following 16 offices: Tammy Baldwin (WI), John Conyers (MI), Danny Davis (IL), Keith Ellison (MN), Raul Grijalva (AZ), Luis Gutierrez (IL), Mike Honda (CA), Jesse Jackson, Jr. (IL), Dennis Kucinich (OH), Barbara Lee (CA), Jim McDermott (WA), Jim McGovern (MA), Bobby Rush (IL), Linda Sanchez (CA), Jan Schakowsky (IL), Maxine Waters (CA). The "meetings were positive, with all the offices expressing genuine concern about the situation. In some cases, because of the outpouring of calls from around the country, the U.S. Representatives were aware that the delegation was in Washington D.C. and the offices made time on their schedules to meet with the delegation. This reinforces the continuing importance of the solidarity work taking place around the country."

Rep. Conyers (MI), chair of the Judiciary Committee, directed the Counsel of the Judiciary Committee to meet with the delegation. Also, Rep. Ellison (MN) and his Congressional staff met directly with the delegation for a significant amount of time. rep. Ellison sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, expressing concern over the situation and is continuing to work on options to support his constituents affected. The delegation also received face-to-face meetings with Rep Gutierrez and Rep Davis from Chicago. Rep. Grijalva’s (AZ) office set up a meeting between the delegation and the Executive Director of the Congressional Progressive Caucus in the Congress of which rep. Grijalva is the chair. In addition, the office of Jan Schakowsky (IL) and Maxine Waters (CA) gave the delegation significant time and attention.

“It was clear that progressive Representatives of the Congress are very concerned about the FBI investigation. Overall, they were very thankful for our visit and for the information and analysis given to them The level of awareness about the raids and grand jury was varied, from little to full awareness, but the delegation certainly changed that. After the two days, our presence and purpose definitely created a stir in the halls of Congress. “The fact that we were able to interact with 16 legislative aides or Congress people themselves, during an extremely busy time of restructuring leadership in the Congress, exemplifies the attention this matter is receiving”, stated Joe Iosbaker.^[57]

Black Caucus jobs campaign

In mid 2011, "demands to address the country's jobs crisis are accelerating with the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) joining a growing number of groups calling for federal action". The CBC resolved to hosting a For the People Jobs Initiative in several urban areas stricken by high unemployment.^[58]

• Chicago, IL (first stop) – Congressman Danny K. Davis Host
• South Florida (Miami) – Congressman Frederica Wilson, Host
• Detroit, MI – Congressman John Conyers and Hansen Clarke, Host
• Cleveland, OH – Congresswoman Marcia Fudge, Host
• Los Angeles, CA – Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Host

Supporting Occupy Chicago

Occupy Chicago held a protest Thursday night, October 20 2011, at Congress and Michigan. Before the protest, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky and Congressman Danny Davis, along with labor and community organizers, held a town hall meeting with Occupy Chicago.

The Democratic lawmakers criticized subsidies for corporations that ship jobs overseas, and called for an end to tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans at the expense of education and social programs.

The group also planned to deliver a petition to the mayor's office to allow the group to stay and stop the arrests of protesters.^[59]

Leading with Love

Leading with Love was an event to celebrate 5 years of the Marxist led National Domestic Workers Alliance. It was held in Washington DC, DC, November 14, 2012.

Members of the Host Committee included Danny K. Davis.^[60]

Staff

The following have worked as staff members for Danny K. Davis:^[61]

External links

• Davis' website with the House of Representatives

References