Congressman Danny K. Davis (complete biography under development)

Danny K. Davis is a seasoned legislator with twelve years of service in the United States House of Representatives. He continues to distinguish himself as an articulate and effective voice for his constituents and issues which affect the quality of life for all Americans.

Danny K. Davis was chosen by the people of the 7^th Congressional District of Illinois as their Representative in Congress on November 5, 1996. He has been re-elected by large majorities to succeeding Congresses, most recently to the 111^th Congress on November 7, 2008. Prior to his election to the Congress he served on the Cook County Board of Commissioners having been elected in November 1990 and reelected in November 1994. Previously, he served for eleven years as a member of the Chicago City Council as Alderman of the 29^th Ward. Before seeking public office Congressman Davis had productive careers as an educator, community organizer, health planner/administrator and civil rights advocate.

Over the course of his legislative career, Representative Davis, has been able to move several bills and major amendment to passage. In the 105^th Congress his amendment to the transportation bill quadrupled funding authorization for the Access to Jobs Program. In the 106^th Congress, he teamed with Representatives Jim Talent and J.C. Watt to pass the American Community Renewal Act and New Markets Initiative, which brought investment and jobs to economically depressed areas. In the 110^th Congress, Davis introduced legislation to facilitate the return of ex-offenders to the community-at-large: the Second Chance Act. This legislation was signed into law on April 9, 2008. In the 111^th Congress, Representative Davis serves on the Committee on Ways and Means and the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. Congressman Davis is a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, the Progressive Caucus, the India Caucus, the Steel Caucus, the Art Caucus and serves as Co-Chairman of the Community Health Centers Caucus, and Co-Chair of the Congressional Sugar Caucus.

Davis has developed a unique and energetic style of communication and interaction with his constituents, establishing dozens of advisory task forces to consider significant matters of public policy. He hosts several weekly television and radio programs, which allow interactive audience participation. Congressman Davis also produces regular an annual newsletter, which is sent to every home in his district. In addition, he maintains regular office hours and hosts more than 40 Town Hall meetings each year. Over the course of his career, Congressman Davis, has received hundreds of awards and citations for outstanding work in areas of health, education, human relations, politics and advocacy. He has traveled extensively throughout the United States and has spent time in Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and South and Central America.