Congresswoman Jo Ann Davis dies
Congresswoman Jo Ann Davis died this morning
Date published: 10/7/2007
BY ELLEN BILTZ
Area Republicans Saturday remembered Rep. Jo Ann Davis as a dedicated congresswoman who put her constituents first.
“She didn’t go to Washington to meet friends,” said Robert Stuber, chairman of Spotsylvania County’s Republican Party. “She went to represent the people.”
Davis, 57, died Saturday morning at her Gloucester County home after a battle with breast cancer. She was diagnosed in 2005 and had a recurrence earlier this year.
"Her determination to fight the disease is an inspiration to all of us," President Bush said in a statement.
"Over the course of her four terms in the U.S. House of Representatives, she was an effective advocate for the people of her district and a strong supporter of our men and women in uniform," Bush said. "She was a fine example of a public servant who worked hard to cut government waste to ensure the people's money was used wisely. Her common sense values will be missed on Capitol Hill."
She had been undergoing treatment, and recent tests had positive results, according to a press release from her staff. But in the last week she took a turn for the worse.
Davis was known as a strong supporter of U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan and as a supporter of military facilities in her 1st Congressional District, said her spokesman Chris Connelly. He mentioned the Naval Support Facility at Dahlgren and the Quantico Marine Corps Base specifically.
The 1st District includes Fredericksburg; all or part of Spotsylvania, Stafford, Fauquier, King George and Caroline counties; the Northern Neck and the Middle Peninsula.
Davis was Virginia’s first female Republican in Congress and had served for seven years.
Before she entered politics, she was in real estate. She started Davis Management Co. in 1988 and Jo Ann Davis Realty in 1990.
In 1997, she entered the General Assembly, representing York County in the House of Delegates.
She won her first term in Congress in 2000, after Republican Rep. Herb Bateman retired for health reasons. Bateman died soon after retiring.
In the House of Representatives, Davis was on the Foreign Affairs and Armed Services committees. Much of the work she did revolved around the military and federal employees.
“She always said her bosses were the folks who elected her,” said Connelly, her spokesman.
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Gov. Tim Kaine will schedule a special election, probably before the end of the year, to fill the remainder of Rep. Jo Ann Davis’ term, Kaine spokeswoman Delacey Skinner said.
Davis spokesman Chris Connelly said the congresswoman had never mentioned support for a particular successor.
“There are a lot of qualified folks out there,” he said. “We haven’t taken a position on one, and we won’t take a position.”
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Date published: 10/7/2007
Most recent reader comments:
Deepest Sympathy
(posted by
jayem
, Oct. 6, 2007 8:12 pm)
At this time, I would like to extend my deepest sympathy to her family. Congresswoman Davis was a fine person. It was a honor and pleasure to know her. She really cared about people, and especially those in Virginia.
She will be greatly missed.
Deepest Sympathy
(posted by
jayem
, Oct. 6, 2007 8:05 pm)
At this time I would like to extend my deepest sympathy to her family. Congresswoman Joann Davis was a very fine person. I was a honor and pleasure to know her.
She will be missed!
(posted by
DJ_MIKE
, Oct. 6, 2007 8:05 pm)
She listened more than most. That's what I'll remember about her. Prayers are with the Davis'
sad news........
(posted by
MGT
, Oct. 6, 2007 4:25 pm)
My thoughts and prayers are with her family.
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