SR0787 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

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SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Paul W. Davis; and

WHEREAS, Paul Davis was born on March 1, 1957, in Chicago; his parents were John Westley and Shirley Ann Davis; he grew up in the Parkway Gardens community of Chicago; and

WHEREAS, Paul Davis attended Dulles Elementary School; as a child, he was a Boy Scout and engaged in numerous civic activities, including donation collecting in Misericordia and political functions in the 6th and 8th Wards; he later attended Hirsch High School and Simpson College in Iowa, where he was a track and football star and served as president of the Black student union at Simpson; in 1980, he was invited to compete in the Olympic trials; and

WHEREAS, Paul Davis was the founder and president of First Trace Communications, a public relations and advocacy firm; as president of the firm, he helped spread positive public health messages on behalf of his many clients, including the Amalgamated Transit Union, AFLAC, John and Todd Stroger, and the Georgia Doty Health Education Fund, among many others; he also helped create the Black Public Relations Society of Chicago and helped mentor many young public relations professionals within the organization; and

WHEREAS, Paul Davis served as vice president of Danielle Ashley Advertising and Public Relations and the Human Resources Development Institute; he also served as managing editor of Citizen Newspapers and as general superintendent of the City of Chicago Bureau of Forestry; and

WHEREAS, Paul Davis had a long and distinguished career in politics; he held the distinction of being the youngest member of Harold Washington's cabinet as both his press secretary during Mr. Washington's service in Congress and as a vital member of his inner circle during his time as Mayor of Chicago; he also served as manager of numerous political races, including those of United States Representative Danny K. Davis, Dan Hynes for Governor, the mayoral campaigns of Dorothy Brown, Bob Fioretti, and Rev. Paul Jakes, and numerous suburban campaigns; and

WHEREAS, Paul Davis was the founder of the Kidney Informational Consortium and raised awareness of prostate cancer testing; he also worked with the Citywide Coalition Against Tobacco-Alcohol Billboards and worked with his godson, Roman Morrow, and Rev. Paul Jakes to urge radio stations to curtail playing music with violent, profane, and misogynist language; and

WHEREAS, Paul Davis was a loyal member of Stony Island Church of Christ, where he attended Sunday school and Bible studies and administered communion; and

WHEREAS, Paul Davis enjoyed playing bid whist with his brothers and friends, listening to Michael Jackson, and watching the Green Bay Packers; and

WHEREAS, Paul Davis was preceded in death by his father and his brother, Tracy; and

WHEREAS, Paul Davis is survived by his mother; his brothers, Michael (Connie) and Glenn (Rosalind); his sister, Cheryl Lynn; his nephews, Glenn II, Mike Jr., Marcus, and Brian; his nieces, Whitney and Tiffany; his uncle, Fred Perry; his aunts, Doris Carter, Gertrude Bloom (Larry), Ophelia George, Irma Taylor, MaryAnn Davis, and Mildred Love; and his many cousins, great-nieces, and great-nephews; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of Paul W. Davis; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Paul Davis as an expression of our sympathy.