[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 133 (Tuesday, September 24, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1673-E1674]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      THE PASSING OF EVELYN DAVIS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENJAMIN A. GILMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 24, 1996

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise with deep regret to inform our 
colleagues of the passing of an outstanding journalist and publisher 
who was widely read and respected in my 20th district of New York.
  Evelyn Burtz Davis, a resident of Old Tappan, NJ, was the publisher 
of the Rockland County Times, located in Haverstraw, NY. Recently, she 
became publisher also of the Rockland Review, also published in 
Rockland County, NY.
  In her role as publisher of the Times since 1984, she became known 
for the caustic comments and unique insight of her editorials. Although 
she quite often advocated stands on issues with which on occasion I was 
in total disagreement, no one could ever question the extensive 
research which Evelyn undertook on each and every editorial she 
composed. While many of us may have often questioned her conclusions, 
no one ever questioned the factual validity of the data which led her 
to make these conclusions. No one ever questioned the intellectual 
integrity for which Evelyn Davis became a living legend in our 
community.
  Perhaps most significantly of all, no matter how deeply Evelyn may 
have disagreed with a public official on an issue, she always welcomed 
divergent points of view, and was never afraid to change her mind or to 
have errors pointed out to her. Evelyn always, with gracious 
enthusiasm, afforded space in her own newspaper for those who wished to 
express opinions contrary to her own or who wished to rebut her 
editorials.
  Evelyn was the widow of Sylvan Davis, who preceded her as publisher 
of the Rockland

[[Page E1674]]

County Times. During Sylvan's tenure as publisher, from 1974 until his 
untimely death in 1984, the Rockland County Times enjoyed an 
outstanding reputation as a fair, accurate mirror of the community 
news. During the tenure of Sylvan Davis as publisher of the Rockland 
County Times, this newspaper, which was over 100 years old, enjoyed a 
resurgence as a thought provoking and thorough medium for the issues 
and news of the day.
  Throughout his time as publisher, Sylvan's wife Evelyn was always at 
his side with sage advice and assistance. The publication of the Times 
became a joint effort. Accordingly, when Sylvan quite suddenly and 
unexpectedly passed away in 1984, it was no surprise to any of us that 
Evelyn agreed to take up his fallen torch.
  Evelyn Burtz was born July 14, 1933, in New York City, the daughter 
of the late Alexander and Gussie Goldstein Burtz. Evelyn attended 
Pennsylvania State University and earned a degree in journalism from 
the New York University School of Commerce, now known as the Stern 
School of Business. Evelyn went to work for Macy's Department Store, 
and after 15 years of dedicated service, worked her way up to the 
position of home furnishings coordinator.
  Evelyn married Sylvan Davis on November 7, 1965. Their marriage 
brought about one of the outstanding mergings of intellect. It was 
during this period that the Davis' became my friends, and I will 
cherish the memories of that friendship forever.
  In addition to her responsibilities as publisher, Evelyn Davis served 
on the School Board in Old Tappan, NJ, from 1981 to 1987. She was also 
an outstanding mother to two children: Paul Allen Davis, who now 
resides in Minneapolis, MN, and Randy Allison Davis, who still resides 
in Old Tappan.
  Since the earliest days of our republic, the press has been a major 
component of our democratic form of government. Ben Franklin has been 
the model of the outstanding journalist turned patriot.
  Evelyn Davis, like her husband who predeceased her, was just such a 
patriot. She believed the press existed to educate, to inform, and to 
stimulate thought.
  Mr. Speaker, I shall profoundly miss the insight and thoughtfulness 
of Evelyn Davis, and I invite all of our colleagues to join with me in 
extending our condolences to her son, her daughter, her four nieces, 
and the many employees and community leaders who loved this truly 
remarkable woman.

                          ____________________