[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 57 (Thursday, May 11, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E804-E805]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         TRIBUTE TO THE LATE CALIFORNIA STATE SENATOR ED DAVIS

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. HOWARD P. ``BUCK'' McKEON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 11, 2006

  Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I rise in sadness today to honor the memory 
of Ed Davis, a former California State Senator and Los Angeles Chief of 
Police. He was a remarkable man who was a monumental presence on the 
Los Angeles and California political scene. Senator Davis passed away 
on April 22, 2006 in San Luis Obispo, CA at the age of 89.
  Born Edward Michael Davis on November 15, 1916 in Los Angeles, he 
graduated from John C. Fremont High School and enlisted in the United 
States Navy where he became a decorated officer. He later received his 
Masters in Public Administration from USC. Always a proud alumnus, he 
often sported a maroon blazer and gold pants, USC's famous colors, on 
the State Senate floor.
  Joining the Los Angeles Police Department in 1940, Ed first walked a 
beat in downtown Los Angeles with the late Los Angeles Mayor Tom 
Bradley. Rising up through the ranks, he was a director of the police 
and fire union and later a trusted top aide to legendary Chief William 
Parker. Ed served as Los Angeles Chief of Police from 1969 until 1978 
where he was known as a popular firebrand who pushed law and order 
during times of turbulence.
  Chief Davis proved popular with not only with the people of Los 
Angeles, but also with weary Americans who were looking for tough 
leadership during uncertain times. During the same period, his 
officers' morale was at an all-time high. He became a national figure 
as a tough law and order proponent quelling student protests during the 
Vietnam War, opposing the Black Panthers, and taking a strident stance 
against the epidemic of hijacking in the early 1970's.
  In 1974, the entire nation watched as the Chief's force had a 
climatic shootout with the Simbionese Liberation Army who had kidnapped 
heiress Patty Hearst. Several leaders of the gang died in a fiery blaze 
at the conclusion of the confrontation.
  Chief Davis implemented historic reforms at the LAPD and left a 
legacy of influence in law enforcement. His innovations include 
creating the Neighborhood Watch concept to bring residents together, 
and instituting community policing. While crime rose by 55 percent 
across the Nation during his tenure as Chief, crime actually decreased 
by 1 percent in Los Angeles. His influence still exists in the LAPD, 
and programs that the Chief invented are at the heart of every police 
organization worldwide. The City of Los Angeles honored him by naming 
the newest and most elaborate of the three LAPD training centers 
``The Ed Davis Emergency Vehicle Operations Center & Tactics/Firearms 
Training Center'' in 1998.

  A respected member of the academic community, Chief Davis lecturing 
at USC and Cal State Los Angeles as an adjunct professor of police 
administration and management for 18 years. He was the author of Staff 
One, a leading police management textbook.
  Prior to his appointment as Chief, he served for many years as a law 
enforcement advocate working with the California Legislature in

[[Page E805]]

Sacramento. Among his many outstanding contributions is the landmark 
Peace Officer's Standards and Training Act of 1959, which set minimum 
police standards for California.
  After retiring as Police Chief in 1978, he set his sights on the 
California Governor's mansion. Running in the Republican gubernatorial 
primary, the Chief came in second to Attorney General Evelle Younger in 
a four-man race, which included State Senator Ken Maddy and San Diego 
Mayor Pete Wilson.
  Chief Davis returned to the political arena in 1980 after winning the 
State Senate election for the 19th Senate District. He represented 
Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, the North San Fernando Valley and the Santa 
Clarita Valley.
  Overwhelmingly re-elected to a second Senate term in 1984, Senator 
Davis again set his sights on higher office. He entered the 1986 U.S. 
Senate race against longtime incumbent Alan Cranston. His slogan, ``One 
Tough Cop, and One Great Senator.'' recalled his glory days as Chief.
  The Republican race was upended when one of Senator Davis' opponents 
was indicted for allegedly offering him $100,000 if he dropped out of 
the race. The courts ultimately threw out the indictment, but the 
scuffle derailed the Senator's campaign and helped Congressman Ed 
Zschau win the nomination.
  Davis turned his energy and attention back to Sacramento, winning 
praise as a reasoned Vice-Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee. 
Often called central casting's choice as a senator, the white-haired 
gentleman was easily reelected to a third term to the State Senate in 
1988.
  Known by his friends as a man of great charm and graciousness, 
Senator Davis celebrated 50 years of public service with a gala dinner 
in 1991. Highlights of the evening included recorded tributes from 
comedian Bob Hope and former Presidents Ronald Reagan and Richard 
Nixon. Looking forward to a peaceful retirement, Senator Davis and his 
wife, Bobbie, moved north to Morro Bay, California in 1992.
  Senator Davis is survived by his wife, Bobbie, his children Michael 
Davis, Christine Coey and Mary Ellen Burde and step-children Fred, 
Michael, and Kyltie as well as several beloved grandchildren.

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