[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 155 (Saturday, September 27, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2081]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E2081]]
 RECOGNIZING THE HONORABLE TOM DAVIS ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JO BONNER

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 26, 2008

  Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the distinguished 
career of the Honorable Thomas M. Davis for his service to the people 
of Virginia and the United States House of Representatives. Congressman 
Davis has represented the 11th Congressional District of the state of 
Virginia for the past 13 years.
   Born in Minot, North Dakota, Tom moved to Fairfax County, Virginia, 
at an early age. He graduated from the United States Capitol Page 
School as president of his class and went on to Amherst College where 
he graduated with a degree in political science. Tom earned his Juris 
Doctor from the University of Virginia and attended Officer Candidate 
School, serving on active duty in the U.S. Army. He spent eight years 
serving in the Virginia National Guard and the U.S. Army Reserve.
   Before his election to Congress, Tom became the chief elected 
official of Fairfax County, Virginia, the nation's 11th most populous 
municipality with the second largest county budget in the United 
States. While serving as the chairman of the board of supervisors, 
Fairfax County was recognized as the best financially managed county in 
the Nation.
   Upon his election to the United States House of Representatives in 
1995, Tom was put in control of the House Government Reform and 
Oversight Committee's Subcommittee on the District of Columbia, marking 
the first time a freshman had been appointed as a chairman in over 40 
years.
   Tom is well known for his advocacy on behalf of federal employees 
and contractors as well as his support of students in the District of 
Columbia. He was the integral force behind the passage of the D.C. 
College Access Act, allowing high school graduates in the District to 
attend public colleges in Maryland and Virginia at in-state tuition 
rates.
   Tom is also known as a strong supporter of political and ethics 
reform in the House, while still fighting for issues most important to 
Virginia's 11th District. He was instrumental in gaining funding for 
the construction of the new Woodrow Wilson Bridge, designed to ease 
chronic gridlock in northern Virginia. He has also been an ardent 
supporter for advancements in information technology, which is critical 
to northern Virginia's high tech community.
  In addition to serving as the Chairman of the National Republican 
Congressional Committee from 1998 to 2002 and chairing the House 
Government Reform and Oversight Committee during the 108th Congress, 
Tom's crusade against government waste concentrated on monitoring 
federal contracts of large dollar amounts.
   Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing a 
dedicated leader and friend to many in this body. I know his family, 
his wife, Jeannemarie Devolites; his three children; his four 
stepchildren; and his many friends and colleagues join me in praising 
his accomplishments and extending thanks for his service over the years 
on behalf of the commonwealth of Virginia and the United States of 
America.
   Tom will surely enjoy the well deserved time he now has to spend 
with his family and loved ones. I wish him the best of luck in all his 
future endeavors.

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