[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 152 (Tuesday, October 20, 2009)]
[House]
[Page H11482]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1915
         HONORING FORMER CONGRESSMEN BOB DAVIS AND JAY JOHNSON

  (Mr. STUPAK asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. STUPAK. Madam Speaker, earlier today the House observed moments 
of silence for two former Members of this Chamber.
  Last Friday, former Congressman Bob Davis, a Republican from St. 
Ignace, Michigan, and my predecessor in Congress, passed away in 
Arlington, Virginia. Bob Davis dedicated his life to public service. He 
served members of his community as owner and operator of a funeral home 
in St. Ignace before serving in the Michigan State House and State 
Senate, where he was the Republican leader.
  In 1978, Bob was elected to Congress where he served for 14 years. 
Over the course of those 14 years, Bob Davis was known to the people of 
what was then Michigan's 11th Congressional District for his 
constituent services. Bob's last, and perhaps greatest, legislative 
achievement was the establishment of the Keweenaw National Historic 
Park in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, which showcases the region's rich 
mining heritage.
  Just like they did 17 years ago with the establishment of the 
Keweenaw National Historic Park, the people of the Keweenaw Peninsula 
rang the local church bells in tribute to Congressman Davis last Friday 
as citizens paid tribute and silently prayed for Bob and his family.
  I join my constituents and Members of this Chamber in paying tribute 
to Bob and offering our sympathy and prayers to his wife, Brook, and 
their children Rob, Lisa, George, Alexandra, and Hannah.
  Just days after Bob's passing, we lost another public servant with 
roots in northern Michigan.
  On Saturday, former Congressman Jay Johnson, a Democrat from Green 
Bay, Wisconsin, passed away. Jay was a native of Bessemer in Michigan's 
Upper Peninsula and a graduate of Gogebic Community College and 
Northern Michigan University. He was a man of the people, and he was 
always proud to be known by his Upper Peninsula roots.
  Jay worked as a journalist for 32 years in Wisconsin, Florida, and 
Michigan before making a run for Congress. He represented Wisconsin's 
Eighth Congressional District from 1996 to 1998 and was appointed 
director of the U.S. Mint by President Clinton in 2000 where he served 
for 2 years.
  I am pleased to have served with Jay in Congress, and my heartfelt 
condolences go out to his wife, JoLee, and his entire family.

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