[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 83 (Friday, May 28, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E970]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING THE LIFE OF JUDGE EDWARD B. DAVIS

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                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 27, 2010

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 
life of a good man and pay tribute to a dear friend, Judge Edward B. 
Davis. Judge Davis passed away on May 24, 2010; he was 77.
  I had the privilege of serving alongside Judge Davis in the United 
States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. Judge Davis 
and I were attorneys in 1979 when we received the distinct and humbling 
honor of being appointed to the bench by President Jimmy Carter. My 
memories of serving on the bench with Judge Davis are lasting 
impressions that keep with me to this day.
  Ned, as we so affectionately called him, displayed all the 
characteristics of a brilliant judge. He had a keen intellect that 
allowed him to see to the heart of a matter and render a verdict that 
was considered fair by all parties. Ned is remembered and envied as an 
evenhanded and empathetic jurist. No matter who came before Judge 
Davis, they were assured a fair hearing under the law.
  Any judge can employ the law, but it was Ned's humanistic dimension 
that made him great. I like to say that he had a heart as big as he was 
tall. He served a cause bigger than himself, never allowing his 
personal beliefs to obstruct the clarity of the law and the best 
interests of his beloved home of South Florida.
  Ned made sure that he always had a life outside his chambers, a goal 
that gave him perspective on the bench. He would often joke that being 
a judge was his ``second favorite job.'' A talented athlete, I always 
enjoyed hearing stories of his professional days with the Detroit 
Tigers. Sharing a drink after a long week to discuss family life with 
Ned are some of the memories that I hold most dear.
  Madam Speaker, we have lost a giant of South Florida. Ned's presence 
will be sorely missed and is impossible to replace. He put forward a 
significant number of undertakings in Florida as a lawyer, judge, and 
citizen. Ned has passed, but he left a legacy we can all take part in. 
His contributions to society should serve as a reminder of our 
responsibility to others and our duty to leave a positive impression of 
our own.
  My thoughts and prayers are with his wife of 52 years, Pat; three 
children, Diana, Ned, and Traci; five grandchildren; and two great-
grandchildren at this most difficult time. I was fortunate enough to 
call Ned a friend. His family can be so proud to call him a husband and 
father. I will miss him dearly.

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