[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 106 (Monday, July 19, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1359]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO IRIS DAVIS-WALKER

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. KENDRICK B. MEEK

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 19, 2010

  Mr. MEEK of Florida. Madam Speaker, today I rise to pay tribute to 
the life and legacy of the late Ms. Iris Davis-Walker, a constituent in 
the Congressional district I represent. It is with both profound 
sadness, but also an enduring sense of gratitude that I recognize her 
for the tremendous inspiration she provided to the South Florida 
community.
  Born in Howells Content, York Town, Clarendon, Ms. Davis-Walker was 
the only child from the union of William S. Davis and Clara Gayle. She 
was the youngest of four siblings. She received her early formal 
education in Clarendon, Jamaica W.I. where she excelled as a seamstress 
and hairdresser. Before coming to the United States, Ms. Davis-Walker 
was an active political force in her native country of Jamaica. She 
often organized rallies and gathered support for various candidates.
  Ms. Davis-Walker migrated to Brooklyn, New York, in the late 1960s. 
She began her professional career in the medical field and worked in 
several institutions such as the American Nursing Home and Cliffside 
Nursing Home. While in New York, Ms. Davis-Walker was a faithful member 
of the Church of God of Prophecy at Barby Street. She was in the 
inaugural graduating class of the Bible Training Institute, which was a 
three-year commitment. One of her proudest moments was becoming a 
licensed minister.
  While in South Florida, Ms. Davis-Walker was a poll worker since 2000 
and took immense pleasure in being on the ground floor of many 
Democratic victories in Broward County. She was especially proud when 
she witnessed the triumph of President Barack H. Obama, who she often 
called ``My President.''
  Ms. Davis-Walker was blessed with a loving family who took pleasure 
in every aspect of her life and her interests. I offer my heartfelt 
condolences to her three children, Juleen Grant-Castillo (James), 
Bridgette Fellix (Denfield), Raymond ``Rayzor'' Davis and a host of 
family members and friends.
  Madam Speaker, I ask you and all the Members of this esteemed 
legislative body to join me in recognizing the extraordinary life and 
accomplishments of Ms. Iris Davis-Walker. She will be missed by all who 
knew her, and I appreciate this opportunity to pay tribute to her 
before the United States House of Representatives. While she will 
indeed be missed, her legacy, as well as the outstanding contributions 
she made to her church and the South Florida community will live on.

                          ____________________