[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 24 (Tuesday, February 15, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E230-E231]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING JOSEPH CLEOPHUS DAVIS, SR.

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 15, 2011

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. 
Joseph Cleophus Davis, Sr., a long time resident of Port Gibson, 
Mississippi for 53 years. He was born June 5, 1934 in Claiborne County, 
Mississippi, to the union of Benjamin Davis, Jr. and Paris Smith, and 
he shares the June 5th birth date with his mother who celebrated her 
102nd birthday on June 5, 2010. Joseph was reared by his paternal 
grandparents Abby & Benjamin Davis, Sr. and his father in Lorman, 
Mississippi. Mr. Joseph Davis attended the Jefferson County Schools 
before he enlisted in the United States Army at the age of 18. He 
served his country for 3 years, being station at Ladd Air force Base in 
Fairbanks, Alaska; and at Fort McCullum Army Base in Anderson, Alabama, 
he served 6 months in the capacity of TDY/Military Policeman. While 
serving in the Army Reserve in 1961 he was inducted back into active 
duty because of the Berlin Crisis. He received an Honorable Discharge 
from the United States Army in 1962.
  Mr. Joseph Davis was employed with the Westin House Electric Company 
from August 1965 through April 1967. Mr. Joseph Davis

[[Page E231]]

was sworn in as a Port Gibson City Policeman in April of 1967, taking 
this oath gave him permission to carry a weapon in the city, making him 
the first official black policeman for the City of Port Gibson. Later 
in life, he was afforded an employment opportunity at one of the great 
Historically Black University, Alcorn State University. He served in 
the capacity of Campus Police Officer for 8 years. His great leadership 
quality and abilities lead him to be offered the Chief of Campus 
Security position. Her served in this capacity for a total of 11\1/2\ 
years. He celebrated his retirement at the age of 58 in 1992. After a 
few months into his retirement he decided to become a Deputy for the 
Claiborne County Sheriff Department from 1993 to the present. He also 
works in his store F & J's (Faye & Joe); the store is a very special 
place for the children of his community.
  Mr. Joseph Davis joined Christian Chapel Church in 1957 under the 
direction of Elder T. E. Harris. He has served the church as a junior 
deacon, a deacon, Chairman of the Board (two terms), Christian Men 
Fellowship (two terms) and has volunteered on many committees; he 
presently serves as an Elder.
  Mr. Joseph Davis is a graduate of Alcorn State University with a BA 
in Sociology, a member of the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, St. John's 
Lodge #4, a Charter Member of the NAACP, two time President of the 
Claiborne County Branch of the NAACP, a former member of the Board of 
Governors for the Claiborne County Family Health Center Community 
Health Center, and a former leader for Boy Scout Troop #253.
  Mr. Joseph Davis has been married to Faye Vera (Holt) Davis for 52 
years. They are the parents of four children: Belinda, Joseph, Jr., 
Myrtle and Patrick.

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