[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 146 (Thursday, November 15, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Page S6850]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         REMEMBERING PAUL DAVIS

  Mr. SHELBY. Mr. President, today I wish to pay tribute to Paul Davis, 
who passed away in his home on Sunday, September 23, 2012, at the age 
of 74. He was an award-winning journalist whose contributions to the 
journalism industry him the deepest respect from his peers and 
community. I am grateful that I was able to call Paul a longtime friend 
and mourn his passing.
  Born on September 3, 1938 in Clanton, AL, Paul enjoyed a long career 
as not only a journalist and publisher, but as an advocate for those 
who did not have a voice. He served as the owner and publisher of the 
Auburn Bulletin and Tuskegee News for 25 years and for many years 
authored a Sunday column in the Opelika-Auburn News. Under his watch, 
the Auburn Bulletin and Tuskegee News won dozens of awards for their 
quality news coverage.
  One of Paul's greatest achievements was his impeccable reporting on 
cases of negligence and abuse of mentally disabled patients at the 
Partlow School and Bryce Hospital for the mentally ill. His stories on 
these injustices led to a decision by the Federal court that required 
patients with disabilities receive an equal standard of care. For this 
work he was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize and appointed by Governor 
Bob Riley to the Alabama Department of Mental Health Board of 
Directors.
  Throughout his life and established career, Paul was honored with 
numerous awards, among them the Alabama Press Association's Lifetime 
Achievement Award, the Community Service Journalism Award from Auburn 
University, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Alabama Disabilities 
Advocacy Program, and the Meritorious Service Award from the Auburn 
University Chapter of the American Association of University 
Professors.
  Outside of the newspaper business, Paul was one of the founding 
members of the Food Bank of Lee County and served as the president of 
the organization for 2 years. He continued to serve on its board as it 
expanded into five additional counties. He was also a member of the 
Auburn Church of Christ.
  Paul was one of my most trusted friends. An outstanding writer, 
thorough reporter, and advocate for the less fortunate, he was a man of 
the highest integrity and was an inspiration to me and to many in the 
journalism and mental health communities. My thoughts and prayers are 
with his family and friends, especially his wife, Gayle, his children, 
Alan, Susan, and Chris, and his stepchildren, Roger, Keith, and Scott, 
as they mourn the loss of this irreplaceable man.
  Paul's legacy will no doubt live on in the community and in the 
hearts of those who knew him. His contributions to journalism in 
Alabama and to the causes that he believed in will forever be 
remembered.

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