[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 12 (Monday, January 23, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E77]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING MAYOR OSBY DAVIS

                                  _____
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, January 23, 2017

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Osby 
Davis, the Mayor of Vallejo, California, upon his retirement from an 
impressive career as a public servant.
  Mr. Davis has been a resident of our Vallejo community for 58 years. 
He graduated from Vallejo High School in 1963, completed his A.A. at 
Vallejo Junior College and his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering at Fresno 
State College. He then earned his J.D. from the University of 
California at Berkley Boalt Hall School of Law in 1973.
  Mr. Davis served on the Solano County Board of Supervisors from 1979 
to 1993, the first person of color to do so. As Supervisor, he 
established the ``I CAN BE'' program for elementary school students in 
1988. With this program, Mr. Davis mentored 5th and 6th grade students 
to encourage them to work to their full potential and cultivate 
positive self-esteem. He has also served as a mentor and legal counsel 
for the Continental of Omega Boys and Girls Club for over 25 years. His 
service and leadership set an excellent example for young people in our 
community. As Supervisor, Mr. Davis initiated monthly breakfast 
meetings with the African-American business community and formed the 
Black Chamber of Commerce in Vallejo.
  When Mr. Davis was first elected Mayor of Vallejo in 2007, and re-
elected in 2011 by three votes, he became the city's first African-
American mayor. Mr. Davis was instrumental in leading the city through 
bankruptcy and developing a plan for economic recovery. He established 
the Mayor's Cup Golf Tournament, and served on numerous regional boards 
and commissions that addressed issues relevant to Vallejo and its 
citizens. He will also be remembered as the ``best dressed'' man in any 
meeting room.
  Mr. Davis and his wife Terrye practice law as Davis & Davis, and they 
are both engaged business leaders in our community. Mr. Davis has 
previously served as a director for the Vallejo Chamber of Commerce and 
chaired the Chamber's Educational Roundtable. He and his wife are also 
active at Lighthouse Covenant Church, where they perform pre-marital 
counseling and teach Sunday school.
  Mr. Speaker, by attempting the impossible, Mayor Davis has made our 
Vallejo community stronger as both a public servant and business 
leader. He is a true friend of Vallejo and a good friend of mine. 
Therefore, it is fitting and proper that we honor him here today and 
extend our best wishes for an enjoyable retirement.

                          ____________________