[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 126 (Thursday, July 25, 2019)]
[House]
[Pages H7383-H7384]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING THE SERVICE OF GROVER DAVIS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Dunn) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. DUNN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an extraordinary 
man. He is from Bay County, Florida, and I am fortunate to have him as 
a dear friend of mine, Mr. Grover Davis.
  Grover was born into a fishing family in December of 1941 in Parker, 
Florida, and he learned the value of hard work at a young age. He built 
fishing boats with his father and his brothers, leading his family to 
own the first charter fishing boats in Panama City.
  When his father died, Grover dropped out of high school and worked 
with his brothers to support the family. They made a living in the 
charter fishing business, with young Grover below deck keeping the 
boats running. He still keeps the boats running 70 years later.
  He learned a lot about life at a young age. He met his wonderful 
wife, Judy, at Bay High School, and married her in 1961.
  By the 1970s, the Davis family was managing the St. Andrews Marina, 
and Grover became interested in a new business venture. In 1974, he 
began Marine Transportation Services, which provided transport services 
for oil and gas companies in the Gulf of Mexico. Marine Transportation 
Services has truly become a family affair, with his wife, Judy, and his 
daughters, Kim and Kerrie, joining him at the helm.
  Grover treats all of his employees like family. In fact, 50 percent 
of his employees started at Marine Transportation right out of high 
school and still work there to this day.
  He is unfailingly supportive of all of his employees. When they make 
a mistake, he doesn't let them go. He is famous for sitting with them 
and saying: ``Did you learn something from this?''
  His favorite phrase is: ``There are only two kinds of captains; those 
who have run aground and those who are about to run aground.''
  Grover truly leads by example in all aspects of his life, and he has 
spent much of his life giving back to the community. He is a big 
supporter of Camo Dreams, a nonprofit that helps disabled children go 
on hunting trips, and routinely supported events for the Girl Scouts 
when his daughters were growing up.
  Grover, his wife, Judy, and his daughters, have long since cemented 
their place in the firmament of stars that are the foundation of our 
community back home.
  He has always preached that honor is the most important value among 
people, and no one person is better than another. He never asks anyone 
to do what he would not do himself.
  Judy and Grover have two children, Kim and Kerrie, two grandsons, and 
two great grandsons. They all describe him as an amazing friend, 
father, and leader in our community.
  He is the single most social man I know. A great storyteller, he 
always surrounded himself with his friends, and if he stood still for 
more than a few minutes, it was certain that he was frying grouper or 
mullet for a host of people. He loves people and they love him.
  I have to say, Grover is also widely known as a huge and very 
inventive practical joker. He has been known to go to elaborate lengths 
to prank his friends.

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  He is also an amazing historian, especially knowledgeable about the 
minutiae of World War II. All of his friends, and I count myself lucky 
to be among those, revere our time that we spend with him. He is always 
entertaining, educational, and exceptional.
  One of his daughters recently said to me: ``Daddy is so social and he 
knows so many people that he could cause a traffic jam in Calhoun 
County.'' That is a lot of personality.
  I spoke with him on the phone last week, after he received his 
diagnosis of a rapidly progressing terminal illness. After sharing his 
terminal diagnosis with me, he lightheartedly promised that, come what 
may, he would vote for me by absentee ballot next year.
  Mr. Speaker, as the curtain draws closed on the life of my friend, I 
ask that we cast our attention on a man who lived an extraordinary 
life; a man who changed my community for the better; a man who cared 
for and supported many, many friends and family; a man who is, quite 
literally, larger than life.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing my friend, who made me a 
better person, made my community a better place, Mr. Grover Davis.
  Grover, we are praying for you, my friend, and for your family.

                          ____________________