[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 194 (Wednesday, December 14, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1281]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING PHILIP DAVIS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FREDERICA S. WILSON

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 14, 2022

  Ms. WILSON of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today, as the first 
Bahamian American elected to Congress, to honor and welcome Philip 
Davis the newly elected Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of the 
Bahamas.
  Philip Edward ``Brave'' Davis was born on June 7, 1951, in Nassau, 
Bahamas, the oldest of eight children born to Dorothy and Brave Edward 
Davis. Mr. Davis received his primary education at the Old Bight All 
Age School on Cat Island while living with his grandparents. After 
returning to Nassau, he went on to receive an education at the Eastern 
Junior & Senior Schools, and at St. John's College in New Providence.
  Prime Minister Davis is perhaps best known now as a politician, 
serving as Leader of the Progressive Liberal Party, and Member of 
Parliament for Cat Island, Rum Cay and San Salvador. However, he 
entered politics late in life. Professionally, he is known both locally 
and internationally as an acclaimed Corporate and Human Rights lawyer, 
a highly distinguished legal educator, a passionate sportsperson, a 
sponsor of many sporting activities, and a Toastmaster.
  After a brief stint in banking, he articled as a Law Clerk in the Law 
Chambers of Wallace Whitfield & Barnwell. His appointment as Queen's 
Counsel, the highest possible honor which is conferred on those 
practicing law in the English legal system anywhere in the world, came 
in recognition of both his highly successful legal practice, but also 
his contribution to legal education. A leading litigation lawyer, 
Philip `Brave' Davis has an impressive record in the Courts of Appeal, 
with perhaps more appearances before the UK Privy Council than any 
other Bahamian lawyer.
  A former Member of the Council of Legal Education for CARICOM, he has 
made an unprecedented contribution to legal education in the Caribbean 
region. Mr. Davis twice served as Vice-President of the Bar Council 
before becoming President of the Bahamas Bar Association in 1995. Since 
2002, he has been Managing Partner of the law firm which bears his 
name: Davis & Co.
  In 1970 Mr. Davis became a Member of Toastmaster Club 1600, a 
nonprofit organization established to develop leadership skills through 
listening, thinking, and speaking. He served as its President in 1979, 
and as Division Governor of Toastmasters for The Bahamas in 1989. A 
keen sportsman interested in baseball, softball, swimming, and 
athletics. Mr. Davis served as Vice-President of the Bahamas Swim 
Federation from 1986 to 1990 and was President of the Sea Bees Swim 
Club from 1980 to 1990.
  Mr. Davis has the love and support of his caring wife, Ann-Marie 
Davis. They have six children who have inherited their father's passion 
for sports, hard work and patriotism, which led them to represent the 
Bahamas at the Caribbean Free Trade Association (CARIFTA) Games.
  During the last administration of the Progressive Liberal Party, from 
2012 to 2017, Mr. Davis ran a super-ministry, the Ministry of Works. 
His portfolio covered everything relating to the physical 
infrastructure of The Bahamas, as well as oversight of Bahamasair, BEC, 
and the Water & Sewerage Corporation. Since May 2017, he has been 
Leader of the Progressive Liberal Party. On September 16th, he was 
elected the fifth Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, 
where he also serves as Minister of Finance.

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