[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 10515]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                IN HONOR OF BELVA DAVIS AND ROLLIN POST

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. NANCY PELOSI

                             of california

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                          HON. LYNN C. WOOLSEY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 20, 1999

  Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, we rise today to mark the contributions of 
two highly respected California journalists. On Sunday, May 23, 1999, 
veteran Bay Area television journalists Belva Davis and Rollin Post 
will be honored at the San Francisco City Hall Rotunda. Their combined 
experience spans 70 years, a long and rich engagement with the social, 
cultural, and political history of the Bay Area.
  Belva Davis, winner of multiple professional awards, has worked 
continuously on television since 1966, when she became the first 
African-American female reporter on the West Coast. Since that 
breakthrough, Belva has contributed significantly to the shape and the 
texture of today's television news. Her sharp, poignant reports 
stimulate community awareness. Her commitment is further demonstrated 
by deep involvement in numerous community organizations. She is also a 
labor activist and a visible supporter of African-American culture and 
history.
  During her career, Belva Davis has reported for, or anchored, such 
public affairs programs as KRON's ``California This Week'' with 
Political Analyst Rollin Post, BayTV's ``Close-up with Belva Davis'' 
and ``Bay Area Close UP,'' KQED's ``A Closer Look'' and ``Evening 
Edition.'' She has also served as News Centers 4's anchor and urban 
affairs specialist. Most recently, she joined Congresswoman Barbara 
Lee's citizen delegation to report a week-long series on the people, 
culture and politics of Cuba and on Cuba's relationship with the United 
States.
  Belva has received six local Emmys, the 1996 Governor's Award of the 
Northern California Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts 
and Sciences, a Certificate of Excellence from the California 
Associated Press Television and Radio Association, and the Golden 
Gadfly Award of the Media Alliance. She has honorary doctorates from 
Golden Gate University and John F. Kennedy Universities. The Media 
Academy of Oakland offers an annual journalism scholarship in Ms. 
Davis's name.
  When Rollin Post announced his retirement, Belva said: ``I've been 
learning from Rollin Post for three decades, and we have become the 
real political odd couple. He has taught me how to make the most 
complicated political issues interesting to a sometimes disinterested 
electorate.''
  Rollin Post has covered politics in the San Francisco Bay Area for 
more than 40 years. With keen understanding of public affairs, Rollin 
has covered 14 national political conventions. In addition to state and 
local political issues, Rollin reported from Cuba in 1978 on trade, 
tourism, and hijacking. In 1986, Rollin was on special assignment in 
the Philippines during the transition to democracy.
  ``Rollin is an old-fashioned reporter who gives you the facts and is 
genuinely interested in the process, the politics, the issues and 
ideas. He is exceptionally fair-minded and doesn't have a cynical bone 
in his body,'' wrote John Jacobs, political editor of McClatchy 
Newspapers. With a passion for politics, along with a touch of 
idealism, Rollin brought clarity and understanding to the political 
process.
  Early in his career, Rollin worked for KPIX-TV, where he concentrated 
on politics and general assignments. He was also head writer and 
producer for ``The Paul Coates Report,'' a nationally syndicated 
television interview show. Rollin joined KQED in 1973 to work on three 
programs: ``A Closer Look,'' ``Newsroom,'' and ``California Tonight.'' 
In September 1979, Rollin joined KRON-TV, where he served as 
NewsCenter4's political editor for 18 years. While co-anchoring on 
KRON's ``California This Week.'' Rollin and Belva brought passion and 
insight to the issues of the day. Because of their pioneering spirit 
and leadership, Rollin and Belva became mentors to the next generation 
of journalists. Rollin speaks of Belva with great affection: ``She's a 
Type A; I'm the type who likes to take naps.''
  Currently, Rollin hosts ``Our World This Week,'' an international 
news show produced by BayTV in cooperation with the World Affairs 
Council of Northern California.
  Among his many awards, Rollin received the prestigious Broadcast 
Preceptor Award from the 32nd annual San Francisco State University 
Broadcast Industry Conference. He has also been honored by the Coro 
Foundation for his influential leadership in the public arena.
  In celebrating the lives and careers of Belva Davis and Rollins Post, 
we are paying tribute to two remarkable people whom we are also 
fortunate to know as friends.

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