[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 2]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 2032]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING JOSEPH CLEOPHUS DAVIS, SR.

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 15, 2011

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. 
Joseph Cleophus Davis, Sr., a long time resident of Port Gibson, 
Mississippi for 53 years. He was born June 5, 1934 in Claiborne County, 
Mississippi, to the union of Benjamin Davis, Jr. and Paris Smith, and 
he shares the June 5th birth date with his mother who celebrated her 
102nd birthday on June 5, 2010. Joseph was reared by his paternal 
grandparents Abby & Benjamin Davis, Sr. and his father in Lorman, 
Mississippi. Mr. Joseph Davis attended the Jefferson County Schools 
before he enlisted in the United States Army at the age of 18. He 
served his country for 3 years, being station at Ladd Air force Base in 
Fairbanks, Alaska; and at Fort McCullum Army Base in Anderson, Alabama, 
he served 6 months in the capacity of TDY/Military Policeman. While 
serving in the Army Reserve in 1961 he was inducted back into active 
duty because of the Berlin Crisis. He received an Honorable Discharge 
from the United States Army in 1962.
  Mr. Joseph Davis was employed with the Westin House Electric Company 
from August 1965 through April 1967. Mr. Joseph Davis was sworn in as a 
Port Gibson City Policeman in April of 1967, taking this oath gave him 
permission to carry a weapon in the city, making him the first official 
black policeman for the City of Port Gibson. Later in life, he was 
afforded an employment opportunity at one of the great Historically 
Black University, Alcorn State University. He served in the capacity of 
Campus Police Officer for 8 years. His great leadership quality and 
abilities lead him to be offered the Chief of Campus Security position. 
Her served in this capacity for a total of 11\1/2\ years. He celebrated 
his retirement at the age of 58 in 1992. After a few months into his 
retirement he decided to become a Deputy for the Claiborne County 
Sheriff Department from 1993 to the present. He also works in his store 
F & J's (Faye & Joe); the store is a very special place for the 
children of his community.
  Mr. Joseph Davis joined Christian Chapel Church in 1957 under the 
direction of Elder T. E. Harris. He has served the church as a junior 
deacon, a deacon, Chairman of the Board (two terms), Christian Men 
Fellowship (two terms) and has volunteered on many committees; he 
presently serves as an Elder.
  Mr. Joseph Davis is a graduate of Alcorn State University with a BA 
in Sociology, a member of the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, St. John's 
Lodge #4, a Charter Member of the NAACP, two time President of the 
Claiborne County Branch of the NAACP, a former member of the Board of 
Governors for the Claiborne County Family Health Center Community 
Health Center, and a former leader for Boy Scout Troop #253.
  Mr. Joseph Davis has been married to Faye Vera (Holt) Davis for 52 
years. They are the parents of four children: Belinda, Joseph, Jr., 
Myrtle and Patrick.

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