[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 14958]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING THE LIFE OF DENARD DAVIS

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 28, 2015

  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Denard 
Davis, a pillar of the community in Merced County. Mr. Denard Davis 
passed away September 8th, 2015. He is survived by his wife Yvonne, two 
daughters, Donna and Dorma, 3 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild.
  Denard Davis was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on May 15, 1934. 
Denard left New Orleans to attend Texas College in Tyler, Texas. Denard 
then served in the United States Marine Corps.
  After his discharge from the Corps in 1959 he went to San Francisco 
to work as a substitute teacher. On May 16, 1960 he married his 
childhood sweetheart Yvonne. On August 13th 1960 the newlyweds arrived 
in Merced where Denard began working for the Merced City School 
District. After teaching for fifteen years Denard became the first 
African American Assistant Superintendent of Merced County schools, 
providing administrative leadership for over 30 years.
  Denard Davis had extensive experience in the planning and development 
of educational programs from their inception to their implementation. 
He was an instrumental part in the development of the Head Start 
buildings in Planada and South Dos Palos. Denard also played an 
essential role in the development of preschool programs and buildings 
in the migrant worker camps in Merced, Stanislaus and San Joaquin 
Counties. His efforts later extended to Madera and Contra Costa 
counties in 1969 and his administrative duties included hiring all 
staff in the five county migrant education program
  After retiring from the Merced County Office of Education he created 
his own consulting business and served on many projects, programs and 
initiatives that focused on the betterment of Merced County children's 
education. Denard worked on anything that would improve the 
opportunities, training, job creation and life-long experiences that 
would translate into the development of Merced County. These movements 
include among many others: serving on the board of the local NAACP 
chapter, workforce development and the renaming of J Street in Merced 
to Martin Luther King Jr. Way. He was instrumental in establishing the 
annual ``Concerned Men Cook'' event where all of the proceeds go to 
scholarships for local children. Denard managed local campaigns, and 
was always engaged on municipal and county committees. He was a 
thoughtful and active leader who often called upon the community to 
weigh in on local issues at public hearings.
  Mr. Speaker it is with great honor that I recognize the memory of 
Denard Davis. Denard dedicated his life to the promotion of civil 
rights and education. May his years of service to the community of 
Merced County never be forgotten.

                          ____________________