Biography
After two terms in Congress, Alabama 7th District U.S. Representative Artur Davis has
earned recognition as a productive and effective legislator who has set a new standard of service for his constituents. As Congressman Davis begins his third term, he is rapidly developing a national reputation as a thoughtful leader who is poised to influence the national debate.
In the 110th Congress, Davis has been appointed to one of the most prestigious committees in the House, the Ways and Means Committee. This committee oversees economic policy in a wide array of areas, including tax law, trade policy, and health care, as well as the Social Security and Medicare programs. Davis is only the tenth Alabamian to serve on this important committee in 188 years. Davis also holds a slot on the Judiciary Committee, which covers areas ranging from constitutional law to immigration to the criminal and civil justice systems.
Even before Democrats obtained the majority, Davis compiled a record of notable early successes. As a freshman, he led the successful fight to reverse funding cuts for minority land grant colleges including Tuskegee University and Alabama A&M. As a second term member, Congressman Davis won two floor fights to restore funding to the HOPE VI program for renovating public housing; he persuaded over sixty Republicans to vote with Democrats to save HOPE VI. In 2005, the congressman was the lead Democratic sponsor of a bill establishing a national cord blood bank, which will widen the availability of blood transfusions for thousands of patients who suffer from diseases such as sickle cell anemia and diabetes.
Congressman Davis’ strong legislative track record in Washington is matched with an active presence in his West Alabama district. He has chaired the Health Care Subcommittee of Governor Bob Riley’s Black Belt Action Commission, an effort that has led to expanded delivery of vital services throughout the Black Belt. The Commission has been heralded by various news organizations as one of the best public-private partnerships in the state’s recent history.
Recognized by the Washington Post, the National Journal and CNN as one of the future leaders to watch in Washington, Congressman Davis has been tabbed by his peers for several important assignments. He is currently the recruitment chairman for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee for the 2008 cycle. He is the co-chair of the centrist New Democrat Caucus, a group that emphasizes education and technological competitiveness. Congressman Davis also serves as a member of the House Majority Leader’s Advisory Group and as a member of the Steering and Policy Committee, which approves committee assignments and rules changes for the Democratic Caucus.
Born in 1967 in the impoverished neighborhood of West Montgomery, Alabama, Congressman Davis has built a career committed to excellence and the principles of hard work, which have propelled him his entire life. A product of Montgomery public schools, Congressman Davis excelled in academics, including graduating Magna Cum Laude from Harvard University in 1990 and Cum Laude from Harvard Law School in 1993.
Congressman Davis' excellent academic career gave birth to a flourishing professional life as a successful attorney and advocate for justice. Upon graduation from law school, Congressman Davis received a clerkship with Judge Myron F. Thompson, one of the first African-American judges appointed to the federal bench in Alabama. From 1994 to 1998, Congressman Davis established a 98 percent conviction rate as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama fighting white-collar criminals and the scourge of drugs and violence on our streets and in our neighborhoods. From 1998 until his election to Congress, Congressman Davis worked as a litigator in private practice.
In both 2004 and 2006, Davis has won overwhelming reelection victories, capturing 91% in the Democratic primary in 2006, and running unopposed in November 2006.
Click here to download a copy of Congressman Davis's biography (PDF)
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