HR1251 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1251 LRB097 23098 MST 71917 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are deeply saddened to learn of the death of Dana J. "Double D" Davis of Peoria, who passed away on October 3, 2012; and

WHEREAS, Dana Davis was born on September 25, 1956, in Peoria to Shirley Jean and William "Mecie" Davis; he graduated from Manual High School and Bradley University; and

WHEREAS, Dana Davis began his sports career as a student assistant manager, keeping statistics and sometimes serving as referee while at Bradley University; while at Bradley University, he worked for former Grizzlies' team president and general manager, Dick Versace in the university's basketball program; he worked for 8 years as business and tour manager for funk legend, Bootsy Collins, in the 1980's; and

WHEREAS, Dana Davis spent 13 years with the Memphis Grizzlies, most recently serving as Vice President of Basketball Operations and Team Programs; his main duties were being responsible for business and logistics operations, as well as team programs, but as he interacted more frequently with players, he became a counselor, life coach, brother, and a friend; and

WHEREAS, Dana Davis was elected to the board of directors of the National Civil Rights Museum in 2011; he has been a long-term board member of the Peoria Citizen's Committee for Economic Opportunity (PCCEO); he was inducted into the African American Hall of Fame/Museum in 2007, and was awarded the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Service Leadership Award by the King Holiday Committee of Peoria, Inc. in 2012; and

WHEREAS, Dana Davis directed the Mitchell "J.J." Anderson All Star Basketball Camp each year in both Peoria and Memphis, Tennessee; he worked with NIKE through the organization, Samaritan's Feet to distribute 200 pairs of shoes to disadvantaged youth; he initiated the Grizzlies' Day of Giving, bringing in Feed the Children to distribute hundreds of boxes of food to scores of needy families; he has raised thousands of dollars for worthy causes such as, St. Jude's Children's Hospital, PCCEO's Senior Meals Program, the Richard Pryor Memorial, and the Carver Community Center; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Dana Davis, and we extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Dana Davis as an expression of our deepest sympathy.