James Davis's meaning alive as City Council resumes

wo red roses and the American flag adorned the empty desk of Council Member James Davis last Tuesday as the City Council met for the first time since the Brooklyn legislator was killed in the balcony of the Council chamber by a political rival.

After the invocation, Speaker Gifford Miller stated, "As we begin our work here again, let us take a moment to reflect on James Davis and to rededicate ourselves to realizing his vision for the people of New York."

For close to two hours, Black, white, Latino and Asian, Democrat and Republican alike, 29 councilmembers recounted memories of their colleague. Some were humorous, some were touching, but they all showed what James Davis, his life and his death, had meant to them. The remembrances were often addressed directly to the assembled Davis family, which included Davis' mother Thelma and brother Geoffrey, now running for the open seat.

Majority Whip Leroy Comrie said, "James Davis's cruel death in these chambers has scorched our hearts with grief. We will miss his friendship, his lion's strength in the battle for truth and right, his courage in bringing his convictions to action."

Many councilmembers commented on Davis' fun-loving character and his smile. "He had a smile that could take over any room," noted Peter Vallone. "We're going to miss that smile every day."

Yet, with all his vivacity and charm, his colleagues clearly saw Davis as totally dedicated to his work. Said Larry Seabrook, "I don't think anybody loved his job more than James Davis." "This was a man of great determination, great caring and great commitment," added Oliver Koppell.

While some councilmembers spoke of their professional interaction with Davis, others told of their personal relationships. Stated Yvette Clarke, "James was basically my home boy. We were born in the same hospital and grew up very similarly." She mentioned the constant encouragement she got from Davis and that "there was always love, overtly so. I thank God that he was in my life; he has inspired me in so many ways." Referring to Davis' organization Love Yourself, Stop the Violence, Clarke said, "It's my hope that his message will catch on in all our communities to first of all, love yourself. Then use that love to stop the violence."

Kendall Stewart told of the many conversations he was grateful to have had with Davis while together on a fact-finding trip to Trinidad. Davis had said to him, "You have to be a truly independent person, that is, one who listens to all, but the decision is yours. Then you've got to withstand the consequences of that decision."

Charles Barron called for a standing ovation to celebrate the life of James Davis, and he told of Davis saying to him before their trip to Zimbabwe, "Charles, I want to go home to mother Africa before I die." "I just thank God that he had that opportunity," said Barron.

About Davis' death, Barron commented, "This was a perverted, tragic incident, but God never makes a mistake. There was a divine purpose for where it happened, the way it happened, and who it happened to. We have to pick up on the divine purpose of the moment."

Also very moving was how people spoke of James Davis bringing people together. Michael McMahon called him "a uniting force in this chamber." Minority Leader, James Otto, who is a Republican and usually at odds with Council Members Barron and Lopez, said that after Davis' death, "I had two of the very best conversations I've ever had with colleagues in my career. It might surprise some that those conversations were with Charles Barron and Margarita Lopez."

Otto said he though that as they spoke they understood that they want the same things for their constituents, although they disagree passionately on how to get there. "If we strip away party affiliations, political ideology and philosophy and remember our common humanity," he concluded, "I think James will look down with pride, and his spirit indeed will live on."

Many councilmembers spoke of the fact that they didn't always see eye to eye with Davis, but that it was OK to disagree. There was no rancor. Many others vowed to carry on his legacy. Lewis Fidler pledged himself "to continuing to work for the things that were important to James: finding constructive alternatives for young people in our city, supporting the cultural institutions throughout Brooklyn, making sure that Brooklyn politics are more open than they were yesterday, and for James' sake, and the children's sake and for God's sake, stopping the violence."

After everyone who wished to had spoken, Speaker Miller presented the Davis family with James Davis's Council name plaques. After a brief break, the council attended to its business. The meeting adjourned with the reading of a resolution honoring Council Member Davis titled simply, "In Memorium."