SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 289 Offered March 6, 2006 Celebrating the life of Melvin D. Davis, Sr. ---------- Patrons-- Marsh, Lambert, Deeds, Edwards, Herring, Howell, Locke, Lucas, Miller, Puckett, Puller, Reynolds, Ticer and Whipple; Delegates: Hall, Jones, D.C., McClellan and McEachin ----------

WHEREAS, Melvin D. Davis, Sr., respected citizen and co-founder and president of Davis Brothers Construction Company for nearly 40 years, died on February 20, 2006; and

WHEREAS, Melvin Davis was born and grew up in the Providence Park area of Richmond, graduated from Armstrong High School in 1935, and married his beloved wife of 58 years, the late Helen Randolph Davis; and

WHEREAS, since 1917, four generations of the Davis family have been in the building construction trade, and Melvin Davis carried on the tradition by starting his own businesses during a long and impressive career; and

WHEREAS, Melvin Davis moved with his family to Norfolk at the beginning of World War II and served his country as a civilian painter; and

WHEREAS, after the war, Melvin Davis returned to Richmond with great enthusiasm to make a difference in his own community; he successfully completed a project of 40 new homes, which spurred further construction and growth in the area; and

WHEREAS, Melvin Davis co-founded Davis & Myers Construction Company with his brother, Leonard Davis, and brothers-in-law, Welford and Harold Myers, in 1947; and

WHEREAS, in 1960, Melvin Davis decided to start another business and worked as Melvin L. Davis, General Contractor, until 1968, when he and his brother Leonard founded the Davis Brothers Construction Company; and

WHEREAS, the craftsmanship of Melvin Davis, along with his son Langston, and the Davis Brothers Construction Company can be found in numerous landmarks throughout Richmond and across the Commonwealth of Virginia, including the renovation of the Virginia State Capitol, the Landmark Theatre, the Richmond Convention Center, buildings on the campus of Virginia Union University, 31st Street Baptist Church, Mount Olivet Baptist Church in Glen Allen, and his own Providence Park Baptist Church; and

WHEREAS, Melvin Davis "epitomized the work ethic of the greatest generation in this country; he built endearing relationships among those that he interacted with on a daily basis, which contributed to his exemplary models of construction”; and

WHEREAS, dedicated to the prosperity of all of the citizens of Richmond, Melvin Davis served as a member of the National Advisory Council of the Small Business Administration and the Board of Real Estate Tax Assessment for the City of Richmond and as honorary chairperson of the Richmond Urban League Fund Raising Banquets; and

WHEREAS, in 1988, the Davis Brothers Construction Company was listed among Black Enterprise’s 100 Top Black Businesses in America; and

WHEREAS, Melvin Davis was active in many civic organizations, especially those that supported young people, and received numerous honors from the Brookland and North Richmond YMCAs for his volunteer endeavors and renovation improvements; and

WHEREAS, Melvin Davis was one of the oldest living members of Providence Park Baptist Church and contributed his time and immense talents as a member of the trustee board, deacon, church treasurer, Sunday school teacher, Boy Scout master, and superintendent of the Sunday school; and

WHEREAS, Melvin D. Davis, Sr., will be fondly remembered for his great love of boating and fishing and will be sorely missed by his loving children, 19 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren; other beloved family members; his numerous friends and admirers; and the citizens of the City of Richmond; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly mourn the passing of an outstanding Virginian, Melvin D. Davis, Sr.; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Melvin D. Davis, Sr., as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.