HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF CHRISTINE ASHLEY DAVIS

On 2026-06-24, Representative Timothy M. Kennedy (D-NY-26) delivered a floor speech titled "HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF CHRISTINE ASHLEY DAVIS" in the House.

HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF CHRISTINE ASHLEY DAVIS

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 106 (Wednesday, June 24, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 106 (Wednesday, June 24, 2026)] [House] [Pages H4211-H4212] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF CHRISTINE ASHLEY DAVIS (Mr. Kennedy of New York was recognized to address the House for 5 minutes.) Mr. KENNEDY of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the remarkable life and legacy of Mother Christine Ashley Davis, affectionately known as Granny, who passed away on April 18, 2026, at the age of 99. [[Page H4212]] Born in Macon, Georgia, on September 4, 1926, to Adrian Ashley and Mamie Holliman, she built a life centered around compassion and service. She brought those values to Buffalo in 1945, becoming a deeply respected leader in our community. Singing every Sunday in the choir at Calvary Baptist, dedicating herself to the missionary board at White Rock Baptist, and later becoming a beloved spiritual mother to multiple fellowships, she served God not only in word but in action. Christine mentored generations of believers and brought that same devotion to her professional life, working for decades as a senior receptionist at several community centers across the region and also spending time with the Erie County Board of Elections. Beyond her contributions to our great region, her greatest joy was her family. She and her late husband, Willie A. Davis, Sr., raised 12 wonderful children, laying the foundation for a remarkable family legacy that grew to include 38 grandchildren, 78 great-grandchildren, 12 great-great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-great-grandchildren. Her family and friends will forever remember her radiant smile and the genuineness of her spirit. She was a woman who loved to dance and spend time with her friends, particularly playing cards with her loved ones, a pastime she enjoyed while wearing a backward baseball cap. Mother Christine Ashley Davis showed us all how to live with immense kindness and respect for others. On behalf of a grateful community and nation, I ask my colleagues to join me in offering sincere condolences to her family as they reflect and celebrate on her extraordinary life. May Granny, Mother Christine Ashley Davis, rest in peace. Congratulating Dr. Willie Underwood III Mr. KENNEDY of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Dr. Willie Underwood III of Buffalo, New York, who was sworn in to serve as the 181st president of the American Medical Association on June 9, 2026. A respected urological surgeon, public health expert, and advocate for equitable care, Dr. Underwood has spent over two decades serving patients in Buffalo and is the second urologist and third Black physician to serve as AMA president. Dr. Underwood is a graduate of Morehouse College and earned his master's degrees from the State University of New York Upstate Medical University, and the University of Michigan School of Public Health. Dr. Underwood completed medical training in general and urological surgery at The University of Connecticut Health Center and was one of the first five urologists to be admitted into the prestigious Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Clinical Scholars Program. During his inaugural address as AMA president, Dr. Underwood reminded us that advocating for patients also means advocating for the physicians who care for them, ensuring they have the support, resources, and environment needed to meet the growing demands of this moment. Dr. Underwood's leadership comes at a critical moment, as doctors and patients alike face rising costs, workforce shortages, and shrinking Federal support. With Dr. Underwood at the helm, the AMA is in strong, steady hands, and I know that together we can build a healthcare system that works for both patients and providers. Western New York is proud to call Dr. Willie Underwood III one of our own, and we are excited for the rest of the country to share in the benefits of his work. On behalf of a grateful nation and community, I congratulate my good friend Dr. Willie Underwood. ____________________