1st Congressional district Representative Jo Ann Davis has passed away.
Davis, R-1st District, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005 and had a recurrence earlier this year. She had been receiving treatment at Duke University.
During the last week, her health took a turn for the worse.
My thoughts and prayers are with her family at this time.
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UPDATE: Statements from Governor Tim Kaine, LG Bill Bolling, AG Bob McDonnell and others appear below the fold.
Governor Tim Kaine:
Congresswoman Jo Ann Davis made history when she became the first female Republican elected to the House of Representatives from the Commonwealth in 2000. She inspired Virginians as she battled breast cancer, while continuing to serve the Commonwealth. Anne and I are saddened by her passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends today.
LG Bill Bolling (whose statement actually alerted me to Rep. Davis’ death):
I was very saddened to learn this morning that my good friend, Congresswoman Jo Ann Davis had passed away. Jo Ann fought a valiant fight against cancer and held on to her optimism and hope until the very end. The manner in which she handled a very difficult situation was an inspiration to us all.
I had the privilege of working with Jo Ann during her tenure in the Virginia House of Delegates and during her tenure in the United States Congress. She was a dependable conservative voice on the challenges of our time, but I believe that her greatest contribution was the devoted manner in which she attended to the affairs of her district and the constituents she served. She was a good and decent person.
My thoughts and prayers are with Jo Ann’s husband Chuck and their sons. I know this will be a difficult time for them. I pray that God will comfort them in their hour of need, and assure them that those we love are never truly gone as long as we keep their memory alive in our hearts.
AG Bob McDonnell:
The entire Commonwealth collectively mourns the passing of Congresswoman Jo Ann Davis. She was an inspirational figure, especially over the past two years as she waged her battle against breast cancer.
I was honored to serve with Jo Ann in the Virginia House of Delegates. Her service benefited every resident of her district. When her career took her to Washington, the entire Commonwealth, and the country, benefited. She was a leader of integrity, common sense, and decency. She was a fervent advocate of the 1st District, and Virginia. Congresswoman Davis was also a tireless and passionate advocate for the United States military and its veterans, working to ensure that they are always supported in times of both war and peace. In a city where so many seek the bright lights of national publicity over the hard work of effective governing, Jo Ann always focused on the latter. She was the kind of representative our forefathers had in mind when they created our government.
Jo Ann was a true patriot. She was honored to serve and never forgot why she did. I will never forget at her first campaign event for delegate she was in tears as she recounted her love of Virginia and America. Jo Ann Davis believed in what she did with every ounce of her being.
Now, Jo Ann Davis has passed on. With the news of her passing we grieve, and we hurt. We pray for her husband, Chuck, and their children. This is a sad day for Virginia.
DPVA Chairman Richard Cranwell:
I am sorry to hear the news that Congresswoman Jo Ann Davis passed today, and my sympathies go out to her family, friends and constituents. I served with Congresswoman Davis in the House of Delegates, and knew her to be an articulate, hardworking and courageous advocate for America’s First District. Her most courageous fight, ultimately, was the one she fought for the last two years against breast cancer. I hope her life and her death will inspire us to continue the fight against breast cancer and, one day, find a cure.
Virginia Beach mayor Meyera Oberndorf:
The passing of Congresswoman Davis is such sad and tragic news. Not only can I relate because of my personal battle with breast cancer, but I lost my mother at 57 to this disease as well.
Ms. Davis waged a courageous and tenacious battle while still ably serving her constituents. She displayed grace and courage throughout her battle, as well as a spirit for life. This is a great loss to her family, friends and the citizens of Virginia that she served. She will be sorely missed by many, and my prayers go out to them all.
For other political leaders, review this from the AP. Also see this list compiled by The Daily Press.
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 
This is so sad. our prayers to Joanna and her family.
I READ ABOUT JO ANNE’ S PASSING AND IT BREAKS MY HEART HAT SHE HAVE SUCH A HARD BATTLE AND LOST IN THE END. If you have any info on what happened to cause her to take such a turn for the worse so quickly, it would be appreciated. I too, have just been dignosed on October 23rd this year. I will get Chemo first and then surgery later on. I guess I just do nto understand why she had to leave us so quickly. There had to be some kind of risk factor with her typoe of cancer. I have tried to find more info about hers on the net but I have seen nothing thus far.
It’s just so sad that this terrible disease is taking so many women as it spreads across this country. We need a cure.
LOVE TO ALL OF JO ANNE’S FRIENDS AND FAMILY.
GOD BLESS YOU ALL AND GOD BLESS ALL WOMEN GOIGN THROUGH THIS BATTLE !
December 30, 2007
To: Vivian Paige
Thanks so much for letting the community know that Hampton University is on the verge of developing a world-class cancer treatment and research facility in Virginia. As I understand it, the project is now ahead of construction plans with expectations of completing development by 2010 this facility is poised to take on the challenge of fighting one of America’s leading cause of death, which is cancer. Hampton University’s $225 million investment in the development of a cutting-edge, high technology cancer therapy and research facility is real testimony to the leadership President William Harvey and the wealth and power of an academic institution that has been correctly labeled the “Black Harvard University” in America.
Cancer affects people of all racial and ethnic groups. One in four deaths in the United States is due to cancer, and one in three Virginians will eventually develop some form of cancer. Because health disparities are a huge issue in Virginia, the burden of cancer is too often greater for the poor and African Americans, than for the general population. As an example:
• the death rate for prostate cancer is 2.4 times higher in black men than in white men,
• black men are two to three times more likely to die from the disease,
• Chesapeake has the highest incidence of colon cancer in America,
• Norfolk has the highest incidence of prostrate cancer in America, with Richmond slight behind and
• breast cancer is 1.4 times more deadly for black women than for white women.
No, the cure has not been found, however, research capabilities at Hampton University’s facility will go a long way in finding remedies. More importantly, great steps are being taken to enhance cancer therapy and the technology is here and ready for expansion. Proton therapy over the last years has become the alternative treatment for many forms of cancers, including eye, spinal, prostate and breast cancer. This non-invasive treatment has been in use on a limited/exclusive basis for about 15 years, with the first hospital in America center opening in 1991 at the Loma Linda University Medical Center. Since then, this technology has continued to evolve and most experts agree that proton therapy treatment is by far the best — its precision, minimal side effects and results…… are only a short list of its capabilities and promise.
As the former member of the National Advisor Council on Minority Health and Health Disparities, a current member of the Virginia Board of Medical Assistance Services (Medicaid), and a former member of the Virginia Board of Health Professions, I salute Dr. William Harvey, and extend my support for developing this cutting-edge therapy cancer center in Virginia. This facility will benefit the health, safety and welfare of all Virginians and especially important to the African American community in a time where cancer health disparities are approaching intolerable death rates.
Finally, while the question of economics is of course secondary to the lives that will be saved, Hampton University’s Proton Therapy facility will become an economic, social and educational asset that will only increase over time as proton technology, research and cancer therapy treatments evolve. This will benefit all Virginians but none more than the black men and women in African American community where cancer has truly become epidemic.
We should all welcome this achievement by a prestigious and world-class academic and research institution of higher learning that celebrates excellence while dreaming big dreams; but more importantly backing it all up with action and results. In this case, Hampton University’s capital investment, of nearly a quarter of a billion dollars ($225,000,000.00), is the largest ever made in Virginia, since 1409, by a black-owned business or institution.
Terone B. Green
12109 Stratford Glen Drive
Richmond, Va. 23233
tgreen@cvhn.com