Virginia congresswoman dies
Rep. Jo Ann Davis, R-Virginia.
WASHINGTON (CNN) - U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Davis, R-Va., died Saturday after battling breast cancer, according to a statement released by her office. She was 57.
Davis died at her Gloucester, Va., home. She was first diagnosed with cancer in 2005, according to the statement, and had a recurrence earlier this year.
"Davis had been receiving breast cancer treatment at Duke University and just recently had received positive reports on her condition," the statement said. "However, during the last week Davis' health took a turn for the worse."
Funeral arrangements will be forthcoming, the statement said.
President Bush said in a statement that during her four years in the House, Davis "was an effective advocate for the people of her district and a strong supporter of our men and women in uniform. She was a fine example of a public servant who worked hard to cut government waste to ensure the people's money was used wisely. Her common-sense values will be missed on Capitol Hill."
"Jo Ann and I were both elected to the United States Congress in 2000 after serving together for many years in the Virginia House of Delegates," said Rep. Eric Cantor, R-Va., in a statement. "She fought for, and embodied, the core values of Virginia."
Bush said Davis' determination to fight her cancer "is an inspiration to all of us."
Rep. Adam Putnam, R-Fla. and chairman of the House Republican Conference, noted in a statement that when Davis was first diagnosed with cancer, instead of retiring, she "pressed on, continued to serve with distinction the people of the Commonwealth and the country she loved, and beat the disease." After the cancer returned, he said, "she courageously took the same path."
"Jo Ann Davis was an inspiration to all of us fortunate enough to serve with her, and we are all deeply saddened by the news of her passing," Putnam said. "At this difficult hour, our thoughts and prayers are with Jo Ann's husband, Chuck, and their loved ones."
I am sorry to hear about this sad news. May I submit my deepest sympathies to grieving Davis family and the people of the Commonwealth.
RIP Jo Ann Davis 1950-2007
I EXTEND MY CONDOLENCES TO THE DAVIS FAMILY AND THE ENTIRE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA. CONGRESS WILL NOT BE THE SAME WITHOUT THE HONORABLE CONGRESSWOMAN. SHE WILL BE SORELY MISSED BY ALL AMERICANS
What a sad news. My heart goes out in prayers to her immediate family and to the people she represented in the Common Wealth of Virginia. May her soul rest in peace.
What a horrible tragedy to die so young 🙁 Rest in peace, Rep. Davis. My heart goes out to her friends and family 🙁
Jo Ann Davis was my representative in Congress. She was a level-headed, common sense representative. She was very poplular in this area, which is shown in her wide margin of victory on the last election. We in the 1st Congressional District will be hard-pressed to find someone of her caliber to fill her now vacant seat.
May God comfort her family and receive Jo Ann into His heavenly Kingdom!
Such a horrible tragedy when anyone is taken by such a pernicious disease. It's also a tragedy that drugs such as Viagra and procedures like botox injections come to the forefront when we have yet to find vaccinations against all the forms of cancer and other diseases.
This is very sad, indeed.
RIP, Mrs. Davis.
good riddance to a right wing biggot
Dave, your pathetic ignorance astounds me... regardless of politics... the entire month of October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. You have no class.
You are from Florida, not Va. so you probably don't really know to much about her. You see a republican dead so you celebrate. How petty and immature. Comments like your TRULY prove how EVILmany Liberals are. Hey, I can't stand Elizabeth Edwards, but I pray for her.... you know why? Because both her and my girlfriend are Breast Cancer Survivors... and Elizabeth now has another cancer battle to fight. I may hate her politics, but she is a human being suffering from an illness.
So Dave...go on and keep proving how sensitive Liberals REALLY are....the only rubbish I see here is you.
One less Republican? Boo whoo
Had Rep Jo Ann Davis supported Hillary's original healthcare plan – she might be alive today.
Yes it's sad when people die – just like those 15 million uninsured kids the president vetoed!
Ah yes another moronic Liberal comment...
You mean Hillary has the cure for cancer and has not shared it with us???
Hillary's health care plan actually includes a cure for cancer for everyone???? Thats news to me...
Politics is one thing but dancing on people graves is another. Again, it proves how EVIL you Liberals really are. I could care less how much I dissagree with Hilllary or Nancy Pelosi's positions etc... I would never be happy to hear they died of cancer... How sick are you Libs? Wait, I already know the answer....
Just remember what I said.....you pretend to be the caring, feeling party who is oh so worried about everyone and try to paint conservatives as bad.... but you keep showing your true colors....
Dave of Orlando,
Let me start by saying that I'm a Democrat. Now I must say that what you said was totally uncalled for. I never would have voted for her, but she certainly did not deserve to die that way. As a child, I watched my father, my grandfather, and two of my aunts die from cancer. I watched them all suffer and waste away. Cancer is a horrible disease that I would not wish upon anyone.
RIP Jo Ann Davis, you put up a noble fight.
"Joe in NC"
Althought we differ poltically, I thank you for speaking up and proving that decent human beings should, at least sometimes, try to see past politics.
Bless you and your family, as well a Congresswoman Davis and hers.
RIP Ms. Davis