November 4, 2011 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E2013 IN HONOR OF MR. THOMAS A. The firm later grew to include five offices and to come pay his respects at my mother’s fu- WILSON three hundred employees. He also oversaw neral. the expansion of Riverside Blueprint and Born Aug. 9, 1939 in Beaumont, Texas, Guy HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH founded R.B. Graphics and Prefect Impres- R. Crowder moved with his parents—Guy OF OHIO sions, as well as many other successful busi- Rufus Crowder and Ruby (Crowder) Jones—to IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ness ventures including J.F. Davidson Invest- Los Angeles in 1945. He attended Charton- ments. He faithfully went to the office until Pollard Elementary, Enterprise Junior High Friday, November 4, 2011 weeks before his passing. and Centennial High schools. He graduated Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in In addition to his professional accomplish- from Harbor College and completed photog- honor of Mr. Thomas A. Wilson, a cartoon art- ments, James was a citrus grower, avid gar- raphy courses at Trade-Technical College. ist whose character, Ziggy, brought joy to peo- dener and sports fan. Jim loved the ocean and Beginning in the 1960s, Guy was present to ple’s lives every day. spent many happy hours deep sea fishing. He record the trials and triumphs of black Mr. Wilson was born on August 1, 1931, in demonstrated his leadership in the community Angelenos for close to five decades. Taking Grant Town, West Virginia and raised in and served as President of the Riverside Ro- pictures for the Los Angeles Sentinel, the var- Uniontown, Pennsylvania. He served in the tary Club, Riverside Chamber of Commerce, ious Wave newspapers, and Johnson Publica- U.S. Army before graduating from the Art Insti- and the Riverside Community College Foun- tions’ Jet and Ebony magazines, he was there tute of Pittsburgh in the mid 1950s. Mr. Wilson dation. In addition, he was Chair of the Cancer to capture the glory days of Muhammad Ali began a nearly forty-year career with Cleve- Society Great American Smoke Out and nu- and the 1965 riots in Watts. Despite being land’s American Greetings in 1955. He spent merous other boards and organizations. shunned by the mainstream periodicals of the time writing romantic greeting cards and James is survived by his wife of 22 years, time, he won virtually every award and honor comedic greeting cards for the public. Gerri Bredemann Davidson, and her sons; Mi- available to a photojournalist. Guy Crowder’s Throughout his stay with American Greetings chael and William Bredemann. Jim’s children, work will forever be part of the American he served in several different executive roles grandchildren, and great-grandchildren in- memory. for the creative department. clude; Charlotte Davidson (Tony Adler) of Los I extend my deepest condolences to his lov- In 1971, Mr. Wilson created the character Angeles, her children; Caroline Dehe (Dr. ing 93-year-old mother; his wife, Patricia, to Ziggy and launched a cartoon series featuring Saahil Mahta) and Jim’s first great-grand- whom he was married for 51 years; a son, this average American character. Ziggy started daughter; Uma Elvetia Mehta, of London, Eng- Reginald, and four grandchildren: Reanna, off as part of a cartoon illustration collection land, and James Dehe (Karen DeSouza) of Renise, Ryan and Reggina. that had no words. The Universal Press Syn- Bombay, India; Ian James Davidson, Liam Da- f dicate worked with Mr. Wilson to put words vidson of Riverside; Hannah Davidson of Port- into the animation and bring Ziggy to life. He land, Oregon, and Sarah Davidson-Amici VOTER SUPPRESSION worked with the Universal Press Syndicate (Robert Amici), Dario and Caterina Amici of until he formed Ziggy and Friends. In 1987, Riverside; his first wife, Gretchen Holstein Da- HON. BARBARA LEE Mr. Wilson gave control of his comic strip, vidson, his sister Eileen Shamel, and many OF CALIFORNIA Ziggy and Friends, to his son and fellow car- nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES toonist Tom M. Wilson. Ziggy cartoons con- by his parents and his sister Charlotte David- Friday, November 4, 2011 tinue to be published in more than 500 news- son Nickel. papers throughout the country and enjoyed by On Saturday, November 5, 2011, a memo- Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, I was millions. rial service celebrating James’ extraordinary unable to share the following remarks for the The Cleveland Museum of Art has honored life will be held at the first Congregational Special Order organized by Congresswoman Mr. Tom A. Wilson by exhibiting his artwork. Church in Riverside. James will always be re- MARCIA FUDGE on voter suppression on the Mr. Wilson has also had his artwork shown in membered for his incredible work ethic, gen- night of Tuesday, November 1, 2011: the Society of Illustrations and the Butler Insti- erosity, and love of family. His dedication to Let me thank Congresswoman FUDGE for tute of Art. his work, family and community are a testa- her leadership in protecting our democracy Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me ment to a life lived well and a legacy that will and the bedrock of our country: the right to in honoring the life and achievements of Mr. continue. I extend my condolences to James’ vote. Tom Albert Wilson. I offer my condolences to family and friends; although James may be We are here tonight to sound the alarm be- his wife, Carol; son, Tom; two daughters, Ava gone, the light and goodness he brought to cause make no mistake about it: the funda- and Julianne; and five grandchildren. the world remain and will never be forgotten. mental right to vote, which is at the heart of f f our democracy, is under attack. Republican legislators and governors are TRIBUTE TO JAMES FLEMING HONORING GUY CROWDER proposing partisan laws that require voters to DAVIDSON, JR. show a government-approved photo ID before HON. JANICE HAHN voting. HON. KEN CALVERT OF CALIFORNIA I came to this floor after the stolen Presi- OF CALIFORNIA IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES dential election in Florida and Ohio to protest IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES the results of those two elections that were Friday, November 4, 2011 filled with voter suppression. Friday, November 4, 2011 Ms. HAHN. Mr. Speaker. I rise today to It worked for the Republicans before, and so Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of Guy Crowder, who legislators in 42 states in our map of shame honor and pay tribute to James Fleming Da- passed away on October 30, 2011 at the age have doubled-down on these strategies to vidson, Jr. who passed away peacefully on his of 72 surrounded by his mother, his wife and make it harder for certain communities to vote. 86th birthday. James was a pillar of the com- his son. These proposals would disenfranchise 21 munity in Riverside, California and he will be Guy Crowder was a giant in the Los Ange- million Americans, over one-in-ten eligible vot- deeply missed. les community—a great photographer, busi- ers in America, who do not have adequate Jim was born on October 26, 1925, the son nessman, and mentor to many aspiring black identifications. of James F. Davidson, Sr. and Irene Reid. He photographers whom he hired at his studio, It is no coincidence that a disproportionate attended Magnolia Elementary, Central Middle ‘‘Guy’s Photography.’’ number of these affected voters come from School, and Poly High School. At 17, he en- Guy’s work is not only cherished by a grate- communities of color, as well as the poor, the listed in the United States Navy and served on ful Nation, but by my family in particular. In elderly, and students. a destroyer escort during World War II. addition to his greater-known works, Guy cap- Fully one in four otherwise qualified African After the war, Jim enrolled at the University tured moments of deep personal significance Americans would be unable to vote under of California at Berkeley where he received a to me. I will forever treasure the photos of my these voter-ID laws. Bachelor of Science degree and was a mem- father, L.A. County Supervisor Kenny Hahn. In my home state of California, a Voter ID ber of the Delta Upsilon Fraternity. Upon grad- His photographs chronicled my father’s career bill was introduced to suppress voter participa- uation he returned to his native Riverside and and I will forever be grateful his beautiful work. tion. It would cost $26 just to get the required joined his father in the prominent local Civil Even after his health began failing and he was documents to qualify for a government issued Engineering firm of J.F. Davidson Associates. confined to a wheelchair, he made it a point ID.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 05:30 Nov 05, 2011 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\K04NO8.016 E04NOPT1 pwalker on DSK5TPTVN1PROD with REMARKS