Mr. Speaker, we rise today to mark the contributions of two highly respected California journalists. On Sunday, May 23, 1999, veteran Bay Area television journalists Belva Davis and Rollin Post will be honored at the San Francisco City Hall Rotunda. Their combined experience spans 70 years, a long and rich engagement with the social, cultural, and political history of the Bay Area.
Belva Davis, winner of multiple professional awards, has worked continuously on television since 1966, when she became the first African-American female reporter on the West Coast. Since that breakthrough, Belva has contributed significantly to the shape and the texture of today's television news. Her sharp, poignant reports stimulate community awareness. Her commitment is further demonstrated by deep involvement in numerous community organizations. She is also a labor activist and a visible supporter of African-American culture and history.
During her career, Belva Davis has reported for, or anchored, such public affairs programs as KRON's `California This Week' with Political Analyst Rollin Post, BayTV's `Close-up with Belva Davis' and `Bay Area Close UP,' KQED's `A Closer Look' and `Evening Edition.' She has also served as News Centers 4's anchor and urban affairs specialist. Most recently, she joined Congresswoman Barbara Lee's citizen delegation to report a week-long series on the people, culture and politics of Cuba and on Cuba's relationship with the United States.
Belva has received six local Emmys, the 1996 Governor's Award of the Northern California Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, a Certificate of Excellence from the California Associated Press Television and Radio Association, and the Golden Gadfly Award of the Media Alliance. She has honorary doctorates from Golden Gate University and John F. Kennedy Universities. The Media Academy of Oakland offers an annual journalism scholarship in Ms. Davis's name.
When Rollin Post announced his retirement, Belva said: `I've been learning from Rollin Post for three decades, and we have become the real political odd couple. He has taught me how to make the most complicated political issues interesting to a sometimes disinterested electorate.'
Rollin Post has covered politics in the San Francisco Bay Area for more than 40 years. With keen understanding of public affairs, Rollin has covered 14 national political conventions. In addition to state and local political issues, Rollin reported from Cuba in 1978 on trade, tourism, and hijacking. In 1986, Rollin was on special assignment in the Philippines during the transition to democracy.
`Rollin is an old-fashioned reporter who gives you the facts and is genuinely interested in the process, the politics, the issues and ideas. He is exceptionally fair-minded and doesn't have a cynical bone in his body,' wrote John Jacobs, political editor of McClatchy Newspapers. With a passion for politics, along with a touch of idealism, Rollin brought clarity and understanding to the political process.
Early in his career, Rollin worked for KPIX-TV, where he concentrated on politics and general assignments. He was also head writer and producer for `The Paul Coates Report,' a nationally syndicated television interview show. Rollin joined KQED in 1973 to work on three programs: `A Closer Look,' `Newsroom,' and `California Tonight.' In September 1979, Rollin joined KRON-TV, where he served as NewsCenter4's political editor for 18 years. While co-anchoring on KRON's `California This Week.' Rollin and Belva brought passion and insight to the issues of the day. Because of their pioneering spirit and leadership, Rollin and Belva became mentors to the next generation of journalists. Rollin speaks of Belva with great affection: `She's a Type A; I'm the type who likes to take naps.'
Currently, Rollin hosts `Our World This Week,' an international news show produced by BayTV in cooperation with the World Affairs Council of Northern California.
Among his many awards, Rollin received the prestigious Broadcast Preceptor Award from the 32nd annual San Francisco State University Broadcast Industry Conference. He has also been honored by the Coro Foundation for his influential leadership in the public arena.
In celebrating the lives and careers of Belva Davis and Rollins Post, we are paying tribute to two remarkable people whom we are also fortunate to know as friends.