[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 31 (Friday, February 16, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E159-E160]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      RECOGNIZING DUDLEY DAVENPORT

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. WILLIAM R. KEATING

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, February 16, 2024

  Mr. KEATING. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Dudley 
Davenport and on the dedication of the gymnasium at Sharon High School 
in his honor.
  Born on December 14, 1937, Dudley Davenport was raised in Westport, 
Massachusetts, where he found a passion for sports, specifically 
basketball, at a young age. During Dudley's time at Westport High 
School, he was a four-year starter on the basketball team and set an 
all-time scoring record with 1,529 points throughout his high school 
career. This record held for 50 years and earned Dudley a place in the 
Westport High School Athletic Hall of Fame. It was also in Westport 
where Dudley first met the love of his life, Shirley. They

[[Page E160]]

began dating Dudley's sophomore year and were married in 1957. 
Together, Dudley and Shirley raised four children--David, Diane, Tracy, 
and Jay.
  Dudley went on to receive an athletic scholarship to play basketball 
at the University of Rhode Island and served as team captain. After 
graduating in 1960, Dudley taught at Roosevelt Junior High School in 
New Bedford for one year, before accepting a position to teach at 
Sharon High School. For 35 years, Dudley taught science at Sharon High 
School and quickly established himself as a pillar of the local 
community. In 1961, during his first year of teaching in Sharon, Dudley 
also began coaching the boys' varsity basketball team and continued to 
do so until 1983. Throughout his two decades as a coach, the team won 
five Hockomock League Championships and a total of 328 games. The team 
also qualified for the state tournament 18 times and played in 10 semi-
finals and four state finals. With a coaching record of 328-114, Dudley 
was inducted into the Sharon High School Athletic Hall of Fame as well 
as the Massachusetts Basketball Coaches' Hall of Fame and was a 
recipient of the MIAA Sherman A. Kinney Award for outstanding 
contributions to Massachusetts high school basketball. In addition to 
his work as a teacher and a coach, Dudley also took on the role of 
athletic director at Sharon High School in 1969 and held this position 
for nearly three decades. In 2010, to celebrate Dudley's impact on the 
Hockomock League and athletics across the region, the league named a 
division after him--the Davenport Division.
  Dudley's contributions to the Sharon community were not limited only 
to the classroom or basketball court. For over 40 years, Dudley served 
as a board member on the Sharon Credit Union as well as the Chairman 
for nearly two decades. Under his leadership, the credit union grew and 
transformed into the important resource that it is today. As an 
educator for over 35 years, Dudley understood the importance of access 
to education and played a critical role in establishing the Sharon 
Credit Union Scholarship Program, which awards scholarships to 
graduating seniors who excelled in academics, extracurriculars, and 
community service.
  Sadly, we lost Dudley too soon on May 15, 2019, at the age of 81. 
Dudley leaves behind a remarkable legacy as a loving father and devoted 
educator, coach, and mentor to students and colleagues alike. Although 
Dudley had a significant record as both a coach and player, what people 
remember most is the positive impact that Dudley had on those around 
him. On February 16, 2024, the Sharon community will gather together to 
dedicate the gymnasium at Sharon High School in memory of Dudley 
Davenport.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to honor Dudley Davenport, my friend who 
positively impacted the lives of so many who were privileged to know 
him, and I ask that my colleagues join me in celebrating his lifelong 
commitment to mentoring and supporting those in his community.

                          ____________________