[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 137 (Monday, October 5, 1998)]
[House]
[Page H9510]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  2100
        THE DEATH OF FORMER CONGRESSMAN D. FRENCH SLAUGHTER, JR

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Shimkus). Under a previous order of the 
House, the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Bateman) is recognized for 5 
minutes.
  Mr. BATEMAN. Mr. Speaker, it was with great sadness that I learned of 
the death of a former House colleague, D. French Slaughter, Jr., who 
represented Virginia's Seventh Congressional District from 1985 until 
his retirement due to illness in 1991. He died on Friday, October 2.
  French Slaughter was a very able public servant whose friendship I 
highly valued. During much of the time I served in the Senate of 
Virginia, French Slaughter served in the Virginia House of Delegates. 
Among his proudest accomplishments was introducing the legislation in 
1966 that established Virginia's strong system of community colleges.
  As a Member of the House of Representatives, French and I often 
worked together on projects and I am proud to say that today I 
represent several localities that were formerly a part of the old 
Seventh District served by French Slaughter.
  French Slaughter attended public schools in Culpeper, VA, and 
attended Virginia Military Institute from 1942-43, until he left to 
serve with the 84th Infantry Division in World War II. He was seriously 
wounded during the Battle of the Bulge and earned the Bronze Star and 
Purple Heart.
  In post-war years, French Slaughter received a bachelor's degree and 
law degree from the University of Virginia. He later served on the 
university's Board of Visitors and as its Rector.
  French Slaughter was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates in 
1958 and remained a member for the next 20 years. When Kenneth Robinson 
of Winchester retired from the House of Representatives, French 
Slaughter succeeded him. His legislative achievements include expanding 
the boundaries of the four major Civil War battlefield sites in the 
Fredericksburg, VA region.
  French Slaughter was a quiet, reserved man of high intelligence. He 
had a dry wit and low-key charm that made him a favorite with his 
colleagues on both sides of the aisle in the state legislature and in 
Congress. It was my great pleasure to have worked with him in both 
Richmond and Washington, and to have had him as a friend. During his 73 
years, French Slaughter served his State and Nation with distinction 
and courage. He will long be remembered.
  French Slaughter is survived by a son, a daughter, nine grandchildren 
and a brother. He will be laid to rest alongside his late wife, 
Kathleen Rowe Slaughter, on Tuesday, October 6 at the Mitchells 
Presbyterian Church in Mitchells, VA.

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