[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 85 (Thursday, June 29, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1156]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               IN RECOGNITION OF HUGH M. ``LALLY'' BATES

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. BOB RILEY

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 28, 2000

  Mr. RILEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize one of Alabama's 
finest, Mr. Hugh ``Lally'' Bates. On June 30, 2000, Mr. Bates will 
retire, ending his distinguished 38-year public service career. 
Speaking about leadership, Winston Churchill once said ``I have nothing 
to offer but blood, toil, tears, and sweat.'' After a career marked by 
blood, toil, perhaps tears, and a great deal of sweat, Mr. Lally Bates 
will soon be retiring from public service.
  Ever since enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps on his 18th birthday, 
Mr. Bates has served his country, his state, and his community with 
nothing less than the utmost integrity and professionalism. Today we 
honor this distinguished man and publicly thank him for his sacrifices.
  While serving in the Marine Corps, Mr. Bates was stationed in Korea 
with the First Marine Division, Fifth Marine Regiment. During his 
service, he was wounded on three separate occasions. He was awarded 
three Purple Hearts, and the Bronze Star with combat ``V'' for valor in 
personally destroying a North Korean machine gun emplacement and with 
it, four North Korean soldiers.
  President Lyndon Johnson appointed Mr. Bates to the position of 
Postmaster of Clanton in 1965. His distinguished service in this 
capacity earned him the respect and admiration of his fellow 
Postmasters who twice elected him to serve as the National President of 
the National Association of Postmasters of the United States (NAPUS). 
In fact, Lally Bates is one of only two Postmasters ever elected to 
serve twice as the National President of NAPUS.
  Aside from his professional duties, Mr. Bates has served Chilton 
County in a number of civic leadership capacities. He has twice been 
named the president of the Chilton County Chamber of Commerce, and been 
honored for his service as president of this organization that further 
honored him by naming him its Citizen of the Year this past January.
  He further served as the president of the Clanton Quarterback Club, 
the Clanton Dixie Youth Baseball League, and the Civil Defense Rescue 
Squad. Additionally, his concern for others led him to serve as the 
Chairman of the Board of Directors for Chilton County Hospitals. Always 
selfless, Lally Bates has continued to serve his fellow veterans as 
commander of American Legion Post No. 6.
  While Mr. Bates may be known by many as the Postmaster of Clanton, 
others may recognize his voice. For 41 years, Mr. Bates has been the 
Voice of the Chilton County Tigers football team on WEZZ radio, 
representing his alma matter.
  Today I want commend Mr. Bates for his years of service. As an 
Alabamian, I am grateful for all that he has done to serve his 
community. I thank Mr. Bates, and the Bates family, for sharing time 
with the community. Today, I thank him for all of your blood, toil, 
tears, and sweat.

                          ____________________