[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 125 (Tuesday, October 10, 2000)]
[House]
[Pages H9508-H9512]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          IN TRIBUTE TO RETIRING AND DECEASED VIRGINIA MEMBERS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of 
January 19, 1999, the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Wolf) is recognized 
during morning hour debates for 5 minutes.
  Mr. WOLF. Madam Speaker, it is my distinct privilege to rise today 
and to join fellow members of the Virginia delegation in paying tribute 
to two retiring colleagues and to honor the memory of our late 
colleague, Congressman Herb Bateman.
  Tom Bliley came to Congress with me in 1981. It has been an honor to 
serve side by side with him for the last 20 years. Tom has been a 
fitting match for Virginia's seventh district, which includes the city 
of Richmond, as it is a district replete with a tradition of true 
statesmen.
  Tom will leave the Congress having served as chairman of the 
Committee on Commerce, a responsibility he has taken very seriously and 
has performed with incredible legislative skills and expertise. He has 
shown an amazing ability to deal with such complex

[[Page H9509]]

issues as the electric utility grid, Medicare formulas to home medical 
services, and discounts for veterans, as well as telecommunication 
legislation.
  Tom's has been a diverse political experience before even making his 
way to Capitol Hill. He was first elected to the Richmond council as a 
conservative Democrat in 1968, then as Mayor of Richmond from 1970 to 
1972, and eventually to the House of Representatives, this time as a 
Republican. His unique background has enabled him to work to achieve 
bipartisan results, while never losing sight of the issues which are 
important to his districts.
  Owen Pickett has been a Member of this body for 14 years, having been 
first elected to Congress in 1986. Owen has deep ties to the 
Commonwealth. He is a graduate of Virginia Tech and the University of 
Richmond Law School. He was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates 
in 1971, where he earned a reputation as a fiscal conservative and he 
served as State Democratic Chairman in 1981.
  Congressman Pickett, the ranking Democrat on the Subcommittee on 
Military Research and Development, has consistently placed the best 
interests of his constituency and of the country ahead of partisan 
differences. He has been a faithful watchdog on behalf our Nation's 
military, and a consistent advocate of fiscal responsibility and a 
balanced budget, even when such notions were less than fashionable.
  Finally, our dear friend, Herb Bateman, faithfully served the people 
of Virginia's First Congressional District, and beamed with pride in 
calling his District ``America's first district.''
  Herb worked tirelessly for the first district for 18 years. He had 
deep ties to his district, having practiced law in Newport News and 
attended the College of William and Mary. As chairman of the 
Subcommittee on Military Readiness of the Committee on Armed Services, 
he was a steady champion for our men and women in uniform, not only in 
the Tidewater region, but throughout the Nation and around the world. 
He recognized that peace was best maintained through strength. As a 
loyal defender of those who defend us, he worked for the best interests 
of those currently in uniform, as well as for those who have retired 
from the service of their country.
  It is with mixed emotion that I offer tribute to these three true 
Virginia gentlemen. I am thankful to have had the honor to serve with 
them in this distinguished body, but am saddened at the prospect of 
their departure. We shall all truly miss their wise counsel and 
unwavering commitment to high ideals. Each of these gentlemen epitomize 
the highest ideals of public service.
  I wish Tom and Owen godspeed in their retirement and thank them for 
their years of service to the Commonwealth of Virginia and to the 
Nation.
  Mr. SCOTT. Madam Speaker, I rise to join my colleagues in honoring 
three members of the Virginia Delegation, Tom Bliley, Owen Pickett, and 
the late Herb Bateman for their many years of public service to 
Virginia and to this nation.
  Madam Speaker, for over 20 years now, the 7th congressional district 
has been ably represented by Congressman Tom Bliley. As the three term 
chairman of the powerful Commerce Committee, he has been dedicated to 
the task of ensuring that our system of free enterprise in the United 
States continues to lead the rest of the world in this ever changing 
global economy.
  In addition to championing such legislative initiatives as the Food 
and Drug Administration Act and the Food Safety and Safe Drinking Water 
while chairman, Tom Bliley was at the helm when the engine of economic 
growth switched from capital intensive brick and mortar facilities to 
electronic commerce. The result of his leadership was the landmark 1996 
Telecommunications Act which removed regulatory barriers to competition 
in the telecommunications marketplace.
  Madam Speaker, I have had the good fortune to work side by side with 
Tom Bliley for the past 8 years. Because we represent neighboring 
districts and share the city of Richmond and parts of Henrico County, I 
have been privileged to work with him on several initiatives that have 
been instrumental in opening up new avenues for Virginia commerce.
  Tom and I worked together to see that the James River and the Kanawha 
Canal river front project became a reality. This project restored a 
portion of the historic canal through the city of Richmond which is the 
main hub for the revitalization of the Historic Riverfront. And I am 
particularly grateful for his work on our bill which authorizes the 
Richmond National Battlefield Park. It includes the recognition of and 
support for a monument to commemorate the Battle of New Market Heights 
which was a landmark in black military history. We are both hoping that 
Congress will act on this important legislation before the end of the 
session.
  Madam Speaker, we also rise today to say goodbye to another good 
friend and colleague, Owen Pickett who represents the 2d Congressional 
District of Virginia. For nearly 29 years, Owen Pickett has worked 
tirelessly and selflessly for the residents of this community and this 
nation. Fifteen of those years he spent in the General Assembly and for 
14 years now, he has represented the 2d Congressional District of 
Virginia in the House of Representatives.
  As a member of the Armed Services Committee, where he is the ranking 
Democrat on the Subcommittee on Military Research and Development and 
where he also serves on the Readiness Subcommittee, he has been a 
staunch advocate of military supremacy ensuring that our military has 
the equipment and programs necessary to carry forth its mission. And 
just as important, Owen has been a champion of the quality of life 
issues affecting military families--recognizing that servicemembers 
cannot effectively do their job unless they know their families are 
well taken care of. The military community in Hampton Roads will miss 
Owen and his steadfast advocacy on their behalf.
  As a member of the Committee on Resources which has jurisdiction for 
environmental issues, Owen has fought hard to remind his colleagues in 
Congress the protection of natural resources and the environment must 
be a national priority. Virginia Beach and the Chesapeake Bay are 
considered some of the finest natural resources on the East Coast 
because of his commitment to the environment. As we head into the final 
weeks of this legislative session, Mr. Speaker, Owen will no doubt 
continue to demonstrate his leadership in the House of all the issues 
important to us in the Tidewater and across Virginia.
  Madam Speaker, I would also like to take a moment to say a few words 
about our late colleague and dear friend Herb Bateman. If not for his 
untimely death late last month, we would be standing here today to also 
wish him well in his retirement with his departing colleagues--Tom and 
Owen.
  Herb was a conscientious and effective legislator during his service 
as a member of the Virginia General Assembly and for the past 18 years 
as the Representative of the 1st Congressional District of Virginia. 
Herb's leadership on the Armed Services Committee and in the area of 
aeronautics research funding will be sorely missed. His hard work over 
the years will have a lasting impact on the military readiness of our 
Nation's armed services and space and aeronautics program.
  Madam Speaker, while we may disagree on certain national issues, the 
members of the Virginia Delegation has always been proud of our ability 
to reach across the aisle and work together in a bipartisan manner on 
issues affecting the Commonwealth. During the 8 years I have served in 
the House, we have met once a month for lunch to discuss those pressing 
issues such as Base Realignment and Closing, the ports, and funding for 
NASA. There is no doubt in my mind that Virginia has benefited from 
having us working together on these issues.
  The loss of Representatives Bliley, Pickett and Bateman will be 
sorely felt. However, they have left the remaining members of the 
Delegation a legacy of bipartisanship and civility that will be long 
remembered.
  Mr. MORAN of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize two 
of my esteemed colleagues from the Commonwealth of Virginia who are 
retiring from the House this year, and to honor Congressman Herb 
Bateman, who we were not able to recognize before his passing last 
month.
  Virginia has benefited enormously by their lifetime of public 
service. As a delegation, we are losing some of the finest Members of 
this Congress. I know I am accompanied by many other friends and 
colleagues who share a deep respect and gratitude for their years of 
friendship and service.
  Tom Bliley was first elected to this body in 1980, after a successful 
career as a businessman and serving on the city council and later as 
mayor of Richmond. Throughout his service in Congress, Tom Bliley has 
been a strong advocate of fiscal responsibility, the free market and 
consumer choice. As chairman of the House Commerce Committee for the 
past three terms, he has steered some of the most significant 
legislation through Congress in recent years.
  Chairman Bliley has also served as the dean of the Virginia 
delegation and, true to this role, he has been a leader to all of our 
Members. We have all enjoyed his friendship and great sense of humor. I 
would like to share one small example of his leadership. Just the other 
day, I went to Chairman Bliley

[[Page H9510]]

to seek his committee's support for a bill (H. Con. Res. 133) that I 
sponsored to promote colorectal cancer screening and prevention. The 
Chairman quickly offered his assistance and steered the bill to the 
House floor for consideration. It is this kind of initiative and 
leadership that has earned him great respect among his colleagues on 
both sides of the aisle.
  It has also been an honor for me to serve with Owen Pickett during 
the past 10 years. Mr. Pickett is a true gentleman. Throughout his 
service, Owen has worked tirelessly and effectively not only for people 
in southern Virginia, but for our entire nation. He has championed the 
interests of our nation's military, and the men and women who wear the 
uniform of the United States. He has been a particularly strong 
advocate for the Navy and for our commercial maritime interests.
  Owen has also been uncompromising in his insistence that government 
be fiscally disciplined, a trait which he probably acquired during his 
long service in the Virginia House of Delegates. The fact that he is 
retiring at a time of record surpluses is something fitting. It 
certainly wasn't that way when he came to the House in 1987.
  Madam Speaker, this special order would not be complete without also 
recognizing the lifetime of service by our colleague, Herb Bateman. He 
was the quintessential Virginia gentleman. He was unfailingly polite 
and gracious to the people around him. He always had a kind word for 
members and staff, and he was easy to approach on any issue. Herb 
embodied the spirit of civility and bipartisanship that we strive for, 
but achieve too infrequently here in the House.
  These personal qualities help to explain why Herb Bateman was so well 
liked on both sides of the aisle. Beyond his simple decency, Herb 
Bateman was a very effective member of Congress.
  He was a champion for the Navy, for its shipbuilding program, and for 
the men and women who serve in our Armed Forces. As a ranking member of 
the former House Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee, Herb was a 
forceful advocate for a strong U.S. merchant fleet and its role in our 
national security and economic livelihood. Generations of Virginians 
will long appreciate his work to promote economic development in our 
State, both as a member of Congress and the Senate of Virginia.
  Madam Speaker, all of us in the House will certainly miss the service 
and dedication of these three great Virginia legislators. We wish Tom 
and Owen a bright and rewarding future and all the best to Herb's 
family.
  Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Madam Speaker, it is my privilege to rise 
today to honor our colleague, Owen Pickett of Virginia's 2d 
Congressional District. After 29 years of serving the citizens of 
Virginia Beach and Norfolk, as well as the entire Commonwealth of 
Virginia, Mr. Pickett has decided to retire from the United States 
House of Representatives.
  My colleague, Mr. Pickett, is a member of the Armed Services 
Committee and is the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Military 
Research and Development and serves on the Readiness Subcommittee and 
the MWR Panel. The 2d congressional district is heavily dependent on 
the massive concentration of naval installations, shipbuilders and 
shipping firms in the Hampton Roads harbor area, which ranks first in 
export tonnage among the nation's Atlantic ports.
  The U.S. Navy Atlantic Fleet berthed in its home port of Norfolk is 
one of the greatest awe-inspiring sights in America, or anywhere. The 
aggregation of destructive power in the line of towering gray ships is 
probably greater than that of any single port in history. Over 100 
ships are based here, with some 100,000 sailors and Marines, some $2 
billion in annual spending. For these reasons, Congressman Pickett has 
been an outspoken advocate for a strong, technologically superior 
military and has been tenacious in supporting military bases in his 
district. Mr. Pickett, together with Senator John Warner and the late 
Congressman Herbert H. Bateman, have provided tremendous leadership on 
behalf of Virginia. Other issues on which he has taken a strong 
position are the U.S.-flag merchant fleet, private property rights, 
public education, veterans programs and a balanced Federal budget.
  Mr. Pickett was born in Hanover County, VA, outside Richmond on 
August 31, 1930 and was the youngest of three children. He attended the 
public school system and is a graduate of Virginia Tech and the 
University of Richmond School of Law. He was first elected to the U.S. 
Congress in 1986. With old Virginia roots, he was elected to the 
Virginia House of Delegates in 1971, at the age of 41, where he was 
known as a fiscal conservative and for his hard work restructuring the 
State retirement system.
  By the time Mr. Pickett won the congressional seat vacated by 
retiring Republican G. William Whitehurst in 1986, Mr. Pickett had 
already served as chairman of the state Democratic Party, headed a 
Democratic presidential campaign in Virginia and served long enough in 
the state House of Delegates to be a senior member of the 
Appropriations Committee.
  In the House, Mr. Pickett showed his political acumen by getting a 
new seat created for him on the National Security Committee and getting 
a seat on the old Merchant Marine Committee as well--two crucial spots 
for any Norfolk Congressman. Much of Mr. Pickett's work has been in 
supporting Hampton Roads military bases and defense contractors, and 
revitalizing the shipbuilding industry and merchant marine. That work 
has been successful. Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock has been 
building three Nimitz-class aircraft carriers in the 1990s, and has 
effectively ensured that there is no industry monopoly on building 
nuclear submarines. The Norfolk Navy Shipyard under Mr. Pickett's 
guidance has survived four rounds of base-closings and calls for 
privatization.
  Madam Speaker, I join with my fellow Virginian colleagues in thanking 
Congressman Owen Pickett for his service to the Commonwealth and to our 
Nation.
  Madam Speaker, it is also my privilege to rise today to honor our 
colleague, Tom Bliley, of Virginia's 7th Congressional District. After 
32 years of serving the citizens of Richmond, as well as the entire 
Commonwealth of Virginia, Chairman Bliley has decided to retire from 
the U.S. House of Representatives.
  Mr. Bliley has been chairman of the House Committee on Commerce for 
his last three terms. He was handpicked by Speaker Newt Gingrich over 
more senior members. He has declared himself a friend of big business 
and his agenda for the past 6 years has been, quit simply to promote 
commerce. As chairman, Mr. Bliley has been a pragmatist, willing to 
broker deals behind closed doors with ideologic foes and friends alike. 
The result of the Chairman's reign the committee has become one of the 
most constructive in Congress: Promoting free and fair markets, 
standing for consumer choice and common sense safeguards for our health 
and the environment, and keeping a watchful eye on the Federal 
bureaucracy. As chairman, Mr. Bliley is an ex officio member of the 
five Commerce Committee subcommittees: Telecommunications, Trade, and 
Consumer Protection; Finance and Hazardous Materials; Health and 
Environment; Energy and Power; and Oversight and Investigation.
  A pleasant, soft spoken mortician, the chairman started his political 
career in 1968 when civil leaders sought him out to run for the 
Richmond City Council. He served the city for almost a decade, not only 
on the city council, but also as vice mayor and then becoming mayor 
until 1977, when he retired to devote more time to his funeral home. 
However, the Chairman was not out of politics for long. He 
enthusiastically re-entered when Democrat David Satterfield announced 
his retirement from Congress in 1980.
  Since his first election to Congress, the Chairman has been 
recognized by many organizations for his work. He has served in various 
roles with the NATO Parliamentary Assembly. From November 1994 to 
October 1998, he was chairman of the Economic Committee. In November 
1998, he became one of the four Vice-Presidents; and, with the 
resignation of its President in May 2000, the Chairman became Acting 
President. His commitment to balancing the Federal budget has earned 
him the National Watchdog of the Treasury's ``Golden bulldog Award'' 
every year since 1981. He has been named a ``Guardian of Small 
Business'' by the National Federation of Independent Business. He has 
been called the ``Most powerful Virginian since Harry Byrd'' and the 
National Journal called him ``Mr. Smooth.''
  Born in Chesterfield County, VA, the Chairman is a lifelong resident 
of the Richmond area. He earned his B.A. in history from Georgetown 
University and immediately following served three years in the U.S. 
Navy, rising to the rank of lieutenant.
  Madam Speaker, I join with my fellow Virginian colleagues in thanking 
Chairman Tom Bliley for his service to the Commonwealth and to our 
Nation. He has been a friend and a mentor to me, and he most certainly 
will be missed.
  Mr. GOODLATE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to three 
fine Virginia gentlemen--Tom Bliley, Herb Bateman, and Owen Pickett. 
The United States House of Representatives is a better place because of 
their selfless dedication and service to their country, and it has been 
my high honor and great privilege to serve with them.
  I would first like to mention my good friend, colleague, tennis 
partner, and mentor Tom Bliley. I have been friends with tom for more 
than 20 years. When I was first elected to Congress in 1992, Tom was 
instrumental in helping me obtain a seat on the Judiciary Committee, 
and has been a mentor to me ever since. For the past 6 years, he has 
served as chairman of the House Commerce

[[Page H9511]]

Committee, presiding over such landmark legislation as Securities 
Litigation Reform, modernization of the Food and Drug Administration, 
and the Telecommunications Act.
  It would not be possible for me to list here all of the ways in which 
Tom has improved this House and the lives of every one of its Members. 
Suffice it to say that I owe a debt of gratitude to Tom Bliley that I 
shall never be able to repay. I wish Tom, his lovely wife Mary 
Virginia, and their family all the best in the coming days.
  The House of Representatives and our Nation as a whole suffered a 
great loss recently with the passing of my dear friend and colleague 
Herb Bateman. Herb represented what he referred to as America's first 
congressional district, and did so with great conviction and 
dedication. My thoughts and prayers remain with Herb's wife Laura and 
their children and grandchildren. He is sorely missed.
  Herb was one of the most thoughtful Members of Congress with whom I 
worked. I thoroughly enjoyed discussing issues with him, as he always 
had well-founded reasons for the votes he cast. As a senior member of 
the Armed Services Committee and a former member of the U.S. Air Force, 
Herb was completely committed to strengthening America's national 
security. Our men and women in uniform around the world owe a great 
debt of gratitude to Herb Bateman.
  And lastly, but certainly not least, Owen Pickett has been a very 
valued Member of the House of Representatives whose service will be 
missed. Owen was first elected to the House in 1986, and has been a 
dedicated member of the Armed Services and Resources Committees. He has 
been a strong advocate for America's Armed Forces and has also served 
as a member of the Congressional Study Groups on Germany and Japan, as 
well as the Duma-Congress Study Group. I wish Owen, his wife Sybil, and 
their family all the best in the days ahead.
  The Commonwealth of Virginia has been very fortunate to have such 
valued Members of the House as Tom Bliley, Herb Bateman, and Owen 
Pickett. They have set a standard of dedication and service that we 
should all strive to emulate. I will certainly miss their presence in 
the House of Representatives.
  Mr. BLILEY. Madam Speaker, on September 11, 2000, our colleague, 
Representative Herb Bateman passed away before he could enjoy the 
fruits of retirement. Dan Scandling, Herb's chief of staff, delivered 
the following eulogy to his boss and friend of so many years. Dan's 
eulogy is a fitting tribute to our fallen colleague and I want to share 
it with you today.

                 Eulogy of Representative Herb Bateman

                   (By Dan Scandling, Chief of Staff)

       So many things come to mind when you think of Herb Bateman. 
     Congressman. State Senator. Colleague. Statesman. Virginia 
     Gentleman. Devoted Public Servant. Boss. Golfing Partner. 
     Friend. And lest no one forget: ``America's First District.'' 
     There also is the much more private side of Herb Bateman. 
     Husband. Father. Grandfather.
       One of the first things that struck me about Mr. Bateman 
     when I came to work for him 10 years ago was his unwavering 
     devotion to Laura. I can still vividly remember one of the 
     first times she came into the office. We were just wrapping 
     up one of those marathon meetings that all you Members so 
     deeply cherish when Laura walked in. Herb got up from behind 
     his desk, walked over to her, reached for her hand, gave her 
     a kiss on her cheek and then asked how her day was. I quickly 
     learned this wasn't just a one-time thing. Nothing was as 
     important as making sure Laura had had a good day. I only 
     wish I was half as attentive to the needs of my wife.
       Laura was the most important thing in Herb's life. The two 
     were inseparable. Wherever Herb went, Laura went. Whether it 
     was travel overseas, a trip to the Eastern Shore or back and 
     forth to Washington, the two of them were always together. 
     Laura was very important to Herb's political career--
     particularly when it came to keeping names and faces 
     straight. Herb was terrible with names. He always insisted on 
     name tags at every event he hosted. Laura, on the other hand, 
     is the master of remembering names and faces. No matter where 
     they were, or who they ran into, it is like instant recall. 
     She can always place a name with a face. You politicians in 
     the audience today should be jealous. I know one certain 
     Chief of Staff who owes his congressional career to Laura 
     because she remembered his name and face.
       Bert and Laura, you have no idea how proud your father was 
     of you. Not a day went by that he wasn't telling me about how 
     one of you gotten a better job, or a promotion, or had landed 
     a big, new account. Bert, he was particularly proud of your 
     desire--and commitment--to make Newport News a better place 
     to live and work. He was proud that you were willing to give 
     so much of yourself to your community. And he also was proud 
     of how good a husband--and father--you are. Laura, nothing 
     brought a bigger smile to your father's face than for him to 
     run into one of his former colleagues from the Virginia 
     Senate and have them tell him how great a job you do in 
     Richmond and beyond. He was so proud of how successful you 
     have become.
       Then there is ``Poppy.'' Herb loved his grandchildren. 
     Emmy, Hank and Sam--you were the apples of his eye. Just last 
     week he was boasting how Emmy had won a tennis tournament at 
     the club and was so pleased that Hank had taken up running 
     cross county. Every summer I would get the updates on all the 
     ribbons the two of you would win at swim meets. Hank, I think 
     your grandfather has high expectations from you on the 
     athletic field. I know you won't let him down. Emmy, I know 
     your ``Poppy'' wishes for you the same success that his 
     daughter has had. Sam, your ``Poppy'' was so excited about 
     your first day at school. He was looking forward to getting 
     home last weekend to hear all about it first-hand.
       I know this week has not been easy. It wasn't supposed to 
     happen this way. I know you feel somewhat cheated because 
     ``Poppy'' was finally going to be able to spend more than 
     just the weekends in Newport News. There would be no more of 
     this nomadic life of leaving for Washington every Monday 
     morning only to return home sometime Friday--then do it all 
     over again two days later. But look around this church. Look 
     how many people are here. Everyone here loved your ``Poppy.'' 
     It's like one huge ``Thank you'' for sharing him with us. 
     Thank you for all those times he left you--his family--to 
     go work an 80-hour week in Washington; To go to a parade 
     somewhere at the other end of the District on a Saturday 
     morning; To go to some god-awful chicken dinner fund 
     raiser; To go shake hands at the shipyard gates at 6 a.m. 
     on some rain-soaked morning in the dead of winter. Thank 
     you for sharing him with us. Thank you for the sacrifices 
     you made.
       I worked for Herb Bateman for 10 years. Over that time we 
     grew to be pretty close. I think it would probably be fair to 
     say he considered me part of the family. There aren't too 
     many places in America's First District that he and I haven't 
     been to together, and there aren't too many things we haven't 
     discussed. Of all the things that have been ingrained in my 
     head over the last 10 years, it's that credibility is 
     everything. Once you lose your credibility, you lose 
     everything. If people cannot take you at your word, then your 
     world is nothing. Perhaps that explains why he was such an 
     effective legislator, and why when he announced his 
     retirement last January, letters, faxes and e-mails poured 
     into his office thanking him for his dedicated service. He 
     got letters from Admirals, Generals, captains of industry and 
     politicians on both sides of the aisle. He got letters from 
     long-time friends and associates. And most significantly, he 
     got letters from hundreds of his constituents. All them were 
     effusive in their praise.
       Credibility meant everything to Herb Bateman. I know that 
     first hand. I know it guided each of his decisions, whether 
     it was on a controversial issue before Congress or a 
     contentious political issue. He would have been pleased to 
     hear how his colleagues described him during Tuesday 
     evening's tribute on the floor of the House. I couldn't help 
     but smile as I saw Member after Member get up and talk about 
     his integrity. Perhaps Congressman Burton said it best:
       ``Herb was a man, who if he gave his word on anything, you 
     could take it to the bank. Herb was not one of those guys 
     that played both sides of the fence. He was a man of 
     integrity--impeccable integrity--and one that all of us 
     respected.''
       More than anything else--any aircraft carrier, any 
     submarine, any bridge, any Corps of Engineers' project--Herb 
     would want to be known for his integrity. Obviously, he has. 
     Herb had two vices in life. A good steak, and golf. Man, did 
     he love a good steak. New York Strip. Medium rare. He always 
     ordered french fries with his steak--extra crispy, please, or 
     potato sticks if you have them. If I was invited over to Shoe 
     Lane for dinner it usually meant a good steak on the grill--
     and potato sticks! If I was invited out for a steak in 
     Washington, it usually meant someone in the office was in 
     trouble. I used to cringe when he would come up behind me, 
     put his hand on my shoulder and say, ``Dan, let's go have a 
     steak.'' He always enjoyed his meal. I can't say the same.
       Then there was golf. Next to Laura, golf was his passion. 
     Like most us, he wasn't very good, but that didn't matter. He 
     just loved to play. He loved being outdoors. He loved meeting 
     new playing partners. And he loved mulligans! Herb played 
     golf to relax. He didn't talk about work on the golf course. 
     He didn't take a cell phone. He never carried a pager. Golf 
     was for fun. If you were on the golf course, you were there 
     to enjoy yourself. If Herb were ever elected President, I bet 
     one of the first things he would do would be to issue an 
     Executive Order prohibiting cell phones on the golf 
     course. For all those golfers here today, I have one 
     special request. The next time you play golf, as tribute 
     to Herb, leave your cell phones and pagers in the car. 
     Take the time to relax and enjoy the people you are 
     playing with. I have made a promise to myself never to 
     take a cell phone with me on the golf course again. I hope 
     I can live up to it.
       Oh, and take a couple of mulligans too.
       I want to close by touching on some of the things that Herb 
     did that no one knew about, that never made any headlines, 
     that never got him a vote. Herb liked helping people. He 
     always stressed to his staff that constituent service was the 
     most important part of his job--and their job. He always 
     reminded us that he worked for the people of America's First 
     District and it was his job to help them

[[Page H9512]]

     when they had a problem. I could recount hundreds--if not 
     thousands--of cases where Herb got personally involved. One 
     that always comes to mind involved a woman from Williamsburg 
     whose husband had died and was buried in Arlington Cemetery. 
     The woman's husband had been an Air Force pilot and she asked 
     that he be buried in the section in Arlington where you could 
     have different types of tombstones. Soon after his funeral 
     she went about designing a tombstone that she thought would 
     be a fitting tribute. The cemetery approved the design and 
     she had the stone carved. When the stone arrived at the 
     cemetery several weeks later, cemetery officials did a 
     complete 180 and told her she couldn't use the stone. 
     Somehow, a columnist at the Washington Post caught wind of 
     the situation and a story appeared in the paper. Herb saw it 
     and asked me what I knew about it. After a few quick calls, 
     it was evident the woman hadn't contacted us. But to Herb, 
     that didn't matter. Within a matter of minutes, Herb, me and 
     another staffer were in a car headed over to Arlington. We 
     drove through the cemetery to where the woman's husband was 
     buried, got out, looked at some of the other tombstones then 
     headed back across the river. Upon returning to the office, 
     Herb immediately called the Superintendent at Arlington and 
     presto, the issue was resolved. When I called the woman to 
     tell her the cemetery officials had relented, I asked why she 
     didn't call us. She said she didn't want to burden the 
     Congressman with her problem.
       To Herb, it wasn't a bother; it was a pleasure. It was all 
     about helping the people he represented. The Congress has 
     lost more than an outstanding Member, it has lost a warm, 
     caring individual who served his nation with great honor and 
     distinction. God bless Herb, his family, and America's First 
     District.
  Mr. GOODE. Madam Speaker, I want to express my appreciation to Tom 
Bliley, Owen Pickett and the late Herb Bateman for their service to the 
Commonwealth of Virginia and the entire nation. It has been a great 
pleasure to know and serve with these gentlemen in the House of 
Representatives. These men have served not only the people of their 
districts and the Commonwealth of Virginia, but the entire nation as 
well. Each has provided invaluable leadership, experience, and 
statesmanship to the people of their districts, state, and nation. I 
will miss their friendship and guidance and their districts, the 
Commonwealth of Virginia and the nation will miss their service, wisdom 
and experience.
  Tom Bliley's 20 years of service and his tenure as Chairman of the 
House Commerce Committee has benefitted his district, state, and 
country. Tom has led a life of public service and prior to his election 
and 20 years in the House of Representatives he was an outstanding 
mayor and leader for the City of Richmond.
  Owen Pickett has always put the people, especially our military 
personnel, above partisanship. His many years of work and experience on 
the House Armed Services Committee and as Ranking Member of the 
Military Research and Development Subcommittee will be sorely missed by 
the 2nd District, the Commonwealth of Virignia and the nation.
  The late Herb Bateman was a fine representative and a fine man. I 
appreciate his friendship as well as his service. We will miss his 18 
years of service in the House and his experience on the Armed Services 
Committee and Chairmanship of the Military Readiness Subcommittee, but 
more than that we will miss Herb.

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