[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 134 (Tuesday, October 9, 2001)]
[House]
[Pages H6433-H6435]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HERBERT H. BATEMAN POST OFFICE BUILDING

  Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the 
rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1749) to designate the facility of the 
United States Postal Service located at 685 Turnberry Road in Newport 
News, Virginia, as the ``Herbert H. Bateman Post Office Building''.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 1749

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. HERBERT H. BATEMAN POST OFFICE BUILDING.

       (a) Designation.--The facility of the United States Postal 
     Service located at 685 Turnberry Road in Newport News, 
     Virginia, shall be known and designated as the ``Herbert H. 
     Bateman Post Office Building''.
       (b) References.--Any reference in a law, map, regulation, 
     document, paper, or other record of the United States to the 
     facility referred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to be 
     a reference to the Herbert H. Bateman Post Office Building.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
Virginia (Mrs. Jo Ann Davis) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. 
Davis) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Virginia (Mrs. Jo Ann 
Davis).


                             General Leave

  Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent 
that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and 
extend their remarks on the bill, H.R. 1749.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Virginia?
  There was no objection.
  Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time 
as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1749. This legislation 
will name the local Post Office at 685 Turnberry Road in Newport News 
as the ``Herbert H. Bateman Post Office Building,'' after former 
Representative Herb Bateman, who represented the First Congressional 
District of Virginia for 9 terms in the United States Congress.
  Herb Bateman was a true Virginia gentleman and a great American 
patriot. His loyalty to our Nation and his unyielding efforts to ensure 
its protection have always been met with great admiration. Considering 
the current events of the day, his fervent support for our Nation's 
armed forces takes on an even more significant role.
  Herb Bateman will always be remembered in the First Congressional 
District as a loyal public servant of the people, and an honorable and 
dedicated man. This postal renaming legislation demonstrates our deep 
respect and gratitude for Herb's tireless service to the betterment of 
our community, Virginia and our great Nation.
  The First District will always remember his numerous contributions to 
the area. The Herbert H. Bateman Post Office is a fitting tribute to 
our friend. His service to the defense of our country, the betterment 
of our waterways and infrastructure, and his numerous other 
accomplishments will not soon be forgotten. I encourage all Members to 
support H.R. 1749.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, as a member of the Committee on Government Reform, I am 
pleased to join my colleague in the consideration of a postal naming 
bill. H.R. 1749, which names a Post Office in Newport News, Virginia, 
after Herbert H. Bateman, was introduced by the gentlewoman from 
Virginia (Mrs. Jo Ann Davis) on May 8, 2001.
  Mr. Speaker, Herbert H. Bateman was born in 1928 in Elizabeth City, 
North Carolina, and lived in Newport News since childhood. He attended 
the College of William and Mary and Georgetown University Law Center. 
He practiced law, served in the Air Force and the Virginia State 
Senate. He was elected to represent the First Congressional District of 
Virginia in 1982. While in Congress, Representative Bateman was a 
senior member of the House Committee on Armed Services and the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure until his untimely death 
on September 11, 2000.
  As a Member of this body, Representative Bateman is remembered as 
being a strong supporter of the military and protector of the large 
shipbuilding industry in Newport News, Virginia. Representative Bateman 
was recognized as a defender of our national security, a staunch 
advocate for the readiness of our armed forces, and worked tirelessly 
to ensure the Naval superiority of America.

                              {time}  1500

  In short, he was a great patriarch.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to commend and thank the gentlewoman from 
Virginia (Mrs. Jo Ann Davis) for introducing this measure.
  Mr. Speaker, I would just indicate, I know that the gentleman from 
Virginia (Mr. Scott) had intended to be here and wanted to speak on 
this bill. Unfortunately, he did not make it. I would simply again 
commend the gentlewoman from Virginia.

[[Page H6434]]

  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to be here today to pay tribute to Mr. 
Bateman's humble service. I am grateful for his service and am 
delighted that I could in this small way honor the life of Herb Bateman 
with this legislation. I urge all Members to support this measure.
  Mr. SCOTT. Mr. Speaker, I join my colleagues in support of H.R. 1749 
to designate a post office in Newport News, Virginia as the ``Herbert 
H. Bateman Post Office Building.''
  The Virginia Delegation is pleased to support this bill. He was well 
thought of and highly respected by all of us. The delegation has always 
worked cooperatively and in a bipartisan fashion on issues affecting 
Virginia and Herb steadfastly contributed to that spirit.
  It is fitting that we pay tribute to Herb's memory and service by 
naming a post office for him. Herb's hard work and dedication to the 
constituents of the 1st Congressional District of Virginia, which he 
always referred to as ``America's 1st District'', was well known.
  Herb and I served neighboring districts in the House and during my 
service in the Virginia Legislature, he was either my state Senator or 
my Congressman, so we had many opportunities to work together to 
represent the interests of the residents of the Hampton Roads area. 
Having worked side by side, I can tell you that Herb Bateman was a hard 
working and effective legislator during his many years of public 
service.
  He conscientiously promoted the needs of a district with a strong 
military and federal presence. As a member of the Armed Services 
committee, he made military readiness and the concerns of military 
families his highest priorities. Because of his total dedication, 
America enjoys a strong military and school districts with a large 
military presence receive additional federal funding through Impact 
Aid.
  In Hampton Roads, we have been particularly grateful for Herb's 
leadership because we continue to build aircraft carriers and 
submarines, NASA budgets reflect a higher priority for the aeronautics 
research proudly done at NASA Langley Research Center and the Thomas 
Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (Jefferson Lab) continues to 
excel.
  Indeed, Mr. Speaker, it is fitting that we honor Herb's memory and 
service to the 1st Congressional district and to this body by naming a 
post office for him.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the bill.
  Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 
1749, which would designate the United States Postal Service located at 
685 Turnberry Road in Newport News, Virginia as the ``Herbert H. 
Bateman Post Office Building.'' I would also like to thank my 
colleague, Representative Jo Ann Davis, Herb's successor in America's 
First District, for her leadership in introducing this legislation.
  My friend and former colleague Herb Bateman was a true gentleman and 
a great patriot. I will never forget his kind and valuable tutelage 
when I first came to Congress, nor will I forget how he demonstrated to 
all of us the importance of caring more about doing good than getting 
credit.
  On a political and ideological level, there was much to learn from 
Herb: His fiscal conservation and commitment to restraining big 
government and protecting taxpayers' interest. His unwavering support 
of a strong military and of the men and women who dedicate their lives 
to protecting our nation. His dedication to cleaning up the Chesapeake 
Bay, and so much more.
  Herb Bateman took great pride in serving the people of America's 
First District for 18 years. In doing so, he was an asset not only to 
the people of the Northern Neck and the Eastern Shore of Virginia, but 
to the nation as a whole. It is fitting, therefore, that we take steps 
to honor and memorialize Herb, so that his service to America will 
never be forgotten.
  Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, I join my fellow members of the Virginia 
congressional delegation and our colleagues today in support of H.R. 
1749, the Herbert H. Bateman Post Office Designation Act, and thank 
Congresswoman Jo Ann Davis of the First District for introducing this 
legislation to honor the member of Congress who preceded her.
  Heb loved being a member of Congress. He was a decent, hard-working, 
likeable man who could reach across the aisle to work together for the 
best interests of America.
  He loved representing the people of Virginia's First Congressional 
District, and beamed with pride in calling his district, ``America's 
First District.'' He worked tirelessly for his district. He grew up and 
practiced law in Newport News, and was a graduate of the College of 
William and Mary, so he had a special affinity for the people he 
represented.
  Aside from his love for the First district, his achievements as a 
legislator were impressive. As chairman of the House Armed Service 
subcommittee on military readiness, he was a diligent champion for the 
defense interests not only of the Tidewater area of Virginia which he 
represented, but most importantly for a strong defense for our nation.
  He believed in a strong military and a strong navy. He always 
understood the need for adequate training before sending our forces 
into harm's way. He was relentless in the pursuit of military 
excellence, and he could work with anybody on any side of an issue. 
Most importantly, when meeting the challenges faced by this great 
country, party really made no difference.
  It is especially fitting that we recognize Herb's legislative 
accomplishments in the area of defense as America's armed forces 
bravely undertake operations in Afghanistan as we speak. He was a 
protector of our national defense, and he initiated the practice of 
listening to the field commanders of our armed forces--the captains and 
colonels and majors--and not solely relying on the Pentagon brass to 
get the real picture about our nation's defense forces.
  I have no doubts that Herb's past work will contribute to a 
successful conclusion to our on-going military efforts. Herb was a 
champion of increasing our military readiness, and if we can do 
anything to honor his memory, it will be to continue to invest in 
improving and maintaining our nation's defense readiness.
  He also worked to protect the welfare of the men and women in uniform 
and their families, and those who have retired from the service of 
their country.
  Herb also worked hard for commuters in the First District. Through 
his seat on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, he focused 
on improving the highways and bridges in the Tidewater area and 
protecting the Chesapeake Bay's oyster and crab production.
  It is fitting that we honor the memory of Herb Bateman, a devoted 
public servant of the Commonwealth of Virginia and our nation, by 
designating the postal facility at 685 Turnberry Road in Newport News, 
Virginia, as the Herbert H. Bateman Post Office Building.
  I urge my colleagues to unanimously support H.R. 1749 in tribute to 
the late Herb Bateman.
  Mr. SHAW. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support the Herbert H. Bateman Post 
Office Building Designation Act introduced by my colleague, 
Representative Jo Ann Davis to pay tribute to my dear friend 
Congressman Herb Bateman.
  Many of my colleagues have spoken about Herb's distinguished service 
to Virginia as a State Senator and his legislative accomplishments as a 
Member of Congress. Herb exemplified leadership and honor in his 
service to Congress on the Armed Services Committee and the 
Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and to his country in his 
service in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean war. But Herb was more 
than a distinguished Member or colleague, he was a dear and personal 
friend.
  I am honored and grateful to have had the opportunity to have known 
Herb Bateman. Herb and his wife Laura have been great personal friends 
to my wife Emilie and me and Laura continues to be a close friend. It 
is always sad to lose someone from the Congressional family, but Herb 
will be remembered for his accomplishments and leadership, but most of 
all for his friendship. We have lost a great friend and leader.
  Herb was a highly respected Member of the House of Representatives. 
While I am saddened by his passing, his extensive contributions to 
Virginia, this Nation, and the fond memories that I have of our 
friendship will live on forever. That is why, I am pleased to speak 
today in support of this resolution.
  Mr. SCHROCK. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to rise today in support 
of H.R. 1749, which will honor our good friend, Congressman Herb 
Bateman. For eighteen years, Herb served Virginia's first district, 
which he faithfully referred to as `America's First District.' Herb was 
a public servant in the truest sense, and was a devoted friend to 
America's armed forces.
  For more than 30 years of public service in both the Senate of 
Virginia and in this body, Herb reminded us of the need to sustain 
America's military superiority. As Chairman of the House Armed 
Services' Subcommittee on Readiness, he was dedicated to the task of 
keeping America's forces reactive and able to respond with speed and 
force. We hope that the American military is never forced to prove its 
strength, but as we have seen over the past few days, America's 
military is strong, and it is able to respond, both quickly and 
powerfully when needed. We have Herb to thank, in part, for this 
sustained strength. He fought relentlessly to build America's Navy and 
to adequately train America's servicemen and women before sending them 
into harm's way in today's changing face of combat.
  We all lost a good friend last year, when Herb passed away near the 
end of his final term in the House. His legacy lives on with his wife 
Laura, their children, and the facility we

[[Page H6435]]

are naming today. The Herbert H. Bateman Post Office Building will 
remind us of Herb's service, his friendship and of the lessons he 
taught us during his time in Congress.
  I thank the gentlelady from Virginia for sponsoring H.R. 1749, and I 
urge passage of this legislation.
  Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance 
of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Petri). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentlewoman from Virginia (Mrs. Jo Ann Davis) that the 
House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 1749.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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