[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 146 (Friday, September 28, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2018-E2019]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      HAPPY 80TH BIRTHDAY FORMER NEW JERSEY STATE SENATOR BATEMAN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE FERGUSON

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 27, 2007

  Mr. FERGUSON. Madam Speaker, I rise to bring to the attention of the 
House of Representatives and commend former New Jersey State, Senator 
Raymond H. Bateman on the occasion of his 80th birthday.
  Senator Bateman achieved an exemplary record of public service to 
Somerset County and the State of New Jersey. He served with distinction 
in the New Jersey Legislature for 19 years, including being elected by 
his colleagues as Majority Leader and Minority Leader of the New Jersey 
Assembly and New Jersey State Senate, and for three terms as President 
of the Senate. Senator Bateman also served as Acting Governor of New 
Jersey for more than 100 days and was the Republican Party nominee for 
Governor in 1977.
  Senator Bateman's career reminds us all that true public service does 
not take partisanship into consideration. During his tenure in the 
state legislature, Senator Bateman developed close personal and 
professional relationships with former Governors Meyner, Hughes, Cahill 
and Byrne to solve many of the challenges of the day. Senator Bateman 
never cared from which side of the aisle an idea originated; he cared 
only that it was a good idea.
  As a result, Senator Bateman's influence and wisdom are woven into 
the history of New Jersey. A champion of public education, Senator 
Bateman authored ``The Bateman Act,'' landmark legislation that 
provided for the first time a school funding formula to meet the State 
Constitution's requirement that every child in New Jersey receive a 
thorough and efficient education. He also authored legislation creating 
the community college system in New Jersey.
  Those who have watched a Bruce Springsteen concert or cheered for the 
Giants,

[[Page E2019]]

Jets, Devils or Nets at the Meadowlands owe a debt of gratitude to 
Senator Bateman. His 1971 legislation establishing the New Jersey 
Sports and Exposition Authority paved the way for the construction of 
the Meadowlands Sports Complex.
  Throughout his long life, Senator Bateman has exemplified the spirit 
of former President Theodore Roosevelt in his love for nature's beauty. 
From the rocky shores of Pleasant Pond, Maine, to the banks of the 
Pequest River in Warren County, New Jersey, Senator Bateman's skill as 
an avid trout fisherman is deservedly renowned. He has long been a 
champion of efforts to preserve open spaces in Somerset County. His 
early appreciation of and support for preserving New Jersey's Pinelands 
helped ensure that this critical ecosystem would forever be protected.
  During his long and distinguished career, Senator Bateman received 
numerous awards and honors. For example, he was one of the five 
Jaycees' ``Young Men of the Year'' of New Jersey in 1962; he earned the 
``Assemblyman of the Year'' award from the New Jersey Association of 
Freeholders in 1967; he earned the Somerset County Education 
Association's ``Distinguished Service Award;'' he earned the 
``Outstanding Citizen'' award from the Somerset Valley Chamber of 
Commerce in 1977; and he was named the Rotary Club of Branchburg's 
first Paul Harris Fellow in 1993 in honor of the founder of Rotary 
International in 1905.

  Continuing his lifelong commitment to education, Senator Bateman in 
1978 was appointed to the Somerset County College (now called Raritan 
Valley Community College) Board of Trustees and served as the Board's 
Vice Chairman. In 1978, he became Chairman of the Board of Trustees and 
served in that position for 25 years; Senator Bateman will serve as a 
Trustee until 2009. His leadership and vision helped transform Raritan 
Valley Community College into one of the top community colleges in New 
Jersey and the Nation.
  Raritan Valley Community College in 2006 awarded Senator Bateman with 
an Honorary Degree, and in 2006 he was presented with the New Jersey 
Council of County Colleges' ``Community College Spirit Award.''
  As long and distinguished as his public record of achievement is, 
Senator Bateman is first and foremost a son, husband, father, 
grandfather and friend. A lifelong New Jerseyan, Senator Bateman was 
born on October 29, 1927, in Somerville, New Jersey, as the son of 
Lydia and C. Palmer Bateman Sr. Senator Bateman was married for 49 
years to the former Joan Speer, and together they had six children, 
Caren, Raymond, Christopher, Robin, Michael and Joananne. Those blessed 
to be acquainted with the Bateman family know firsthand that they 
personify Senator Bateman's generosity, zest for life and sense of 
community. His ten grandchildren similarly reflect his love of sports, 
the outdoors and the importance of family above all else.
  Those of us who followed Senator Bateman into public service are at a 
distinct disadvantage, for Senator Bateman's shadow is long and his 
reputation is without equal. Senator Bateman established the standard 
for selfless service to our fellow citizens; it is a standard other 
public officials only strive to meet.
  Somerset County and the State of New Jersey are better for Senator 
Bateman's service.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Raymond H. Bateman as 
his family and friends gather this weekend to celebrate 80 truly 
remarkable years and to wish him many more happy, healthy and 
fulfilling years to come.

                          ____________________