[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 176 (Wednesday, November 19, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2263]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO WALTER J. BAMBERG

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. TERRY EVERETT

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 19, 2008

  Mr. EVERETT. Madam Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the life and 
public service of long-time Montgomery, Alabama resident Mr. Walter J. 
Bamberg, age 78, who passed away on October 3 after a brief illness.
  Walter Bamberg was an institution in central Alabama. His life 
epitomized public service. A U.S. Army Korean War veteran, Bamberg 
began his career as a Montgomery radio and television personality in 
the early 1950's. During his 12 years on the air, Bamberg took 
advantage of the space craze gripping the nation as creator and host of 
a popular local children's program called ``Captain Zoomar'' on WCOV-TV 
20.
  In 1964, Bamberg left Montgomery broadcasting to serve as Job 
Placement Director for the Rehabilitation Research Foundation at Draper 
Correctional Center in Montgomery. Five years later, he was appointed 
as District Director for Alabama Second District Congressman Bill 
Dickinson. Bamberg supervised constituent outreach duties of 
Congressman Dickinson's south Alabama offices for two decades. He was 
so effective that Dickinson tried on at least one occasion to convince 
Bamberg to join him in Washington, but he declined to leave Alabama and 
the life he enjoyed directly serving the people.
  In 1989, Bamberg retired from Congressional service and was appointed 
by President George H. W. Bush as U.S. Marshal for the Middle Judicial 
District of Alabama. His responsibilities extended over 15 counties. 
Bamberg was also a member of the Montgomery County Republican Executive 
Committee.
  He was active in local politics, including a run for Montgomery City 
Commission, and he remained engaged in community affairs after his 
retirement from the U.S. Marshal Service. Once cannot think of 
Montgomery Republican politics without thinking of him. He liked to 
joke that he was a Republican in Alabama when the party could hold 
their convention in a phone booth.
  I was pleased to visit with Walter Bamberg in April while attending 
the funeral services for Congressman Dickinson. Barbara and I offer our 
condolences to his wife, Peggy, and children, David, Dale Franklin, 
Matt, and entire family during this time of loss. Walter Bamberg was an 
Alabama institution and a man of many talents. His legacy of public 
service lives on in the strength of the Alabama Republican party.

                          ____________________