[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 16]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 22780]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



         THE PASSING OF FORMER VIRGINIA CONGRESSMAN TOM DOWNING

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. TOM DAVIS

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 15, 2001

  Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute 
to a gracious friend and champion of the citizens of the Virginia 
Peninsula, former Congressman of Virginia's First Congressional 
District, Tom Downing.
  Tom was a true gentleman and a great patriot. Representing the 
Peninsula in Congress from 1959 to 1977, he helped Newport News 
Shipbuilding gain approval for expansion, which made it easier and more 
cost effective for the shipyard to construct some of the largest ships 
in the world.
  Tom was also well known for his firm belief that Lee Harvey Oswald 
did not act alone in assassinating President John Kennedy. He convinced 
Congress to open a second investigation into the death of the 
President. While he retired before the panel began its work, Tom 
remained convinced until his recent death that the footage on the 
Zapruder film held the answers.
  Born in Newport News, Virginia on February 1, 1919, Tom was a 
graduate of Newport News High School, received a B.S. degree from 
Virginia Military Institute and a law degree from the University of 
Virginia. He served in World War II as a combat troop commander of 
Mechanized Cavalry with Gen. George Patton's Third U.S. Army and 
commanded the first troops in the Third Army to invade Germany. He 
received a Silver Star for gallantry in action in France when his unit 
was ambushed by a German patrol. He rescued two of his men who were 
wounded during the initial exchange of gunfire.
  Tom Downing was re-elected to Congress eight times, with little 
trouble and often unopposed. During his tenure in Congress, Tom 
recognized more than anyone the great economic impact the Newport News 
shipyard had on his district. He twice considered running for higher 
office--U.S. Senate in 1966 and governor a few years later--but decided 
against both. This body benefited greatly from those decisions.
  Mr. Speaker, I mourn the recent loss of our friend and former 
colleague. Tom lived his life with exuberance and passion for serving 
his beloved Virginia. He was a true leader on behalf of all Virginians 
and Americans.

                          ____________________