Herbert Harvell Bateman

Republican Representative of Virginia's 1st district

Congresses Served

House Terms

January 1, 1928 (72 years old)

Birthday

January 1, 2000

Death

Served nine terms in the United States House of Representatives
Initially elected as a Democrat, switched to the Republican Party in 1976
Served in the Virginia Senate for 14 years before his tenure in Congress
Graduated from William and Mary College and Georgetown University Law Center
Taught at Hampton High School before commissioning in the United States Air Force during the Korean War
Worked as a special agent in the U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations
Practiced law privately in Newport News and was active in community organizations
Had a moderate voting record by Southern Republican standards, with a strong focus on defense issues due to the military significance of Newport News
Chaired the House Armed Forces Subcommittee on Military Readiness and the House Merchant Marine Panel
Faced health issues in the 1990s, including battles with lung and prostate cancer, a heart attack, and surgery for cancer removal
Died from natural causes while serving his ninth term in Congress
Left behind a wife, a son who serves on the Newport News City Council, and a daughter who is a principal of a consulting firm
His papers are archived at the College of William & Mary