Vernon Ehlers: “it is an honor to speak about Herb Bateman, although, there is little I can add to all that has been said already. I am…”

“it is an honor to speak about Herb Bateman, although, there is little I can add to all that has been said already. I am a junior Member of this body and have not worked with him for long. But I have been with him on the Committee on Transportation and the Infrastructure and always appreciated his forthrightness, his capability, and the attitude with which he attacked the work, particularly that work dealing with the military. But, in addition to that, I do have to say that Herb was the consummate Virginia gentleman. I always found him to be extremely gentlemanly, very helpful, very thoughtful, very thorough. My best knowledge of him comes from the trips we have taken to Europe as part of the NATO parliamentary assembly that has been ably led by the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter). Herb was a regular on those trips, along with his wife Laura; and he always had a major contribution to make. He was much more diplomatic than I am, because I tend to ask very direct questions and hope for direct answers; but Herb was at his best in dealing with individuals from foreign countries. He would ask those same questions and, hidden underneath the way he asked it, it was still a very direct question; but asked in a very diplomatic and very statesman-like way. In his behavior, in his actions, and particularly in his interaction and questioning with leaders from foreign countries. I will never forget the lessons that I have learned from him.”