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	NASA Mourns Death of Space Supporter in Congress By Paul Hoversten Washington Bureau Chief posted: 11:58 am ET 12 September 2000

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WASHINGTON -- NASA on Tuesday mourned the death of U.S. Rep. Herbert Bateman, praising the nine-term Virginia Republican as a strong supporter of the space program.

Bateman, 72, who had planned to retire at the end of this year, died in his sleep on Monday. He had battled lung and prostate cancer over the past decade and in April 1998 had a cancerous growth removed from his right lung.

Congressman Bateman, left, was a strong supporter of the space program.

"Congressman Bateman was devoted to America's air and space program," said NASA Administrator Dan Goldin in a statement. "He consistently placed the interest of America above all else."

Staunch advocate of Langley Research Center

Goldin, who had worked with Bateman for nearly a decade, said the congressman was a staunch advocate of programs at NASA's Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia, including that center's efforts to improve the safety, efficiency and performance of aircraft.

As a leader on the House Armed Services Committee, Bateman was instrumental in pushing Congress to hold hearings on the future of aerospace transportation.

Those hearings, Goldin said, allowed Congress, the aerospace industry and the public "to understand the goals and challenges in developing long-range technology to meet this nation's aerospace transportation requirement. Congressman Herb Bateman devoted constant time and energy working to improve America's aerospace capabilities. He will be sorely missed."

Party switch

Bateman, an Air Force veteran who was first elected to Congress in 1982, was one of the first Virginia Democrats to break with his party and become a Republican. He made the switch in 1976, while serving in the Virginia state Senate. Today, the GOP controls Virginia's legislature, the governor's office and other top executive offices.

In his 18 years on Capitol Hill, Bateman brought numerous defense contracts to his southeastern Virginia district. His hometown, Newport News, is one of the world's biggest shipyards for the construction of warships.

President Clinton directed the American flag atop the White House to be lowered to half-staff on Monday and Tuesday to honor Bateman.

"For more than 30 years, Herb Bateman served the people of Virginia with honor and distinction," Clinton said in a statement. "He worked to support our armed forces and was a strong advocate of fiscal discipline and a balanced budget."