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Congressman Bateman graduated from Newport News High School and The College of William and Mary. Rep. Bateman taught at Hampton High School and served in the United States Air Force. Congressman Bateman graduated from Georgetown University Law Center, then served as a law clerk for U.S. Judge Walter Bastian, Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, District of Columbia. Rep. Bateman returned home to Newport News and practiced law with the Newport News firm of Jones, Blechman, Woltz and Kelly, P.C.

Rep. Bateman was elected to the Virginia State Senate in 1967 and served in that capacity for 15 years, until he was elected to serve in the United States House of Representatives. He was proudest of his legislative record and accomplishments in the Senate of Virginia, where he was known for his ability to work with legislators of both political parties and to champion and repair legislation of substance. Rep. Bateman was a proud sponsor of the state legislation creating the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC).

Rep. Bateman served as state president of the Virginia Jaycees and as national legal counsel for the United States Jaycees. He was a member of the Peninsula Arena Auditorium Authority, which had the foresight to build the Hampton Coliseum, chairman of the United Way Campaign, honorary chairman of the Heart Walk of the Virginia Peninsula and a devoted friend and advocate for the Peninsula Youth Challenge. Rep. Bateman was involved in many other civic and charitable pursuits and was ever the champion of those in need.

Congressman Bateman considered it his greatest honor to represent America's First District and to serve as a representative of all Virginians. Congressman Bateman was known for his ability to build consensus on legislation in Congress and was a master of the legislative and parliamentary process. Congressman Bateman's success was enhanced due to his ability to transcend politics and see that substantive matters were dealt with in a responsible and efficient manner.

Prior to Congressman Bateman 's death, he had announced his intention not to seek a 10th term in Congress. He looked forward to coming back to Newport News and continuing to serve the community he loved, as well as to spent time with his three grandchildren and the rest of his family. Rep. Bateman was a true Virginia statesman, a wonderful husband and a devoted Dad and "Poppy."

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 15, at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church in Newport News. Interment will follow in Peninsula Memorial Park. The family will receive friends at a brief prayer service to be conducted at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept.14, with visitation to follow.

The family of Congressman Bateman requests that memorial contributions be made to the American Heart Walk of the Virginia Peninsula, c/o CENIT Bank, 110 Ottis Street, Yorktown, VA 23693; the American Cancer Society, 729 Thimble Shoals Boulevard, Newport News, VA 23606; The College of William and Mary, c/o President's Office, P.O. Box 8795, Williamsburg, VA 23187; or the charity of choice.

Published in the Daily Press on Wednesday, September 13, 2000.

			United States Congressman Herbert Harvell Bateman, age 72, died in his sleep on Monday, Sept. 11, 2000. Rep. Bateman is survived by his wife of 46 years, Laura Yacobi Bateman; a daughter Laura Margaret Bateman; a son, Herbert Harvell Bateman Jr. and his wife, Mary Hazelwood Bateman; three grandchildren, Mary Emmett "Emmy" Bateman, Herbert H. "Hank" Bateman III and Samuel Adams Bateman; two sisters, Ruth B. Hudgins of Star Tannery, Va., and Elizabeth Vick of Courtland, Va. Congressman Bateman was preceded in death by his father, Elbert E. Bateman , mother, Edna Buffkin Bateman, and two brothers, Elbert E. Bateman and Robert Harrison Bateman . Congressman Bateman was proud to serve in the United States Congress, representing as he lovingly referred to it, "America's First District."


Congressman Bateman graduated from Newport News High School and The College of William and Mary. Rep. Bateman taught at Hampton High School and served in the United States Air Force. Congressman Bateman graduated from Georgetown University Law Center, then served as a law clerk for U.S. Judge Walter Bastian, Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, District of Columbia. Rep. Bateman returned home to Newport News and practiced law with the Newport News firm of Jones, Blechman, Woltz and Kelly, P.C. Rep. Bateman was elected to the Virginia State Senate in 1967 and served in that capacity for 15 years, until he was elected to serve in the United States House of Representatives. He was proudest of his legislative record and accomplishments in the Senate of Virginia, where he was known for his ability to work with legislators of both political parties and to champion and repair legislation of substance. Rep. Bateman was a proud sponsor of the state legislation creating the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC). Rep. Bateman served as state president of the Virginia Jaycees and as national legal counsel for the United States Jaycees. He was a member of the Peninsula Arena Auditorium Authority, which had the foresight to build the Hampton Coliseum, chairman of the United Way Campaign, honorary chairman of the Heart Walk of the Virginia Peninsula and a devoted friend and advocate for the Peninsula Youth Challenge. Rep. Bateman was involved in many other civic and charitable pursuits and was ever the champion of those in need. Congressman Bateman considered it his greatest honor to represent America's First District and to serve as a representative of all Virginians. Congressman Bateman was known for his ability to build consensus on legislation in Congress and was a master of the legislative and parliamentary process. Congressman Bateman's success was enhanced due to his ability to transcend politics and see that substantive matters were dealt with in a responsible and efficient manner. Prior to Congressman Bateman 's death, he had announced his intention not to seek a 10th term in Congress. He looked forward to coming back to Newport News and continuing to serve the community he loved, as well as to spent time with his three grandchildren and the rest of his family. Rep. Bateman was a true Virginia statesman, a wonderful husband and a devoted Dad and "Poppy." A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 15, at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church in Newport News. Interment will follow in Peninsula Memorial Park. The family will receive friends at a brief prayer service to be conducted at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept.14, with visitation to follow. The family of Congressman Bateman requests that memorial contributions be made to the American Heart Walk of the Virginia Peninsula, c/o CENIT Bank, 110 Ottis Street, Yorktown, VA 23693; the American Cancer Society, 729 Thimble Shoals Boulevard, Newport News, VA 23606; The College of William and Mary, c/o President's Office, P.O. Box 8795, Williamsburg, VA 23187; or the charity of choice. Published in the Daily Press on Wednesday, September 13, 2000.

			NEWPORT NEWS - Laura Anne Yacobi Bateman of Newport News, widow of Representative Herbert H. Bateman, passed away peacefully on Feb. 24 after a valiant battle with cancer. Laura was born Jan. 26, 1929, in Wilmington, N.C., but arrived in Newport News shortly thereafter. She was the oldest daughter of Xavier Francis and Laura Margaret Piedmont Yacobi and loving sister to X.F. Yacobi Jr., John Carroll Piedmont Yacobi, James Randolph Yacobi, the Honorable Robert Mark Yacobi, Jeanne Marie Yacobi Turley, Patrick Daniel Yacobi, Elizabeth Camille Yacobi. She attended St. Vincent de Paul High School in Newport News, where she was a star basketball player, and then attended Nazareth College in Bardstown, Ky., where she received her degree. Laura returned to the Peninsula to work at the Langley Research Center of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics until her marriage to Herbert Harvell Bateman in 1954.


She was preceded in death by her husband, Herbert H. Bateman; her father and mother, X.F. and Laura Margaret Piedmont Yacobi; brother, X.F. Yacobi Jr.; sister, Jeanne Marie Turley. A devoted wife, mother, sister and friend, Laura was an inspiration to all who had the pleasure to know her. She was a constant partner and guiding light to her husband as his career in law and public service took hold. With her husband every step of the way, their journey was one of dedication and love of the Commonwealth and the Virginia Peninsula. In Newport News, Laura was actively involved in the community as a member of the Hilton Woman's Club, and served as the first president of the Virginia Bar Association Auxiliary (Virginia Lawyer's Wives). When her husband was elected to represent America's First Congressional District in Congress, she continued her service involving herself in the Congressional Club, an organization founded in 1908 and consists of present and current Congressional spouses. Her service included leadership positions on the board, as well as active and sought after expertise with the First Ladies Luncheon and the cookbook committees. She served as president of the 98th Congressional Class. Her love and devotion to the Peninsula was recognized when she had the distinct honor to serve as the sponsor for the christening of the attack submarine Hampton (SSN767), Sept. 28, 1991. Following the Hampton's every move, and taking her role as sponsor very seriously, she was involved with the Society of Sponsors, an organization for those that sponsor U.S. Naval vessels. Laura was active in the Mason Scholar Select Committee of George Mason University for the First Congressional District, Executive Board of Congressional Spouses for Human Rights, Congressional Wives for Soviet Jewry, Congressional Wives for Medical Research, National Mental Health Association, Child Mental Health Interest Group, National Museum of Women in the Arts, the Washington International Club and Congressional Spouses for Drug Free Youth. In Newport News, she was a longtime parishioner of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and was a member of the St. Valentine's Guild, as well as a volunteer on the funeral reception committee. She was a past board member of Peninsula Catholic High School and the board of directors of The Mariners' Museum and the Museum's Bronze Door Society. Laura is survived by her son, Herbert Harvell (Bert) Bateman, Jr. and his wife, Mary Hazelwood Bateman; daughter, Laura Margaret Bateman; and three grandchildren, Mary Emmett Bateman, Herbert H. Bateman, III, Samuel Adams Bateman; brothers, John Carroll Piedmont Yacobi and his wife, Nancy, of Greenville, S.C., James Randolph Yacobi and his wife, Jeanette of Hampton, the Honorable Robert Mark Yacobi and his wife, Peggy, of Williamsburg, Patrick Daniel Yacobi of Hampton; and sister, Elizabeth Camille Yacobi and her husband, Jim Cook, of Tallahassee, Fla.; and a host of cousins, nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 26, at The Mariners' Museum in Newport News. A funeral Mass is planned for 11 a.m. Wednesday at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Newport News with burial to follow at Peninsula Memorial Park. A memorial has been established in honor of Laura Y. Bateman at The Mariners' Museum, 100 Museum Drive, Newport News, VA 23606. Published in the Daily Press on 2/25/2008. Guest Book