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Commending the Bateman family.
Agreed to by the Senate, February 19, 2026
WHEREAS, the Bateman family, relatives of the Honorable Fred W. Bateman, an esteemed jurist and former member of the Senate of Virginia, has cultivated strong family ties by consistently hosting a family reunion for 100 years; and
WHEREAS, descendants of Soloman Bateman (1772–1825) and his son, Nicodemus Bateman, Sr., (1822–1916) began meeting as a family at Scuppernong Church of Christ in Washington County, North Carolina, in September 1926; and
WHEREAS, since that time, the Bateman family has proudly held a family reunion every year, except for 1948 during the Polio epidemic and 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic; and
WHEREAS, members of the Bateman family have made contributions to their home states and throughout the country as farmers, teachers, professors, administrators, nurses, firefighters, police officers, dentists, doctors, and skilled workers in various trades; and
WHEREAS, members of the Bateman family have demonstrated patriotism by serving in the United States Armed Forces from the American Revolution to the modern era; at least one member of the family served during the Revolutionary War, three served during the Civil War, five served during World War I with one killed in action, 35 served during World War II with one killed in action, three served during the Korean War, and five served during the Vietnam War; and
WHEREAS, numerous members of the Bateman family have held public office, including former member of the North Carolina General Assembly Herbert L. Swain, federal judge F. Bradford Stillman, and former city manager of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Adam K. Thiel; and
WHEREAS, Fred Bateman (1916–1999) was born in North Carolina and served the nation as an officer in the United States Navy during World War II; after his honorable military service, he practiced law in Richmond, then represented the residents of the 31st District in the Senate of Virginia from 1960 to 1964 and the 30th District from 1964 to 1968; and
WHEREAS, in 1981, Fred Bateman was selected as a judge of the Newport News Circuit Court, where he presided with great fairness and wisdom until his well-earned retirement; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the Senate of Virginia, That the Bateman family hereby be commended on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of its annual family reunion; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to representatives of the Bateman family as an expression of the Senate of Virginia's admiration for their commitment to public service and longstanding family traditions.