2001CRE2092A IN MEMORY OF VIRGINIA CONGRESSMAN THOMAS N. DOWNING
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[Congressional Record: November 15, 2001 (Extensions)]
[Page E2092]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:cr15no01-48]
IN MEMORY OF VIRGINIA CONGRESSMAN THOMAS N. DOWNING
______
HON. J. RANDY FORBES
of virginia
in the house of representatives
Thursday, November 15, 2001
Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join my colleagues in
honoring the memory of a former Member of Congress and pivotal
Tidewater politician, Thomas N. Downing.
Congressman Downing represented Tidewater Virginia for eighteen
years. He was well-known for his affability with his colleagues and his
tenacity in representing his constituents. In particular, he was a
staunch supporter of Newport News Shipbuilding, which was and is a
cornerstone of the Tidewater economy and of our nation's military
readiness. It was Tom Downing's support and assistance that helped to
expand and improve that company's ability to contribute so much to
national defense and local jobs.
His interest in Newport News Shipbuilding was far more than
parochial, it was patriotic. Tom Downing was a graduate of Virginia
Military Institute (VMI), a decorated veteran of World War II, and a
patriot in the truest sense of the word. He graduated from VMI in 1940
and four years later was commanding mechanized cavalry troops and Army
reconnaissance during the liberation of France and sweep across
Germany. Tom Downing's personal bravery in rescuing two of his men who
were injured during a German ambush earned him the Silver Star.
His legacy in Congress is no less impressive. Newport News Daily
Press summed his service in these hallowed halls up best: ``[In
Congress] he truly hit his stride. He was a natural. Few congressmen
have served their constituents better. Just ask the shipyard. Or NASA.
Or the watermen. Or any of thousands of individuals and institutions
that Mr. Downing helped during his eight terms. Fiscally conservative?
Of course. Integrity? From head to toe. But it was the kindness of the
man that most recall about Tom Downing. He liked people and vice-versa.
. . .''
His memory lives on in Tidewater's strength and in the lives of those
his service touched. Tom Downing will be missed, but not forgotten.
____________________