NJ GOP leaders mourn legendary legislator Ray Bateman

Photo credit: Raritan Valley Community College
Photo credit: Raritan Valley Community College
Photo credit: Raritan Valley Community College

By The Staff | The Save Jersey Blog

Legendary state Senator Raymond Bateman, father of current state Senator Kip Bateman, is dead at 88, Save Jerseyans. He passed early Saturday at Morristown Memorial Hospital.

A native of Somerville born on October 29, 1927, Bateman spent two decades in the New Jersey Legislature as Assistant Majority Leader and Majority Leader in the General Assembly and then as Assistant Majority Leader, Majority Leader and President of the State Senate. He is credited with designing New Jersey’s extensive county college system. Raritan Valley Community College founded the ‘Ray Bateman Center for Student Life and Leadership’ just two years ago.

NJGOP leaders were quick to hail the late legislator as an exemplary public servant:

Congressman Leonard Lance (R, NJ-07):

Ray Bateman was one the preeminent leaders of New Jersey in the second half of the Twentieth Century.  He was a legislator’s legislator and his tremendous positive effect on the state is virtually incalculable.  His children, including State Senator Kip Bateman, and his grandchildren should be enormously proud of the life of this distinguished public servant.  Heidi and I extend our deepest sympathy to the entire Bateman family.”  

State Senator Kip Bateman (R-Somerset):

My father embodied everything that a public servant should be. He was always interested in helping others, and he instilled in me the belief that public service matters. He set an extremely high standard for all of us who follow.”

“He also was dedicated to his family, and we always came first. His loss will be immense, but we couldn’t be prouder of the life he lived and happier about the time we had with him. Thank you to everyone who has reached out to us.”

Senate GOP Leader Tom Kean, Jr. (R-Union):

When it came to public service, Senator Ray Bateman was a giant. He was one of the people that I admired most growing up in a family that followed a similar path. He’s someone that many of us who serve now try to emulate.

“I would like to offer my deepest condolences to his family, and to his son, my friend Senator Kip Bateman, with whom I have the honor to serve.”

Assembly GOP Leader Jon Bramnick (R-Union):

Senator Bateman’s name is synonymous with ‘civility’ and he had a sterling reputation within the Republican Party and throughout New Jersey.  We will miss him.  His family and friends are in our prayers, and we mourn his passing.”

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