DATE: Thursday, October 9, 1997             TAG: 9710090513

SECTION: FRONT                   PAGE: A12  EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY GUY FRIDDELL, LANDMARK SPECIAL WRITER 

                                            LENGTH:   37 lines

VIRGINIA'S ELITE PRAISE SPONG AS ``A QUIET GIANT''

As word spread of the death of former U.S. Sen. William B. Spong Jr, encomiums poured in from around Virginia.

Pausing amid debate at the U.S. Senate, John Warner, who occupies Spong's former seat, took time to intone: ``He stood like a tall, solid Virginia oak tree, a man of unquestioned integrity and leadership who served a state and its people whom he loved.''

And U.S. Sen. Charles S. Robb declared: ``No political leader in Virginia was more responsible for my own entry into Virginia politics than Bill Spong. By his own example, he epitomized the professional commitment and personal integrity that was his hallmark and will be his legacy. Virginia has lost a quiet giant.''

``He served with distinction in the Virginia Senate for years'' said former Gov. Mills Godwin. ``He was a gentleman in every respect and a good friend. He headed an important study commission on education that produced a fine report.''

Spong once said that what hurt him more than his own defeat was the loss of William C. Battle in the race for governor in 1969.

``I have lost of one of my closest friends and Virginia has lost one of her great sons, whose motivation was the good of the people and not himself,'' Battle said. ``He wasn't a politician. He was an intellectual.''

In Spong's final public appearance, on Sept. 26, he robed his law partner, Joseph P. Massey as judge of Norfolk's Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court.

``In whatever endeavor he undertook, he was the consumate statesman always looking to improve the world around him and his example is one toward which we all must strive.''

Former Gov. L. Douglas Wilder declared: ``Bill Spong was a great Virginian and a great American, and he coupled his political talent with humanitarian concerns. He practiced what he preached and he will be missed sorely.''

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