WHEREAS, the Honorable Robert S. Bloxom, Sr., a consummate public servant who was known for his commitment to the restoration of the Chesapeake Bay, represented the residents of the Eastern Shore as a longtime member of the House of Delegates and became the first-ever Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry, died on December 13, 2020; and

WHEREAS, Robert "Bob" Bloxom ran the family business, Bloxom Auto Supply, for many years, serving the members of the Mappsville community and the surrounding region with fairness and integrity; and

WHEREAS, desirous to be of further service, Bob Bloxom ran for and was elected to the House of Delegates and represented the residents of the 100th District for 13 terms from 1978 through 2003; his son, Robert, Jr., followed in his footsteps as a public servant and was elected to the same seat in 2014; and

WHEREAS, during his tenure as a state legislator, Bob Bloxom introduced or supported legislation to preserve the health of the Commonwealth's waterways, establish the commercial spaceport on Wallops Island, and create a dental program for school children in need; and

WHEREAS, Bob Bloxom supported the creation of Kiptopeke State Park, the Commonwealth's first new state park in two decades, and helped provide state funds for the opening of the Eastern Shore Farmer's Market; and

WHEREAS, Bob Bloxom offered his expertise to the committees on Appropriations, Commerce and Labor, and Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources and served as chair of the multistate Chesapeake Bay Commission; and

WHEREAS, admired for his honesty and dedication to his constituents, Bob Bloxom worked to build bipartisan respect and foster a culture of mutual respect between delegates from both parties; and

WHEREAS, in December 2004, Bob Bloxom was appointed by Governor Mark Warner to the newly created cabinet positon of Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry; he continued to serve in that capacity under Governor Tim Kaine until his well-earned retirement from public life in January 2010; and

WHEREAS, as Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry, Bob Bloxom visited every county in Virginia and promoted the Commonwealth's exports in other countries; he also supported farmland preservation efforts and oversaw the completion of a study that estimated the value of the Commonwealth's agricultural industries at $79 billion; and

WHEREAS, at the local level, Bob Bloxom volunteered his time and leadership to Eastern Shore Community College, Eastern Shore Public Library, the Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce, and the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel Commission, but his greatest joy in life was his family, and he relished every opportunity to support his beloved grandchildren at sporting events and activities; and

WHEREAS, Bob Bloxom will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his wife, Pat; his children Lee and Robert, Jr., and their families; and numerous other family members, friends, and colleagues on both sides of the aisle; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Delegates hereby note with great sadness the loss of the Honorable Robert S. Bloxom, Sr., a respected public servant who strengthened the Eastern Shore; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of the Honorable Robert S. Bloxom, Sr., as an expression of the House of Delegates' admiration for his achievements on behalf of all residents of the Commonwealth and respect for his memory.