WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) released the following statement on the passing of Robert “Bob” Bloxom Sr., who served as Virginia’s first Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry:

“Bob Bloxom was a true Virginian who always put the Commonwealth first.

“For years as Governor and afterwards, whenever I was in the Eastern Shore and looking for an applause line, I would always remind folks that I appointed Bob Bloxom as the first Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry. That was always greeted with a round of thundering applause, because he was that well-respected.

“I want to offer my sincerest condolences to his wife Pat, his children Lee and Robert Jr. and his four grandchildren.” 

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