Thomas Jerome Bliley Jr

Thomas Bliley Jr., a former Richmond mayor elected to the U.S. House as a fierce Republican ally of the tobacco industry but who later helped force the release of internal company documents on health risks that led to landmark legal settlements, died Nov. 16 2023 at his home in Henrico County, Va. He was 91. A Representative from Virginia; born in Chesterfield County, Va., January 28, 1932; attended private schools; graduated, Benedictine High School, Richmond, 1948; B.A., Georgetown University, Washington, D.C., 1952; served in the United States Navy, lieutenant, 1952-1955; president, Joseph W. Bliley Co. Funeral Home; vice-mayor, Richmond, 1968-1970; mayor, Richmond, 1970-1977; elected as a Republican to the Ninety-seventh and to the nine succeeding Congresses (January 3, 1981-January 3, 2001); chairman, Committee on Commerce (One Hundred Fourth through One Hundred Sixth Congresses); was not a candidate for reelection to the One Hundred Seventh Congress. Thomas J. Bliley, Jr., is a senior government affairs advisor in the Washington office of Steptoe & Johnson LLP, where he is a member of the Government Affairs & Public Policy practice, focusing on government relations. Mr. Bliley brings deep experience to firm clients in the areas of government relations, the legislative process, and political advocacy strategy. Mr. Bliley began his political career in 1968 when he was elected to the Richmond, Virginia, city council, serving as Richmond's mayor from 1970 to 1977. He was elected to his first Congressional term in 1980. He remains active in Richmond community affairs, including numerous board and commission memberships. Prior to joining Steptoe, Mr. Bliley was a senior advisor to the Scott Group and the Government Relations and Public Policy Practice Group at the law firm Collier Shannon Scott. Survivors include his wife of 66 years, the former Mary Virginia Kelley; daughter Mary Vaughn Bliley Utter; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. A son, Thomas Jerome Bliley III, died in 2020.