Tom Bliley: Serving Constituents with Civility

Faith was important to the Bliley family. Tom grew up with many heroic relatives who unselfishly gave their entire lives to God’s service within the Catholic Church.

When forced as Mayor of Richmond to implement court-ordered school busing, which was anathema to much of his Richmond constituency, Tom made it clear he swore to uphold the law, whether he personally agreed with it or not.

In Congress as Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee, Tom’s ability to cross party lines in order to make progress showed that problem solving holds no party lines. His efforts resulted in passing major legislation such as the Gramm- Leach-Bliley Act, a banking act with commonsense regulations. Afterward, while in the minority working with Chairman Waxman, Tom’s bipartisan talent enabled passage of such legislation as the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act. This consummate Southern gentleman, unlike many in politics, left Congress in 2001 to keep his promise that his Chairmanship of energy and commerce would be limited to six years.

Too often, Tom thinks, people come to Washington and get carried away with the trappings of office. Stick with what got you here. Tom is known for his pleasant demeanor and his gentlemanly manners. A legacy of integrity, which he has at its foundation, his absolute commitment to truthfulness. Tom has always felt that this was his strength in serving his constituents.