Editor’s Note: Following the death of former U.S. Congressman Thomas Bliley Jr., at 91, on Nov. 16, longtime community leader Irv Blank offered a number of recollections of Rep. Bliley’s strong support for Israel and the Jewish community. The following are some excerpts from comments he submitted to the Reflector looking back at his many interactions with the former Congressman.
By Irv Blank
I worked on his campaigns and spent hours in his company discussing Israel and the Jewish community of Richmond and America, as well as seeking his vote and support on many issues important to our community and Israel.
He was a courageous and outspoken advocate for both our community and Israel.
Tom was the mayor of Richmond during a ten-year period when the City was enjoined by the Courts from holding elections while a voting rights cases was being litigated.
He was later elected to Congress from the 5th Congressional District, which included Richmond and Henrico. Tom was part of the Republican takeover of Congress and rose to become the Chairman of the powerful Commerce Committee.
More relevant to our community, he was a great friend of both Israel and the Jewish Community.
His family funeral business and service as mayor had enabled him to become personal friends with many in our community, and we in turn were very supportive of his political career.
In 1992, Neil November (OBM), who was finance chairman of many of Tom’s campaigns, and I took Tom and his wife, Mary Virginia, as well as my son Jonathan and Rev. David Burhans and his wife to Israel on a fact finding mission.
We spent a great deal of time meeting with Palestinian leadership as well as Israeli political and military leaders.
We stood in the snow on the Golan Heights and Tom announced that Israel should not give back one inch of this battleground territory.
We were hosted by the most influential Palestinian family at a banquet in East Jerusalem where Tom questioned the head of the Husseini family about statements made by him about Israel and ‘Palestine.”
These statements were denied by the host and he then walked out of the luncheon that he was hosting.
During the eight-day stay, we visited many religious sites and Mary Virginia Bliley proved to be an expert on the Bible, as well as an excellent travelling companion.
Tom became a great fan of my son and remained so for all of these years.
Tom Bliley was a steadfast supporter of Israel and his office was always open to the leadership of the JCFR. His close friendship with Neil proved to be invaluable many times as we faced opposition to our position on issues.
He was always friendly and ready to tell a joke, especially about Neil or myself. When he retired, he supported Eric Cantor to succeed him.
Eric was a product of our community and rose to be the Majority Leader of the House, at that time the highest political position any elected Jewish person had ever attained in America. Tom’s support was essential in that first race after his retirement.
When Tom was first elected to the House of Representatives, the most important legislation to our community was the vote on the Foreign Aid Bill.
In the beginning, Virginia’s 10 Congressman and two Senators voted against Foreign Aid. Mostly, as a result of his leadership and influence, when Tom left the Congress, Virginia’s 11 Representatives and two Senators all voted for the Foreign Aid Bill.
It would be a terrible disservice not to reflect on how supportive Tom was to our community and causes and it would be an injustice not to say Thank You again to this great friend and leader.
I will forever miss his friendship and support. Rest in Peace dear friend and know that you made a big difference at an important time.
His memory will certainly be a blessing for so many.
