RICHMOND – Governor Bob McDonnell issued the following statement today following news of the passing of former Senator Elmon T. Gray. “Today, the Commonwealth lost Elmon Gray, a longtime public servant, business leader and philanthropist. He served in Virginia’s state Senate for 20 years where he was a strong supporter of Virginia’s world class institutions of higher education and a tireless advocate for Southside Virginia. A 1946 graduate of VMI, he has received multiple awards in recognition of his commitment of time and financial resources towards the continued success of his alma matter. Virginia does not have the best system of higher education in the country by accident and it didn’t develop overnight. We owe it to the vision and years of hard work of leaders like Elmon Gray. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.”