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Congressman Who Authored Legislation To Create Channel Islands National Park Dies

(Photo Courtesy John Spoor Broome Library/Cal State Channel Islands)
Congressman Bob Lagomarsino (center) with President Ronald Reagan and Vice President George H.W. Bush

A congressman who served the Central and South Coast for nearly two decades. and authored the legislation which led to the creation of Channel Islands National Park has died.

Robert "Bob" Lagomarsino was a Ventura County native who represented the region in Congress from 1974 to 1992.

The World War II veteran, and lawyer dedicated his life to public service, making his first big appearance in politics as a member of the Ojai City Council.  He then served the region for more than a decade as a State Senator.

During his time in Congress, the Republican congressman was involved in a number of environmental efforts in the region, including the expansion of the Los Padres National Forest.   He was also active in foreign affairs, and the war on drugs.

But, perhaps his crowning achieve was the creation of Channel Islands National Park in 1980.  The park's visitor center in Ventura is named after him.

Lagomarsino was also a longtime advocate of the creation of a four year public university in Ventura County, a dream which came true when Cal State Channel Islands was created.  He donated his archives to the university.

Lagomarsino had been living in the Ojai Valley.  He died at his home last week.  Lagomarsino was 94 years old.

Lance Orozco has been News Director of KCLU since 2001, providing award-winning coverage of some of the biggest news events in the region, including the Thomas and Woolsey brush fires, the deadly Montecito debris flow, the Borderline Bar and Grill attack, and Ronald Reagan's funeral.