[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 45 (Monday, March 22, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S3027]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
GUEST CHAPLAIN
Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, I give my thanks to Dr. Ogilvie, our
Senate Chaplain, for arranging the visit of my good friend, Father Norm
Elliott. He was the pastor of the All Saints Episcopal Church in
Anchorage and has been a close personal friend since the 1950s. We were
both, at that time, residents of Fairbanks, AK.
In 1980, our guest chaplain officiated at my marriage when Catherine
and I were married. He has also officiated at the wedding of my
daughter Susan, my son Ted and my son Ben. In addition to that, he has
christened my daughter Lilly and my granddaughters and my grandson
John.
He has been more than a close friend. He also performed the memorial
service for my first wife Ann and assisted at the dedication of the Ann
Stevens Red Cross Building in Anchorage.
Father Elliott was born in England and came to Detroit as a child. He
came to Alaska in 1951 at a time when our church considered service in
Alaska as overseas duty. For half a century, he has ministered to the
people of our State. He has spent time in many small towns and villages
in Alaska, such as Nenana, Eagle, Venetie, Beaver and Point Hope, just
to name a few. In 1980, at my request, he was appointed to serve on the
Commission of Alaska Natives. Members of that Commission were appointed
by President Bush and Alaska's Gov. Wally Hickel. Father Elliott and
members of that Commission spent 3 years traveling through Alaska to
help our native people identify solutions to unique problems they face.
Norm is also chaplain of the Port of Anchorage, and he is the
Civilian Episcopalian Chaplain for our Armed Forces in Alaska.
He is truly a dedicated man, dedicated to the word of God and to
helping others. I know that some, such as our distinguished President
pro tempore, would recall that Father Elliott visited us once before
when he gave the opening prayer in 1981.
I am delighted that a cherished personal friend and advisor has been
able to visit us today. Again, I thank my good friend, the Chaplain of
the Senate, for arranging that.
Mr. President, I yield the floor.
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