[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 4 (Thursday, January 27, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E13]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 IN HONOR OF THE RIGHT REVEREND JOHN SHELBY SPONG, D.D., BISHOP OF THE 
EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, ON HIS RETIREMENT AS CHAIRMAN 
                OF THE CHRIST HOSPITAL BOARD OF TRUSTEES

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROBERT MENENDEZ

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 27, 2000

  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Right 
Reverend John Shelby Spong, D.D., Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of 
Newark, NJ, on his retirement as chairman of the Christ Hospital Board 
of Trustees.
  Born in Charlotte, NC, Bishop Spong began his religious and spiritual 
education in North Carolina and Virginia. After years of devoted study, 
he was consecrated as Bishop in 1976.
  A noted author and scholar, as well as being hailed the most 
published member of the House of Bishops of the Episcopal Church in the 
United States, Bishop Spong fought for the integrity of Christ Hospital 
for more than 22 years. Under his direction, the hospital has grown and 
matured into the remarkable institution it is today.
  In addition to his remarkable work for the hospital, Bishop Spong has 
served as president of the New Jersey Council of Churches and as 
theological consultant on a variety of diocesan committees and 
commissions. For all of his efforts, Bishop Spong was named ``1999 
Humanist of the Year.''
  Bishop Spong, married to Christine Spong, is the father of three and 
the grandfather of four.
  For more than two decades of dedicated service to Christ Hospital and 
more than three decades of religious guidance, I ask my colleagues to 
join me in wishing Bishop Spong a happy and healthy retirement. His 
remarkable leadership and inspiring work ethic will be missed.

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