[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 86 (Wednesday, May 22, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3043-S3044]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO BISHOP THOMAS C. ELY

  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, today I pay tribute to a wonderful friend, 
Bishop Thomas C. Ely, who is retiring from his leadership position of 
the Episcopal Diocese of Vermont.
  Bishop Ely has been an outstanding servant of the Vermont diocese 
since his consecration as bishop in 2001. During his tenure in the 
Green Mountain State, he has served as the leader of the 45 Episcopal 
congregations in Vermont and one more across Lake Champlain in Essex, 
NY. He has visited all parishes once a year and counseled many clergy 
members. Bishop Ely's devotion to human dignity and dignity education 
influenced every church in the diocese. He demonstrated this as 
chairman of the board and as an educator of Rock Point School in 
Burlington, where his wife Ann worked all through his tenure as bishop. 
Bishop Ely, as a promoter of social justice and equality, also showed 
leadership in many other ways. He has been active in immigrants' 
rights, marriage equality, improving the lives of those living in 
poverty and in Bishops Against Gun Violence. His work on human rights 
is illustrated in his long commitment to the human rights organization 
Cristosal, which works in Central America.
  Recently, Bishop Ely completed the successful Partnership Campaign 
for Rock Point, raising over $2 million to assure the future of the 130 
acres owned by the Church on Lake Champlain in Burlington. The funds 
will improve the trails and facilities in partnership with the city of 
Burlington and the Lake Champlain Land Trust, preserving 93 acres for 
public access.
  I am proud to say that Bishop Ely lives his faith, through worship, 
leadership, and through action to improve and enrich the lives of all 
Vermonters. His journey of faith and action would not have been 
possible without the love and support of Ann Ely who, in addition to 
her work at Rock Point School, has also been deeply involved in St. 
Paul's Cathedral in Burlington.

[[Page S3044]]

  The outpouring of gratitude and love for Tom and Ann has been 
enormous, in particular at the May 18, 2019, convention, where Vermont 
Episcopalians elected their next bishop. The applause would not cease 
until Bishop Ely motioned for quiet, so that proceedings could 
continue. Bishop Ely is loved by his people and greatly appreciated by 
many Vermonters for his principled leadership. He made a difference, 
helping us to live up to our ideals, and will be fondly remembered, as 
he and Ann enter a new phase of their lives. Marcelle and I are 
delighted that Tom and Ann will continue to be citizens of Vermont, 
living in the beautiful town of Newfane. We both value their 
friendship.
  In honor of Bishop Ely's retirement, I ask that the December 5, 2017, 
Episcopal New Service article ``Vermont Episcopal Bishop Thomas Ely 
announces plans to retire,'' be entered into the Record.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

            [From the Episcopal News Service, Dec. 5, 2017]

      Vermont Episcopal Bishop Thomas Ely Announces Plan to Retire

       The Right Reverend Thomas C. Ely, tenth bishop of the 
     Episcopal Diocese of Vermont, recently announced his 
     intention to retire and resign his ministry, no later than 
     September 30, 2019. He has agreed to remain in his position 
     until a successor is chosen and is in place.
       Ely, 65, was consecrated as bishop of the Vermont diocese 
     in 2001, having previously served as a priest in the Diocese 
     of Connecticut for 20 years. In a message to the people of 
     the Diocese of Vermont, Ely said that by the time of his 
     retirement he will have served in the priesthood for nearly 
     39 years.
       ``There are other interests and ministries to which I am 
     feeling called to devote my time and energy while my health 
     and stamina are still good,'' Ely said, ``including family, 
     community theatre, various justice ministries and a bit more 
     golf.''
       During his episcopate, Ely has been a leader both within 
     the diocese and throughout the wider Episcopal Church on such 
     controversial issues as marriage equality, the ordination of 
     LGBT clergy, increased gun safety and racial justice. He is 
     also a leading voice on matters of environmental and economic 
     justice.
       As part of his global outreach, Ely serves on the board of 
     Cristosal, a nongovernmental agency based in El Salvador that 
     works to advance human rights in Central America. 
     Additionally, he is a co-founder of the Vermont chapter of 
     Kids4Peace, a grassroots interfaith youth movement dedicated 
     to ending conflict and inspiring hope in Jerusalem and 
     divided societies around the world. More locally, Ely is a 
     leading advocate for the Vermont Ecumenical Council and 
     Vermont Interfaith Action.
       Ely has been instrumental in the stewardship and 
     revitalization of Rock Point, a 130-acre property in 
     Burlington, owned by the Vermont diocese, known for its 
     natural beauty and peaceful atmosphere. Each year, nearly 
     10,000 people visit Rock Point, and Ely is overseeing a $1.7 
     million partnership campaign aimed at improving facilities, 
     strengthening leadership and expanding public access.
       Ely said that he and his wife, Ann, will take up residence 
     in their house in Newfane, Vermont, upon his retirement. In 
     the meantime, he says, ``I plan to use these months ahead to 
     continue encouraging full and passionate engagement in our 
     local mission approaches, and I plan to continue my efforts 
     related to a sustainable Rock Point and all that means to our 
     life as the Episcopal Church in Vermont.''

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