Just as they have so many times in past years, supporters of former Congressman Tim Bishop gathered at the home of Mary and Mel Eisenstein on Sunday to bid him farewell.
Holding the event at their home, Mary Eisenstein said, held a “sentimentality,” adding that it was the first place Bishop ever held a North Fork event when he decided to run for office; a gathering has been held at the home during all the years since.
Lee Zeldin (R-Shirley) took the seat in the recent election after he won over six-term incumbent Bishop (D-Southampton) by a 10-point margin in New York’s First Congressional District, winning 55 percent of the vote.
One by one, longtime friends and supporters headed up to the microphone to laud a man who’d led them for six terms.
“He’s a man of character,” Eisenstein said. To Bishop on Sunday, she added, “Tim, what an honor it has been. Thank you for all you’ve done to protect the North Fork.”
Bishop addressed the crowd, many of whom came forward with warm hugs and words of farewell.
“Thank you for how hard people worked on my behalf, for how much they gave of themselves to my campaign,” Bishop said. “It’s such an honor.”
Answering the biggest question in the room, Bishop said it was “exceedingly unlikely” that he would run again for office, but said, “I won’t rule it out, but I have a better shot of being a first baseman for the Yankees.”
He thanked the members of his team, who’d worked tirelessly on issues including immigration and veterans. “We all thought it was the most important work we could do, individually touching people’s lives.”
As for the future, he said, as of what he’ll do next, he was not “entirely sure. I have several opportunities I’m trying to tie down” and said some of his mission could include a continued focus on education.
His friend and supporters recalled Bishop’s successes. “As a Democrat, we bring good people to Congress,” said Larry Tuttle. He recalled all the work Bishop did to support the Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps, as well as for Obamacare and the Mattituck Inlet. “We thank you,” he said.
John Stype, representing Suffolk County Legislator Al Krupski, said Krupski was in Florida but sent his thanks for all Bishop had done to advocate for the East End, including work to address helicopter noise, and to keep the NJROTC program alive on the North Fork — a success which resulted in Southold’s NJROTC unit becoming number one in the world, he said.
Both New York State Senator Ken LaValle and New York State Assemblyman Fred Thiele turned out to salute Bishop.
“The class of people called politicians is not portrayed as the most sympathetic group,” Thiele said. “People don’t realize the sacrifice involved, the family things that are put on hold. It’s difficult work.” Thiele said Bishop’s family deserved a round of applause for his “24/7” dedication to the people of the first congressional district, stretching from Montauk to Smithtown.
“Tim feels the same way as I do about public service,” Thiele continued, adding that he, Bishop and LaValle, “worked as a team.” Bishop, he said, reached over partisan party lines to work together for the common good; he said that effective partnerships required the coming together of state, federal and local government officials.
“Without Tim there, it’s like we’re the Yankees and we’ve lost Derek Jeter, the most valued member of our team. I miss him already.”
Thiele added that Bishop and he had known each other since high school, when “Southampton was beating Pierson. Tim has been a lifelong friend. In a business where you don’t hear ‘Thank you’ too often, today, all his friends are here to say thank you. Thank you for being my friend and for all the work you did for the first congressional district. I’m not throwing out my lawn signs just yet.”
LaValle agreed, stating that it was “great to be here, to say something about a friend.”
He and Bishop bonded over education, LaValle said, as well as how the issues in Washington touched the East End. “We’re probably seeing the end of an era, although I hope that’s not true,” LaValle said. He, Bishop, and Thiele all understand the importance of respect, he said. “We understood that you can spend months in disagreement but still build friendships,” he said. “But the world is changing.” He added that newcomers can learn the importance of “respect and friendship.”
To Bishop, he said, “You gave your heart and soul to something you truly believed in,” Bishop said. “Our friendship will always continue.”
Reflecting on his tenure, Bishop said it had been “the best job in the world. You’re seated at the table, addressing issues of national importance, and you get to weigh in.”
Bishop said he plans to remain in Southampton, where his family’s roots are deep.
He added, “You get to affect people’s lives, one at a time.” Was it worth it? Bishop said he’d been asked. “A resounding, enthusiastic ‘yes'”, he said. “Public service is a high calling and I was given a wonderful opportunity. Thank you.”
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