Leesburg’s Kip Tom Sworn In As Ambassador To U.N. Agencies In Rome
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David Slone-dslone@timesuniononline.com
Months after being confirmed as the United States Ambassador to the Rome-based United Nations agencies and U.S. Representative to the United Nations agencies for Food & Agriculture, Leesburg’s Kip Tom was officially sworn in Monday by Vice President Mike Pence.
Angie Tom, Kip’s daughter-in-law, said the oath of office took place in the Office of the Vice President in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in the White House complex.
The Bible Kip swore on for the ceremony belonged to his father, Everett Tom, who reads that Bible every day. “So it was the Bible with the most meaning,” Angie said. Kip’s mother, Marie, and Everett held the Bible for Kip.
On his official Twitter account, Kip tweeted Tuesday that it was “such an honor to have my swearing-in ceremony led by Vice President Mike Pence. It was all the more special to share this moment with my parents.”
Many of Kip’s family and friends also attended the ceremony, including his sister, son and grandsons.
Angie said several VIP were also there to support Kip, including United Nations World Food Programme Executive Director David Beasley and Kevin Edward Moley, retired assistant secretary of state for international organization affairs. Angie said Moley and Beasley are both great guys and Moley is a friend and mentor to Kip.
During the ceremony, Pence talked about how happy he was to have Kip in the ambassador role and gave Kip some encouraging words, Angie recalled. Kip thanked everyone for attending and identified his guests. Pence stayed after the ceremony for a few photos, and there was a reception in Georgetown.
“I can tell you it was an honor and privilege to be there,” Angie said. “I’m incredibly proud of him. I can’t think of anyone better suited to serve in this capacity.”
