Shortly before McVeigh's execution, Ely recounted his memories of Fuguer's execution to The New York Times, recalling that at the moment of the hanging, Feguer appeared to have taken a breath; Ely turned to the journalist next to him and said "Look, George, human life fighting to preserve itself", though he later realized that the movement was actually an involuntary reflex of the corpse.
[4] With the support of Governor Harold Hughes, Ely helped lead efforts to abolish Iowa's death penalty in 1965.
Among Ely's activities later in life was his work as a "citizen-lobbyist", pressing Congress for micro-enterprise, free primary education in developing countries, and the Global Health Fund which sought to combat HIV/AIDS.
Ely was also a mentor to countless young people in the Cedar Rapids area, many of whom went on to be community leaders and activists.
[7] Ely was remembered in 2009 in a joint memorial service for twenty-five deceased Iowa lawmakers, held at the State Senate.