Debates of the Senate (Hansard)

3rd Session, 37th Parliament,
Volume 141, Issue 29

Thursday, April 1, 2004
The Honourable Dan Hays, Speaker

Tributes

The Honourable Douglas Roche, O.C.

Hon. Mobina S. B. Jaffer: Honourable senators, it is an honour and a pleasure to rise to pay tribute to our colleague Senator Roche. As a teacher, a diplomat and a parliamentarian, he has set a shining example for all of us who work toward the goals of peace and human security.

He has served in a staggering number of roles, not only in Parliament as a member and a senator, but also as Canadian Ambassador for Disarmament, Chair of the United Nations Disarmament Committee and then as adviser on disarmament to the Holy See delegation to the United Nations General Assembly. He has also been Chair of the Canadian United Nations Association. Yet, somehow, with all the work he has been doing, he has found the time to write 17 books on the subjects of nuclear disarmament, peace and human security.

Personally, I can tell you that Senator Roche has been a great inspiration to me, and that his support of my work on the United Nations resolution 1325 through the Canadian Committee on Women, Peace and Security has been appreciated and invaluable.

I knew of Senator Roche before I came to this chamber, as both of us have worked with the Oblate Fathers. Senator Roche, Father Laplante and I collaborated, and we wanted to remind all colleagues here of your favourite prayer, from the Prophet Micah — a prayer you live by — the three things to achieve social justice: The Lord asks you to act justly, to love sincerely, and to walk humbly with God.

Senator Roche certainly lives this prayer daily. He has been our conscience, and his sage advice will be greatly missed.