Debates of the Senate (Hansard)

2nd Session, 39th Parliament,
Volume 144, Issue 31

Thursday, February 7, 2008
The Honourable Noël A. Kinsella, Speaker

The Honourable Marcel Prud’homme, P.C.

Congratulations on Forty-fourth Anniversary as Member of Parliament

Hon. Mobina S. B. Jaffer: Honourable senators, I rise to pay tribute today to Senator Marcel Prud’homme, a parliamentarian and a friend who celebrates an impressive 44 years of service in the Canadian Parliament this year.

Marcel, with close to 30 years in the House and 15 years in the Senate, this is an unprecedented and incredible record of service. Since your entry into Parliament back in 1964, you have lived your career by advice that your father imparted to you.

To quote Martin Luther King, “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”

You are just as passionate today and ready to fight for causes as the very first day you set foot on Parliament Hill back in 1964. The work you have done in many areas has often pushed the envelope and pressed successive governments out of their comfort zones to make policy and decisions in complex areas where they may not necessarily have wanted to venture.

Throughout your career, you have been a bridge between Canada and many countries. I greatly admire and respect you for your vigilance and dedication. You are one of the most principled people I have come to know during my work here in the Senate.

It is no surprise that on your forty-fourth anniversary serving Canadians that I wish to pay homage to you for what I will remember about you most, long after the light of your parliamentary career is distinguished. Your thoughtfulness and intelligence has added so much to the quality of debate that occurs in this chamber and I simply would like to take this opportunity to thank you.