Statement made on 10 February 2011 by Senator Tommy Banks (retired)
Hon. Tommy Banks:
Honourable senators, I want to say a few words today about the Honourable Doug Roche. I first met Doug in the late 1960s when he came to Edmonton to be the editor of the Western Catholic Reporter. After a successful tenure at that newspaper, he entered politics and was elected to the House of Commons to represent one of Edmonton's constituencies as a Progressive Conservative. He served there with distinction and then was called to the Senate, where he also served with distinction.
I wish all honourable senators had a chance — as some of us were lucky enough to — to know Doug Roche in his work here. He was the conscience of this place in matters such as those that Senator Dallaire has just talked about, and many other things. When it came to peace and disarmament, it was Doug Roche who kept us from going off-track and kept us on the straight and narrow.
Peace and disarmament, in fact, became Doug Roche's vocation. For over 40 years at the United Nations, he worked tirelessly for peace and disarmament. He was Canada's Ambassador for Disarmament to the United Nations. In 1988, he was elected chair of the United Nations' Disarmament Commission. His twentieth book on the subject is due out soon.
Honourable senators, the International Peace Bureau was established in 1890. In 1910, that organization won the Nobel Peace Prize. In the early years of the last century, many members of the International Peace Bureau were also recipients of the Nobel Peace Prize.
Doug currently lives in Edmonton with his wife Pat, where he has raised five wonderful kids and has three grandchildren. Last Wednesday, Doug learned that the International Peace Bureau has nominated him for the Nobel Peace Prize. I know you will all join me in congratulating him.
Hon. Senators: Hear, hear!