Thank you, Chair, and thank you for this opportunity.
Many people are aware of the tremendous work that our former colleague Paul Dewar did here in Ottawa.
He also did a tremendous amount of work on some of the most difficult international files. Soon after he was elected, he joined our committee for the prevention of genocide and crimes against humanity, chaired by Senator Dallaire. He took over the chair of that committee after a couple of years and continued the tremendous work of Senator Dallaire, shining a light in some of the darkest corners of the world, a light that shone directly into the face of the darkest and most horrific of evils, genocide and crimes against humanity. I think it's important that we remember that work.
I'd also like to quickly read from Paul's final posting yesterday, in which he wrote to many of us here.
Dear Friends, The time has come...to say goodbye. Let's nurture and grow with peace, love and unity. Let's join hands and hearts....
Paul, shine on my friend. May your example and work continue to shine on.
Thank you.