Mr. Speaker, I am rising to pay tribute to a former member of the House, Mr. Randolph Harding, the NDP member for Kootenay West from 1968 to 1974. Mr. Harding died earlier this week in his 82nd year.
Ran Harding was described to me by Lyle Kristiansen, another former member of the House who knew him well, as one of the most self-effacing, honest and truly nice persons one might encounter in political life.
It is not surprising therefore to observe that Mr. Harding served the public as an elected official for a combined total of some 60 years in municipal, provincial, federal and then municipal politics once again. I understand that in his seventies he was still serving as the mayor of Silverton, B.C.
Mr. Harding during his time in provincial politics was known as the ombudsman of the Kootenays, as the silvery tongued orator from Silverton, as one who fought the Columbia River treaty.
In this House he was the NDP environment critic at a time when concern for the environment was just beginning to grow. He was described by then energy minister Joe Greene as the MP most knowledgeable about the environment. Mr. Harding was here during the difficult days of the War Measures Act and was a staunch opponent of its use. He had seen the effects of that act on Japanese-Canadians in his riding and he wanted no part of it.
Randolph Harding, a school teacher by profession, served his country in time of war and in peace. He was first elected to the B.C. legislature while still in uniform.
To his wife, Francis, and to his family we express our condolences and invoke the well known commendation of which Mr. Harding was a fine example. Having fought the good fight, having run the race that was set before him, we can truly say well done, thou good and faithful servant.