Mr. Speaker, I rise in the House today to pay tribute to Almonte Douglas Alkenbrack, a former member of Parliament who represented many of the people in the riding of Prince Edward—Lennox and later on Frontenac—Lennox and Addington who are now my constituents.
Douglas served this House and the people of Canada from 1962 to 1979. His brother, Wesley Alkenbrack, attributed Doug's remarkable success in the political arena to the fact that he was a people's man. A devout member of the Conservative Party, Doug never lost the sense that he was the people's representative for his riding, whether those people were Liberal or NDP, black or white, rich or poor.
Before becoming involved in the all-consuming world of politics, Doug was a lumberman, co-founder and partner in the R.W. Kimmerly Lumber Company in Napanee from 1937 to 1962. His job took him through all parts of Lennox and Addington and Frontenac county where as a businessman he would gain the reputation as a straight shooter and a hard worker. It was no doubt this reputation gained as a businessman was part of the secret of his success as a politician.
Before and after I was elected in 1993, Doug was always generous in sharing his opinions with me. As a rookie MP, the House of Commons can appear intimidating at first glance. Doug was always just a phone call or a visit away. He wanted to make sure I was representing the people of Hastings—Frontenac—Lennox and Addington in the best possible way because, as he would say, they deserve no less.
In 1995 Doug Alkenbrack in co-operation with the Lennox and Addington Historical Society published a book of his poetry entitled Rhymes of a Back-Bencher .
On behalf of my constituents and indeed the people of Canada, I wish to extend our heartfelt sympathies to Doug's wife Nan, his daughter Eleanor Grennell, his son Dr. Douglas Alkenbrack, and also his brother Wesley Alkenbrack of Napanee.
Almonte Douglas Alkenbrack was not only a colleague but a dear friend. May he rest in peace.
I would like to take this opportunity to read from one or two of Mr. Alkenbrack's poems. This one says a lot about the riding and is entitled “Homeward”. There is a preamble:
My duties and work in Ottawa over a span of almost eighteen years kept me busy but I was always glad to get home to Napanee usually each weekend. In November 1968 I was glad enough to write this, entitled “Homeward'.
It's great to go down to the Capitol Where there's plenty to hear and see Of our country's might, as they talk all night Of a free democracy.
And they say it is good to be understood In committee or caucus hall Or in strong entreat from a Commons seat Where governments rule or fall. But there's one thing better that I prefer And the best that can happen to me Is to homeward wend, on the glad week-end And return to Napanee.