Mr. Speaker, today we pay tribute to one of the most compelling figures to govern a middle eastern nation in this century.
King Hussein ruled Jordan for 47 years. Throughout this period he was at the very centre of Middle East politics carefully advancing the interests of his own people while mobilizing around the cause of peace in the region.
His achievements are all the more impressive when one considers the pressures and forces levelled against him. He governed with a mixture of vision, gritty determination and solid political judgment. He demonstrated that the hand of friendship is a more effective route to peace than the clenched fist.
His reign was characterized at times by turbulence and great upheaval. By virtue of his single minded determination to improve the welfare of his people and to modernize his country, he earned the enduring affection of his own people and the admiration of people around the world. This was evident a few short weeks ago when thousands of people lined the streets of Amman to welcome their beloved king home from his most recent medical treatment abroad.
King Hussein worked tirelessly for peace in the region.
His goal was to ensure that Jordan could peacefully exist in a new regional relationship with Israel and the newly constructed Palestinian territories. King Hussein's passing marks the loss of one of the most formidable campaigners for peace in our lifetime but his legacy will endure.
His contribution to the peace process in the Middle East will live on.
I would like to convey on behalf of my colleagues and my party heartfelt condolences to the family of King Hussein, to the people of Jordan and to Jordanian Canadians. May his successors draw strength from King Hussein's inspiration and achievements and may we Canadians rededicate ourselves to the cause of peace.