[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 185 (Wednesday, December 10, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2368]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO DR. MOUSTAPHA DIABY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CORRINE BROWN

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 10, 2008

  Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida. Madam Speaker, this communication is 
forwarded on behalf of the constituents of Congressional District Three 
and myself as we pay tribute to the life of Dr. Moustapha Diaby. We are 
all saddened by the loss of his presence in this life yet joyful that 
he has gone to be with his Heavenly Father.
  Dr. Moustapha Diaby, a great humanitarian and family man, passed away 
on November 29th. Dr. Diaby served as the religious guide and President 
of the African Islamic Institution Presidium, and was a leading 
candidate for President of the Ivory Coast in elections which were to 
be scheduled later next year.
  Dr. Diaby was a Member of the Health Ministry of the Ivory Coast from 
1981-1983 under then President Houphouet-Boigny, and was also a former 
counsel to both President Houphouet-Boigny and President Bedie. He was 
extremely well versed in Ivorian politics, and maintained close 
relations with members of a wide range of Ivorian political parties. A 
strong subscriber to the philosophy of former President Boigny, the 
founder of Ivorian independence from France, Dr. Diaby, like President 
Houphouet-Boigny, was an ardent proponent of tolerance and inclusion of 
all ethnic groups in the Ivory Coast, as well as the ideas of shared 
governance and the equitable distribution of resources throughout the 
country, irrespective of region or religious affiliation.
  During the political crisis in the Ivory Coast, wherein a Dutch 
multinational company, Trafigura, unloaded nearly 600 tons of 
petrochemical waste in the commercial capital, Abidjan (leading nearly 
100,000 Ivorians to seek medical attention), Dr. Diaby utilized his 
international contacts and did everything within his power to assist 
those suffering the fallout of the illegal toxic dumping. His 
activities included working closely with the Congressional Black Caucus 
of the United States Congress, the U.S. Center for Disease Control, and 
numerous other international organizations, in an attempt to bring 
immediate relief to the victims. This included the donations of medical 
supplies and food to the people of the Ivory Coast suffering from the 
tragic incident. Dr. Diaby was also the recipient of the ``Peter the 
Great International Award'' for merits and peace in 2005 in Dubai, 
U.A.E., for his efforts in attempting to bring peace to the Ivory 
Coast.
  Dr. Diaby was also an extremely successful businessman, and, with his 
family, ran a family business by the name of Al-Salasa, with corporate 
headquarters in Dubai, UAE. Al Salasa is a general trading company and 
business house offering substantial trading opportunities to local, 
regional, national and international organizations on partnership, 
consultancy and joint venture basis.
  During the time Dr. Diaby spent overseas, he discussed governance in 
emerging African democracies, particularly in the Ivory Coast, economic 
development and international trade, and was an ardent advocate for a 
cessation of fighting in the Sudan. And as founder of the Moustapha 
Diaby Foundation, he worked tirelessly to raise funds for education and 
healthcare for children in the Ivory Coast and on the African 
continent.
  Dr. Diaby will be missed not only by members of his family, but by 
many in the Ivorian community. Dr. Diaby was a great humanitarian, and 
a role model for business and political leaders throughout the African 
continent. The Diaby family will remain in my thoughts and prayers.

                          ____________________