[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 8]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 11928-11929]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   TRIBUTE TO VAL McCOMIE, FORMER AMBASSADOR OF BARBADOS AND FORMER 
   ASSISTANT SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE ORGANISATION OF AMERICAN STATES

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 9, 2007

  Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Ambassador 
Val McComie, of Barbados, a consummate professional and diplomat who 
established a high bar for his nation in the achievements of his 
illustrious career. I place in the Congressional Record a tribute by 
Ambassador Michael King to Val McComie.
  Today, I had the honor and privilege to speak at the funeral service 
for Ambassador Val McComie. My heart was warmed to see the outpouring 
of love by his family members and friends who attended the service to 
pay their final respects to a great man. It was obvious that he touched 
the lives of many with his wisdom, knowledge, and commitment to public 
service. He will be missed by many, but he leaves a legacy that will 
continue to inspire all those who knew him.
  I was very encouraged by the tribute to Ambassador Val McComie by 
Ambassador Michael King, which was read at the funeral service today. I 
will reflect on the tribute when I think of my friend and his 
contribution to my life, democracy, and the people of the Caribbean.

          Tribute to the Honourable Valerie T. McComie, C.H.B.

       The Honourable Valerie Theodore McComie, C.H.B. was a 
     quintessential Caribbean man. His whole life was spent 
     teaching his students, his colleagues and interlocutors--and 
     anybody with a keen ear--about the dynamics of Caribbean 
     politics and society.
       His strong love and appreciation for the Inter-American 
     System played a major role in convincing the Government of 
     Barbados to join the Organisation of American States in 1967 
     and to service the Permanent Mission with quality staff with 
     the necessary professional and linguistic skills to interact 
     effectively with their colleagues from the rest of the 
     Hemisphere.
       Val mentored anyone who was willing to listen to his wise 
     advice and to benefit from his institutional memory. His 
     knowledge of Latin America and the key decision-makers was 
     incredible and one could only marvel at his ability to keep 
     abreast of the rapid changes of government during a period 
     when the word ``democracy'' was not often part of the lexicon 
     of the Region.
       He was a stickler for detail and thorough preparation and 
     he always felt that all diplomats should not take the floor 
     to speak unless they had full access to facts and knowledge 
     about the subject. He demanded and expected a certain level 
     of excellence in the area of diplomatic representation.
       As Assistant Secretary General from 1980-1990 Val was a 
     major source of advice to several CARICOM leaders on matters 
     related to the Inter-American System. He relished the role 
     like a kid in a candy store. Sometimes his frankness was not 
     appreciated but he never wavered from his strong views.
       I had the privilege to be in La Paz in October 1979 when he 
     created history by winning a very close election to the post 
     of Assistant Secretary General. It was not an easy task for 
     him and the delegation of Barbados but there was no doubt 
     that the esteem with which he was held in the Hemisphere was 
     the primary reason for his success. His re-election by 
     acclamation in Brazilia in 1984 brought similar joy to us.
       Val loved sports, especially cricket and football. He 
     always reminded me that he was close to selection for the 
     Barbados Cricket Team. I can also recall the joy he felt when 
     he returned from the 1982 Football World Cup in Spain and the 
     attention he paid to subsequent events.
       He followed in death by 100 days, his good friend, the 
     Honourable Oliver Jackman, C.H.B., who also had the great 
     honour of serving as Ambassador of Barbados to the United 
     States of America and the Organisation of American States. 
     They were among the first persons selected to represent 
     Barbados immediately following the granting of Independence 
     in November 1966. All of you will agree that Barbados, the 
     Caribbean and the Inter-American System are better off from 
     their leadership and commitment to improving the quality of 
     life and the promotion of justice for all citizens of the 
     Hemisphere.
       On behalf of the Government and people of Barbados I wish 
     to express our sincerest expression of sympathy to his wife, 
     Elia and daughter, Gail and the rest of the family.
       I wish to end by reading the first verse of the poem ``Los 
     Heraldos Negros'' (Black Messengers) by the great Peruvian, 
     Ceasar Vallejo:

     ``Hay golpes en la vida, tan fuertes . . . Yo no se!
     Golpes como del odio de Dios; como si ante ellos, la resaca 
           de todo lo sufrido se empozaro en el alma . . . Yo no 
           se!

       In English:

     There are in life such hard blows . . . I don't know!

[[Page 11929]]

     Blows seemingly from God's wrath; as if before them
     The undertow of all our sufferings is embedded in our souls . 
           . .
     I don't know!

       May he rest in peace!

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