By Mark N. Mengonfia
The Rotunda of the Capitol Building was predominantly black and white; this was so because the Liberian Senate paid homage to former member of that august body who served as Senate Pro Tempore.
In the afternoon hours of December 12, 2019, as tradition requires, the remains of late Cllr. Charles Walker Brumskine entered the grounds of the Capitol building for his last respect to be paid.
Liberians from different political, tribal and traditional back grounds were in their numbers to witness the legislative culture of lying in state of state’s personalities.
Paying her homage to the fallen statesman, Liberian Vice president, Chief Dr. Jewel Howard Taylor said “Former Senator Charles Walker Brumskine, was a true champion for Liberia, an executive member of the National Patriotic Party; the Vision Bearer and Soul of the Liberty Party; a true son of Grand Bassa County and a man of the people”
She indicated that Senator, Counselor Charles Walker Brumskine was a resilient spirit; a free thinker, a committed man and a respected jurist of renowned repute; and a giant above his peers.
“He experienced personal setbacks in the fulfillment of his dreams; but he always wore a huge smile whenever you saw him. And in spite of his political setbacks, which could have made him broken or burden – or to surrender to self-pity and resign from public life He still stood tall” she added.
Speaking additionally, she said “as I think of his impactful life, I am reminded of the words from a poem entitled– Happy warrior – Written by William Wordsworth; who wrote and I “As tempted more; More able to endure As more exposed to suffering and distress; Thence, also more alive to tenderness.”
She remembered that Cllr. Brumskine’s life’s work was not to go along with the crowd.
“It was to seek deeper meaning to the situation at bar; and not to follow the elite or lean on special conditions. It was to speak against wrong, to expose those things that had the potential to corrupt the minds and souls of those he engaged; it was to give a voice to those less privileged and to give others opportunity. To dream and work for not making not only his dreams, but the dreams of many others come true. He was a product of an age of multiparty democracy and knew the fight required to keep it alive – but he never allowed differences in opinions to become barriers to cooperation with all persons,” She stressed.
She said Liberians are honoring him and weeping for him not because of his name, or his fame or his title or his position or prestige.
“We mourn and weep for him because in our way – we loved him too, because he showed love to us – even in our absence; and because we know that he loved his God, his Nation Liberia and his family” she said.
One thing the Liberian vice president remembered is he wears laughter on his face when he meets people.
“We realize that the passage of time may never quite heal our loss; but we carry on. Because I can just imagine his booming laugh, as he would say to Estella and the children, to the Grand Bassa people, to the Liberty Party Stewarts, to friends and family and foe – please carry on for I am not lost, I am only going ahead to wait for you on the other side. Please remember me in your thoughts and words, and keep the dream alive. I will be watching and waiting for you” she indicated.
She ended her tribute by saying “May the soul of “Former Senator, President Pro-Tempore, Charles Walker Brumskine, a patriot; a devoted Husband; a loving Father, Brother and Friend; rest in peace and light perpetual shine on him.”
Friends and family members could not hold back their tears from falling because the sorrow they carried due to the passing of the statesman.
House Speaker, Bhofal Chambers said “he was an accomplished. What has happened is God”.
Senator Varney Sharman cataloged all their days together as lawyer.
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