Debates of May 26, 2004 (day 13)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to be back with yourself and all of my colleagues in this wonderful House as we commence another session of this, the 15th Legislative Assembly. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to focus on a couple of events that will be occurring in Hay River in the very near future.

Mr. Speaker, this weekend I will be returning home to Hay River to volunteer at the 20th Annual Knights of Columbus Lobster Fest. This event has long proven to be a premier social event of the year in Hay River. This is a major fundraiser for the Hay River Knights of Columbus organization, of which I have had the pleasure to serve for the past 22 years. This event is an excellent example of what can be accomplished through volunteering. Mr. Speaker, this event brings together some 16 or so businesses, some 60 to 70 individual volunteers, many of whom don’t belong to the Knights of Columbus, as well as the 600 plus individuals who come out and support this event.

Mr. Speaker, I am very proud of this event, as I had a major role to play in getting it all started 20 years ago, and I have worked and volunteered at this event every year since. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to report that this event has raised over $300,000, all of which has gone back into the community, and mostly to youth organizations.

Mr. Speaker, on June 26th the graduation ceremonies for Diamond Jenness Secondary School will take place in Hay River. This is the largest graduating class to date. Some 45 students will graduate. My sincere congratulations go out to all of the graduates, and I look forward to attending their ceremonies. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I know that many of the graduates will be celebrating their accomplishments, and so they should. However, Mr. Speaker, I would like to encourage all the students to do so in a responsible manner that will not put their lives or the lives of the fellow graduates at risk. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause