Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
---Applause
My first statement in this House is a statement of appreciation. Mr. Speaker, I met Mr. Ningark in 1979-80 when we were both settlement secretaries for our respective communities. Now, 13 years later, we are both Members of this House addressing many of the same issues we dealt with back then.
When I met Mr. Ningark, he was an easy-going, hard working, caring and unselfish individual. Today, although we have both aged -- him more so than I --
--Laughter
...he remains the same caring, unselfish individual.
It is those traits that lead him to take on the additional responsibility of acting as the Kitikmeot representative of this Legislative Assembly, upon the resignation of the former Member this past winter.
Mr. Speaker, it is a great honour as my first Member's statement in this Assembly and our new home, to extend the appreciation and gratitude on behalf of my constituents and I, to my friend, the honourable Member for Natilikmiot for acting as our representative from February 5, 1993 until my election on May 10 of this past year. Qujannamiik, Mr. Ningark.
---Applause