Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as an elected official we have an opportunity to see the good, the bad, and the sometimes ludicrous in public life. Every statement, question, or action becomes scrutinized, criticized, and sometimes, on those rare occasions, applauded. However, my fondest moments to date as an elected official have been when asked to speak at schools or to interact with constituents outside the rhetoric of political life.

This past November, I was invited to speak at Elizabeth Tumblin's class at Nakashuk Elementary School in Iqaluit. Today, when I opened my mail with the usual complaints, issues, and of course bills, it was to great delight that I received letters from Mrs. Tumblin's students in their own handwriting, thanking me for speaking to the class. The students also included their hand drawn pictures of me, and I might add that they give competition in their artistic ability with our own resident artist, Mr. Barnabas.

Mr. Speaker, needless to say that it made my day. The students were doing a project on government and Nunavut, and I was quite impressed with the quality of questions asked by the students. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the students of Elizabeth Tumblin's' class for writing me and I look forward to visiting the other schools in Iqaluit when I return home in March. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause