Mr. Speaker, Members of the Assembly, I wish to take a moment to report that a member of our staff at the Department of Transportation, Mr. Curtis Mercredi, took the award for second place at the National Airfield Maintenance Technician "Rodeo" held recently in Winnipeg. Curtis came first at the Territorial "Rodeo" held earlier this summer in Hay River. This qualified him to compete in the Nationals.

Curtis has been with the department and the Yellowknife airport since 1987; first as a trainee and then as a permanent employee in 1988. A father of two children, he was born and raised in the Northwest Territories and is a long-term resident of Yellowknife. He has represented the Yellowknife airport in a number of regional rodeos and competed nationally before in 1992.

The "Rodeo" requires competitors to run equipment through an obstacle course designed to resemble situations they would encounter during regular airfield maintenance. Once all operators have completed the course, the technician with the highest combined total points is named the overall winner.

Mr. Speaker, the Department of Transportation is proud to have employees like Mr. Mercredi on its staff. His success proves the quality of training the department provides in making sure that our public transportation system gives northerners the best service possible. I know the Assembly will join with me in congratulating Curtis on his award and a job well done in representing the Department of Transportation and the Northwest Territories. Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause