Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to share an incident that happened in Arctic Bay regarding a child who was saved by a brave constituent. Mr. Speaker, on Tuesday, July 14, 1998, a foster child of Leah and Joseph Okdalak was playing on the ice patches in Arctic Bay. Ililuaq Pudlat, age 11 years old, fell into the freezing water approximately 7:40 p.m. and could not get back on the patch of ice. When Ikiluaq yelled for help, my wife and her brother, Jayko Tatatuapik, heard him and immediately tried to help him out, but they had a very difficult time so they yelled for help.
Mr. Matthew Taqtu was working beside his house and noticed the incident. He took a rope and went to assist them. Mr. Taqtu threw the rope to the child. Because of the freezing cold water, the child lost his strength and was unable to reach the rope, which was thrown to him by Mr. Taqtu. Mr. Taqtu could not reach the child, so he tied the rope around his waist and jumped into the water and saved the child. Mr. Speaker, if had not been for Mr. Taqtu's quick actions, the child would not be alive today. Because of this act of courage and bravery, I would like to nominate Mr. Taqtu to receive the Commissioner's Award and I would like to thank him personally. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
--Applause