Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to pay a tribute to a much loved citizen of Hay River. Hay River has many wonderful residents, but I think no one would dispute that we have our very own Florence Nightingale in the person of Mrs. Ruth Webb.

Growing up in central Alberta, along with five siblings, Ruth was raised by a single mom with a strong work ethic and an equally strong love for people. She entered nurses' training and, after graduating as a registered nurse, was drawn to Hay River to work for the Pentecostal Sub-Arctic Mission. There she met her husband, Bill, and together they raised their two sons, Mark, now an RCMP Officer in Penticton, BC; and Trevor, who recently graduated as the valedictorian of his class in education at the University of Saskatchewan. Ruth is very proud of her sons, two daughters-in-law and two granddaughters.

After nursing in active care, taking time out to raise her family, then returning to active nursing, Ruth worked as a homecare nurse. Her cheery disposition and gentle kindness was a welcome visit to the homes of those who were sick and elderly. Ruth had a special gift in ministering to the terminally ill, as well as to families who were bereaved by the loss of a loved one. I do not know how many families she has helped through a time of grief. I know from personal experience, when I received the news that my own mother was terminally ill with cancer 17 years ago, Ruth Webb was the first person at our door.

Over the past two years, Ruth has had her own battle to wage with cancer and, although she is now cancer-free, the treatments have taken a toll that has affected her ability to eat and the function of her heart. I know Ruth will not mind me sharing this, but in spite of her illness, her spirit and attitude remain very positive. Too often we wait until a person has passed away or moved away before we express how much they have meant to us as a community or to us as an individual. Ruth will be moving on as she and her husband, Bill, retire to Alberta later on this spring.

Although Ruth Webb has been recognized in the past as Hay River's Citizen of the Year and was paid special honour by the Northwest Territories Nurses Association, before she left the north, I wanted to make sure that she was publicly told once again how much she has meant to the people of Hay River. She has helped deliver many babies, helped heal many bodies but, most importantly, she has touched many hearts. She has done this so effectively because of her intimate understanding of God's love, which she has allowed to be passed on to others through her life. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause