Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the last time that we gathered here in this House was some time ago now. Since then has probably been the longest period of time that I have spent in my riding on a continuous basis since
coming here four years ago. There is a lot to be said for staying home and spending time with the people who elected you to represent them. It has been a great break but not in the sense of it not being busy because it has been very busy. Besides dealing with many issues and concerns and working on various ongoing initiatives, I have been able to visit with constituents and participate in community activities, activities such as Heritage and Canada Day festivities, celebrating the tenth anniversary of Woodland Manor, our seniors' care facility, congratulating NTCL with past and present employees at the reunion to commemorate their 65th anniversary, offering best wishes to Arlene Johns and Romeo Gonzales when friends, family and colleagues gathered to honour them for over 30 years of teaching in the North, attending the graduation of 27 fine young people from Diamond Jenness Secondary School, joining with Premier Antoine, Minister Miltenberger and Commissioner Marion in the opening ceremonies of the 1999 Territorial Track and Field Meet with almost 1,000 athletes, coaches and volunteers in attendance.
The Minister of Education was down to tour our facilities and meet with citizens concerned about education, as he said he would be. The Cabinet convened a meeting in Hay River in conjunction with their presentations at the Community Leadership Conference. The Government Operations Committee met in Hay River for the public hearing on Bill 15. This is just to name just a few of the activities so far this summer, and the remainder promises to be just as busy as I host a barbecue in honour of our seniors in recognition of the International Year of Older Persons with the help of the Commissioner Dan Marion on August 2nd. On August 11th, together with the Career Development Centre in Hay River, I will host the Ready for School Barbecue for students going out to post-secondary education.
The only problem with being home for so long is that it is hard to come back but once again, on Saturday afternoon, I made the trek back. We have had many visitors in Hay River over the summer, but we would always like lots more. If any of you are thinking of driving down, I would just like to tell you that Mr. Rabesca's road construction is not any obstacle and is proving to be very scriptural and, in fact, the crooked paths are being made straight. Mr. Gargan's bison, however, are still hogging the road with their usual stubbornness and disregard for humans trying to take advantage of that new speed limit on the highway. But when you are going by, when you are going through Enterprise, take note of Mr. Steen's beautiful new weigh scale which was just being paved when I came by. As I said, we are never too busy in Hay River for visitors. The golf course is green, the beaches are sandy, and the fish are biting. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
--Applause