Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is our first day back, but I believe that this is the last day that Pat Thomas will be in attendance in our Chamber prior to her departure to her new home in Devon, Alberta.

Pat Thomas definitely holds the record for attendance for the most often in the Chamber as a non-elected member in the visitors' gallery. Mr. Speaker, I had the opportunity to recently attend a party for Pat, which was given by her teaching colleagues in Hay River. A song performed there was a takeoff of a song called, "Take a Chance on Me," and was premised on Pat's eventual return to Hay River, and applying for a job as a substitute teacher. The lyrics were modified, of course, and one of the lines was (singing): "Take a chance on me, I am friends with Steve Kakfwi."

-- Laughter

That was one of the lines. Do you guys recognize that? I was not elected for my singing ability, I admit that, all right?

Indeed, Pat was a friend...

-- Laughter

You know that Abba song. Come on, you guys, act like you know it.

-- Laughter

Indeed, Pat was a friend of this Legislature and the staff of this Legislature, which is evidenced by the fact that the two union reps are sitting with the secretary of the Financial Management Board Secretariat. This is a very good sign.

-- Laughter

She was also a very good friend to the many educators who she so professionally represented. Again, a friend to the advancement of education in the North. Mr. Speaker, I am sure that you and my colleagues will help to thank Pat Thomas for her outstanding 27 years of teaching in the Northwest Territories. We wish her well in her retirement. I am going to miss her here very much and if she feels compelled to return, since her friendship with the Premier is now immortalized in us all, go ahead and use his name as a reference when you reapply.

-- Applause