Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have not had an opportunity to speak on what has happened to myself regarding the events we see today, the terror that has come to all of us in the world, especially the United States. Mr. Speaker, life as we know it can change in a split second. As free as we are, yet not knowing when terror will strike, or being in a situation where everything that you know is out of your control. Not knowing what will happen next, not realizing exactly what is happening or how serious the threat is around you.

Mr. Speaker, my experience in Washington D.C. on September 11th has changed my whole view on freedom as we know it. Myself and several northern delegates were in Washington D.C. to celebrate the Wilderness Week in Alaska, which included Mr. Joe Tetlichi, the chairman of the Porcupine Caribou Management Board; Lorraine Peter, the MLA for Old Crow; Chief Joe Linklater, the Gwich'in First Nation Chief; Ken Smith from Inuvik, a youth delegate; and Yukon Member of Parliament Larry Bagnell, along with myself.

We were in Washington on September 11th. That day we had meetings scheduled all day with staff and different senators at their offices. Mr. Speaker, when the word to evacuate was ordered, we were not sure what was meant by evacuate as we had never been put in that situation. It was clear something had definitely happened when you see people running all about, policemen with guns, hearing an F-18 flying over Capitol Hill and realizing on our way out there was a loud bang from which you could feel the ground shake.

Mr. Speaker, that event will always be in my mind. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.