Thank you, Mr. Speaker. From there, Mr. Speaker, the decision was made that we, along with my other colleagues from the North, would get together at a hotel where the majority of members were staying. We made our phone calls, tried to figure out what was happening. We called the Canadian Embassy and were told to stay put at the hotel for a couple of hours until things settled down. From there, we were told to go to the Canadian Embassy where we had an opportunity to be briefed by the Ambassador.

It was an eerie feeling sitting in the Ambassador's office with all the shades closed in case there was an explosion and the glass blew inward. At that point we were assured by the Ambassador that everything was well in regard to the Canadian citizens and they were going to work on getting us out. Knowing that there was no means of transportation, all airlines were closed, the transportation system, buses and trains were all shut down.

Mr. Speaker, from there we spent a couple of days at our hotels doing what everyone else was doing, being glued to the television wondering what was going to happen next. Through the efforts of the Member of Parliament from the Yukon, he managed to get the northern delegates on a Canadian bus that was chartered from Ottawa to Washington to pick up other Canadian citizens who were there at a health conference at Georgetown University.

From there, we took the long ride back to Ottawa. Mr. Speaker, there was a loud cheer as we crossed the Canadian border, realizing we were home. Regardless, Mr. Speaker, are we really home? Knowing that the threat is not a threat only to the United States, but a threat to what we are as Canadians. I believe we have to take the time to realize how important life is, realizing we are under threat. Thank you.

-- Applause