Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I had time and reason to reflect on a number of things over the weekend. One of them being what transpired in the House last week. I thought of the very first statement I made in this House on Wednesday, January 19, 2000, and it really says what I would like to say today. If you do not mind, I would just like to repeat it.
Mr. Speaker, I am sure I speak for all Members in the House when I say what a singular honour and privilege it is to be elected by the public at large and to be given the mandate to serve them in this Legislature.
As I walk through the halls of this great place of meeting, I hear the voices of my constituents, which guide me now and will continue to guide me throughout the days and months to come. I hear the voices of moms and dads talking about their children's education, of the teachers', doctors' and nurses' working conditions. I hear the voices of laidoff Giant Mine workers talking about the fairness in the settlement of their pension and severance packages.
There are so many more voices, Mr. Speaker. Voices of small and large business owners and stakeholders, voices of women and men, youth, aboriginal and non-aboriginal, the weak and the sick, whose voices we must hear and act upon. Mr. Speaker, I understand my mandate for the next four years is to bring life to these voices and to work with my colleagues in and out of this Chamber to find solutions to their concerns.
I also appreciate that behind you, Mr. Speaker, and the 18 other Members of this House, sit 42,000 voices of our Territory, which also must be heard and be brought to life.
As I begin this task in earnest today, it is with a firm belief that it is our collective task to set the course of the path for our new Territory towards unity and prosperity, not necessarily because we have a common interest in all issues, but because it is in our common interest to work together for solutions.
Mr. Speaker, I want to tell this House that this is the credo that I live by everyday. I will continue to live by it for the rest of the Assembly. I would also end by advising you that we had the occasion to meet this morning and had a very productive discussion on what transpired in this House last week. I am happy to report that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
-- Applause