Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As this is my first statement, I may appear nervous. In my political history whenever I saw a crowd this large it always made me nervous, so I'm very nervous today. I must say that upfront.
Mr. Speaker, may I congratulate you, as well as our new Premier-elect, on your positions as well as your acclamations to your positions. You are both going to be our shepherds into our new future. It's going to be a unique journey, and we will be looking to you both to teach us and carry us forward.
To Mr. Handley -- Premier Handley, I should say -- I would like to bring echoes of trust and support from the Yellowknife Centre constituency. Your leadership role is something our community is looking forward to, and we know and trust that you will lead us well in the next Assembly. Mr. Handley, I do want to say that it will be an honour serving in the Handley Government, this 15th Legislative Assembly.
Mr. Speaker, it's with a great deal of pride and honour that I thank all of the constituents of Yellowknife Centre for their trust and confidence. I did promise them that I will work hard and I promise that I would make sure that this mandate would be a source of pride for all of them to remember.
Mr. Speaker, I have to tell you that my victory in the Yellowknife Centre riding was not an easy one. I will tell you clearly today, sir, that each one of those candidates was a winner, regardless of the outcome. I believe there were some good fights fought and they worked hard. Sorry, my apologies for being nervous.
Mr. Speaker, even on my coldest days I have to tell you most honestly that there were many warm faces and many warm hearts that kept us going. Mr. Speaker, it's important to note that I wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for the special support of my wife Susan, and my son McKinley Man-Lung. If it wasn't for their support to allow me to follow my dreams, I can't say where I would be today.
I also would like to follow up with recognizing some of the special members from my team. There was Larry Pineda, Cito Domingo, Tina Rivera, my parents Kim and Terry Hawkins. I also have to pass out a special thanks to my chief engineer Winnebago driver Daryl Dolynny and my campaign strategist Paul Bachand.
Mr. Speaker, my heart tells me that the burden of success will be an element for all of us to participate wholly together in as a team in this next Assembly. I believe we all have a vested interest in its success if we work together.
Mr. Speaker, may I continue my statement?