Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In recognition of International Women's Day today, I would just like to take this opportunity to recognize and celebrate the work of individuals and organizations who work on a daily basis to improve the lives of women and their families and, in turn, the entire community.

Mr. Speaker, I want to recognize and celebrate the strength and determination of the women in all walks of life, whether they be the mothers and elders who volunteer countless hours in our schools and communities, or daughters I know who look after their aging parents through various illness, or the silent and unsung heroines of working mothers who hold full-time, paying jobs outside of the house but also manage to master the impossible juggling act of taking on two more full-time jobs at home, that being of a mother and wife

and, of course, Mr. Speaker, the single-mother families, who have to soldier on and carry the burden all by herself.

I would also like to recognize the women who forge on in the men's world, so to speak, of politics, banking or in our military. Mr. Speaker, I know we have two women in this House, but I don't know if you know that three of the five banks in Yellowknife are headed by women managers and I am sure everyone knows our top military brass, our very own Mrs. Chris Whitecross was recently promoted just last week to become the youngest woman one star general in Canada.

---Applause

Mr. Speaker, I want to also recognize and celebrate the NGO organizations like the Status of Women Council of the NWT and the Native Women's Association of the NWT for the work they do in supporting women in all aspects, in combating violence, training women for better jobs, and speaking against discrimination against women and being always a strong voice in issues related to women.

Mr. Speaker, there are so many women in Yellowknife and in our communities who work to improve the lives of our women and families. I meet them and I am constantly inspired by them. Today, we will be celebrating and rewarding five wise women and I will have a chance to meet them personally and speak to them later on, but I would like to join the entire House in congratulations and acknowledging the work of Rachael Mundy, Bertha Deneron, Dora Cardinal, Julie Lennie and Sue Heron-Herbert. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause