Madam Speaker: Does the honourable Minister of Energy and Mines have leave for a nonpolitical statement? [agreed]

Hon. David Newman (Minister of Energy and Mines): Madam Speaker, this past week the Order of the Eastern Star held its 75th Annual Winnipeg Grand Session meetings at the International Inn. The Order of the Eastern Star is the largest fraternal organization in the world to which men and women may belong. It encircles the earth, with over 10,000 chapters in the United States, Canada and 18 other countries. Though its teachings are based upon the Bible, the Order of the Eastern Star espouses no religion and is neither secret nor political. Its members are comprised of men who are Master Masons and women with specific Masonic relationships. Millions of dollars are raised annually within its membership for numerous projects which benefit humankind. Many national and local charities are among the projects supported by its members, including in Manitoba the Manitoba Eastern Star Chalet and the Manitoba Lung Association. Through this fraternal service to humanity, its members strive to build a better and more fulfilling way of life for all.

It has been brought to my attention by Peggy and Norm Phillips, who reside in the Riel constituency, that present at this meeting in Winnipeg was a Florida resident, Iva Givens, who is the Grand representative of Manitoba in Florida. Iva Givens travels North America meeting thousands of people and is charged with the task of promoting the province of Manitoba as a great place to live, visit and enjoy. I understand that she does this with tireless enthusiasm and dedication. In the past three years, Iva has attended 37 Grand Chapter meetings across Canada and the United States.

On behalf of the citizens of Manitoba, I would like to thank Iva for promoting Manitoba and, on behalf of all members present also, to thank Iva Givens.

Mr. Jack Penner (Emerson): I wonder, Madam Speaker, whether I would have leave to make a nonpolitical statement.

Madam Speaker: Does the honourable member for Emerson have leave? [agreed]

Mr. Penner: I would like to, today, rise and pay tribute to the farmers in Manitoba, especially those who suffered through the flood of the century and especially those who have had much of their or all of their farmland inundated by waters for many weeks and all of those families who were not within the ring dike communities. I would encourage them to use the same kind of tenacity, perseverance and determination in rebuilding their farmsteads and ensuring that their crops be planted. I think the Minister of Agriculture (Mr. Enns) indicated to us today that there were probably very few acres left in the valley unseeded, and it is my view that this kind of determination that is being shown by our agriculture producers in the Red River Valley is the kind of mentality that has existed all along in rebuilding and building livelihoods and lives and an economy in this province that is second to none in all of Canada. These farmers are demonstrating that they can in all adversity make a livelihood for their communities, for their families and indeed contribute in a difficult year to the economy of this province.

Madam Speaker, I stand and I ask all members to congratulate these people in the valley and the rest of the province for putting this economy of this province ahead of all economies in this country.