Ms. Diane McGifford (Osborne): Madam Speaker, do I have leave to make a nonpolitical statement?

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

Ms. McGifford: I am sure that all members of the House will join me in thanking Peter Gzowski, the Morningside production team and the musicians, writers and other artists who, via CBC Radio, turned the morning of Friday, May 2 into a national fundraiser for flood-stricken residents in our province. The concert, dubbed the Red River Rally, was, as well, beamed via Radio Canada International to Canadian soldiers serving around the world in Bosnia, Haiti and the Golan Heights. This production, described by Peter Gzowski as "a prairie social where friends and neighbours gather together and lend support, both emotional and financial," is a perfect illustration of community and community development. In the past few weeks, local troubles have become provincial, provincial ones national, and now through Radio Canada national ones have become international.

Temporarily, right now, Manitoba is the centre of a community which has members all over our planet. We take great heart from this knowledge, from the fact that others are sharing in our adversity. This outpouring of support renews our faith in human nature just at the very time when we are looking for solid ground. I understand that to date the Red River Rally has raised approximately $819,000 and that the flow of money, somewhat like the Red River, continues. Of course, Manitobans cannot place a monetary value on the lift the concert has given our spirits, but we are amazed to know we have so many friends, and we will remember their generosity.

Finally, I know members of the House join me in thanking Canadians for the Red River Rally, a gift which illustrates the importance of national radio in fostering community and the power of art in moving our hearts.

Thank you.

Mr. Edward Helwer (Gimli): Madam Speaker, do I have leave for a nonpolitical statement?

Madam Speaker: Does the honourable member for Gimli have leave for a nonpolitical statement? [agreed]

Mr. Helwer: Madam Speaker, over the past two weeks thousands of Manitobans have taken up the challenge to fight the flood of 1997. Not only are the people of this province contributing, but residents of other provinces are offering relief to the some 25,000 Manitobans who have been forced to evacuate their homes. The people of Manitoba are always ready and willing to help their fellow neighbours in times of need; however, it is during these times of crisis in which they really unite together. I do not recall a time when I have been more proud to say that I am a Manitoban. Even though many members of this Legislature have continued to commend the volunteers who are determined to win this war with Mother Nature, I would like to pay a special tribute to one very important group of Manitobans and that is the youth.

Madam Speaker, every day of the last two weeks busloads of students from across the province have gone to the flood sites to either sandbag, prepare and deliver food, help to move necessities from evacuees' homes, or simply to offer any needed support to friends and classmates who may be affected by this disaster. Not only have the various school administrations co-ordinated these groups to participate, but at many of the schools it has been the students' own initiative to volunteer at the flood sites. During the weekdays, when the majority of adults have had to report to work, the students have been the backbone in ensuring that sandbagging was continued. Many of the youth have also volunteered on their own time, either in the evenings or on weekends. University students also are spending long hours in sandbag lines, even though they have been busily writing final exams for the last several weeks.

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Many of the youth are taking pride in their communities and are lending a helping hand to whoever is in need. I would like to offer my sincerest gratitude to all the youth who have contributed in so many ways in making the flood of '97 more endurable.

Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Ms. Marianne Cerilli (Radisson): Do I have leave to make a nonpolitical statement?

Madam Speaker: Does the honourable member for Radisson have leave to make a nonpolitical statement? [agreed]

Ms. Cerilli: Madam Speaker, I would like to congratulate the Concordia Hospital Foundation on the success of its 14th annual dinner this past weekend. There was a full house, even though we are all of us involved with flood-crisis volunteering and work, and I think this pays tribute to the commitment of a number of the residents and volunteers who have supported the Concordia Hospital Foundation over the years.

This year's dinner committee included Allen Rouse, who is also on the board of directors, the foundation's president, Hal Enns, Eleanor Lynch, Leona Krahn, Diane Letwin, Don Tymko, Alice Kachur, Dr. Henry Dirks, Bill Kachur and John Melnyk. The dinner honoured Walter Klassen and Helen Regehr posthumously for their long and outstanding volunteer work in support of Concordia Hospital.

Another highlight of the evening was the guest speaker, who was Emöke Szathmáry the president of the University of Manitoba. She talked about the history of Concordia Hospital going back to 1877 when the Mennonites that settled in our province and in the northeast end of Winnipeg had the foresight to develop the beginnings of the Concordia Hospital. She also talked about her own history of fleeing Hungary in 1956 during the Hungarian Revolution.

She talked about how Concordia Hospital has one of the busiest emergencies and is serving the largest suburban area and outlying area of Winnipeg, yet it is the smallest of the community hospitals. She described the many services of Concordia Hospital that have been funded over the years by the work of the Concordia Hospital Foundation.

I want to give special recognition to all those that attended, as well as a number of other organizations that made contributions: Amici's, Blinds are Beautiful, Buhler Industries, Gisele's, Great Canadian Bagel, Hi-Way Florist, Cherry Tree Lane, D'8 Schtove, Edward Carriere, Lifesport, Old Swiss Inn, Patzer Office Equipment, Elite Communications, Neil and Elenore Fast, Future Shop, Small Indulgence, Stewart N. King, Standard Knitting Limited, The Curiosity Shop, Mr. Fred Van Slyck and the Murray Family, Assiniboine Travel, Fehr-Way Tours, Penner Foods, TD Bank, City Press, Ron Bodner and Wanda McConnell. It was indeed an outstanding fundraising event, and I look forward to attending many more in the future.