NLIS 4
November 19, 2001
(Executive Council)

 

The following statement was issued today by Premier Roger Grimes. It was also read in the House of Assembly:

Newfoundland and Labrador Volunteer Medal

It is my pleasure to inform the House that today marks the beginning of a series of presentation ceremonies for the Newfoundland and Labrador Volunteer Medal. 

The Volunteer Medal was launched in 2001 to recognize the very important work done by volunteers throughout the province and to celebrate the International Year of Volunteers.

The people of our province are known throughout Canada and, indeed, the world, for their incredible generosity and caring spirit. Volunteers make an incredible difference to our communities. Through coaching, teaching, caring for people and the environment and any number of other activities, they help to build the strong, vibrant communities envisioned in government's Strategic Social Plan. 

The spirit of generosity that runs so deep in the people of this province showed itself to the world in the wake of the September 11th tragedy. Individuals, organizations and whole communities worked together to give shelter, aid and comfort to our unexpected guests. We hear again and again from stranded passengers who have made their way home, that the people of this province treated them like family. What better expression of the volunteer spirit could there be, than that? 

Hundreds of nominations were received for the Volunteer Medal from every area of the province, from individuals and groups and even international organizations. An independent selection committee was convened to set the award and nomination criteria, review the submissions and select 96 recipients from among the nominees. Their task was difficult, and I sincerely thank them for their time and the careful consideration they gave to each and every one.

The process has been completed and selections have been made. The Lieutenant-Governor, His Honour, the Honourable A.M. House will present the Newfoundland and Labrador Volunteer Medal to 96 individuals, in special ceremonies to be held at various locations across the province throughout the coming two weeks.

Today in Happy Valley - Goose Bay, the first group of men and women were honoured. They are residents of Labrador who have each, over the long term, had profound and wide-reaching impacts on the lives of others, on their communities and on us all.

These people demonstrate, in the most remarkable way, the very practical foundation of volunteerism: the value of one and the power of many.

Thank you.

2001 11 19                            2:00 p.m.

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