Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the city of Vancouver and Arthur Griffiths in particular for their successful bid for a National Basketball Association franchise.
Vancouver joins an expanding and exciting league. Canadians have been eagerly anticipating this favourable decision for a long time and clearly it is much deserved. Much thanks must go to Arthur Griffiths for his dedication and outstanding commitment to realizing this goal.
The awarding of an NBA team demonstrates the significance of Vancouver, how it has grown and developed into a socially vibrant metropolis. There is a realization that Canadians have much to contribute to the sporting world. Canadians are recog-
nized as being among the most enthusiastic, passionate and committed of supporters.
The new basketball team will be sharing the yet to be completed GM Place with the Vancouver Canucks who, incidentally, will be playing the Calgary Flames tonight at the Pacific Coliseum.
I am confident the Canucks will handily even their series and I wish them and Vancouver's new basketball team the very best of luck.