Mr. Speaker, my very first member's statement in the House was about a young cowboy from the heart of Yellowhead country, Mayerthorpe, Alberta. I spoke about Rod Hay, a tough cowboy who has seen it all.
I am not talking about the beautiful countryside. I am talking about mud, dust and pain. In fact Rod walks around with plates, screws and wire holding his hip together because of a rodeo mishap three years ago.
He is almost in as bad shape as I am. All of the pain and hard work has paid off for this 25-year old cowboy. Today Rod is $50,000 richer thanks to the biggest rodeo win in his life, the saddle-bronc championship at the greatest outdoor show on earth, The Calgary Stampede.
The win puts an exclamation point on Rod's illustrious career as the best bronco buster in Canada. Rod is also the reigning Canadian saddle-bronc champion and he will represent Canada at the world championships this fall.
I ask all members to join me in cheering for Rod Hay.