Mr. Speaker, on Saturday morning our Canadian astronaut, Major Chris Hadfield, who is a crew member of the space shuttle Atlantis, will launch into space for an eight day mission. This graduate of White Oaks Secondary School in Oakville will become the fourth Canadian to go into space.
Watching him there will be 13 excited White Oaks Secondary School students, six students from the Milton District High School and 28 air cadets from the Blue Thunder Squadron in Milton. They are travelling to NASA to witness in person this special shuttle launch.
Major Hadfield will be the first Canadian to fly aboard the shuttle and will be the first Canadian to use the Canadarm.
On behalf of all Canadians, please join me in wishing Major Hadfield a safe and successful mission.