Mr. Speaker, in honouring Black History Month and the contribution made by blacks in Nova Scotia, I wish to bring to the attention of this honourable House the name Vera Clyke. Mrs. Clyke's family came to Canada from the United States in 1860, seeking freedom from slavery and discrimination.
As choir director and organist for Zion Baptist Church in Truro, she has served faithfully since 1927, some 68 years. In 1965 she represented Nova Scotia in the Dominion Day celebrations on Parliament Hill.
On February 4 Vera Clyke was honoured by her church and community and I presented certificates on behalf of the Prime Minister, the hon. Secretary of State for Multiculturalism and the Status of Women, the hon. Minister of Citizenship and Immigration and myself, duly recognizing her leadership, her community participation and model citizenship.
By all community standards Vera Clyke is an outstanding Canadian, and at the age of 86 she continues to play the church organ.
Today I salute Vera Clyke and other Canadians like her who have laboured a lifetime to make their community richer just for living there.