Mr. Speaker, on July 9, 1995, 15 year old George James Pinlac was at Winnipeg Beach with friends when he heard cries for help from a young boy who was trying to retrieve a beach ball from outside the roped area.
Noting that the victim had trouble staying afloat, George immediately dropped what he was doing and swam to his rescue. As George attempted to grab hold, the panicked boy clutched him by the neck and forced him under the water. Tragically both George and the other teenager drowned.
On December 5 this year, George's selfless act of courage was honoured as the Governor General presented his parents, George Senior and Felicidad Pinlac of Winnipeg, with a posthumous medal of bravery.
Just as the whole community mourned when young George was lost, we all watched with admiration as his proud parents were honoured with this moving tribute. George Pinlac Jr. forfeited his own life to help another. His lasting legacy will be his rare and uncommon bravery.