Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure today to bring to the attention of this House the outstanding bravery of two members of the Canadian forces. On November 12, 1996 an individual on a Danish trawler near Resolution Island lay critically ill. To save his life two search and rescue technicians from Greenwood made a dangerous and unprecedented night parachute jump into freezing arctic waters.
They could easily have said no but Master Corporal Keith Mitchell and Master Corporal Brian Pierce made the daring decision to jump when bad weather forced the original rescue team to land their helicopter. They battled three-metre waves and high winds that carried them away from the vessel. Struggling to stay afloat, the two men fought off the beginnings of hypothermia until a Zodiac picked them up. After the harrowing experience they stabilized the critically ill man's condition, saving his life.
For their efforts each were awarded the Cross of Valour, Canada's highest decoration for bravery in peacetime. These two people represent the type of men and women who serve the Canadian forces and face adversity with courage. Congratulations to them both.