Mr. Speaker, like many Quebecers, it was with much pride and emotion that I watched the space shuttle Discovery head skyward yesterday with Quebec's first female astronaut, Julie Payette, on board.
Space has fed the imaginations of many adolescents. Like many others, I dreamed of seeing a launch.
By taking her place on board Discovery , the astronaut from Quebec is not just realizing her dream, but is ensuring that her name will go down in history.
Over the next ten days Julie will help to assemble the international space station.
Yesterday morning, I relived the strong emotions I felt 17 years ago, on June 27, 1982, when I had the opportunity of being at the Kennedy Space Centre for the launch of the fourth Columbia mission.
Bravo Julie. All of Quebec is behind her and our thoughts are with her in this adventure which transforms imagination into reality.