Mr. Speaker, Herb Gray was first elected to parliament on June 18, 1962. He served for 39 years, six months and 28 days. Herb has done it all.
In government he was parliamentary secretary: minister of national revenue; minister of consumer and corporate affairs; minister of industry, trade and commerce; minister of regional economic Eepansion; and Ppesident of the treasury board.
In opposition he was finance critic; House leader; deputy leader; and leader of the official opposition.
Back in government he was House leader; solicitor general; Deputy Prime Minister, in charge of the millennium bureau, Indian residential schools resolution and any other difficult issue.
Herb's peers in this place recognize his strength, courage, compassion and dedication. We and all Canadians owe him a debt of gratitude for his dedicated service over the last 40 years. We thank Herb. May God bless him.