Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a former colleague of this House, Ross MacKenzie Whicher, who passed away a week ago last Friday in Wiarton.
Ross served as mayor of the town of Wiarton, MPP, and MP for Bruce. He was a great citizen and made a great contribution to his community, and those of us who knew him loved him.
J.F. Kennedy once said that for those of us who serve much is asked and much is done, but if we are to be judged in that high court of history by people about what we contributed to our society we will be judged by the answer to one of four questions: Were we men or women of courage, dedication, integrity or judgment? For Ross Whicher the answers to those questions are yes, yes, yes and yes.
Ross loved the House and he loved Hansard , and wherever he is at this time I give him the old Irish blessing: “May it rain upon your crops, may the sun shine upon your face--”