Mr. Speaker, every May long weekend is Stampede Days in the little town of Falkland in my riding of Okanagan—Shuswap. Cowboys and cowgirls from the rodeo circuit and all the ranches in the area come to Falkland to enjoy the bull and bronco riding, the calf roping, and all the other entertainment that goes along with a rodeo.
This year was very special because Merv Churchill, known to all as Mr. Falkland, was inducted into the Canadian rodeo hall of fame for his many years of organizing the rodeo event. In Merv's younger years, he rode with the best, and when he retired from the circuit, he became Falkland's Mr. Rodeo.
Last weekend when I attended the Falkland Stampede parade, I was met, as always, by the smiling cowboy, Merv Churchill, who was busy with his son Jason, his wife Dot, and the girls and their grandchildren organizing the 95th Annual Falkland Stampede.
It was great to see Merv and his family recognized for all they do for the community and the Falkland stampede. As a cowboy poet would say, it pretty near brought a tear to my eye to see him receive the award. I congratulate Merv.