Mr. Speaker, I would like to pay tribute to a man who left his mark on Canadian politics. I am talking about Carlo Rossi, Quebec's first MP of Italian origin to sit in the federal House of Commons.
Mr. Rossi was first elected member of Parliament for Bourassa in 1979. He paved the way for Quebeckers of Italian origin.
During his three terms, he served as a parliamentary secretary and deputy whip. Prior to that, he was a police officer with the City of Montreal and was responsible for hostage negotiations.
When I became a Canadian citizen at the age of 22, he congratulated me with a certificate that I proudly display in my office. He led the way for me as well. He passed away on April 11, 1998.
To honour his memory, I would like to one day see his name engraved in a public space somewhere in the riding of Bourassa.