Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the 50th anniversary of Club Fondeurs Laurentides. In 1975, physical education teacher Marc Desjardins decided that cross-country skiing was an excellent way to get our young people moving.
Over time, the club grew and now has 650 members from municipalities throughout the Lower Laurentians. Club Fondeurs Laurentides organizes nothing less than Canada's largest cross-country skiing competition for schoolchildren, bringing together more than 2,000 young people, in addition to hosting the Coupe Québec at Sommet Morin Heights in Les Pays-d'en-Haut.
I would like to congratulate all the parent volunteers, coaches, board members, and especially the president, Dang Thanh Bùi, former president Daniel Roch, head coach Rémi Brière, and, of course, Marc Desjardins, who, 50 years later, is still bursting with energy and remains involved in all aspects of the club.
Congratulations to everyone and long live Club Fondeurs Laurentides.