Stanley Holmes honoured with Medal of the National Assembly

Imet Stanley Holmes in the 2003 election. His mission was to introduce me to the English‐speaking community, from Ayer's Cliff to the border, to help me understand the unique situation of the members of this community, young and old, and to let me see the successful integration of the two linguistic communities of Eastern Townships. That's how I spent many hours with him and with another community leader to meet a lot of people who could play a role in everyday life and in the future of Ayer's Cliff, Stanstead and all nearby towns. It was during this campaign of 2003 that I developed a special affection for our English‐speaking community in the Eastern Townships, with its centuries‐old traditions, its values that are still alive and its desire to participate fully in the Quebec of tomorrow.

It was also on this occasion that I began to realize the importance of volunteering in the Anglophone and bilingual communities of our region. Volunteering that continues very often from father to son, from mother to daughter, for generations.

To help me understand the importance of volunteering, I had a good example in Stanley. Over the last 15 years, I have seen him take care of schools, churches, seniors' homes, youth groups, Pat Burns Arena, and many other things, but most importantly of hockey. He has been a coach all his life and has even trained many good athletes in his own family.

In the past year, although he has done a lot for his community, he has been lobbying his MNA for an important school project for the youth of his community, with a happy ending in June. For all these reasons, and to honor with him his family and loved ones, it is a great privilege for me to present a National Assembly medal to Stanley Holmes, exemplary citizen by his exceptional involvement in the regional community and privileged witness of the resilience of the English‐speaking population of the Eastern Townships.