Mr. Peter Dyck (Pembina): Recently I had the pleasure of participating in the opening ceremonies of the Manitoba Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum and the third induction dinner in Morden. The town of Morden is a fitting home for the Manitoba Baseball Hall of Fame. Throughout the years, Morden has played host to a number of baseball tournaments and championships. Time and again the residents of Morden have pulled together and acted as gracious hosts, pulling out all stops to make sporting events fun, safe and professional.

Morden is no stranger to baseball talent or stardom. A number of baseball players got their start in Morden. It is always a delight to read or hear about successful young players who cite Morden as the place they got their start. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate three of Morden's baseball greats. These gentlemen were inducted into the Manitoba Baseball Hall of Fame on Saturday. Jim Mutcheson coached in Morden from 1954 to '62, winning regionals three times and was the driving force behind the Little League program from 1958 to 1985. Bob Thompson was pitcher and infielder for 20 years from the late '40s to the late '60s and led Miami to many victories in the South Central Baseball League. Joe Wiwchar has coached baseball continuously from 1953 to 1998. I cannot say enough about what Joe has done for baseball in this province.

The Hall of Fame is a collection of baseball artifacts, photographs, pennants, jerseys and includes a special display featuring the Manitoba women who competed in the 1940s and '50s in the All-American Baseball League. Please join me in congratulating Joe Wiwchar, curator, and all of the volunteers and staff who have worked so hard in putting the hall of fame and museum together.

Ms. Becky Barrett (Wellington): Today, Madam Speaker, we received a letter from Lorrie Roulette from Brandon, Manitoba, that I would like to read into the record. It is entitled Manitoba Health?

Manitoba Health has cut back 100 cardiac surgery cases per year. This is your story. In August 1997, your normally healthy, vital and energetic 43-year-old spouse had a heart attack. The whole family was in shock. Over the next few months you learned to cope. Better diet, exercise and lifestyle were learned and practised. You had learned to live with the constant knowledge of your loved one's mortality. Your spouse has suffered a serious blow but manages to keep a very positive attitude and struggles to keep life normal for everyone involved. Your family lives in fear now but carries on. I am so proud of you all. You are doing great.

In July 1998, your spouse had a second heart attack. By now you know this problem is not going to go away. You, your children, your brothers, your sisters, parents and friends are devastated by the fact that you are very close to losing a person who you cannot live without, for your spouse is loved by many. You do have faith in the health care system and know that surely they can and will help you through this trying time.

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It is now February 1999, and a third heart attack is your biggest fear. You know that it is imminent, and you watch your loved one become tired and edgy every day. Will the next heart attack cause irreparable damage, or will it be fatal? Disaster can be avoided, you are told. A quadruple by-pass can save the life of the person you love–wonderful news. When?

Wednesday, May 5, you are packed and loading the car, mentally and physically and emotionally prepared. Your shifts at work have all been filled. Your children have been taken out of school and/or have taken time off work. The newspaper has been cancelled for a week. You have made arrangements for someone to sit with your father who is ill and bedridden. A hotel room has been booked. Family and friends are waiting to hear, praying that all has gone well.

Madam Speaker, I will conclude tomorrow.

Mr. Denis Rocan (Gladstone): This morning I had the pleasure of being in Carman which is playing host to the Manitoba Society of Seniors 55 Plus Games. The games kicked off today and will run until Thursday. With 1999 being the International Year of Older Persons and June being Seniors Month, this year's addition of the MSOS 55 Plus Games is bound to be a time of particular excitement in our province.

Seniors who gather in Carman will participate in events ranging from baseball, bowling, golf, shuffleboard and snooker. In addition to enjoying some physical activity, they will also enjoy the fellowship and friendship gained from gathering their fellow Manitobans to celebrate the games. It is appropriate, especially during the International Year of Older Persons and Seniors Month, that we take the time to honour and recognize the contributions of our seniors, past and present. Their knowledge and experience have provided our leaders with the guidance and direction to make Manitoba the strong and vibrant province we all enjoy today.

I would like to congratulate the Manitoba Society of Seniors, its many volunteers, and the community and businesses of Carman for all their efforts in staging this unique event for our province's seniors. The organizing committee has been hard at work developing a program of sport, recreation and hospitality that is sure to impress the many visitors the events attract. I know the games will be a resounding success. Thank you.

Mr. Gary Kowalski (The Maples): Madam Speaker, I rise to take advantage of this opportunity to say a few words about the principal of Maples Collegiate. I wish I did not have this opportunity, because today being June 15 would have been the day we would have had a provincial election if it had been called on May 11, and I would be returning to the police force and helping them with their staffing shortage.

Although it is a privilege to represent the people of The Maples, I am anxious to get back and that, but because I have this opportunity I would like to say a few words about Brian O'Leary. He is leaving Maples Collegiate to assume the role of assistant superintendent. My wife and I have been very happy with the way Brian has treated our daughter, Tanya. He has done many positive things in that high school. I believe I stood up once before in a members' statement and commented when there was a stabbing incident that was not related to the school other than it happened on the sidewalk in front, and Brian took quick and immediate action that lessened the impact of what could have happened. That was typical of the type of action that Brian O'Leary would take.

When Brian O'Leary first arrived at Maples Collegiate, there was some gang activity there, and he took quick and immediate action. As a result, Maples Collegiate is a school that I think any member would be happy to send their child to. He has brought in some new staff there that have improved the music program, the drama program there. All in all, although I did not agree with everything that Brian O'Leary did there, I give him best wishes in his next endeavour, and I wish the new principal, Val McCorkell, will do just as well as Brian O'Leary.