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Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I rise today to recognize the extraordinary
accomplishments of an outstanding young community leader
from my district.
A resident of Forteau, Labrador, Jeffrey Belben is a
sixteen-year-old youth who has the ability to combine
academics with sports, business, the Junior Canadian
Rangers, and community involvement in youth matters on
both a local, national and international level.
Mr. Speaker, in July Jeffrey was one of only twenty
youth from Canada and one of 150 from all over the world
to attend the first International Youth Advisory
Congress on Online Safety and Security in London,
England.
Participants formulated proposals that were taken
forward for submission to the United Nations Convention
on Rights of the Child. He was also the only high school
student from our Province to attend the sixth Annual
National Aboriginal Youth Violence and Changing Times
conference in British Columbia this past year.
Mr. Speaker, Jeffrey has participated in hockey
schools for four summers, and has been honoured as most
spirited, won medals in tournaments, and placed first in
photography and arts contests. He has also worked with
the Youth Venture small business program, mowing lawns,
working as a sales assistant to the Labrador Straits
Arena, and as a cook in a local restaurant. In his spare
time, he became certified as a swimming instructor,
lifeguard and a Red Cross Water Safety instructor.
Mr. Speaker, Jeffrey did all of this while achieving
honours in junior and senior high grades and actively
participating in all aspects of the Junior Canadian
Ranger program.
I ask all members in this House to join with me in
recognizing the extraordinary abilities and commitments
of all our youth in Newfoundland and Labrador, but in
particular Mr. Jeffrey Belben on his diverse
accomplishments at such a young age.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. |
