Hon. Percy E. Downe: Honourable senators, I rise today to ask you to join me in celebrating the joyful occasions of two of our Senate colleagues.

I want to congratulate Senator Kutcher on the recent election of his son Dan as Mayor of the City of Summerside in Prince Edward Island.

Senator Kutcher and his spouse Jan have made significant contributions to Prince Edward Island. Not only has Dan been elected mayor, but their other son, Matt, is a doctor in Summerside. Furthermore, both Dr. Kutcher’s and Mayor Dan’s spouses are also doctors, a profession most needed in our province much like in the rest of our country.

Dan Kutcher defeated the incumbent, who served for an impressive 33 years. It was a significant win, and I know the residents of Summerside are looking forward to his inspired leadership — much like our proud colleague, the father of the mayor.

Secondly, colleagues, I want to acknowledge that acclaimed Canadian writer David Adams Richards has published over 30 books, poems and plays. We know him best as Senator Richards from New Brunswick. His latest novel, The Tragedy of Eva Mott, joins his other published works, including the winner of the Governor General’s Literary Award for fiction, Nights Below Station Street, and non-fiction, Lines on the Water, as well as the 2000 co-winner of the Giller Prize, Mercy Among The Children.

I attended the book reading for Senator Richards’ new book in Charlottetown a couple of weeks ago, and I was impressed not only by the crowd that turned out but by his interview with the moderator. Senator Richards read two of his poems from his collection in addition to excerpts from his most recent novel. I purchased two of his award-winning novels as Christmas gifts, and Senator Richards was kind enough to autograph them.

Colleagues, join me as both Senator Kutcher and Senator Richards celebrate these wonderful events.