Ottawa, Ontario – Cheryl Gallant, MP Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke, was pleased to welcome Melissa Bishop to Parliament Hill. Melissa joined her fellow Canadian Olympic Athletes for a special tribute in the House of Commons. Cheryl joined her Parliamentary colleagues in recognizing all our Canadian Olympic athletes and their efforts in London this past summer. Joining Cheryl and Melissa for lunch in Ottawa were Dale Potter from Horton Township, Garry and Donna Dowd Arnprior, and June Anderson from Pembroke.
“It was my pleasure to recognize Melissa earlier this week in a special statement in the House of Commons on the first day of the new session,” stated Cheryl Gallant, MP. “Her coming to Ottawa allowed me to share the pride of Renfrew County with my colleagues.”
Monday, September 17, 2012
STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS
2012 Olympic Games
Mrs. Cheryl Gallant (Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, Conservative): Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to rise today to recognize Ottawa Valley girl and Canadian Olympic athlete Melissa Bishop. Melissa Bishop represented Canada at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London in the 800-metre race. She earned the right to represent Canada by becoming only the third Canadian woman to break the two-minute barrier in the two-lap race in the qualifying rounds.
While Melissa is a native of Bonnechere Valley township, from deep in the heart of the upper Ottawa Valley, she carried with her the thoughts and aspirations of all the people in the Ottawa Valley. In turn, Ottawa Valley residents embraced Melissa, supporting fundraising events, buying T-shirts and giving her a hero’s welcome with a homecoming parade.
Melissa shared with us her Olympic dream to be the best by competing with the best, running toward the dream. We will see her in Rio in four years.