I am pleased to be attending this event because I greatly appreciate the activities of Saskatchewan Elocution and Debate Association and a great respect for its achievements. You must be proud that an organization starting from such small beginnings has blossomed into a seminal educational tool and, moreover, has along the way given so much to the cultural and social life of the province. Over the years you have seen your organization grow through the recruitment of volunteers and the attracting of participants. The size and commitment of your organization has grown to the point that you were able to host the National Debate seminar last year. Your resource materials for teachers and workshops in the classroom have introduced countless students to the craft of debating. You have helped individual students launch rewarding careers, seen Saskatchewan students compete successfully at the national level, and encouraged students to become more aware, both socially and culturally. You have encouraged students to take their first step into involvement with the wider community. I am happy to add my voice to the appreciation you deserve for your hard work, dedication, creativity and effort. As citizens of a diverse, multi-cultural country, we need an organization that stresses the importance of communication—of the willingness to understand competing accounts of an issue and the ability to critically evaluate the claims made by these diverse views of the matter. The principles of debate make us aware of both the freedom to speak and the responsibility inherent in freely speaking in the public sphere. Debate rests on its fostering the skill of persuasion, a skill that, in its best sense, requires the speaker to justify her or his position. Consequently, debate ultimately fosters an appreciation of truth, candor and honesty. To give the students and, by extension, the province, such awareness and skill is no small matter. This event is just one in a series of many more such events to come. But I wanted to use this moment to bring you not just greetings but also a sense that you are greatly appreciated by the province. POSSIBLES FOR STUDENT AWARDS: • Congratulations on your tremendous accomplishment • Congratulations—your hard work and dedication inspires others • Congratulations on achieving so much at such a young age.
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