First of all, Cead Mile Failte—100,000 welcomes!

Halifax has been welcoming people since 1749. In fact, Nova Scotia and New England have been close neighbours since 1610.

We understand our unique relationship.

We have fought two world wars together, many global conflicts and peace missions around the globe.

Today the value of trade between Nova Scotia and America is over $4 billion.

Halifax native Bob Kelly, who runs the Mellon Bank of New York, one of the largest banks in America told me last month that he feels those close connections every day.

We are now in Afghanistan, where Nova Scotians and other Canadians stand with Americans and other partners to end tyranny and oppression there.

We are partners in spreading global peace, partners in trade and our countries share a common ancestry.

We take none of this for granted.

Partnership means we listen to one another and that is why we are so pleased that you Mr. Ambassador have come to Halifax today.

Nova Scotia is changing. Our goal is to do more trade with the world by putting in place the winning conditions for success.

Our investment in education, broadband access everywhere in Nova Scotia by 2009, in building Canada's Eastern Gateway to world markets and creating the cleanest greenest economy anywhere is how we will earn our place in the world.

I am sure that our guest recognizes an ad when he hears one as he served in the South Carolina House of Representatives for 25 years—the last 11 as Speaker of the House.

David H. Wilkins, an attorney by profession, was nominated by President George W. Bush to become the United States Ambassador to Canada in April 2005 was unanimously confirmed by the United States Senate a month later and became the 21st United States Ambassador to Canada on June 29, 2005.

Since his arrival in Canada, Ambassador Wilkins has traveled the country extensively visiting every province and territory.

He has been to Nova Scotia many times and we are delighted that he is here again today.

Not only is he a welcome visitor, he is a gracious host.

Last fall, Ambassador Wilkins hosted a reception for the government of Nova Scotia at his residence in Ottawa to kick off our Nova Scotia Days events.

I think the location of the reception was as big a draw for guests as the event itself.

He was the first Republican speaker to be elected in any southern state since the 1880s. I like people who buck trends.

At the time of his resignation, Speaker Wilkins was among the longest serving speakers in the United States.

Ambassador Wilkins is a native of Greenville South Carolina.

He and his wife, Susan, are the proud parents of two sons—James and Robert.

I'd like to welcome Ambassador Wilkins and all of our American friends to Nova Scotia.

When Canada's first parliamentary assembly met here in Halifax 249 years ago, seven of its 22 founding members were from Massachusetts. So the partnership between our two countries, and in particular, the partnership between our province and the New England states has a very long and proud history.

Next year, Nova Scotia will celebrate the 250th anniversary of representative government and the birth of parliamentary democracy in our country.

While you are always a welcome guest our province, we certainly hope that you will come back again next year as we celebrate this important national milestone and proud first for our province.

Now, please join me in welcoming the United States Ambassador to Canada—David Wilkins.