Larger-than-life Mayor Mel Lastman of Toronto said goodbye in his inimitable style to Seventh-day Adventists attending the World Session tonight (July 8).
"You came as delegates came, you leave as friends," he told the appreciative audience. "I wish the Blue Jays who play in this stadium had been here to see what a big crowd really looks like. Ten days ago, I presented keys to the city to presidents Paulsen and Parchment. This is our highest honor-you have also bestowed your highest honor on our great city through your presence."
He congratulated all involved in the Session-"this great event, the largest in Toronto's history. We wanted to provide a warm welcome and a home away from home. This has been a perfect convention. Despite its size, there have been no problems of any kind. This is impossible, it cannot happen, even in Toronto, with a convention this large. Such an event is a logistical nightmare."
"You amazed our city, you were perfect guests," Lastman commented. "You have a great sense of humor. We want to host all your conventions and all your meetings. Yours is a church with a drug-free, tobacco-free, alcohol-free lifestyle. Your family values are above and beyond any I have ever seen. Children never get into trouble with police, your youth respect their parents and uphold your values. The Adventists in Toronto set a great example to our city and our country. Please come back soon."
The Mayor received a standing ovation and accepted a check for $3,564 from pastor Jan Paulsen from the CN Tower ($1 for every Adventist tour visitor) to be given to Toronto's Daily Bread Food Bank. |
