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Tree Planting Ceremony the University of New Brunswick in Saint John Tucker Park Road

Tree Planting Ceremony the University of New Brunswick in Saint John Tucker Park Road Saturday, October 10 1998

It is a great pleasure to be here this afternoon at the University of New Brunswick in Saint John and I would like to thank Dr. Parr-Johnston for her kind words of introduction.

I am honoured to have been invited to plant a tree at the University which, together with the University of Georgia, shares the distinction of being the oldest English-speaking provincial or state institution of higher learning in North America. Its establishment is an example of “people-power” at its simplest and its most effective. In 1875 a group of seven United Empire Loyalists displaced by the American Revolution and recently arrived in new Brunswick were concerned about the education of their children, indeed about the education of all of the province’s children. They petitioned Thomas Carleton, Governor of New Brunswick to establish an academy of learning where their children might study. From their petition grew the institution which is today the University of New Brunswick, established in the city of Fredericton, or Frederickburg as it then was.

The University of New Brunswick grew and flourished and in 1964 opened a second campus, in Saint John, where we are gathered today. I think it is particularly appropriate to plant a tree at this campus, which represents the growth and - if you’ll pardon the pun - the branching out of an old tradition as a result of careful nurturing and encouragement. I am planting this tree in recognition of the long tradition of your University and the great future no doubt lying ahead, and as a symbol of the shared values of Irish and Canadian people everywhere, our tradition of encouraging and investing on our greatest resource, our young people.

The planting of a tree is always an act of faith in the future. It represents our hope that from a fragile young plant a sturdy and resistant tree will grow, a tree that will last for generations and will be a familiar, yet beautiful object to our children. In Ireland I think it is fair to say that we have planted a tree of hope this year. I am referring of course to our peace process, the delicate plant which is so vitally important to us all. It is still young, very fragile and vulnerable to those who want to destroy it, such as the callous perpetrators of the terrible bombing at Omagh. But this little plant is so precious to us, and there is such determination among all Irish people to sustain it and see it flourish, that I believe that this young seedling will go on to become mighty as an oak tree, sheltering us all in its shade and with roots deep enough to withstand the strongest storms.

We thank you for your good wishes and we know that our hopes and dreams are also your hopes and dreams.

Thank you.