Warden McNamara welcomed the members of County Council, Administration and members of the public and delivered the following greeting:
"This week, we said a solemn and final farewell to Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth the Second. At the County of Essex, we paused after the Queen’s funeral on Monday for a moment of silence to reflect on her legacy and remarkable life of service.
She was our Queen for over 70 years and the longest reigning British monarch. She came of age during the Second World War, took the throne at age 25 and over her lifetime saw tremendous change. She was a calming, steady presence who reassured us in times of crisis, and who was always there to help us celebrate landmark occasions and accomplishments.
She charmed us with her warmth, kindness, intelligence and extraordinary sense of duty. She spoke thoughtfully and listened attentively.
In upholding her duties, the Queen carried on traditions that go back hundreds of years, but she also helped us set out on a road to a better future by participating in historic changes.
We now look to King Charles the Third as he takes up the royal torch. Life will go on and we will continue to change with the times, but we will not forget our past.
Next week, on September 30th, we will reflect on another historic event as we mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. We will honour the survivors and the children who never returned from residential schools. We will honour them by taking a hard look at the truth of their experiences. We will honour them by continuing to walk the path toward reconciliation.
At the County of Essex, we will honour them by encouraging staff and residents to wear orange on September 30th. Indigenous communities across Canada have led the way by commemorating Orange Shirt Day to raise awareness of the devastating impact of residential schools. They are showing us the path to reconciliation and urging us to walk it with them.
Finally, on behalf of council, I want to thank the County of Essex Employee Engagement Committee and staff for raising and donating $1,557 to Habitat for Humanity. Yesterday, I had the privilege of participating in a cheque presentation at the site of a pivotal Habitat for Humanity Windsor-Essex project at The Bridge Youth Resource Centre in Leamington.
Participants are building the first 3-D printed residences in Canada. It was inspiring to see County of Essex and Essex-Windsor Solid Waste Authority staff members contribute by painting and doing other interior work. It was also heartening to hear that the staff donation will be matched to double its impact.
I encourage all Essex County residents to help create affordable housing in our region by supporting Habitat for Humanity Windsor-Essex."