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February 201
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EDA Office of Foreign Trade • Riverside County, California • USA
you for all you have done to bring
this wonderful event to our area.”
Fraser thanked Freeman for
being “a real friend of Canada
and an American patriot.”
Congressman Raul Ruiz, who represents
the Coachella Valley, received the
honorary “Friend of Canada” award. Ruiz
recounted his own personal journey
from the Riverside County desert to
Harvard Medical School and back,
where he provides expert medical
care to patients around the region.
“
Many Canadians call this their second
home, and we want to continue to
build on that relationship,” Ruiz said.
“
Everybody in this room, whether they
are Canadian or a Californian, wants
the same thing – a pro-business, pro-
growth environment that creates jobs.”
Congressman Ruiz gave many in the
audience a lump in their throats when
he recounted how he once went door
to door in his hometown of Coachella
seeking donations so that he could
afford to continue his education.
“
I know the importance of making an
investment that can change lives,” Ruiz
said. “I am the result of an investment. I
would talk to anyone who would listen
to a young man in an itchy blue suit.
Thank you so much from a product
of a small business investment.”
The business luncheon also featured
a panel discussion of filmmaking,
with some Canadian hockey lore
thrown in for good measure.
Nick Cassavetes, director of “The
Notebook” and “Alpha Dog” and Bruce
McNall, producer of the films “War
Games,”“Mr. Mom,” and “Weekend
at Bernie’s” discussed “What Creates
Winning Film Projects – the Battle
Between Creativity and Finance.”
Professional hockey great Marty
McSorley moderated the discussion
and added his own hilarious tidbits.
Lee Fraser presents the “Honorary Friend of Canada Award” to congressman Raul Ruiz.
