My vote against this misbegotten war is the best vote I have cast in the United States Senate since I was elected in 1962.  And my call more than a year ago _ more than a year ago _ to bring our troops home is one of my proudest moments.  -  Sen. Edward Moore “Ted” Kennedy (February 22, 1932 – August 25, 2009)

The 2009 World Congress on Disaster and Emergency Medicine (WCDEM) started off with a speech by the Hon. Stephen Point, the first Aboriginal Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia.

Mr. Point emphasized the wisdom of the elders, and noted that he was repeatedly being warned that we are entering a time of increasing disasters.

A 1st Nations song and dance was also performed for the attendees.

Dr. Jonathan Patz gave a plenary talk on Health and Climate Change, pointing out that America and Canada were consumers of the largest amount of resources in the world, and therefore also had a responsibility to tackle the upcoming challenges of climate change.