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Following is the speech (translation) made by the Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, at the opening ceremony of the Project Rainbow Concert tonight (June 13):
Our respected healthcare workers, Professor Lam, ladies and gentlemen,
Project Rainbow, what a meaningful name. Throughout the SARS outbreak, our healthcare workers have worked with commitment, professionalism and courage, often risking their own lives to protect ours. They are the rainbow that brightens the sky of our medical sector and of Hong Kong. I support the project. I hope that, inspired by the gallantry of Dr Lau Tai-kwan, Dr Tse Yuen-man, Dr Kate Cheng, Dr Thomas Cheung, Mr Lau Wing-kai, Ms Tang Heung-mey, Ms Lau Kam-yung and Ms Wong Kang-tai, all of us will see more rainbows.
The scholarships, named after the four doctors who were graduates from the University of Hong Kong and the Chinese University of Hong Kong, have been set up by the two universities to benefit their students. They remind us again of the unity displayed by Hong Kong people in the fight against the viral outbreak. Unity gives us hope and strength in crisis. Ahead of us are many more challenges: we must eradicate the disease, improve the medical system and revive the economy to relaunch Hong Kong. I have full confidence that working in unity, we will overcome our adversities and emerge even stronger. Thank you very much.
End/Friday, June 13, 2003
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