February 6, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 23 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Pages S917-S918]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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             150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE TOWN OF AUBURN, MAINE

 Mr. KING. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize the town of 
Auburn, ME, which is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year. 
Auburn might be a small city, but it features something for everyone, 
from recreation activities and parks and trails to cultural 
opportunities, a variety of restaurants, shopping, and public and 
private school options. Located along the banks of the Androscoggin 
River, Auburn is home to over 23,000 residents and is the county seat 
of Androscoggin County.
  Auburn was first incorporated on February 22, 1869, and was created 
by annexing parts of the surrounding towns of Poland, Minot, and 
Danville, previously called Pejepscot. Auburn was the first city in 
Maine to adopt a council-manager form of government and grew into one 
of Maine's largest municipalities. In the early to mid-1800s, a new 
bridge across the Androscoggin River to Lewiston and the arrival of the 
Atlantic and St. Lawrence Railroad helped spur development in Auburn. 
Like many Maine towns, Auburn developed into a mill town, and many of 
those mills were powered by the falls on the Androscoggin and Little 
Androscoggin

[[Page S918]]

Rivers. Auburn was also the home to a number of other manufacturing 
plants, including shoes, cotton and woolen textiles, carriages, bricks, 
and furniture. The population of the city grew quickly through the end 
of the 1800s, mostly due to the influx of French-Canadian immigrants 
coming to the city to work at the shoe factories.
  By the late 19th century, shoe manufacturing became the dominant 
industry in Auburn. In fact, the city seal depicts a spindle with 
different types of shoes at each outside point. In 1917, one factory in 
Auburn was producing 75 percent of the world's supply of white canvas 
shoes. Like many manufacturing towns, Auburn has had to reinvent itself 
in recent years, and they have shown their resiliency and grit. Today, 
Auburn is as vibrant as ever.
  The city of Auburn has contributed to the energy, vitality, and 
commerce of the State of Maine and is poised to make the next 150 years 
some of the best years in its long and cherished history. I hope that 
the citizens of Auburn take the opportunity during this yearlong 
birthday celebration to reconnect to their roots, share their life 
stories, and remind current and future generations about the rich past 
and the bright future ahead of us all. Happy 150th birthday, Auburn, 
and congratulations to all the citizens of this great Maine 
community.

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