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[Page S4820]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
150TH ANNIVERSARY OF FRENCHVILLE, MAINE
Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, today I wish to commemorate the 150th
anniversary of the Town of Frenchville, ME. As one who was born and
raised in Aroostook County, I am honored to celebrate the generations
of industrious and caring people who have made Frenchville such a
wonderful place to live, work, and raise families.
The story of Frenchville begins long before its incorporation in
1869. For thousands of years, the St. John River Valley has been the
home of the Maliseet Tribe. French explorers, led by Samuel de
Champlain, first visited the area in 1604 and established friendly
relationships with the Native Americans. In the late 1700s, French-
speaking Canadians began settling in the area, and the Maliseets often
provided vital assistance during the first difficult winters. These
settlements laid the foundation for the vibrant Acadian culture that is
so important in Maine, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and as far away as
Louisiana.
The Acadian settlers created a prosperous community. They planted
crops, established lumber and grain mills, and built schools, churches,
and thriving general stores. Later in the 19th century, the people of
Frenchville joined their neighboring towns in connecting their remote
region to the world with their own hands. Town by town, they built
roads and railroads with pick, shovel, and wheelbarrow. These
transportation networks, combined with rich soil. made the region an
agricultural center, and the potato industry remains an essential part
of the economy.
The town was incorporated in 1869 as Dickeyville, in honor of Major
William Dickey, an early civic and political leader in the region. Two
years later, the name was changed to Frenchville to recognize the
language and origins of its original settlers. Today, 80 percent of the
town's residents speak French, and they continue to uphold the Acadian
traditions of great food, music, and dance, and of close-knit families
and lasting friendships.
(English translation of the statement made in French is as follows:)
To my Franco-American friends, it is a pleasure to congratulate you
on this landmark anniversary. Across the generations, you have worked
hard and worked together to create a community that combines your rich
heritage with the values that define our State and our Nation.
While the people of Frenchville cherish their fascinating history,
they build for the future. Last year, the Dr. Levesque Elementary
School was named a 2018 National Blue Ribbon Exemplary High Performing
School, marking the second time this outstanding school received that
prestigious recognition. For nearly 50 years, Frenchville and
neighboring communities have joined hands to make the Northern
Aroostook Regional Airport an invaluable transportation link between
the St. John Valley and the world. In addition to the airport's
important role in economic development, the volunteer pilots of the
Patient Airlift Service provide a crucial lifeline to people needing
advanced medical treatment.
The celebration of Frenchville's 150th anniversary is not merely
about the passing of time. It is about human accomplishment. We
celebrate the people who pulled together, cared for one another, and
built a great community. Thanks to those who came before, Frenchville,
ME, has a wonderful history. Thanks to those there today, it has a
bright future.
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