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[Pages S4851-S4852]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
150TH ANNIVERSARY OF FORT KENT, MAINE
Ms. COLLINS. Madam President, today I wish to commemorate the 150th
anniversary of the town of Fort Kent, ME. The motto of our State's
northernmost community, ``The Little Town That Could,'' describes a
past of hard work, courage, and determination. ``The Little Town That
Can'' describes Fort Kent today: a wonderful place to live, work, and
raise families.
Located where the Fish River joins the St. John River, Fort Kent has
a rich history. For thousands of years, the region has been the home of
the Micmac and Maliseet. French explorers, led by Samuel de Champlain,
first visited the area in 1604. In the early 1800s, French-speaking
Canadians began settling in the area, laying the foundation for the
robust Acadian culture that is so important in Maine, New Brunswick,
Nova Scotia, and as far away as Louisiana.
The Acadian settlers created a vibrant community. They cleared
farmland, established lumber and grain mills, schools, and churches.
The namesake of the town is the Fort Kent Blockhouse, a fort named for
then-Governor Edward Kent and carefully preserved today, which was
built in 1839 during a long-running border dispute between the United
States and British Canada. Settlement to the region increased
dramatically when the ``Bloodless Aroostook War'' ended peacefully with
a treaty in 1842.
Fort Kent's dedication to education began shortly after the town
became established. In 1878, the Madawaska Training School was
established in Fort Kent, one of the first institutions in Maine
dedicated to preparing students for careers as bilingual educators.
That school continues today as the University of Maine at Fort Kent,
which in 2019 was named for the 14th consecutive year as one of the
best
[[Page S4852]]
northeastern colleges by the Princeton Review. As the only institution
in the United States located at the center of French culture in
northern Maine, the University of Maine at Fort Kent offers
opportunities for students of all heritages to study and live in a
bilingual community.
Today, more than 60 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. The
Maine Acadian Heritage Council continues to help preserve these
traditions and is working to teach the next generation about the
Acadian heritage through programs like the Youth Renaissance.
The can-do spirit of Fort Kent is evident today. It is an
agricultural powerhouse. and the potato industry remains an essential
part of its economy. The town is home to an Olympic biathlete training
center and frequently hosts world-class biathlon competitions. For 26
years, the Can-Am Crown International Sled Dog race has attracted teams
from around the world. The International Muskie Fishing Derby
highlights the valuable fishing grounds and the pristine environment
the people of the community work to preserve. The Fort Kent Ploye
Festival celebrates the pancake-like dish that is a staple of Franco-
American-Canadian cuisine.
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.
The celebration of Fort Kent'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. ``The Little Town That Can'' has a fascinating past and a
bright future.
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