[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 17 (Friday, February 27, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1164-S1165]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    BICENTENNIAL OF EASTPORT, MAINE

 Ms. SNOWE. Mr. President, I rise to pay tribute to the 
community of Eastport, Maine, which this week celebrated the 200th 
anniversary of its incorporation.
  When the sun rises over the cities of America, it rises first over 
the City of Eastport. The city, located on Moose Island, epitomizes the 
rugged beauty of Downeast Maine as well as the hearty and 
individualistic nature of the region's people. This is a part of Maine 
and America where hard work is more than a virtue, it's a way of life--
and neighbors look out for each other just as they have done for the 
past two centuries.
  As the deepest natural harbor on the east coast, the lifeblood of 
Eastport has always been the sea. In its earliest days, the city was a 
center for trade and ship building. Later, in the 1800's, Eastport 
became the birthplace of the American sardine industry, which was a 
major source of economic prosperity for the region for many decades, 
and the city's sea captains sailed from Eastport to ports from Boston 
to the West Indies.
  Today, the city is very much a working port, where traditional 
fishermen and a vibrant and growing shipping industry exist side-by-
side. In 1981, the first year of operation for the Eastport Port 
Authority, the Port logged six vessels and 15,000 tons of cargo at its 
420-foot pier. Last year, according to the Authority's director, 
Eastport shipped out value-added products to the tune of about $60 
million, with markets ranging from Northern Europe to Taiwan to Italy 
and the Middle East.
  Eastport also hosts an annual, week-long celebration of our nation's 
independence every year during 4th of July week that is renowned across 
the State of Maine. Steeped in tradition, the festival has included an 
almost yearly visit from U.S. Navy vessels dating back to the days when 
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who summered across Passamaquoddy Bay on 
Campobello Island, was Secretary of the Navy. In fact, during the 4th 
of July celebration Eastport's population of about 2,000 swells six or 
seven times as visitors and former residents as well as the state's 
elected officials flock to the island city. Eastport also pays homage 
to its fishing tradition with its Salmon Festival each September, 
celebrating an aquaculture industry which has become an important part 
of the local economy.
  As Eastport celebrates its 200th Birthday, her people can be proud of 
the community which supports a host of cultural and recreational 
opportunities. And they can be proud of a rich

[[Page S1165]]

and unique history, which includes the historic site of the War of 1812 
era Fort Sullivan--a part of which was relocated and appropriately 
lives on as a home to Eastport's Border Historical Society.
  I first visited Eastport in 1977, and have returned many times over 
the years, getting to know many of its residents--in fact, one Eastport 
native is today my Chief of Staff. I have always been struck not only 
by the beauty of the area but also the hospitality of Eastport's 
people.
  Most recently, I was also struck by their strength and compassion in 
the face of adversity. Last month, in the wake of devastating and 
unprecedented ice storms which left much of Maine without electricity, 
I visited the area to see first-hand how local residents were coping. I 
spent time at the emergency shelter set up at the Eastport Youth 
Center. While there, I marveled how people in the community, like 
elsewhere in Maine, pulled together to help each other through a most 
difficult and trying time.
  I am proud to represent the City of Eastport in the United States 
Senate, particularly at this special time in the life of this great 
community. I congratulate Eastport on this wonderful milestone, and 
wish her people all the best as the city looks ahead toward continued 
success in the next hundred years.

                          ____________________