[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 134 (Wednesday, September 7, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Page S5367]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      RECOGNIZING KINGFIELD, MAINE

 Mr. KING. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize the town of 
Kingfield, ME, which has recently been designated by the Appalachian 
Trail Conservancy as an Appalachian Trail Community. This will provide 
better economic development opportunity for Kingfield and contribute to 
its cherished position in Maine and along the Appalachian Trail. I am 
pleased to congratulate Kingfield on this well-deserved designation, 
which also coincides with the community's bicentennial celebration on 
September 10.
  Kingfield's roots go back to 1807, when William King, later to be 
Maine's first Governor purchased land in the relatively uncharted 
Carrabassett River Valley. Over the next 10 years, the humble 
settlement grew into a vibrant industrial town, including several mills 
and factories. Through the early 20th century, Kingfield became an 
anchor town in the western foothills and has maintained its sterling 
reputation as a small, but strong, tight-knit community to this day.
  Today Kingfield is known for its picturesque scenery and the plethora 
of outdoor recreation opportunities it provides. The recreation 
industry has brought revitalization to the western foothills of Maine, 
and Kingfield stands at the forefront of that effort. Nearby Sugarloaf 
Mountain is one of the most popular skiing destinations on the East 
Coast, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors to the area every 
year. During the rest of the year, Kingfield is a haven for fishing, 
hunting, and wildlife watching, as well as a popular stop along the 
Appalachian Trail.
  The Appalachian Trail has brought tens of thousands of people through 
western Maine, and many have stopped in Kingfield for respite from the 
challenging terrain. Through the official designation of Kingfield as 
an Appalachian Trail Community, visitors will now have access to the 
best resources to help them complete their journey, and residents can 
benefit from the engagement with trail visitors and trail stewards that 
this designation allows. The town will be able to gain a fuller 
partnership with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, while implementing 
environmentally and culturally sustainable practices. This is the dawn 
of a new era in the partnership between the Appalachian Trail 
Conservancy and the town of Kingfield and is sure to have a lasting and 
meaningful impact for years to come.
  I commend all that the people of Kingfield have done to make their 
town such a special place to live and experience nature. Their shared 
love for their hometown has made them one of Maine's great communities, 
and I am confident that this designation as an Appalachian Trail 
Community will further the town's reputation. I thank the ATC for their 
recognition of Kingfield's important role in supporting hikers along 
the trail. I am proud to recognize this historic milestone, and I wish 
the town many more years of success.

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