[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 119 (Tuesday, July 16, 2019)]
[Senate]
[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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