[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 69 (Wednesday, April 21, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S2118]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 250TH ANNIVERSARY OF VASSALBORO, MAINE

  Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President. I rise today to commemorate the 250th 
anniversary of the Town of Vassalboro, ME. Vassalboro was built with a 
spirit of determination and resiliency that still guides the community 
today, and this is a time to celebrate the generations of hard-working 
and caring people who have made it such a wonderful place to live, 
work, and raise families.
  The year of Vassalboro's incorporation, 1771, was but one milestone 
in a long journey of progress. For thousands of years, the land along 
the great Kennebec River was the home of the Abenaki Tribe, who hunted, 
fished, and tilled the fertile soil. The reverence the Abenaki had for 
the natural beauty and resources of the region is upheld by the people 
of Vassalboro today.
  Vassalboro's roots run deep into American history. It originally was 
part of the lands granted to the Pilgrims of the Plymouth Colony in the 
1600s. Later, the town became home to a large settlement of Quakers and 
a center of the movement to abolish slavery. The Society of Friends 
continues to have a positive presence in the town today. The statue of 
the Union soldier in Monument Park stands in silent tribute to the many 
patriots who have stepped forward to serve the cause of freedom.
  With the mighty Kennebec River providing power, Vassalboro was home 
to many lumber, grain, and textile mills. Built in 1850, the Olde Mill 
on Main Street was one of the largest mills in New England and world 
famous for the quality of the cashmere it produced. The wealth produced 
by hard work and determination was invested in schools and churches to 
create a true community.
  Today, visitors and residents alike enjoy Vassalboro's quiet parks, 
beautiful historic buildings, and exciting outdoor recreation 
opportunities. The energy and planning that are going into the town's 
250th anniversary celebration demonstrate the pride townspeople have in 
their town.
  Mr. President, Vassalboro's 250th anniversary is not merely about the 
passing of time, it is about human accomplishment. We celebrate the 
people who, for longer than America has been a nation, have pulled 
together, cared for one another, and built a great community. Thanks to 
those who came before, Vassalboro, ME, has a wonderful history. Thanks 
to those there today, it has a bright future.

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