[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 30 (Tuesday, February 15, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Page S704]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                150TH ANNIVERSARY OF ISLAND FALLS, MAINE

  Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I rise today to commemorate the 150th 
anniversary of the town of Island Falls, ME. As one who was born and 
raised in Aroostook County, it is a great pleasure to celebrate the 
generations of industrious and caring people who have made Island Falls 
such a wonderful place to live, work, and raise families.
  Incorporated on February 27, 1872, Island Falls is a small town with 
a rich history. For thousands of years, the west branch of the 
Mattawamkeag River was the hunting grounds of the Micmac and Maliseet 
Native American Tribes. Permanent settlement began in earnest when the 
long-disputed border between the Aroostook region of Maine and British 
New Brunswick finally was determined in 1842.
  The early settlers created a vibrant community. They cleared farmland 
and, with the river and falls providing power, established lumber and 
grain mills. The first school, built in 1859, also served as a church 
and meeting house.
  With the river, pristine lakes, and spectacular views of Mt. 
Katahdin, Island Falls has long been a paradise for outdoor 
enthusiasts. With William Sewell, the son of one of the first settlers 
as his guide, young Theodore Roosevelt often visited Island Falls to 
hunt, fish, hike, and canoe. Bible Point State Historic Site marks the 
location where the future President would sit in quiet contemplation on 
his Sunday mornings in Maine.
  Today, Island Falls is a premier four-season destination for outdoor 
recreation. In addition to the activities Theodore Roosevelt enjoyed, 
it is an ideal place for golf, leaf-peeping, star-gazing, and, with an 
extensive network of well-groomed trails, snowmobiling.
  Island Falls is a town of patriots, and a park pays tribute to those 
who have defended our nation. Among them is Pvt. George F. Robinson, 
who served with the Maine Eighth Regiment in the Civil War.
  While recovering from wounds received in battle, Pvt. Robinson was 
reassigned as an attendant to Secretary of State William Seward. On the 
night of April 14, 1865, as the assassination of President Lincoln was 
being carried out, a coconspirator entered the Seward home and attacked 
the Secretary with a knife. Pvt. Robinson fought off the attacker and, 
despite his own stab wounds, helped render the first aid that saved 
Secretary Seward's life. This Maine hero rose to the rank of major and 
was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal. In 1965, on the centennial of 
this act of valor, the Maine Legislature renamed Robinson Mountain in 
his honor.
  The celebration of Island Falls' 150th anniversary is not about the 
passing of time, but about human accomplishment. We celebrate the 
people who pulled together, cared for one another, and built a great 
community. Thanks to those who came before, Island Falls, ME, has a 
wonderful history. Thanks to those there today, it has a bright future.

                          ____________________