Political Quotes

“I rise today to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Town of Madawaska ME. Located in Aroostook County, our State's northernmost region, Madawaska is in the heart of the St. John River Valley, the center of our rich Acadian culture. I am honored to celebrate the generations of industrious and caring people who have made Madawaska such a wonderful place to live, work, and raise families. Madawaska has a fascinating history. For thousands of years, the St. John River Valley has been the home of the Maliseet Tribe. French explorers, led by Samuel de Champlain, first visited the area in 1604 and established friendly relationships with the Native Americans. In 1785, French-speaking Canadians fleeing persecution in British Canada journeyed up the St. John River in search of liberty. They marked the spot of their landing with a large wooden cross in gratitude for the safe haven they had found. Today, the rebuilt Acadian Cross is an enduring reminder of the determination and courage of those first settlers. The Tante Blanche Museum honors the heroism and compassion of Marguerite Blanche Thibodeau Cyr, who fed the hungry and cared for the sick during a famine in 1797. The Maliseets often provided vital assistance during the first difficult years.…”