Political Quotes

“Mr. President, today I wish to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the city of Auburn, ME. Auburn 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. Auburn was settled in 1786 and first incorporated as a town in 1842. The name was inspired by a popular poem by Oliver Goldsmith that begins with this line: ``Sweet Auburn! Loveliest village of the plain.'' With the mighty Androscoggin River providing power, Auburn soon was home to many lumber, grain, and textile mills. When the factory system of shoe manufacturing was developed there, the people of Auburn formed a skilled and dedicated workforce that built a great Maine industry. The factories attracted many French-Canadian immigrants, whose culture continues to enliven the city. The prosperity produced by hard work and determination was invested in schools and churches to create a true community. On February 22, 1869, the fast-growing community incorporated as the city of Auburn. Together with Lewiston across the Androscoggin River, an economic powerhouse was created, and the ``Cities of the Androscoggin'' today form Maine's second largest municipal region. The decline of traditional industries in the 20th century posed a great challenge.…”