Senator Marraché Announces Franco-American Day Plans
March 14, 2008
AUGUSTA—Senator Lisa Marraché (D-Kennebec County) of Waterville is pleased to announce that the seventh annual Franco-American Day will be held at the State Capitol in Augusta next Wednesday, March 19. Once again the day long celebration is scheduled during International Francophone Week, celebrated worldwide during the week of March 16-22.
“Our French heritage is very important in Maine, and it has played a critical role in making our state what it is today,” Senator Marraché said. “It is vital that we recognize and celebrate that heritage.”
As she has done for the every year, twelve-year old Melanie Saucier of Fort Kent will sing the U.S. and Canadian national anthems in French and English in the House Chamber. The fiddlers from the Lewiston High and Middle School Strings will also be performing prior to the session in the Hall of Flags. The Hall of Flags will also have displays from Franco-American cultural organizations from across the state.
Three new inductees to the Franco-American Hall of Fame will be recognized by the legislature. They are author and historian Julie Daigle Albert of Madawaska, museum director Rachel Desgrosseilliers of Minot and promoters of French culture Perley and Alice LaChance of Waterville. A special posthumous award will go to Professor Madeline Giguere, who established Franco-American Studies as a legitimate part of college curriculum at USM.
There will also be Franco-American foods in the Cross Cafeteria in the State Office Building, including ploys for breakfast and tourtieres for lunch. A press conference will be held in the Hall of Flags at noon to announce the nominees to the Hall of Fame, recognize the visiting dignitaries from France, Canada and Quebec Province and to help celebrate the 400th anniversary of the founding of Quebec City.
For more information call Senator Marraché’s office at 287-1515.
|
