200th Anniversary of Albion

Floor Speech

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Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I rise today to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the town of Albion, ME. Albion 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 date of Albion's incorporation, February 25, 1824, was but one milestone in a long journey of progress. For thousands of years, the Kennebec River Valley was the home of the Abenaki Tribe. The reverence the Abenaki had for the natural beauty and resources of the region is upheld by the people of Albion today.

In 1790, following America's independence, an early village called Freetown was established by Congregational Church minister Daniel Lovejoy with settlers drawn by the fertile soil and abundant forests. The prosperity produced by hard work and determination was invested in schools and churches to create a true community.

In 1802, a son was born to Daniel and Elizabeth Lovejoy who would grow up to become one of the most inspiring and influential figures in American history. A journalist and fervent abolitionist, Elijah Parish Lovejoy founded a newspaper in the slave State of Missouri and fearlessly stood up to repeated threats and attacks. His murder by a pro-slavery mob in 1837 electrified the Nation and strengthened the anti-slavery movement. Since 1952, the prestigious award that bears his name has been presented annually by his alma mater, Colby College, to journalists who demonstrate uncommon courage. In addition, his brother Owen was a leader of the Underground Railroad in Illinois and a close adviser to Abraham Lincoln.

Albion provides an outstanding example of the Maine tradition of people working together. In 1894, construction began on a narrow-gauge railroad to connect cargo ships on the coast to the crops and lumber produced inland. The line grew town by town and reached its northern terminus at Albion a year later, and for decades, the unique ``Maine Two-Footers''--a reference to the reduced width of the locomotives and cars--helped bring prosperity to the region. Today, the Wiscasset, Waterville, and Farmington Railway is a National Heritage Railroad with excursions that keep alive this fascinating era.

That tradition of working together is evident in the energy and planning that are going into Albion's yearlong bicentennial celebration that demonstrates the pride townspeople have in their community. This 200th birthday party is a time to congratulate the people of Albion who have built a great community with a wonderful history and a bright future.

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