Legislative record house appendix

Diana Doody, of Mapleton, a student at Northern Maine Community College and a member of Alpha Beta Gamma, who went to the Perkinston, Mississippi area to perform community service and provide support to the people affected by Hurricane Katrina. We commend Diana for her selfless work for people in need; (HLS 1744)

Andrea Perkins, of Easton, a student at Northern Maine Community College and a member of Alpha Beta Gamma, who went to the Perkinston, Mississippi area to perform community service and provide support to the people affected by Hurricane Katrina. We commend Andrea for her selfless work for people in need; (HLS 1745)

the members of Alpha Beta Gamma, students at Northern Maine Community College in Presque Isle, and their advisor Pam Crawford, on their community service work in the Perkinston, Mississippi area. These students forewent a planned trip to Quebec to provide support to people whose homes were severely damaged by Hurricane Katrina. We commend Alpha Beta Gamma and Pam Crawford for their dedicated service to people in need; (HLS 1746)

Howie Carr, a native of Portland, and now a resident of Massachusetts, on his earning a spot on the New York Times Bestseller list with his nonfiction book The Brothers Bulger. Mr. Carr is an award-winning journalist and highly rated talk show host in the greater Boston area and the rest of New England. We send him our congratulations on this achievement; (HLS 1747)

the Honorable Lucien "Babe" Dutremble, of Biddeford, who served as mayor, city councilor, state representative and county commissioner during a political career that spanned 6 decades. He served as a member of the Maine House of Representatives during the 108th, 109th, 113th-116th and 118th Legislatures. Mr. Dutremble was a dedicated public servant whose efforts and commitment improved the lives of the people of Biddeford, York County and this State. During World War II he served with the United States Marine Corps. He owned and operated the Dutremble Brothers Market for 25 years. Behind the grocery store, he and his brothers established the Blue Diamond Club as a clubhouse for neighborhood kids. Mr. Dutremble enjoyed local and professional sports and closely followed the activities of his children and grandchildren. We extend our condolences to his loving family. Mr. Dutremble will be greatly missed by his family, friends, colleagues and others that he met during his public service to his community and State; (IN MEMORIAM) (HLS 1748)

Melanie Dorice Saucier, of Fort Kent, who at the age of 10 has already thrilled thousands of people with her exceptional voice and charming personality. She has garnered rave reviews at special events, radiothons, telethons, festivals, concerts and benefit appearances as well as in church choirs throughout Maine and the other New England states and the Maritime Provinces and Quebec in neighboring Canada. She has often won the top prize in musical contests in Canada where few Americans have appeared, let alone win. Her ever-expanding repertoire includes not only traditional French, Canadian and Franco-American songs, but also songs in Latin and Italian. She has sung the American national anthem in French and English in both the House and Senate for 5 successive years, starting on her 6th birthday. Her melodious voice has graced the annual Franco-American Day through her solo concerts under the Rotunda, providing a peaceful respite during an often hectic day. She has many friends and fans at the Capitol who have been intently following her promising career. This bilingual musical prodigy has already sung with her favorite international group, Sweet People, when on tour in Canada and has accepted their invitation to sing with them in their native Switzerland. She will travel to Las Vegas with her parents to meet with Celine Dion, her favorite female singer. In the fall of 2004, Melanie launched her first CD, entitled "Crossing Borders." We wish Melanie success in her future endeavors; (HLS 1749)

Yvon Labbé, on his induction into the Franco-American Hall of Fame. Mr. Labbé is the founder of the Centre Franco-Américain at the University of Maine and has been its executive director since 1972. His work encompasses the preservation of the many linguistic, cultural and historical treasures of the large francophone population of Maine and includes, among many other efforts, making the general public aware of the many monolingual French Mainers in the State's mental health hospitals who are unable to communicate due to the language barrier. He has initiated annual conferences on multiculturalism in Maine, educating teachers and the community. Mr. Labbé has coordinated exchanges with France, Canada, Africa and Haiti for several decades, and he is cofounder and vice-president of Le Forum Francophone des Affaires, offering the United States opportunities in trade and business with the rest of the francophone world. He founded the successful bilingual newspaper at the University of Maine, Le Forum, as well as the multicultural magazine Maine Mosaic. He was one of the organizers of the Maine Kennebec/Chaudière Heritage Tourism Project, which has been successful in both Maine and Québec. Mr. Labbé has been involved in many television projects on the Maine Public Broadcasting Network and other networks, as well as teaching college courses with bilingual and bicultural objectives. He has participated in several world summits with francophone heads of state. His vision, expertise and commitment to the French heritage and francophone presence in the State of Maine have been the inspiration to many students and colleagues in working for full recognition of the many contributions of Franco-Americans, and working to use the potential of the French language and culture on the international stage. Mr. Labbé has undergraduate and graduate degrees in French from the University of Maine and is a son of the Beauce Region of Québec. We send him our appreciation for all his work and commitment to the State of Maine and its French heritage and we congratulate him on his induction into the Franco-American Hall of Fame; (HLS 1750)

Corporal Richard Pelletier, Jr., of Madawaska, for his tireless advocacy and lobbying for veterans' rights. Corporal Pelletier is devoted to helping veterans by advising them of their potential benefits and helping them prepare claims. As American Legion Service Officer for American Legion Post No. 143 in Fort Kent, he has responded promptly and effectively to the needs of his fellow veterans by negotiating with state and federal bureaucracies. Last year, while perusing the Canadian news on the Internet, he discovered that Agents Orange, Purple and White had been sprayed in the past over the Canadian military post in Gagetown, New Brunswick, where the Maine National Guard has trained over the years. His findings prompted an investigation on the American side of the border. Corporal Pelletier served in the United States Marine Corps and the Maine Army National Guard in the 1970s. He sustained injuries while serving in the Marines. He has been awarded a Citation for Meritorious Service from the National Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Commission. He is a lifetime member of and van driver for the Disabled American Veterans, a hospice volunteer and a CCD teacher. Corporal Pelletier is the son of Richard and Claudine Pelletier and the father of Alan, Robin, Ritchie and Chantalle. We extend our appreciation to Corporal Pelletier for his commitment to the veterans of this State; (HLS 1751)

Alcee and Cecile Vigue, of Waterville, on their induction into the Franco-American Hall of Fame. Mr. and Mrs. Vigue have worked to support the French Reacquisition Project in Waterville and have been featured in the documentary film, "Waking Up French," by Maine filmmaker Ben Levine. They have been involved members of the Franco-American Heritage Society of the Kennebec Valley, helping out on guided tours of the "Museum in the Streets," with schools and visitors. Mr. Vigue is involved with the "Bavards," who meet every Saturday morning to help those who are reclaiming their native French or learning it for the first time. The Vigues have hosted several French language gatherings in their home and enjoy all things French. Both husband and wife emigrated from Canada to the United States in the 1930s and Mr. Vigue served in the United States Navy from 1943 to 1945 and saw action at the battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa on a destroyer built in Bath. One of his fondest memories was witnessing the raising of the American flag on Iwo Jima. After the war, Mr. Vigue worked at Keyes Fiber for 44 years. Since his retirement in 1985, he has been cooking at the Sacred Heart Soup Kitchen and has been a scout master and commander of his American Legion post. Mrs. Vigue attended Notre Dame Parochial School and later received her high school diploma through the Waterville Adult Education program. She is an accomplished cook and seamstress and does beautiful handiwork for her family and for donations to children's charities. She is active in the community, including the Ladies of St. Anne Sodality, where she served as president, and Maine General Hospital, where she served as a volunteer. We extend our congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Vigue on their induction into the Franco-American Hall of Fame and we send them our best wishes; (HLS 1752)

Anne L. Roy, of Van Buren, on her induction into the Franco-American Hall of Fame. Mrs. Roy has been a remarkable force for the preservation of the French-Acadian heritage of the St. John Valley and the rest of Maine. For several years, she has been the director of the Acadian Village in Van Buren. She oversees the repairs and growth of the Village, which is a replica of Acadian life in northern Aroostook County in the early 1900s. Mrs. Roy was instrumental in planning and developing onsite the Levasseur-Dube Museum, the Martine Pelletier Book Nook and the Violette Industrial Building. Since 1982, she has also been the president of L'Héritage Vivant-Living Heritage Historical Society. She is the director of the Maine Acadian Heritage Council and vice-president of Le Club Français. A native of the St. John Valley, she has taught for 38 years, with 34 of those years at the former Loring Air Force Base in Limestone and in the town. Retired from full-time teaching in 2003, she now works part-time with special needs children in M.S.A.D. #24. She actively volunteers in the community as secretary of the Daughters of Isabella, is a member in good standing with the Friends of the Morneault Library in Van Buren, is chair of Mercy Meals for her church and is a member of the local American Legion Auxiliary. Mrs. Roy has a special place in her heart for her many elderly friends and is a familiar face at Borderview Nursing Home in Van Buren. In 2001, Mrs. Roy was the recipient of the Alumna of the Year Award from the University of Maine at Fort Kent. She is presently the coordinator for the Town of Van Buren's 125th Anniversary Celebration, as well as the Acadian Village's 30th Anniversary. We extend our appreciation to Mrs. Roy on all her accomplishments and send her our congratulations on being inducted into the Franco-American Hall of Fame; (HLS 1753)

Peter Thompson, of Manchester, recipient of the 2006 Outstanding Citizen of the Year award given by Le Club Calumet. Mr. Thompson is a tireless community leader who is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Chamber of Commerce Executive of the Year. He has been the Chief Executive Officer and President of the Kennebec Valley Chamber of Commerce for 17 years. He also has been the spokesperson for Central Maine Power Company for 21 years. Mr. Thompson served as the Mayor of Augusta for 4 terms and facilitated economic development in the Kennebec Valley in the Augusta and Waterville areas. We send our congratulations to Mr. Thompson on his receiving this prestigious award and extend our appreciation to him for his dedication to the citizens of the Capital Area; (HLS 1754)

Ronald McComb, of Lincoln, upon the occasion of his retirement from the Lincoln Fire Department. Mr. McComb began his career more than 43 years ago as a call member. He later served as a firefighter and engineer, and for a time he served as interim Lincoln Fire Chief. We extend our appreciation to Mr. McComb for his dedicated service to his community throughout the years, and we send him our best wishes as he continues his service with the Lincoln Call Company and the Lincoln Fire Department; (HLS 1755)

Doris I. Lowell, of Millinocket, on the occasion of her retirement after more than 25 years as bookkeeper for the town. We extend our appreciation to Ms. Lowell for her commitment to the citizens of Millinocket and wish her well in her future endeavors; (HLS 1756)

David Kearns, of Gorham, on his 35 years of dedicated service in law enforcement. Mr. Kearns was hired in 1971 by Chief Cortland Tice, started the Cumberland County Task Force in 1978 and was appointed Detective for the Gorham Police Department in l983. We extend our appreciation to Officer Kearns for his commitment to the citizens of Maine and wish him the best in his future endeavors; (HLS 1757)

the following members of the Maranacook Community High School Girls Alpine Ski Team, of Readfield, on their winning the 2006 Class B State Championship: skiers Alice Berry, Mary Berry, Jillian Blouin, Sasha Bogdan, Jen Bourget, Kayla Brown, Ashley Cox, Emily Crowell, Hannah DeAngelis, Katie Dutile, Katie Evans, Lauren Fish, Lyvia Gaewsky, Amy Gifford, Whitney Gill, Emily Harriman, Dencie Leveen, Val Lucas, Jen Monsulick, Catherine Nurse, Liz Nurse, Emily Perkins, Emma Prysunka, Monica Purington, Haley Schwartz, Aashley Thompson, Jane Tyler, Katie Whittemore, Morgan Wick and Annah Young; Head Coaches Ronn Gifford and Steve DeAngelis; and ;Assistant Coaches John Whitney and Kim Lynch. We extend our congratulations and best wishes to the team on this achievement; (HLS 1758)

Shawn Theriault, of Gray, who has earned the high rank and distinction of Eagle Scout, the highest award in Boy Scouting. This award is given in recognition of excellence in skills development, leadership, personal growth and community service. We extend our congratulations and best wishes to Shawn on his accomplishment; (HLS 1759)

the following members of the Winthrop High School Boys Basketball Team, on their winning the 2006 Western Maine Class C Championship: players Tyler Cobb, Ezra Damm, Jake Steele, Kyle Plossay, Jason Ridley, Tim Gingras, Skyler Whaley, Mike Gingras, Nate Damm, Tyler Smithgall, Corey Gillespie and Sam Leclerc; Coach Leclerc and Coach Dacus; Manager Jeff Miles; and Mr. Tucker. We extend our congratulations and best wishes to them on this achievement; (HLS 1760)

Laura Lee Page, of Cape Elizabeth, beloved wife, mother and grandmother. Mrs. Page worked at Cape Elizabeth Middle School and as an admissions councilor at the University of New England and as a customer service representative for L.L. Bean. She was active in community volunteer work as the secretary of the Little League and chairperson of Project Graduation and she was also involved in the Cape Elizabeth Soccer Boosters, helping to establish a scholarship fund. She will be remembered by all who knew her for her indomitable spirit, love, laughter and outreaching strength for others. She will be missed by her loving family and many friends; (IN MEMORIAM) (HLS 1761)

Gladys Bradeen, of Waterboro, on the celebration of her 100th birthday, February 15, 2006. Mrs. Bradeen was educated in the Dayton schools and attended Thornton Academy in Saco. She lived through the Great Depression and "The Fire" of 1947. After the fire, in which she and her husband lost their home, she and her husband were able to rebuild and they had a roadside vegetable and fruit stand. She also worked in the mills in Sanford and Limerick. In her long life, Mrs. Bradeen has seen and experienced many changes throughout the community. We extend our congratulations and best wishes to her on the centennial celebration of her life; (HLS 1762)

Officer Anthony Camporiale, of Rockland, who was named 2005 Rockland Police Officer of the Year for his professionalism and hard work. We extend our congratulations to Officer Camporiale on his receiving this honor; (HLS 1763)

Dr. Paul W. Kinnear, of Scarborough, who is the recipient of the 2005 Owner of the Year Award presented by the Maine Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association. We extend our congratulations to Dr. Kinnear on his receiving this award; (HLS 1764)

Sandra Hall, of Scarborough, who is the recipient of the 2005 Horse Breeder (Avid) of the Year Award presented by the Maine Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association. We extend our congratulations to Ms. Hall on her receiving this award; (HLS 1765)

Richard C. Hartley, of Bangor, who is the recipient of the 2005 Breeder of the Year (Pacers) Award presented by the Maine Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association. We extend our congratulations to Mr. Hartley on his receiving this award; (HLS 1766)

Valerie Grondin, of Standish, who is the recipient of the 2005 Horse Trainer of the Year Award presented by the Maine Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association. We extend our congratulations to Ms. Grondin on her receiving this award; (HLS 1767)

William E. Varney, of Bangor, who is the recipient of the 2005 Owner of the Year (Pacers) Award presented by the Maine Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association. We extend our congratulations to Mr. Varney on his receiving this award; (HLS 1768)

Dr. Douglass Hutchins, of Saco, who is the recipient of the 2005 Owner of the Year Award and the President's Award presented by the Maine Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association. We extend our congratulations to Dr. Hutchins on his receiving these awards; (HLS 1769)

Heath Campbell, of Bangor, recipient of the 2005 Leading Driver Award presented by the Maine Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association. We extend our congratulations to Mr. Campbell on his receiving this award; (HLS 1770)

Ival "Bud" R. Cianchette, of Falmouth, who is the recipient of the Special Commitment Award presented by the Maine Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association. Mr. Cianchette is past president of Bangor Historic Track, Inc., the investors group that operated the Bangor raceway. He has owned Standardbreds since 1970 and operated a breeding farm in Pittsfield from 1973 to 1990. He bred and raced Chinbro Knoxvel, the first 2-minute 2-year-old in Maine and winner of the 2-year-old colt division of the Royal Stallion Stake in 1988. He was a member of the Maine Harness Horsemen's Association, president of the Maine Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association, member and director of the Massachusetts Standardbred Owners Association, member and director of the Downeast Harness Horsemen's Association and chair of the State Harness Racing Commission. During his time as chair of the State Harness Racing Commission, he was instrumental in developing the Maine Standardbred Breeders Stake. He received the Maine Harness Horsemen's Association Distinguished Citizen Award in 1980 and the Maine's Distinguished Citizen Award in 1988 and was named Maine Business Leader of the Year by the Maine Chamber of Commerce and Industry in 1990. We extend our congratulations to Mr. Cianchette on his accomplishments; (HLS 1771)

Matthew A. Homich, of Ellsworth, who has earned the high rank and distinction of Eagle Scout, the highest award in Boy Scouting. This award is given in recognition of excellence in skills development, leadership, personal growth and community service. We extend our congratulations and best wishes to Matthew on his accomplishment; (HLS 1772)

the anniversary of the founding of the Knights of Columbus, March 29, 2006. On October 2, 1881, a small group of men called together by Father Michael J. McGivney met at St. Mary's Church in New Haven, Connecticut to form a fraternal society that would one day become the world's largest Roman Catholic family fraternal service organization. The Knights of Columbus was incorporated on March 29, 1882 under the laws of Connecticut and named in honor of Christopher Columbus, who introduced Christianity to the New World. Praised by popes, presidents and other world leaders, there are more than 1.7 million members around the world. The principles of the Order are Charity, Unity, Fraternity and Patriotism. In the past 10 years, the members of the Knights of Columbus have raised $1.174 billion for charitable causes and provided in excess of 560 million hours of volunteer efforts in support of charity. We extend our congratulations to the good members of the Knights of Columbus in this State and around the world for their generosity and exemplary contributions to society; (HLS 1773)

Christopher P. Mosca, of Augusta, principal at Greely High School, who has been named Maine's 2006 High School Principal of the Year by the Maine Principals' Association. Mr. Mosca's contributions to the profession are a testament to his desire to provide the students of Greely High School with the best learning environment possible. He received a bachelor of science degree from Trinity College, a master's degree from Plymouth State University and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies from Castleton State College. Mr. Mosca was also the principal at Cony High School in Augusta, at Goffstown Area High School in New Hampshire and at Springfield High School in Vermont, as well as assistant principal at Rutland High School in Vermont. He was a teacher and athletic coach at Windsor High School in Vermont, at LaLumiere School in LaPorte, Indiana and at Eagle Hill School in Hardwick, Massachusetts. Mr. Mosca has also volunteered as a youth soccer coach for the Augusta Recreation Department and as a softball coach for the Capital Area Youth Softball Association. We acknowledge Mr. Mosca's many skills and abilities and extend our appreciation to him for all that he has done to prepare the young people of this State for tomorrow's challenges; (HLS 1774)

Bruce Powell, of Hanover, on the occasion of his retirement as Business Manager of Maine School Administrative District No. 44, a position he has held for the past 21 years. Mr. Powell has been a very active Rotarian, and he serves on the River Valley Growth Council and remains active in the Maine Association of School Business Officials. He is a longtime selectman in the Town of Hanover and also serves as a member of the group that brought the Mountain Explorer transportation system to the Bethel area. We are grateful for the dedication Mr. Powell has shown over the years and wish him well in his retirement; (HLS 1775)

Lionel Gilbert, of Manchester, on the occasion of his 90th Birthday, March 29, 2006. Mr. Gilbert, who has lived in Manchester since he was 3 weeks old, has been very active in the civic affairs of the town. He was elected Tax Collector and Treasurer of Manchester at the age of 21 prior to serving in the United States Air Force as a gunnery sergeant. He has also served on the Fire Department, the Board of Selectmen and the Planning Board. Mr. Gilbert has been married since 1944 and he and his wife Betty have 4 children, 1 grandchild and 4 great-grandchildren. We send Mr. Gilbert our congratulations on his birthday; (HLS 1776)

Hanley Denning, of Yarmouth, founder and director of Safe Passage, an organization dedicated to provide an education to children of families who live at the garbage dump of Guatemala City, Guatemala. Ms. Denning, a native of Yarmouth and Cumberland and a graduate of Bowdoin College, first visited Guatemala City in 1999 and was brought to the garbage dump by a friend. She found a community of children and families who made their home surviving as scavengers in the mountains of garbage around them. In an effort to bring hope and a better future to these people, she founded Safe Passage to enable children to move beyond their poverty in a dignified and permanent way through education. Due to her passion and dedication, Safe Passage has made a brighter future for more than 540 children. Several of the original class of students were accepted this year into a prestigious private school based on their academic achievement. Ms. Denning has also given much to the State of Maine by involving local community, school, church and business groups in the Safe Passage mission. Mainers returning from volunteer work at Safe Passage in Guatemala City describe their experience as life-transforming. Ms. Denning's decision to act on the tragic circumstances she witnessed has produced a ripple effect from Guatemala to Maine, producing an inspiring example of what can be accomplished through compassion and commitment. We extend our appreciation to Hanley Denning for her years of dedication to the children and families of Safe Passage; (HLS 1777)