Augusta – The Maine State Senate joined Governor LePage and the Maine House of Representatives in celebrating Maine’s Franco-American heritage on Wednesday, March 16, 2011.In a bilingual ceremony, the Senate opened the session with an invocation by Reverend Lionel Chouinard of the Holy Trinity Parish. The Franco-American War Veterans, Post 31, of Lewiston presented the colors as Rachel Boucher Ellis of Augusta sang the national anthems of the United States, Canada, and France.

The Senate passed a Joint Resolution declaring Franco-American Day at the capitol and honored six new inductees to the Franco-American Hall of Fame – Terry Ouellette of St. Agatha, Patrick Paradis of Augusta, and Claire and Gilles Auger of Sanford. Dr. Edward Martin of Rumford and Sister Solange Bernier of Lewiston were inducted posthumously.

In a noontime ceremony in the Hall of Flags, Senator Jon Courtney paid tribute to his constituents and friends Claire and Gilles Auger of Sanford.

“The Augers have spent a lifetime sharing their love and commitment to family, community, and heritage with everyone around them in Sanford and Springvale,” said Sen. Courtney.  “It really is an honor to stand here today and honor them and their induction into the Franco-American Hall of Fame.”

“It is also an honor for me to represent a community that the Augers have given so much of their lives to,” concluded Courtney.