Committee approves Sen. Deschambault’s bill to commemorate a leader in Franco-American history

AUGUSTA — The Legislature’s Transportation Committee on Tuesday approved a bill from Sen. Susan Deschambault, D-Biddeford, to mark the trail that the Marquis de Lafayette took when he visited Maine, in a work session on Tuesday. The bill, LD 1927, “Resolve, Directing the Department of Transportation To Erect and Maintain Markers To Commemorate and Recognize the Lafayette Trail,” would mark the trail General Lafayette took when he visited Maine during his tour of the United States between 1824 and 1825. “With this committee support, Maine is one step closer to joining other New England states, as well as states as far south as Alabama, that recognize the great legacy of General Lafayette and his Farewell Tour,” said Sen. Deschambault. “I look forward to advocating for this bill on the Senate floor.” This bill honors General Lafayette and his tour in Maine after the American Revolution to meet with old friends and colleagues. In 1824 to 1825, Lafayette was summoned to return to the states from his home in France, because he was the only living General from the Revolution at the time. Recognizing the Lafayette Trail in Maine is part of an effort all over the Eastern Seaboard to recognize the historical significance of Lafayette, who helped secure French support for American independence and fought alongside Americans during the war. Julien Icher, the Founder and Executive Director of the organization called The Lafayette Trail, testified at the public hearing.  “General Lafayette is widely known in the U.S. for his participation in the Revolutionary War,” said Icher. “However, few people are aware of his triumphant 1824 visit, in the wake of which he entered the national collective memory. Maine was four years old in 1824, and Lafayette’s visit instigated statewide patriotic celebrations. He has left a deep mark in the state that has yet to be forgotten.” For more information on The Lafayette Trail, please go to www.lafayettetrail.org. LD 1927 will now go to the floor of the Senate and House for additional votes.   

Sen. Deschambault with Founder of The Lafayette Trail, Julien Icher, on the left, and Alan Hoffman, an advocate for The Lafayette Trail organization, on the right.