Sen. Rotundo hosts family of Franco-American Hall of Fame inductee
AUGUSTA — On April 24, Sen. Peggy Rotundo, D-Lewiston, hosted the family of the late Professor Louis L. Robert of Lewiston at the State House for Franco-American Day. Prof. Robert was posthumously inducted into the Franco-American Hall of Fame. His family was in attendance for the annual event hosted by the Maine Legislature to recognize the contributions of Franco-Americans across Maine and their work to preserve and promote Franco culture and the French language.
“It was such an honor to have Prof. Robert’s family here for the event,” said Sen. Rotundo. “Professor Robert contributed so much to the Franco community of Lewiston and to the preservation of Franco-American culture throughout the State of Maine.”
Prof. Robert left his home in Montreal to teach at the Saints Peter and Paul Parish in Lewiston during the 1920s and was considered a pioneer in bilingual education. In 1928, Prof, Robert opened a private academy specializing in business curriculum for grades 7 to 10, where the lessons were strictly taught in French. This academy helped in the acculturation of the Franco-Americans in the Lewiston-Auburn area, with its graduates going on to pursue business and higher education. Prof. Robert was elected Chairman of the Lewiston School Board in 1933, and in the 1950s was a major contributor to the French language newspaper for the Franco-American community, Le Messenger.
Prof. Robert’s family — his grandsons, Bill and Robert Marcous, his granddaughter, Monique Bailey, and great grandson, Dustyn Bailey — received a legislative sentiment from Sen. Rotundo on his behalf.
A legislative sentiment represents a significant expression of the Legislature in recognition of civic and public achievements.
Others inducted into the Franco Hall of Fame were Andrea Quaid, posthumously, and Jacynthe Jacques, both of Lewiston.
Photo Caption: (From left to right) Bill Marcous, Monique Bailey, Dustyn Bailey, Sen. Rotundo, Rachel Cloutier, and Robert Marcous.
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