Roving Reporter at Legion of Honor Ceremony for Beliveau in Augusta, ME

http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=188891&ac=PHnws

Beliveau honored for cultural advocacy
YORK NEIGHBORS: Les Franco Americains

By JULIANA L'HEUREUX May 22, 2008

Severin Beliveau speaks at the Legion of Honor ceremonies at the State House Hall of Flags last week.

Severin Beliveau's humble French ancestors arrived in Canada 12 generations ago. They made the arduous journey in the mid-17th century to settle the country mapped by French explorer Samuel de Champlain, who founded Quebec City in 1608.

Those adventurous French pioneers could not foresee how one of their descendents would eventually be recognized as an advocate for their culture, and subsequently become successful enough to receive their country's highest award. This is especially ironic given the low esteem in which Franco-American descendents had been held in the past.

The Legion of Honor, created in 1802 by Napolean Bonapart, distinguishes people who bring honor to France and promote French culture. It was presented to Beliveau, a Maine lawyer, last week in Augusta by French Ambassador to the United States Pierre Vimont. Governor John Baldacci hosted the ceremony in the State House Hall of Flags.

Franco-Americans continue to connect with their French heritage, despite many years of adversity, said Vimont. In fact, Maine's Franco-Americans overcame the stigma of ethnic and religious discrimination to achieve economic stability, while remembering their rich traditions.

Nevertheless, many of today's Franco-Americans are less aware than previous generations of their pioneering French ancestry. Rather, they are assimilated into the American culture.

''We need to be proud of our history,'' said Beliveau, during his acceptance remarks. ''It's important to teach our children about our French heritage because we are part of American history,'' he said.

''North Americans today might be speaking French as our primary language, rather than English, if France won the French and Indian War conflicts,'' he said. ''This long history is something for us to think about.''

French language, culture, and history were in the limelight at the State House when Vimont presented Beliveau with the Legion of Honor.

Children from L'Ecole Francaise du Maine, a French immersion school in Freeport, sang the American national anthem in English. They followed by singing ''La Marseilles,'' the French national anthem written in 1792, in French.

Several generations of Beliveau's friends, family and well-wishers gathered to celebrate with Franco-Americans who attended by invitation from the governor. Beliveau was joined by his wife, Cynthia, and their four sons during ceremonies conducted from a podium situated between an American and a French flag.

Baldacci congratulated Beliveau as an accomplished Maine lawyer and former state legislator who supports Maine's French heritage and culture. In 2004, Beliveau helped the governor lead a trade mission to France which successfully brought economic and cultural business into Maine, said Vimont.

''This is a wonderful occasion to recognize Maine's Franco-Americans who make up 25 percent of our state's population,'' Baldacci said.

Maine State Sen. John Martin is a French-speaking French-Acadian and Franco-American from Eagle Lake in Aroostook County. ''We're all very happy for Severin today,'' said Martin.

Rep. Paulette Beaudoin, D-Biddeford, spoke about her Franco-American heritage. She was born in Biddeford and speaks French. ''This is a day for us to be proud of our heritage,'' she said.

Norman Beaupre, a Biddeford native, French-language writer and professor emeritus said the prestigious award is deserved recognition for Beliveau's 16 years of good work serving as the French Honorary Consul in Maine. ''He deserves this important recognition,'' said Beaupre.

Beliveau's speech reflected on his family's French Canadian and Acadian heritage. His father was the son of Quebec immigrants who settled in Lewiston and Rumford.

''Indeed, all French-Canadians and Franco-Americans are recognized by the presentation of this esteemed award from the French government,'' he said.