AUGUSTA – Thursday will be an especially good day to be French as lawmakers observe the third annual Franco-American Day at the State House. A few special activities have been planned for Lewiston Francos.

Normal business in the House and Senate that day – readings of the daily calendar, the daily prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance – will be in French as well as English. Melanie Saucier, 8, of Fort Kent will again wow people with her singing of the national anthem in French and English. Lewiston’s Bert Dutil of the Franco Veterans will serve as honor guard. The House is scheduled to meet at 9 a.m., the Senate at 10 a.m.

French food will be served in the State House cafeteria. French songs and dance will be performed in the halls between sessions and committee meetings. The Silver Tones, a Lewiston group of musicians, will be one of the groups providing French songs. A highlight of the day will be the induction of three Maine residents into the Franco-American Hall of Fame; Rita Dube of Lewiston will be one of those three.

Gov. John Baldacci will host a Franco celebration in the Hall of Flags at 10 a.m., where he’s expected to say a few words in French. The hall will be filled with tables representing historical societies, cultural groups and French schools from all over Maine. Representatives from France, Quebec, New Brunswick and Native American tribes have been invited to celebrate the unique and rich history of the state.

Sen. Peggy Rotundo, D-Lewiston, has arranged a meeting between Gov. John Baldacci and Lewiston residents. Visitors are welcome to bring their cameras; the governor, like his predecessor, has been a good sport about posing for pictures.

The Lewiston delegation will also be hosting tours of the State House and the historic Blaine House during the day. Since space is limited, those who are interested in the tours or the meeting should call Rotundo at 287-1515 if they have not already signed up.

Like last year, a group of Lewiston Francos is coming on a bus. The trip is being organized by La Survivance Francaise, an organization that promotes Franco heritage.

“The bus is nearly full. I’ve got 44 seats out of 47 taken,” Robert Couturier said Friday. His wife, Aliette Couturier, leads La Survivance Francaise, which began in 1942 offering a group for Franco women.

Ronald Couturier said he’ll be attending Franco day. “It’s a special day for Franco-Americans to connect with their roots and to find out what goes on at the state Legislature,” he said.

“The fact that the bus is full is an indication that Franco Day has a reputation as a fun day,” Rotundo said. “I’m delighted. It’s very important to me that my community connect with their government. This is one way to do that.”

Because Thursday is also Girls’ Day at the State House, Rotundo, like other lawmakers, will be shadowed by three area girls. “It’ll be a full day,” she said.

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