AUGUSTA – For more than four decades, French-speaking Twin Cities residents could wake up Sundays to Constance Cote on the radio.

“It’s the only time French people can hear weekly French music,” she said.

Over the years, Cote, an Auburn resident and former state representative, has made strides to celebrate French culture in Lewiston-Auburn. On Wednesday she was inducted into the Franco-American Hall of Fame during ceremonies at the State House, as part of the Capitol’s Franco-American Day.

She was a musician. She was an organizer. She was a politician. And she could do it all bilingually.

Wednesday’s events were exhausting, but Cote said being recognized was very meaningful. During an afternoon news conference, she sat smiling as members of the Maine Senate and visiting dignitaries talked about how French culture has grown over the years.

Judy Paradis, a former state legislator from Frenchville, was the force behind the first Franco-American Day six years ago. With it came the first Hall of Fame inductees. Three are inducted each year.

“We needed to do something to let the rest of the state know what a wonderful culture we had,” she said.

Besides Cote, this year’s inductees are Cleo Ouellette of Frenchville and Norman Beaupre of Biddeford.

Inductees are featured at the Franco-American Heritage Center in Lewiston.

Cote has a long history of public service: 12 years as an Androscoggin County county commissioner and, before that, 12 years in the state Legislature. There, she was the first female head of the Judiciary Committee.

Her musical talents bring her to St. Peter’s Basilica and St. Patrick’s Church every Sunday, playing the organ. She has starred in several operettas, as well.

She said it warmed her heart when one of the churchgoers told her, “It wouldn’t be Sunday without you.”

Cote said her parents grew up in L-A and surrounded her with French culture.

“My mother spoke beautiful French, and I attended French Catholic schools,” she said. “Most people my age don’t speak the language anymore (because of) lack of practice.”

French culture in the area wasn’t that big when Cote started to get involved more than four decades ago, she said, but it grew over the years.

During Wednesday’s ceremonies, Sen. Peggy Rotundo, D-Androscoggin, acknowledged the large French population in the Twin Cities.

“The greatest honor that has ever been bestowed upon me is when I was made an honorary Franco,” she said.