Last Wednesday, we marked the 50^th Anniversary of the final U.S. combat troops leaving Vietnam.

To a gathering of Vietnam veterans at the State House, and at a breakfast earlier, hosted by retired U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Travis Mills, I was honored to say two words – words that tragically, too many Vietnam veterans never heard upon their return to the United States: Welcome Home.

Hello, this is Governor Janet Mills, and thank you for listening.

More than half a century ago, among tall reeds in flooded rice paddies, with ankles deep in mud and bodies drenched by heavy, humid air, 48,000 Maine men and women in the United States military served our country in the Vietnam War. 

My brother, Peter, among others, spent several tours of duty off the shores of Vietnam in the United States Navy.

Thankfully, my brother came home and went on to lead a distinguished career in law and public service.

But three hundred and forty-three Mainers never returned.

Their names are etched in stone on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on the National Mall in Washington – but that is small comfort for their families.

And twelve of Maine’s young men are still missing in Southeast Asia.

The servicemembers who did come home often came home alone to the scorn—and even spit—of strangers.

There were no ticker tape parades or “welcome home” celebrations for the men and women who came home from an endless war.

As Ed Harmon, a U.S. Navy veteran from Boothbay, told the Portland Press Herald this week, “It was 40 years later before someone extended their hand to say thank you. That was the biggest hurt.”

We can never fully repay our debts to these veterans, but we can start by remembering and honoring and expressing our gratitude for their service.

Major General Doug Farnham, the Adjutant General of the Maine National Guard, graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1984 and has served in the Maine National Guard since 1991.

During the Vietnam War Veterans Remembrance Ceremony at the State House, General Farnham remarked that throughout his military career, he has never thought twice about wearing his uniform in public. When General Farnham runs an errand on his way home, Maine people often thank him for his service and even offer to buy him a cup of coffee. He said he’s been applauded at Memorial Day and Veterans Day parades throughout his entire career.

To the Vietnam veterans assembled, General Farnham said “There were many lessons learned from Vietnam—some learned better than others. A lesson we did learn is the fact that we must support our Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, and Airmen, whether we support the war or not. We learned that lesson at your expense,” he said. “My generation and those that are following cannot thank you enough for the sacrifice you made for the nation to learn that lesson.”

The service and sacrifice of Vietnam veterans taught our nation many powerful lessons: most importantly, that we have to care for those who serve, and for those who have served.

As Governor, I’ve worked hard to stand by those who have stood by us, including reinvigorating Maine’s Aides-de-Camp positions, to bring together the advisory council of veterans to advise me as I weigh decisions that will impact Maine veterans. 

And I’ll continue to work hard to do right by all veterans, especially those who served during the Vietnam Era, until my last day in office.

To all of those who served our nation in Vietnam, whether you have never heard it, or whether you have heard it many times – I say, on behalf of the 1.3 million people of Maine, “Welcome Home.”

We are proud of you. We thank you for your service to our country and the state of Maine.

This is Governor Janet Mills, and thank you for listening.

WHEREAS, a robust public health infrastructure is critical to ensuring Maine people can live long, healthy, happy and prosperous lives; and

WHEREAS, the theme for this year’s National Public Health Week is “Centering and Celebrating Cultures in Health,” which celebrates the unique ways different cultures focus on health; and

WHEREAS, in calendar year 2021, there were 4,263 cases of substantiated child maltreatment in Maine; and

WHEREAS, child abuse and neglect is a serious problem affecting every segment of our community, and finding solutions requires input and action from everyone; and

WHEREAS, our children are our most valuable resources and will shape the future of Maine; and

WHEREAS, March 29th, 2023 marks the 50th Anniversary of when the last United States Military unit left Vietnam and the final group of American prisoners of war were freed; and

WHEREAS, 48,000 men and women from the State of Maine served in Vietnam, while an additional 16,000 Mainers were serving worldwide during the Vietnam War Era; and

WHEREAS, Maine’s maple sugarbush provides recreational opportunities, wildlife habitat, pulp and fire wood, a source of a natural sweetener, and forest management for the communities where they are located; and

WHEREAS, the maple sugar industry contributes an estimated $55 million to Maine’s economy; and

WHEREAS, this industry provides a sustainable source of income, over 800 full- and part-time jobs in rural Maine, and nearly $27 million in salaries; and

WHEREAS, Maine’s maple sugarbush provides recreational opportunities, wildlife habitat, pulp and fire wood, a source of a natural sweetener, and forest management for the communities where they are located; and

WHEREAS, the maple sugar industry contributes an estimated $55 million to Maine’s economy; and

WHEREAS, this industry provides a sustainable source of income, over 800 full- and part-time jobs in rural Maine, and nearly $27 million in salaries; and

From Harriet Beecher Stowe and Cornelia “Fly Rod” Crosby to Frances Perkins and Samantha Smith, Maine women have made an indelible mark on the history of our state, our nation, and our world.

And thanks to astronaut Jessica Meir, we can now say that the impact of Maine women reaches far beyond the planet Earth!

In celebration of these extraordinary women, and all women who have shaped history, I have proclaimed March 2023 as Women’s History Month in Maine.

Hello, this is Governor Janet Mills, and thank you for listening.

From America’s earliest days, women have played an important role in building our nation and world. But too many women – and their contributions – have been overlooked by our history books.

Women’s History Month encourages the study and celebration of the countless women who have played an important role in American history. And there is no shortage of trailblazing, history-making women who have called Maine their home.

Women like author and abolitionist Harriet Beecher Stowe, who helped Americans understand the horrors of slavery through her book Uncle Tom’s Cabin, written at her home in Brunswick.

Women like Frances Perkins, America’s longest-serving Secretary of Labor and the first woman to serve in the president’s cabinet. Perkins was a major force behind President Roosevelt’s “New Deal” that helped to pull our nation out of the Great Depression.

Women like Samantha Smith, a young student from Manchester, Maine, who became known as a “goodwill ambassador” around the world for her efforts to promote peace during the Cold War.

Women like Cornelia “Fly Rod” Crosby from Phillips—back in 1897, she became the first Registered Maine Guide.

Women like Olympic gold medalist Joan Benoit Samuelson, the first woman’s marathon winner at the Olympics, and a two-time winner of the Boston Marathon.

Women like Margaret Chase Smith – the first woman to serve in both houses of Congress and the first woman to have her name placed in nomination for president at a major political party convention. 

Women like Olympia Snowe, first woman in history to serve in both houses of a state legislature and both houses of Congress – not to mention a former first lady of Maine.

Women like Libby Mitchell, first woman to serve as both Speaker of the House of Representatives in Maine, and later, President of the Maine Senate.

Well, Maine women haven’t just made history – they’re making history now.

In 2019, Jessica Meir from Caribou became the first Maine woman to visit space – some say she may someday be the first woman to set foot on the moon.

U.S. Senator Susan Collins, also from Caribou, recently became the longest serving Republican woman in the U.S. Senate. Serving alongside Congresswoman Pingree, women currently make up half of Maine’s Congressional Delegation.

In 2022, Brigadier General Diane Dunn retired after serving as the first woman general in the 200-year history of the Maine Army National Guard.

Last fall, Rachel Talbot Ross of Portland became the fourth woman – and first African American – to be elected Speaker of the Maine House. She is one of seven women – Republicans and Democrats -- currently serving in leadership roles in the Legislature. In the Senate, that includes Majority Leader Eloise Vitelli, Assistant Majority Leader Mattie Daughtry, and Assistant Minority Leader Lisa Keim. In the House, Majority Leader Maureen Terry, Assistant Majority Leader Kristen Cloutier, and Assistant Minority Leader Amy Arata.

And more than half of my cabinet is made up of accomplished women – nine commissioners who help oversee everything from public health and the environment to education and economic development. Nine out of fifteen – highest number ever women in the cabinet.

Well, I’ve been honored to have made history myself, as the first woman to be elected District Attorney in New England, the first woman to serve as Maine’s Attorney General, and the first woman to be elected – and now re-elected – Governor of Maine.

But I am confident that someday I’ll be remembered not as the “first,” but rather, as the “first of many.”

Maine women fill our history books. But every day, women across our state are making history without accolades or big titles. Some may be the first in their family to go to college or the first to be promoted to some role at work, the first to pick up a welding tool and become a welder, an electrician, or a contractor. But no matter how they make their mark on the world, the contributions of Maine women to our state, nation, and world are extraordinary. 

This month, and every month, I hope you’ll take time to learn more about women who have made some history – and continue to make – history here and around the world.

This is Governor Janet Mills and thank you for listening.

WHEREAS, the social work profession is dedicated to enhancing the lives and well-being of all people, including the most vulnerable among us; and

WHEREAS, this year's Social Work Month theme – "Social Work Breaks Barriers" – celebrates the tireless work of social workers to break down barriers that prevent people, families and communities from thriving; and

WHEREAS, Maine's agriculture community has been a cornerstone of our great state since its founding; and

WHEREAS, Maine’s agriculture sector fuels the state's economy, annually contributing an estimated $3.9 billion, and employing tens of thousands of people with over 1 million acres in agricultural use; and

WHEREAS, Maine's agricultural community has worked tirelessly to build a vibrant local food system that ensures the availability of Maine farm products year-round; and

Earlier this year, the Maine Legislature passed, and I signed into law, an Emergency Winter Energy Relief Plan to help Maine families stay safe and warm this winter.

Hello, this is Governor Janet Mills, and thank you for listening.

The cornerstone of this plan was assistance in the form of $450 checks issued to most Maine taxpayers – more than 800,000 of them – a small but meaningful measure of relief to help ease the burden of increased energy costs.

I am proud to report that my administration has now finished mailing those checks to all eligible taxpayers and did so ahead of schedule.

Maine, as you know, is the single most heating oil-dependent state in the nation. Our over-reliance on costly fossil fuels means that Maine people are especially vulnerable to price increases driven by the global energy market.

While we may be a long way from Europe, Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine has upended energy prices around the world, including right here in Maine.

In a state known for long, cold winters, price spikes have forced too many people in Maine to be faced with the choice between heating their homes or paying for other necessities.

Last fall, it was clear that many Maine people would need help this winter – and they would need it fast. That’s why I proposed an Emergency Winter Energy Relief Plan to provide direct assistance as quickly as possible.

In January, the legislature passed my measure with overwhelming bipartisan support. This legislation provided $450 in relief checks to most Maine people, equating to about $900 for the average Maine family.

The final legislation also included more home heating assistance for low-income consumers, and emergency fuel assistance to keep families from running out of fuel, and short-term emergency housing to address homelessness during the winter months.

Printing and distributing more than 800,000 checks takes some time – but my administration immediately hit the ground running after I signed the bill into law.

We set a goal of getting all payments out by the end of March. Well, I’m pleased to say that last week, my administration announced that it had completed processing and mailing payments to 876,176 eligible Maine taxpayers ahead of schedule.

If you believe that you are eligible for a winter energy relief payment and did not receive one, please visit Maine.gov/Governor/Mills/EnergyRelief. That’s Maine.Gov/Governor/Mills/EnergyRelief.

I really hope that this one-time relief will provide some assistance to Maine people as cold temperatures linger.

In the months and years ahead, I look forward to continuing to work with this Legislature to pursue policies that will bring down energy costs in the long run, including making sure we weatherize our homes and businesses, making more efficient heating and cooling technologies available, and diversifying our energy sources with clean, renewable energy in order to lower the price of electricity.

Monday is the first day of spring. Here’s hoping that snow and mud season will soon give way to warmer weather!

This is Governor Janet Mills, and thank you for listening.