Tribal leader says Gov. LePage should apologize for Congdon remarks

[jpak]

Source: Portland Press Herald

Kirk Francis, chief of the Penobscot Nation, said that dismissing Congdon is not enough, and that LePage needs to publicly disavow the statements that have been attributed to Congdon.

"We would like to see the governor say, 'This is not what I stand for, and I apologize for those comments,'" Francis said. "It's more than a personnel issue. It's an important issue for the state of Maine, for its tribal people and the people of color in this state. It's important for the governor to say that we don't support these social divisions and will work for all people."

Brenda Commander, tribal chief of the Houlton band of Maliseet Indians, one of two federally recognized tribes in Aroostook County, said she is pleased that LePage saw Congdon's comments as a serious matter and took action.

Commander said LePage doesn't need to apologize. "He has done his part," she said.

Read more: http://www.pressherald.com/news/congdon-tribal-leader-says-gov_-lepage-should-apologize_2011-04-29.html

[alp227]

1. 13th paragraph of 24 quotes Congdon:

Congdon said that "Aroostook County needs to get off the reservation and get to work," and that Maine's public universities "are in trouble because of affirmative action," said Sen. Troy Jackson, D-Allagash.

Natalie Bazinet, a reporter for the Aroostook Republican, a weekly newspaper in Caribou, attended the chamber of commerce's annual recognition dinner at which Congdon was the guest speaker.

She said the start of Congdon's speech wasn't unusual, but it shifted when he began talking about children and how society isn't preparing them for college or the labor market. He said it is a threat to national security.

[Judi Lynn]

2. Maine official forced out for race, other remarks

Associated Press
Maine official forced out for race, other remarks
By CLARKE CANFIELD , 04.29.11, 06:31 PM EDT

PORTLAND, Maine -- A Maine state official who resigned after comments attributed to him offended rural residents, African-Americans and Native Americans says some of the quotes were misconstrued and others he didn't even say.

The heads of the Penobscot Indian Nation and the Maine chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People said Friday that remarks attributed to Philip Congdon are reprehensible.

Congdon resigned as Economic and Community Development commissioner this week. He had been quoted as saying affirmative action programs have contributed to a decline in higher education and that it's time for northern Mainers to "get off the reservation" if they want to succeed.

Congdon says his affirmative action comments were misunderstood. He denies making the comment about getting off the reservation.

http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2011/04/29/general-us-maine-commissioner-resigns_8442777.html

[provis99]

3. LePage: that doesn't sound American.

Is he one of those frenchy-types that snuck over the border illegally from Quebec?