By SUSAN M. COVER
Staff Writer

AUGUSTA — Lawyer Severin Beliveau received France’s highest honor Tuesday in a Statehouse ceremony, saying he accepted the award on behalf of the thousands of Franco-Americans who work to keep their culture alive.
French Ambassador to the United States Pierre Vimont pinned the Legion of Honor on Beliveau’s lapel as his wife, Cynthia, and their four sons watched in the Hall of Flags.
About 100 people came to the ceremony, which featured French songs by schoolchildren from Freeport and a speech by Vimont.
Beliveau, a senior partner in the Augusta law firm Preti Flaherty Beliveau & Pachios, received the honor for his 16-year tenure as Honorary Consul of France and his work to promote and preserve French culture.
“It will also pay tribute to the achievements of a committed citizen that values and cherishes his roots and his cultural heritage, and has invested time, energy and passion in the celebration of this rich legacy,” Vimont said.
The Legion of Honor, founded by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802, recognizes service to the French Republic. French President Nicholas Sarkozy signed a decree bestowing the honor on Beliveau.
“It’s an honor that I never expected to receive, for sure,” Beliveau said. “It’s a reflection of all the French Canadians. I’m the vehicle that’s been recognized for the work done by hundreds of thousands of others to promote the French language and culture in Maine.”
Gov. John Baldacci, with French and American flags on either side of the podium, said he found a citation in the Congressional Record as far back as 1967 in which U.S. Sen. Edmund Muskie mentioned Beliveau as someone with a promising career.
“Severin Beliveau is a proud Franco-American who holds dear his French heritage,” Baldacci said. “He has served as a liaison for the French people and interests for many years, and has helped to establish stronger ties between Maine and France, economically and culturally.”
Beliveau was instrumental in coordinating a trade mission to France in 2005 that has produced $5 million in contracts between companies based in both countries.

Susan Cover — 623-1056
scover@centralmaine.com