https://worldleaders.website/leader-us-gov-me.htmlThe public schedule of Janet Mills, Governor of Maine, from official sources via World Leaders Daily.enThu, 27 Aug 2026 12:00:00 +0000http://www.maine.gov/governor/mills/official_documents/proclamations/2026-08-deaf-culture-week-september-20-through-26us-gov-me-2026-08-26-Deaf Culture Week - September 20 throughWed, 26 Aug 2026 12:00:00 +0000Deaf Culture Week - September 20 through 26 WHEREAS , the United Nations, the World Federation of the Deaf, the National Association of the Deaf and 129 National Associations of the Deaf throughout the world simultaneously participate in the Deaf World Week Celebration; and WHEREAS , the State of Maine and its citizens observe the last full week of September as Deaf Culture Week in accordance with 1 MRSA § 132; and WHEREAS , the statute recognizes the sociolinguistic community of Deaf people as a distinct group, rich with its own language, traditions, cultural values and norms, history, folklore, literature and a network of organizations; and WHEREAS , American Sign Language, a visual-gestural language, is recognized as the official state language of Deaf people; and WHEREAS , public schools and communities throughout the State are urged to observe Deaf Culture Week with appropriate ceremony and cultural study; and WHEREAS , organizations, representatives and friends of the Deaf community join in observing this significant event in recognition of the Deaf community, Deaf culture, American Sign Language and the celebration of the Deaf population; NOW THEREFORE , be it resolved that I, Janet T. Mills, Governor of the State of Maine, do hereby proclaim the week of September 20-26, 2026 as Deaf Culture Week throughout the State of Maine, and I urge all citizens to recognize this observance. In testimony whereof, I have caused the Great Seal of the State to be hereunto affixed GIVEN under my hand at Augusta this twentieth day of August Two Thousand Twenty-Six governor-sam Wed, 08/26/2026 - 15:21http://www.maine.gov/governor/mills/official_documents/proclamations/2026-08-safe-homes-awareness-month-septemberus-gov-me-2026-08-26-Safe Homes Awareness Month - SeptemberWed, 26 Aug 2026 12:00:00 +0000Safe Homes Awareness Month - September WHEREAS , the 130th Maine Legislature unanimously passed L.D. 1861, An Act to Establish the Safe Homes Program, and as Governor, I signed the bill into law on April 7, 2022; and WHEREAS , this bipartisan law promotes the safe storage of prescription drugs, firearms and other dangerous weapons in homes or public spaces; and WHEREAS , the Safe Homes Program is an optional, voluntary grant program that builds on the work of L.D. 1140, An Act To Establish a Sales Tax Exemption for the Purchase of Firearm Safety Devices, by making storage devices, such as gun safes, more affordable for people who want to buy them; and WHEREAS , the Safe Homes Program Fund will provide grants for purchasing safety devices for the safe storage of prescription drugs, firearms, and dangerous weapons in homes or public spaces; and WHEREAS , according to a report by the U.S. CDC, there were 181 deaths by firearms in the State of Maine in 2024, with over 86 percent of the deaths the result of suicide; and WHEREAS , in 2025, there were 390 confirmed and suspected fatal drug overdoses, 20.4 percent lower than the total confirmed fatal overdoses for 2024; and WHEREAS , by ensuring that firearms and prescription drugs are properly stored and secured, this law will reduce accidental gun deaths, prevent suicide, and improve public health; and WHEREAS , in accordance with 1 MRSA § 150-R, the month of September of each year is designated as Safe Homes Awareness Month to raise awareness of the importance of safety in the home and the assistance that is available through the Safe Homes Program established in Title 25, section 7001; NOW, THEREFORE , be it resolved that I, Janet T. Mills, Governor of the State of Maine, do hereby proclaim September 2026 as Safe Homes Awareness Month throughout the State of Maine, and I urge all citizens to recognize this observance, promote the proper storage of prescription drugs and firearms, and learn more about the assistance available through the Safe Homes Program. In testimony whereof, I have caused the Great Seal of the State to be hereunto affixed GIVEN under my hand at Augusta this twentieth of August Two Thousand Twenty-Six governor-sam Wed, 08/26/2026 - 15:20http://www.maine.gov/governor/mills/official_documents/proclamations/2026-08-maine-honey-bee-day-september-13us-gov-me-2026-08-26-Maine Honey Bee Day - September 13Wed, 26 Aug 2026 12:00:00 +0000Maine Honey Bee Day - September 13 WHEREAS , honey bees (Apis Mellifera) and other native insects are essential pollinators that contribute to food security by pollinating the plants we use and one-third of the food we consume; and WHEREAS , honey bees face serious threats from many sources including pests and viruses, loss of habitat, toxic pesticide and herbicide usage, and changes in climate and resulting water patterns; and WHEREAS , honey bees are essential in the production of Maine's heritage crops including blueberries and apples; and WHEREAS , Maine's honey bees produce approximately 450,000 pounds of honey each year and contribute an estimated annual $100-150 million to the state’s economy; and WHEREAS , Maine has almost 2,000 beekeepers ranging from hobbyists with as few as one hive, to part time business owners, to full time commercial beekeepers with thousands of hives; and WHEREAS , while traditional beekeeping occurred in rural areas of Maine for the purpose of helping pollinate farm crops, beekeeping is now growing in urban areas as the result of rising numbers of hobby beekeepers interested in increasing biodiversity and local food production; and WHEREAS , the State of Maine has an exemplary apiary inspection program for the protection of honey bees and education of beekeepers in the prevention and spread of apiary diseases and pests; and WHEREAS , since 1975 the Honey Bee has been recognized as Maine's official state insect; and WHEREAS , the Maine State Beekeepers Association is celebrating its 50th year of incorporation in 2026, and will host the annual “Bee Fest” on September 13 at the Viles Arboretum in Augusta; NOW THEREFORE , be it resolved, that I, Janet T. Mills, Governor of the State of Maine do hereby proclaim September 13, 2026 as Maine Honey Bee Day and I encourage all Maine people to join in recognizing the importance of honey bees to our state. In testimony whereof, I have caused the Great Seal of the State to be hereunto affixed GIVEN under my hand at Augusta this twentieth day of August Two Thousand Twenty-Six governor-sam Wed, 08/26/2026 - 15:19http://www.maine.gov/governor/mills/official_documents/proclamations/2026-08-library-card-sign-month-septemberus-gov-me-2026-08-26-Library Card Sign-up Month - SeptemberWed, 26 Aug 2026 12:00:00 +0000Library Card Sign-up Month - September WHEREAS , libraries across the State of Maine are essential to education, imagination, and opportunity, providing early literacy programs, digital learning tools, and lifelong pathways to knowledge and growth; and WHEREAS , Maine's libraries welcome all people, serving as inclusive and accessible community spaces that connect individuals across cultures, generations, and life experiences, and foster a strong sense of belonging; and WHEREAS , Maine's 257 public libraries reflect and honor the diversity of Maine people, honoring Wabanaki voices, supporting new Mainers, preserving Franco-American heritage, and uplifting rural, coastal, and urban communities alike through collections, services and programs that are locally rooted; and WHEREAS , our libraries help Maine people navigate life's challenges by offering trusted information, high-speed internet, job search and career support, and vital connections to health, housing, and social services – especially in communities where other resources are limited or unavailable; and WHEREAS , our libraries contribute to Maine's economic resilience by equipping workers, students, entrepreneurs, and small business owners with free access to training, online resources, technology, and other tools to succeed in this changing world; and WHEREAS , through good times and bad, Maine's library staff have remained steadfast in their service – innovating, adapting, and going above and beyond to meet the evolving needs of their communities; and WHEREAS , a library card opens doors for every Mainer – to books and broadband, to curiosity and creativity, to ideas and inspiration, to lifelong learning and opportunity, to the local and global community; NOW, THEREFORE , be it resolved that I, Janet T. Mills, Governor of the State of Maine, do hereby proclaim September 2026 as Library Card Sign-up Month throughout the State of Maine, and I encourage all Mainers to sign up for a library card and explore the many resources, programs, and opportunities available through their local library. In testimony whereof, I have caused the Great Seal of the State to be hereunto affixed GIVEN under my hand at Augusta this twentieth day of August Two Thousand Twenty-Six governor-sam Wed, 08/26/2026 - 15:17http://www.maine.gov/governor/mills/official_documents/proclamations/2026-08-10th-anniversary-katahdin-woods-and-waters-nationalus-gov-me-2026-08-24-10th Anniversary of the Katahdin Woods aMon, 24 Aug 2026 12:00:00 +000010th Anniversary of the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument - August 24 WHEREAS , on August 24, 2016, the eve of the National Park Service’s 100th anniversary, President Barack Obama officially designated 87,500 acres of Maine’s North Woods as the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument; and WHEREAS , for thousands of years, this land has been home to Wabanaki people who traversed the Penobscot’s waterways and negotiated the deep woods in search of food, furs, medicines and other resources; and WHEREAS , countless others have come to know the beauty and serenity of this land that native peoples had already known for centuries – those like Henry David Thoreau, Theodore Roosevelt and Percival Baxter – who helped share this special place with the world and commanded us to preserve it; and WHEREAS , this land has also been vital to generations of Maine people who make their living by logging and working in the forest products industry; and WHEREAS , the establishment of the monument would not have been possible without the lifelong dedication of Roxanne Quimby and her family to preserve this precious piece of Maine, along with the conservationists, philanthropists, and advocates who continue supporting it, including the Friends of Katahdin Woods & Waters; and WHEREAS , since its creation, the monument has greatly benefited neighboring communities as visitors from in and out of Maine travel to experience its beauty, and in 2024 alone, visitors spent $2.7 million in local communities near the park; and WHEREAS , with the Katahdin Woods and Waters Monument, we have safeguarded this place that has meant so much to so many people, ensuring that everyone can come camp, hike, fish, take in a night sky, or just enjoy nature in its purest form for generations to come; NOW THEREFORE , be it resolved that I, Janet T. Mills, Governor of the State of Maine, do hereby proclaim August 24, 2026 as the 10th Anniversary of the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument and I urge everyone to visit the monument, embrace the raw beauty of Maine, and do their part in protecting and preserving our natural environment. In testimony whereof, I have caused the Great Seal of the State to be hereunto affixed GIVEN under my hand at Augusta this twentieth day of August Two Thousand Twenty-Six governor-sam Mon, 08/24/2026 - 10:29http://www.maine.gov/governor/mills/news/radio_address/expanding-affordable-housing-maine-2026-08-21us-gov-me-2026-08-21-Expanding Affordable Housing in MaineFri, 21 Aug 2026 12:00:00 +0000Expanding Affordable Housing in Maine governor-sam Fri, 08/21/2026 - 14:00 August 21, 2026 Hello, this is Governor Janet Mills, and thank you for listening. You know, we want every person at every stage of their life to be confident they can rent or buy a home that's the right size for their family and for their budget and be able to stay there as long as they want. No one should be afraid that a sudden rent increase will break their budget or that someone will buy the land right out from under them and raise rents. When Hidden Circle Mobile Home Park in Jay went up for sale, that's exactly what the residents were afraid of: someone hiking up the rent and eventually pushing people out of their homes. According to the 2024 data, nearly 10 percent of Maine people live in manufactured housing, including mobile home communities. Forty-five thousand people in Maine live in a mobile home park. Out-of-state companies have started buying up some of Maine's mobile home parks and then significantly raising rents, in some cases as high as 50 percent. And rent increases don't necessarily mean nicer parks either, no improvements necessarily. Corporations know that residents can't easily pick up their home and move it elsewhere, no matter how much the company neglects the park. As one resident in Jay said, "At one time, the park used to look nice. Now they've stopped that, and yet they have increased our rent. If this continues to have higher lot rent payments, then I'm not going to be able to live where I am." The buying up of mobile home parks by out-of-state entities is a nationwide trend, but here in Maine, we're doing something about it. Last year, we enacted the "Right of First Refusal" law, which requires that residents of a mobile home park be given a chance to purchase their park if they can put together a matching offer when it's put up for sale. That measure strengthened our 2023 "Opportunity to Purchase" law, which required that residents of a mobile home park be allowed to present a competitive offer to buy their park if it's put up for sale. Well, earlier this week, I visited Jay to celebrate the first residents to take advantage of our new "Right of First Refusal" law to purchase their park, instead of being left to the whims of an out-of-state buyer. Hidden Circle is now the 14th resident-owned manufactured home community in Maine. Resident-owned—isn't that great? In addition to financing from the Genesis Fund and Maine Community Foundation, Hidden Circle Mobile Home Community was able to make the $1 million purchase to protect these 31 lots with $310,000 as well from our Mobile Home Park Preservation Fund. My Administration and the Legislature dedicated $8 million in total in recent years to MaineHousing to create this Mobile Home Park Preservation Fund to assist residents in purchasing their own mobile home parks. With that funding, more than 900 homes are expected to be preserved across six parks from Brunswick to Bangor, Turner to Saco. Last month, nation-leading laws to further protect mobile home park residents took effect in Maine, including laws to limit rent increases, laws to make it easier to expand mobile home parks, and laws creating a way for mobile homeowners to obtain a mortgage—and that could save them hundreds of dollars every month in housing costs. I was proud to sign those bills into law earlier this year to protect residents in Jay and other towns across Maine from predatory, out-of-state companies. Now, the residents of Hidden Circle Park in Jay have control over how much rent to charge and how that money will be spent. They have control over their common infrastructure, and they can make improvements as they see fit. Well, we still have a lot more work to do to protect Maine people and mobile home parks from being exploited by companies who simply want to use them to extract a profit, but I am proud of how we worked together with the Legislature to preserve this vital form of housing for people in Maine. This is Governor Janet Mills, and thank you for listening.http://www.maine.gov/governor/mills/official_documents/proclamations/2026-08-maine-blood-donation-day-september-4us-gov-me-2026-08-20-Maine Blood Donation Day - September 4Thu, 20 Aug 2026 12:00:00 +0000Maine Blood Donation Day - September 4 WHEREAS , the State of Maine is committed to ensuring the safety and security of all those living in and visiting our state; and WHEREAS , a sufficient blood supply is a public health issue both locally and nationally, and our hospitals and medical centers need a readily available supply for our residents and visitors; and WHEREAS , one blood donation can help save more than one life, and although most of the U.S. population is eligible to donate blood, only about 3 percent actually do; and WHEREAS , Maine is home to many organizations committed to raising awareness about the importance of blood donation, including the American Red Cross; and WHEREAS , Maine Blood Donation Day effectively serves to remind us that we need to constantly replenish our blood supply through donation and community awareness; NOW THEREFORE , be it resolved that I, Janet T. Mills, Governor of the State of Maine, do hereby proclaim September 4th, 2026 as Maine Blood Donation Day throughout the State of Maine, and I urge all Maine people to support our local blood drives as saving lives and protecting our residents is our primary goal. In testimony whereof, I have caused the Great Seal of the State to be hereunto affixed GIVEN under my hand at Augusta this seventeenth day of August Two Thousand Twenty-Six governor-sam Thu, 08/20/2026 - 11:22http://www.maine.gov/governor/mills/official_documents/proclamations/2026-08-national-clean-energy-week-september-15-through-19us-gov-me-2026-08-20-National Clean Energy Week - September 1Thu, 20 Aug 2026 12:00:00 +0000National Clean Energy Week - September 15 through 19 WHEREAS, Maine is committed to advancing an affordable, reliable, and cleaner energy future and enjoys abundant forms of renewable energy that power homes and businesses across the State; and WHEREAS, clean energy sources including solar, wind, hydropower, and biomass facilities provide cost-effective power to Maine and the region; and WHEREAS, the generation of power from renewable sources, including forms such as hydro, wood, wind, and solar, accounts for 54 percent of net electricity generation in Maine; and WHEREAS, Maine has increased its Renewable Portfolio Standard to 90 percent by 2040 and adopted a complementary Clean Energy Standard to reach 100 percent clean energy by 2040; and WHEREAS, Maine leads New England in wind-powered generation, and ranks eleventh in the country in its share of electricity generated from wind; and WHEREAS, in 2024, hydroelectric power generated nearly 20 percent of the electricity in Maine, and Maine ranked ninth in the nation for hydropower production as a share of total energy generated; and WHEREAS, Maine’s more than 16,000 clean energy jobs grow local economies and boost economic development; and WHEREAS, Maine has led the nation in the adoption of high efficiency electric heat pumps, installing more than 200,000 units with a goal of 275,000 installed by 2027; and WHEREAS, National Clean Energy Week provides an opportunity for individuals, local governments, corporations, and other organizations in Maine to champion commonsense solutions that address the United States’ evolving economic and energy needs; NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that I, Janet T. Mills, Governor of the State of Maine, do hereby proclaim September 15-19, 2026, as National Clean Energy Week throughout the State of Maine, and I urge all citizens to recognize this observance. In testimony whereof, I have caused the Great Seal of the State to be hereunto affixed GIVEN under my hand at Augusta this seventeenth day of August Two Thousand Twenty-Six governor-sam Thu, 08/20/2026 - 11:20http://www.maine.gov/governor/mills/official_documents/proclamations/2026-08-direct-support-professionals-recognition-week-september-13us-gov-me-2026-08-20-Direct Support Professionals RecognitionThu, 20 Aug 2026 12:00:00 +0000Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week - September 13 through 19 WHEREAS , Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) are the primary providers of community-based long-term support services for thousands of individuals with disabilities in Maine; and WHEREAS , DSPs are valued for their work in building respectful and trusted relationships with individuals to assist them with their most intimate needs; and WHEREAS , DSPs provide essential support that ensures that individuals with disabilities are included as a valued part of their community; supported at home, at work, and in communities across Maine; and empowered to live with the dignity that all people of our state deserve; and WHEREAS , DSPs provide a broad range of individualized supports, including meal preparation, medication assistance, personal care and life skills training, mobility, work and life enrichment opportunities, and other daily tasks; and WHEREAS , DSPs support informed choices and person-centered practices that honor and respect the individuals with disabilities that they serve; and WHEREAS , an adequate workforce of high-quality DSPs is necessary for the people of Maine to respond to the needs of people with disabilities, and to avoid more costly institutional care; NOW, THEREFORE , be it resolved that I, Janet T. Mills, Governor of the State of Maine, do hereby proclaim the week of September 13-19, 2026 as Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week throughout the State of Maine, and I urge all citizens to recognize these individuals who provide vital support and care for older adults, people with intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum disorder and other related conditions and help them live full and meaningful lives in their community. In testimony whereof, I have caused the Great Seal of the State to be hereunto affixed GIVEN under my hand at Augusta this seventeenth day of August Two Thousand Twenty-Six governor-sam Thu, 08/20/2026 - 11:17http://www.maine.gov/governor/mills/official_documents/proclamations/2026-08-30th-anniversary-maine-international-trade-center-augustus-gov-me-2026-08-20-30th Anniversary of the Maine InternatioThu, 20 Aug 2026 12:00:00 +000030th Anniversary of the Maine International Trade Center - August 18 WHEREAS , in 1996, Governor Angus S. King, Jr. and a unanimous Maine Legislature established the Maine International Trade Center as a public-private partnership, merging existing state trade-development efforts together to support Maine businesses and strengthen Maine’s economy through international commerce; and WHEREAS , for three decades, the Maine International Trade Center has adapted to sweeping changes in technology, global markets, and trade policy while remaining a trusted, nonpartisan international economic development partner; and WHEREAS , the Maine International Trade Center has become Maine’s leading source for international business assistance, providing customized consulting, market intelligence, technical assistance, funding, education, and worldwide connections to exporters and importers of every size in all 16 counties; and WHEREAS , the Maine International Trade Center has worked with thousands of clients and facilitated approximately $350 million in export sales, helping Maine products, services, and innovations reach customers around the world while supporting jobs and economic opportunity in rural, coastal, and urban communities; and WHEREAS , trade missions led by the Maine International Trade Center have carried Maine businesses from neighboring Canadian provinces to markets across Europe, Asia, Latin America, and beyond, while international delegations and partnerships have brought new relationships, ideas, and opportunities home to Maine; and WHEREAS , in 2016, the United States Department of Commerce honored the Maine International Trade Center with the President’s “E” Award, the nation’s highest recognition for significant contributions to the expansion of United States exports, and its Future Global Leaders program has provided practical international business experience to more than 200 interns; and WHEREAS , the Maine International Trade Center’s success reflects the dedication of its staff, board members, business members, public officials, and partners, whose collaboration has ensured that Maine businesses in communities large and small have a place at the international table; NOW, THEREFORE , be it resolved that I, Janet T. Mills, Governor of the State of Maine, do hereby proclaim August 18, 2026, as the 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MAINE INTERNATIONAL TRADE CENTER throughout the State of Maine and I encourage all Maine people to join me in recognizing three decades of service by the Maine International Trade Center and celebrating its continued work to connect Maine businesses, people, and communities to the world. In testimony whereof, I have caused the Great Seal of the State to be hereunto affixed GIVEN under my hand at Augusta this seventeenth day of August Two Thousand Twenty-Six governor-sam Thu, 08/20/2026 - 11:12