麻州長提名5律師任初審法院法官 黃瑞瑜獲提名為波士頓市區法院法官

    （Boston Orange編譯）麻州州長奚莉（Maura Healey）今(15)日宣佈提名5位經驗豐富的資深律師出任州內初審法院法官，人選已送交州長委員會（Governor's Council）審查與確認。

        奚莉州長表示，這5位獲提名的律師長年致力於服務麻州民眾，兼具正直品格、卓越判斷力與對正義的堅定承諾。副州長Kim Driscoll也強調，優秀的法院體系仰賴公正且具備公共服務熱忱的法官，這批人選有數十年的專業歷練，深得同業尊重，將能提升司法服務品質。

        獲提名的5位律師在公務機構、公設辯護及民刑事訴訟等領域耕耘多年，將分別出任高等法院、波士頓市區法院，以及遺囑檢驗與家庭法院的審判工作。

        其中的林恩·費根鮑姆（Lynn Feigenbaum）與克里斯多福·斯普林（Christopher Spring，）獲提名為高等法院（Superior Court）法官（Associate Justice) 。

        費根鮑姆在薩福克郡檢察官辦公室服務逾20年，曾主持重大罪案局；斯普林則擁有20年私人執業經驗，處理過無數刑事訴訟與上訴案件。

        黃瑞瑜（Connie Wong）和基斯·尼克森（Keith Nicholson）獲提名為波士頓市區法院（Boston Municipal Court）法官（Associate Justice) 。尼克森則執業超過30年，專長刑事辯護與警政法務。

        獲提名為遺囑檢驗與家庭法院（Probate and Family Court）法官的麗莎·麥考克（Lisa McCormack），則長期於法院系統擔任司法案件經理與家事調解人員，法務經驗極為豐富。

        波士頓市政法院服務波士頓市和溫斯羅普鎮（Winthrop），下設八個法庭審理刑事案件。奚莉州長此前已提名七位法官進入波士頓市政法院。

        獲提名法官中的黃瑞瑜是波士頓華埠社區熟悉人士，現任波士頓消防局副局長，擅長勞資與法務事宜。麻州政府在候選人介紹文中指出，黃瑞瑜在波士頓消防局是負責勞資關係、人力資源及法律事務的副局長，為該局在僱用、勞工及行政事務方面提供法律諮詢，負責起草和審查政策與法律協議，制定法律培訓計劃，並統籌管理法律支持與人力資源職能。

        在進入波士頓消防局服務前，黃瑞瑜曾在薩福克郡高等法院（Suffolk Superior Court）任職十餘年，先後擔任助理書記官及刑事法庭審判治安法官（Trial Magistrate）。

        她在任職期間，主持提審、保釋聽證、證據開示程序及緩刑撤銷聽證，作出裁決與決定，管理刑事審判案卷，就刑事訴訟程序提供建議，並監督法庭及文書人員的工作。在更早之前，她曾在波士頓市政府法律部（City of Boston Law Department）擔任助理法律顧問，代表市政府參與法庭訴訟及行政程序。她也曾在 Paul M. Yee 律師事務所執業，協助處理房地產、商業、房東與租戶糾紛以及遺囑認證等方面的法律事務。 

        黃瑞瑜獲有波士頓學院（Boston College）理學學士學位及薩福克（Suffolk）大學法學院法律博士（J. D.）學位。一旦確認，她將是繼陳宇庭，陳遠芳，余達明，陳鉅超，呂友漢，中荷混血的Fernande R.V. Duffly之後，獲指派為麻州法官的第7名華裔法官。

       包括曾任麻州最高法院（SJC)大法官Fernande R.V. Duffly在內的這7名法官，目前僅有2022年獲查理貝克（Charlie Baker)州長指派的陳宇庭和，以及2013年獲麻州州長派區克（Deval Patrick)指派為麻州青少年法院法官，再於2025年獲麻州州長奚莉（Maura Healey)指派為上訴法院法官的陳遠芳（Gloria Tan)仍然在位，其餘的華裔法官都已退休。

Governor Healey Nominates Five Attorneys to Serve on Massachusetts Trial Courts 

Judicial Nominations to the Superior Court, Boston Municipal Court and Probate & Family Court  

BOSTON – Governor Maura Healey today announced five judicial nominations to Massachusetts trial courts, continuing her commitment to appointing highly qualified, experienced attorneys to serve the people of Massachusetts. She nominated Attorneys Lynn Feigenbaum and Christopher Spring to serve as Associate Justices of the Superior Court, Attorneys Connie Wong and Keith Nicholson to serve as Associate Justices of the Boston Municipal Court, and Attorney Lisa McCormack to serve as an Associate Justice of the Probate & Family Court. The nominations will now be considered by the Governor's Council. 

"These are five outstanding attorneys who have dedicated their careers to serving the people of Massachusetts," said Governor Maura Healey. "Each brings integrity, sound judgment and a deep commitment to justice. I am proud to nominate them to the bench, and I look forward to working with the Governor's Council to advance their confirmations." 

"I look forward to working with the Governor's Council to confirm these judges who reflect the highest standards of professionalism, fairness and public service,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “Our courts depend on judges who are fair, thoughtful and committed to public service. These nominees have earned the respect of their colleagues through decades of legal experience, and I know they will serve the people of Massachusetts with distinction." 

The Superior Court is a trial court of general jurisdiction for Massachusetts, with 82 justices service in 20 courthouses across all 14 counties. The court hears major civil and criminal cases across the state, including first-degree murder cases, and has jurisdiction over a range of other complex civil and administrative matters.  Governor Healey has previously nominated 20 judges to the Superior Court: Tracy Duncan, Gillian Feiner, John Fraser, Ira Gant, Keren Goldenberg, Julie Green, Charles W. Groce, Sarah Hamilton, Adam Hornstine, Sarah G. Kim, Amy Karangekis, Emily Karstetter, Matthew Nestor, Michael Pineault, Sarah Joss, Adam Sisitsky, Deepika Shukla, Thomas Townsend, Jeffrey Trapani and Asha White. For more information about the Superior Court, visit its homepage. 

The Boston Municipal Court Department serves the City of Boston and the Town of Winthrop, hearing criminal matters in eight court divisions. Governor Healey has previously nominated seven judges to the Boston Municipal Court: Connor Barusch, Nicholas Brandt, Rebeca G. Figueroa, Steven S. Kim,  Michelle Licciardi , Dana Pierce and Vanessa Vélez, For more information about the Boston Municipal Court, visit its homepage. 

 

The Probate and Family Court Department handles matters involving families and children, including divorce, child support, and wills. The Probate and Family Court Department's mission is to deliver timely justice to the public by providing equal access to a fair, equitable, and efficient forum to solve family and probate legal matters and to help and protect all individuals, families, and children impartially and respectfully. 

 

The Probate and Family Court Department is responsible for family-related and probate matters such as divorce, paternity, child support, custody, adoption, wills, estates, and guardianships. Its mission is to provide fair, equitable, and timely access to justice while assisting and protecting individuals and families. For more information about the Probate and Family Court Department, please visit its homepage. Governor Healey has previously nominated 21 judges to the Probate and Family Court: Laurel Barraco, Manisha Bhatt, Jennifer Bingham, Bethany Brown, Colleen Carroll, Jessica Dubin, Mary Ferriter, Alexandra Flanders, Timothy Horan, Mikalen Howe, Lyonel Jean-Pierre Jr., Mark Lee, Caryn Mitchell-Munevar, Evelyn Patsos, Alessandra Petruccelli, Brian Salisbury, Carla Salvucci, Bernadette Stark, Toiya Taylor, Elena Tsizer, and Michelle Yee. 

  

For more information about the Probate and Family Court, visit its homepage. 

 

About the Nominees: 
 

Lynn Feigenbaum has served as an Assistant District Attorney in the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office for over two decades, most recently serving as the Chief of the Major Felony Bureau.  In this position since 2019, she supervises a team of attorneys and staff responsible for complex felony cases and oversees their investigation and prosecution of violent crimes. From July 2023 to February 2025, she was appointed to be the Chief of the Motor Vehicle Homicide Unit.  Attorney Feigenbaum has served in several key units of the office, including the Roxbury Division of the Boston Municipal Court, the Juvenile Unit, the Major Felony Unit, the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Unit and the Senior Trial Unit. Her diverse experience includes grand jury investigations and prosecutions involving homicides, sexual assaults, domestic violence and other violent offenses. Feigenbaum earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Northwestern University and her Juris Doctor from Northeastern University. 

Christopher Spring has operated a private practice for the past twenty years focused on representing individuals in a broad range of criminal matters in the District and Superior Courts and the Appeals Court. He has tried over 150 cases to verdict and has argued six cases in the Appeals Court. Prior to entering private practice, Attorney Spring was a litigation associate at Morrison Mahoney, where he represented insurance carriers and self-insured entities in medical malpractice, premises liability and motor vehicle litigation.  He began his career, as an Assistant District Attorney in the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, where he investigated and presented felony matters to the grand jury and prosecuted a broad range of criminal cases in the District and Superior Courts.  He handled cases involving violent crime, drug trafficking, firearms offenses, operating under the influence, domestic violence and other serious criminal matters. Attorney Spring earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of New Hampshire and a Juris Doctor from Notre Dame Law School. 

Keith J. Nicholson is a civil litigator and criminal defense attorney with more than three decades of experience representing individuals, businesses and law enforcement professionals throughout Massachusetts. Since founding the Law Office of Keith J. Nicholson in Quincy in 1996, Attorney Nicholson has maintained a general practice with an emphasis on criminal defense and civil litigation, handling all aspects of representation from client intake and discovery through motion practice, settlement negotiations, arbitration, administrative proceedings and trial. Attorney Nicholson has also represented indigent defendants in the Boston Municipal Court through Suffolk Lawyers for Justice since 1998. He also serves as counsel to the Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association and the New England Police Benevolent Association, representing police officers and correctional officers in arbitration proceedings, civil service hearings, and criminal prosecutions. Prior to starting his private practice, Attorney Nicholson served in the Trial Division of the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office, where he conducted investigations, discovery and legal research in a broad range of criminal and civil matters. Attorney Nicholson earned a Bachelor of Science from Providence College and a Juris Doctor from New England School of Law.   

Connie Wong is an experienced litigator with a breadth of experience in both civil and criminal law. She currently serves as the Deputy Commissioner for Labor Relations, Human Resources & Legal Affairs at the Boston Fire Department where she provides legal counsel to the Department on employment, labor, and administrative matters, drafts and reviews policies and legal agreements, develops legal training programs, and oversees legal support and human resources functions. Previously, Attorney Wong served for more than a decade in the Suffolk Superior Court, first as an Assistant Clerk and later as a trial Magistrate in the Criminal Session. In these roles, she presided over arraignments, bail hearings, discovery matters, and probation surrender hearings, issued findings and rulings, managed criminal trial dockets and advised on criminal procedure while supervising courtroom and clerical staff. Earlier in her career, she served as Assistant Corporation Counsel in the City of Boston Law Department, representing the City in court and administrative proceedings. She also gained experience in private practice with the Law Office of Paul M. Yee, assisting with real estate, business, landlord-tenant and probate matters. Attorney Wong earned a Bachelor of Science from Boston College and a Juris Doctor from Suffolk University Law School.  

Lisa McCormack is an experienced probate and family law attorney with extensive expertise in probate administration, guardianships, conservatorships, trusts, adoptions and civil litigation. Since 2015, she has served as Judicial Case Manager and MUPC Magistrate in the Berkshire Probate and Family Court, where she provides legal and procedural guidance to the Justices, reviews complex probate and family law matters, assists in drafting judicial decisions, oversees judicial staff and facilitates dispute intervention in high-conflict probate and equity cases. She also works closely with self-represented litigants, attorneys, guardians ad litem and court personnel to ensure the efficient administration of justice. Prior to joining the court, Attorney McCormack was a Senior Associate at Cain Hibbard & Myers, P.C., where she concentrated her practice in health care law, medical malpractice defense, mental health litigation, guardianships and conservatorships, employment and commercial litigation and real estate disputes. Earlier in her career, she practiced bankruptcy law at Kressler & Kressler, P.C. and served as a judicial intern for the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut. Attorney McCormack earned a Bachelor of Arts from Smith College and a Juris Doctor from Western New England College School of Law. 

Healey-Driscoll Administration Distributes More Than 5,000 Free Internet-Enabled Devices to Increase Connectivity Statewide

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  

July 15, 2026  

  

CONTACT:  

Jacqueline Manning, jacqui.manning@mass.gov, 508-887-3916  

Emily Gowdey-Backus, gowdey-backus@masstech.org 

Jake Stern, stern@masstech.org 

Healey-Driscoll Administration Distributes More Than 5,000 Free Internet-Enabled Devices to Increase Connectivity Statewide 

Residents will be able to access laptops, tablets, desktops and more across 45 Massachusetts municipalities, community organizations and nonprofit organizations 

BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll Administration and the Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI), a division of the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MassTech), announced Wednesday the distribution of 5,063 internet-enabled devices to 45 organizations through the Connected and Online program, a statewide effort focused on expanding economic opportunity through increased digital access.  

The Connected and Online program is a $31.6-million initiative, funded through the U.S. Treasury’s Capital Projects Fund, providing Massachusetts-based organizations with laptops, tablets and desktop computers to help residents access the internet. The program also provides support equipment such as braille keyboards to assist vulnerable populations.  

“The Connected and Online program opens doors for communities to access critical services and build relationships with their neighbors,” said Governor Maura Healey. “By partnering with trusted local organizations, we’re helping more people get online, access essential services and connect to new educational and economic opportunities.”  

“Every resident deserves the opportunity to succeed”, said Lieutenant Governor Kinm Driscoll. “By providing access to internet-enabled devices, Massachusetts residents can connect with loved ones, access health resources and advance their careers.” 

The Connected and Online program will aid Gateway Cities and rural communities alike by providing residents direct access to devices through lending programs or resources at publicly accessible locations. To date, the program has provided nearly 32,000 devices and more than 13,000 pieces of supportive equipment to hospitals, municipalities, nonprofits, public libraries, elder and youth aid groups, and workforce training organizations across the Commonwealth. 

 “Through the Connected and Online program, Massachusetts residents will be able to manage their health, schedule appointments and tap into other vital resources online,” said Massachusetts Economic Development Secretary Eric Paley. “By making online resources easier to reach, residents will be able to focus on the goals that move their lives forward, whether it’s starting a business or earning a diploma.” 

This award announcement comes after MBI launched the distribution of nearly 27,000 devices through the Connected and Online program on Thursday, April 2, 2026, to more than 200 organizations across the state. 

“MBI is leveraging strong relationships with local and regional organizations to deliver digital devices for Massachusetts residents,” said MBI Program Executive Jody Jones. “The Connected and Online program is a statewide effort to expand access, increase digital skills training and, at its core, expand the ability to connect to the internet.” 

The complete award breakdown can be found on the MBI website. 

文協夏日野餐200餘人歡聚 預告9/20慶70週年

文協野餐會大合照。（周菊子攝）

        (Boston Orange周菊子麻州報導)大波士頓地區中華文化協會（GBCCA）的2026夏日野餐會，7月11日在會長吳德惠團隊鉅細彌遺籌備，會員們各顯才藝備菜，紐英崙中文夏令營（NECYSC）青少年志工傾力支援中，讓200多人歡度一午，期待起9月12日的文協70週年慶。

文協會長吳德惠（左二）和執行團隊的薩芝楠（左一），吳宇懷（右二）、陳韻潔
（後），以及2027會長李翠蘭（右一），執委嚴曉敏都是核心工作人員。（周菊子攝）

文協會長吳德惠還在會後報喜訊，包括失聯回歸的，當天共有3個家庭，6名個人加入成為文協會員，另有16人願意加入志工行列，為文協的傳承，奠下更堅實基礎。

文協前後任會長趙寧（左）和吳德惠合作無間。（周菊子攝）

文協麾下如今最大的分支“雲鶴社”，在野餐會後，一片好評，讚許會長陳玉瑛費心做了200個滷蛋，志工把西瓜切得幾乎每片都一樣大，還讓每個人都能吃到至少2片，李泓嘉從Lobster Work訂購回來的春捲，送到現場時居然還是熱騰騰的，所有的周到安排，都讓人窩心。

        出席眾人各顯才藝自製的佳餚，更是讓人讚不絕口。包括陳玉瑛的滷蛋，韓咪咪的仙草，劉建靖的涼拌黃瓜，鄭玉春的炒米粉和麵線，羅蘭的醃漬包心菜，劉瑋珊的芝麻桃酥，陳韻傑作的檸檬薄荷飲料，都讓許多人回味無窮，叨念著想要再嚐。

吳德惠執掌2026文協大旗。（周菊子攝）

        李翠蘭、嚴曉敏、薩芝楠、吳宇懷還攜手為出席者烹煮了玉米。

        文協執行團隊為將來辦活動有參考，特地製作了問卷，那天發出177份，收回100份，其中62%填寫者為70歲以上會員，對食物的滿意度高達97%，最偏愛的是仙草和滷蛋，春捲，涼拌黃瓜，炒米粉。

李翠蘭（右起），史美芳，周映秋等人合影。

        吳德惠會長指出，為鼓勵人填問卷，當天安排的抽獎，只有填表者才有資格參加，王豫靈、柯乃南、嚴安莉等人送出的禮物，竟因此全都花落年長會員手中。

由紐英崙中文夏令營主持的跨世代破冰遊戲，營長趙銓雄（Christopher Chiu）率領數十名青少年參加野餐會，當志工，為文協野餐會帶來的洋溢青春氣息，讓文協的年長會員們看著滿心歡喜。

陳濤和柯乃南、陳恒憲、林麗珠敘舊。（周菊子攝）

        文協雲鶴社創辦人龍俐麗，現任董事長楊哲修，文協國樂團創辦人潘台春及歐陽東美，北一女校友會創辦人趙小怡，文協合唱團2025團長徐宗玲，華人經濟發展協會董事長蔣宗壬，大波士頓急難救助協會會長林麗珠，波士頓京劇協會創辦人劉瑋珊，曾經出版短篇小說的胡世沛，這天也都夾雜在文協年度野餐會中和新朋舊友歡敘，好不愜意。

王豫靈抽出中獎者。（周菊子攝）

        文協會長吳德惠表示，活動舉辦順利，全靠執行團隊成員薩芝楠，吳宇懷，徐宗玲，陳韻潔等人，以及候任的2027會長李翠蘭，幹是李茜、嚴曉敏的傾力支持。接下來將為預訂9月12日舉行的文協70週年慶忙碌。歡迎有意加入志工行列者，發電郵到GBCCA.PRESIDENT@GMAIL.COM 。

雲鶴社創辦人龍俐麗（又）和李小玉都是醫師。（周菊子攝）

徐宗玲（左起）和姜銓、史先澍。（周菊子攝）

吳萍萍（左起）、趙小怡、薛正璇、Rose Lee。 （周菊子攝）

吳德惠和歐陽東美。（周菊子攝）

吳德惠播報中獎者號碼。（周菊子攝）

雲鶴社現任董事長楊哲修催大家拍合照。（周菊子攝）

劉靜春（右二）等人圍桌聚會。（周菊子攝）

吳國志（中向右）和吳渝、胡世沛夫婦。（周菊子攝）

文協會長吳德惠感謝身旁的小美女主持破冰遊戲。（周菊子攝）

波士頓僑務會議談“建構全社會防禦韌性” 重申1+6社群平台助僑社溝通

波士頓僑教中心新到任主任康雅雄（右起），敦請經文處處長廖朝宏，
僑務委員郭競儒、陳仕維昭開僑務會議。（周菊子攝）

  （Boston Orange周菊子波士頓報導）僑委會即將於10月19到23號舉辦年度會僑務委員會議。波士頓僑教中心為協助收集僑胞意見，7月11日下午在牛頓市會址召開「海外先期座談會」，邀得約30名僑務榮譽職人員及僑團代表出席討論。

出席僑務會議中人合影。（周菊子攝）

會議由7月6日抵達波士頓，接替已調赴休士頓前主任高家富的康雅雄主任主持，波士頓經文處處長廖朝宏和2名波士頓僑務委員郭競儒和陳仕維在主席台上聆聽意見。

波士頓僑教中心主任康雅雄7月6日到任。（周菊子攝）

康雅雄指出，115年僑務委員會議波士頓地區海外先期座談的主題為「建構韌性僑社，守護民主臺灣」，要協助僑社查察，在地緣政治風險升高之際，海外僑社的應變需求，如何保護民主價值，爭取國際話語權，能辨識出認知戰與資訊的正確與否，為維護民主台灣盡力。

康雅雄主任（右一）主持僑務會議。（周菊子攝）

波士頓經文處處長廖朝宏在致詞時先報喜訊，指出台美雙邊貿易額創歷史新高，台灣已成美國第四大貿易夥伴，台灣在民主，人權等各項國際評比中也都名列前茅，然而在地緣政治的快速變化中，台灣面對的國際參與，軍事威脅，海外僑界滲透等挑戰也越來越烈，中國甫於7月1日宣佈的「民族團結進步促進法」，更是會對台灣產生一些不好的影響。僑委會發起，促請各僑團攜手成立「緊急應變中心組織」，相信能加強台灣僑胞們彼此之間的聯繫。

波士頓僑務委員郭競儒和陳仕維都說，大波士頓人才濟濟，希望集思廣益，多提意見，鼓勵年輕人參加僑界活動，攜手讓世界更加認識台灣。

波士頓經文處處長廖朝宏向僑胞介紹，康雅雄是新到任的波士頓僑教中心主任。
（周菊子攝）

陳仕維還表示，他來自香港。當初中國歡迎香港回歸時，曾經聲言要一國兩制，但「國安法」實施後，那基本上已不存在。如今的「民族團結進步促進法」，勢將打壓異己。這天雖然出席者來自傳統僑社的不多，但他十分希望能聽到建言，好帶回台灣，向僑委會反饋。

僑務委員郭競儒說明，10/19~23將回台灣參加僑務會議。（周菊子攝）

        康雅雄主任在會中放映了「建構全社會防禦韌性簡介短片」，闡述了僑委會的僑民，僑教、僑商等三大業務板塊，提醒僑胞，僑委會設有1+6社群平台，也就是改名為「僑新聞」，網址不變的OCAC News，以及臉書（Facebook），賴（Line），IG （Instagram），推特（Ｘ），油管（Youtube），希望僑民多加利用，並藉以查證資訊，抵制假新聞。

來自香港的僑務委員陳仕維稱中國發佈「民族團結進步促進法」，讓人憂慮打壓更嚴重。
（周菊子攝）

         康雅雄還說明，僑委會研擬「緊急應變作業指引」，是因為政府正在推動「全社會防衛任性」，希望整合僑社在地化資源，組織化任務分工，能夠自主應變後，這天出席座談的僑務榮譽職人員及僑團代表，發言十分踴躍。

        昭倫公所主席謝如鍵請僑教中心提供一份英文版的，行政院院會議案「中共施行“民族團結進步促進法”對台衝擊及政府因應對策」，以便散發給許多只懂英文的朋友。

波克萊台灣商會會長陳冠中以「台灣粉絲夜」已有1300人購票為例，指台灣僑社
訊息溝通，應找突破口。（周菊子攝）

麻州中部台灣鄉親會會長劉宗聖表示，今年5月，波士頓經文處長廖朝宏到春田市演講，向“世界事務協會”闡述台灣對美國很重要，能夠幫助美國及全世界，希望能從點到面的把台灣訊息帶到更多角落去。

新英格蘭中文學校協會會長馮文鸞提出，該會明年將承辦第54屆美東中文學校協會年會，面對經費壓力，希望各界支援。

劉宗聖稱許廖朝宏處長到春田市宣講台灣對美國很重要。（周菊子攝）

波克萊台灣商會會長陳冠中表示，他正在籌辦的紅襪隊芬衛球場「台灣粉絲夜」，已有1300人報名、買票，但他的感覺是，很多台灣人不在本地僑團的Line群組，或是臉書內，要接觸到那些人，可能得靠“口耳相傳”的人際傳播等其他方式。

        陳冠中也以他並不知道中文學校為辦年會，正在籌款的訊息為例，指陳台灣僑胞彼此間的訊息流通不足。

彭淑敏認為僑團消息交由僑教中心轉發，會更受重視。（周菊子攝）

曾任慈濟人文學校校長的彭淑敏提議，各僑團可把訊息傳達給波士頓僑教中心，由中心轉發，會讓僑團更重視來自其他僑團的訊息。馮文鸞則指出，台灣僑團之間存在「藍綠對立」的政治立場歧異問題，互傳消息有障礙。蘇鴻昌認為，儘管大家心中有台灣，但在國家認同上，應像新加坡華人只認自己是新加坡人那樣，先認自己是美國人，或許就可以更客觀的看問題。

波士頓台灣龍舟隊隊長邱偉哲（中）和台大校友會會長邱亮德（右）。（周菊子攝）

        會末還有許炳煌提出，僑務、外交人員在海外工作非常辛苦，建立人脈不易，理論上在地方上做得越久越好，近年卻頻頻出現任期未滿就調離狀況，讓人十分不捨。他希望政府能容許特例。

昭倫公所主席謝如鍵索要英文版的因應對策。（周菊子攝）

黎雯表示自己願全力協助。（周菊子攝）

馮文欒述說中文學校協會辦年會，籌募經費困難。（周菊子攝）

蘇鴻昌表示在美國的僑胞心懷台灣，但在國家認同上，應以美國為先。（周菊子攝）

林麗珠（左起）、鄭玉春、陳玉瑛出席會議。（周菊子攝）

許炳煌建議，做得好的外交、僑務人員一直做下去，在地僑胞都支持。（周菊子攝）

僑務促進委員李小玲（左一）也出席了會議。（周菊子攝）

紐英崙中華專業人員協會董事長鄭新霖（左起），僑務促進委員王月娥，
僑務顧問劉宗聖，臺玻玻表達性治療會會長林泓安出席會議。（周菊子攝）

You&Me樂團團長蔡佩珊（左）和中華民俗藝術工作坊團長蕭靖穎。（周菊子攝）

Legislature Creates New License Plate for Families of Fallen Law Enforcement Officers

Legislature Creates New License Plate for Families of Fallen Law Enforcement Officers

Special recognition would help immediate family honor their loved ones

(BOSTON—7/14/2026) The Massachusetts Legislature yesterday passed legislation to create a new special license plate to honor the memories of fallen law enforcement officers by offering a symbol of respect to their surviving spouses, parents, and children.

The bill—S.2903, An Act honoring Blue Star Families—directs the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) to create a new Blue Star Families plate to help the family members remember their loved one in a visible way on their car. It would also create a Blue Star Family emblem for motorcycle plates.

“Every day, law enforcement officers across the Commonwealth put themselves between danger and the people they serve. These heroes left their families in the morning and never came home,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “This bill won't erase these tragic and heartbreaking losses, but it will ensure their memory, and the memories of all our fallen officers, travel with the families who carry it every day. I’m grateful to Chair Rodrigues, Chair Crighton, and Senator Mark for their advocacy on this legislation, and to our colleagues in the House of Representatives for getting this to the Governor’s desk.”

“This bill is about recognizing the sacrifice made by the families of fallen law enforcement officers,” said House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy). “By making license plates available to the spouses, parents, and children of law enforcement who were killed in the line of duty, Massachusetts is ensuring that the legacy of those who gave their lives in service to our communities is never forgotten. I would like to thank Chairman Arciero, Chairman Walsh, and our partners in the Senate for their work in getting this important bill to the Governor’s desk for her signature.”

“Honoring the law enforcement officers we have lost in the line of duty with the Blue Star Families plate is a meaningful way for their loved ones to carry on their memory,” said Senator Brendan Crighton (D-Lynn), Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Transportation. “I was proud to join my colleagues in voting for this legislation, and I am thankful to the entire law enforcement community, especially our Blue Star Families, for their sacrifices.”

“Blue Star Families have endured the unimaginable loss of a child, spouse, parent, or sibling in the line of duty,” said Representative James Arciero (D-Westford), House Chair of the Joint Committee on Transportation. “While no symbol can fully express the gratitude owed to our fallen heroes and their loved ones, this legislation stands as a lasting commitment that their sacrifice and service will never be forgotten. Thank you to House Speaker Mariano, Chairman Michlewitz and Representative Walsh for their leadership on this bill to honor the Commonwealth's Blue Star Families.”

“The families of fallen law enforcement officers have sacrificed more than most of us can ever imagine,” said Senator Paul Mark (D-Becket), lead Senate sponsor of the bill. “This legislation is a meaningful way to honor their loved ones, recognize the burdens they continue to carry, and ensure the Commonwealth never forgets the service and sacrifice made in the line of duty.”

“Today we remember those law enforcement officers who have given their life in the line of duty,” said Representative Thomas P. Walsh (D-Peabody), lead House sponsor of the bill. “We honor their sacrifice through the memorial Blue Star license plate, and assure their families that we will never forget them.”

Under the legislation, the RMV would be required to make the plates available to Blue Star spouses, parents, and children without charge. The RMV would also be able to offer vanity plate registrations for Blue Star plates up to six characters in length.

The Blue Star Family license plates would join other special recognition plates currently offered by the RMV, including Gold Star Family plates for drivers with close family members who died as a result of their service in the armed forces.

Having passed the Legislature, the bill has now been sent to Governor Maura Healey for her signature.