CAPAC Members Applaud Successful Passage of Amendment to Address Racial Profiling of Chinese Americans

CAPAC Members Applaud Successful Passage of Amendment to Address Racial Profiling of Chinese Americans

Washington, DC —  Today the House voted 397-31 to pass H.R. 3494, the Damon Paul Nelson and Matthew Young Pollard Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020. Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) member Rep. Ed Case (HI-01) successfully added an amendment to the bill to address concerns of stereotyping, targeting and racial profiling of Chinese Americans. The amendment would require the Director of National Intelligence to submit a report to Congress on how current intelligence policies, procedures, and practices targeting the People’s Republic of China may also impact the privacy and civil liberties of Chinese Americans. CAPAC Members released the following statements:

Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-27), CAPAC Chair:

“I am pleased that Congressman Case’s amendment to address the profiling of Chinese Americans was included in the Intelligence Authorization Act passed today. While there is no doubt that we must take national security threats from foreign countries seriously, we must reject the flawed narrative that simply being of Chinese descent is grounds for suspicion. Such overly broad stereotyping, targeting and racial profiling is dangerous and runs contrary to the values of our nation.

“Unfortunately, we have seen how certain actions by our government directed at Chinese nationals have impacted U.S. citizens. We need to look no further than the examples of Sherry Chen and Dr. Xioaxing Xi, two Chinese American scientists who were wrongfully accused of espionage by the FBI only to have their charges dropped with no explanation. We must ensure that what happened to these two innocent Americans does not happen to other U.S. citizens simply because of the way they look. There must be no room for racial prejudice and ethnic targeting in our country’s laws and practices.”

Congressman Ed Case (HI-01) :

“In these recent years of justifiably heightened scrutiny on the intelligence activities of the People’s Republic of China, a disproportionate number of Americans of Chinese descent have been investigated and prosecuted for espionage. Those convicted have received disproportionately high sentences and the too many exonerated have had their careers ruined nonetheless.

“No doubt China seeks to recruit Chinese Americans to its goals, and no doubt our government should and must review specific cases of potential espionage by China on specific facts. But have we fallen into the same trap all over again of justifying investigations and other actions toward the end of national security by the means of general profiling and targeting based solely on ethnic identity?

“This amendment is a flashing red light to our intelligence community: stop, look and listen. Take some time to think it through, to be sure you’re staying on the right side of that line, and then report back to Congress that you have done so and have the procedures and mindset in place to assure that we won’t repeat history, with Chinese Americans or any other broad ethnic or interest group.”

Congresswoman Grace Meng (NY-06), CAPAC First Vice Chair:

“U.S. intelligence agencies play a critical role in keeping our nation safe and secure from foreign and domestic threats, but such protections must not come at the expense of American citizens’ civil liberties,” said Meng. “Many Chinese Americans have been targeted based on groundless accusations that they are spies of China. We know that many of those cases have been proven wrong. That is why I’m pleased to support Mr. Case’s amendment that will ask the intelligence community to submit a report to Congress on how it protects the civil rights and privacy of Chinese Americans.  I look forward to reading this report.”

Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (WA-07):

“Representative Case’s amendment is a critical step toward protecting Chinese Americans from racial profiling by the Intelligence Community. I am proud to represent a district with a large and vibrant Chinese American community; any efforts to racially profile them or infringe upon their civil liberties are contrary to our values.”

Congressman Ro Khanna (CA-17):

“No American of any gender, race or ethnicity should be singled out or regarded as suspicious for their identity,” said Rep. Ro Khanna. “I’m proud to support Rep. Case’s amendment to the FY2020 Intelligence Authorization and protect Chinese Americans from racial profiling by U.S. intelligence services. This is about transparency across our government: everyone deserves to be treated with the same level of respect and trust.”

Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez (NY-07)

“We’ve repeatedly seen instances of Chinese American scientists and scholars being unfairly and falsely accused of espionage or disloyalty.  Representing Chinatown and Sunset Park, I’ve heard from many in New York’s Asian community who are deeply concerned by this discriminatory treatment.  This amendment will bring greater transparency to the intelligence community and help ensure that the civil liberties of Americans of Chinese descent are protected.”

蘭亭雅聚承辦第三屆四海書院筆會 8/2-3

(Boston Orange) 四海書院第三屆筆會將由蘭亭雅聚承辦，訂8月2日及3日，在大波士頓內歷史名屋Henderson House舉行。何麗雪(Shelley Hawks)和白謙慎兩位博士，將應邀主講兩場學術講座。

四海書院成立於2017年，是位於於芝加哥的一個非營利組織，宗旨為普及書法教育，昇華書寫文化，弘揚書道，開啟課程。自成立以來，已先後在芝加哥，西雅圖舉辦過二屆筆會。

蘭亭雅聚成立於2012年，是一個位於大波士頓的書法愛好者互動平台。

第三屆四海書院筆會將安排有兩場學術講座，以及書道交流學習、書法作品欣賞、即興揮毫創作等活動。

會場圖片。

兩場講座將分別由何麗雪，白謙慎兩位博士主講，

從哈佛大學取得東亞研究碩士，布朗大學取得歷史博士學位，早年曾在波士頓美術博物館任助理，目前在多所大專院校任教的何麗雪，將以”從潘天壽、石魯，李可染、李苦禪的藝術中探索繪畫與書法之內在聯繫”為題，發表講談。

畢業於北京大學國際政治系，來美進修，後轉至耶魯大學取得藝術史博士學位，師從班宗華，曾在波士頓大學教藝術史，2015經浙江大學邀回中國教文化遺產研究，並於2019年出任浙大藝術與考古學院院長的白謙慎，目前還是四海書院名譽院長。他將以”關於中國書法經典的若干問題”為題，發表講談。

四海書院院長李躍林，蘭亭雅聚負責人齊雅明當天將先後致詞，在琴棋書畫中與出席者交流。

筆會的兩天入場費為20元，歡迎另外捐款，會場停車免費。查詢詳情可上網https://7seascalligraphy.org。

波士頓僑務委員會議說明會

波士頓僑務委員會議說明會出席者合影。前排左起，李壽泮，李伍綺蓮，梅錫銳，蔣宗壬，陳家驊，歐宏偉，陳仕維，馮文鸞。(周菊子攝)

(Boston Orange 周菊子牛頓市報導)持有中華民國護照，才能當僑務委員? 7月13日在波士頓僑教中心舉行的「僑務委員會議說明會」中，這問題成為討論重點。

波士頓僑教中心為加強波士頓僑民與僑委會經辦僑務情況的了解，7月13日下午特地舉辦「僑務委員會議說明會」，請5月份回台灣參加僑務委員會議的僑務委員蔣宗壬，以及紐英崙中華公所主席陳家驊、全美安良工商會總理陳仕維等3人出席做簡報。

僑教中心主任歐宏偉在會中一再強調，僑胞們對該次僑務會議有任何問題，都歡迎提出，討論。

由於一任三年的僑務委員預定一年半後換屆，根據僑委會規定，持有中華民國護照者才有資格出任，但波士頓老僑社區有這護照者，屈指可數。陳仕維在簡報之外，因此提出可否放寬資格的建議。

港澳之友社社長余麗媖因此提問，在美居住華人，是否可申請中華民國護照?

出席者中來自香港的鄒姓夫婦則稱，他倆曾經從波士頓經文處那兒申請到中華民國海外護照。

歐宏偉主任回應表示，配偶持有中華民國護照者，也可申請。據他所知，中華民國護照只有一種，希望鄒姓夫婦能把他倆所說的護照給他看一下，將可代為查證。

第一次出席僑務會議的陳仕維，對這次會議發給每名出席者一塊平板，所有的會議通知，議程，相關資料及討論內容，都藉平板傳達，實質的召開了一次無紙會議，以行動保護環境，很是印象深刻。

陳仕維也讚許僑委會推動設立海外急難救助協會，還見證這次開會，有唱國歌環節。

僑居美國數十年，三年一任的僑務委員職位，也已做到第二任一半的蔣宗壬，在會上不忌諱地埋怨，到台灣出席僑務會議，很多時候都覺得，台下聽的人可能比台上講的人還懂得多，有點浪費時間。他直言，講廣東話的老僑和講國語的新僑，背景各不相同，處事做法有異，想要水乳交融，並不容易。他還記得幾十年前他初到波士頓，曾經和大波士頓中華文化協會的人一起進華埠服務，不少老僑卻以為他們去搶地盤，對他們的態度非常不好，類似這樣的新僑，老僑隔閡，其實在台灣的大官們，根本不清楚。

蔣宗廷認為。年紀大些的僑胞，不太計較藍綠，只要對國家好，就都支持。但是他近年觀察到，在僑務會議中，年輕僑領站邊站得很厲害。這種顏色之分，新僑，老僑之分，有人支持台獨，有人只要不提中華民國就可以，有人堅決支持中華民國等等的立場，使得”我們”的僑社比其他國家的僑社分化得更厲害許多，如何團結僑胞，凝聚僑心，會是很重要的課題。

                    會末，歐宏偉鼓勵僑胞踴躍組團回台灣，參加十月國慶、使用自費體驗的優質醫療服務，鼓勵加入僑務電子報讀者群、使用僑胞卡及特約商店等等。

華人前進會籲亞裔社區支持梅西百貨化妝香水部工人加入工會

華人前進會行政主任陳秀珍在爭取權益活動中發言。

               (Boston Orange) 波士頓市中心梅西百貨(Macy’s)的化妝品和香水部工作人員，將於7月19日投票，以決定是否加入工會。華人前進會與美國亞太裔勞工聯盟麻州分會-AFLCIO，工人移民中心聯盟，勞工社區聯盟呼籲亞裔社區支持。

              華人前進會為此發出新聞稿，指工人若有工會合同，可在基本勞動權利以外，獲得更多保障，包括更好的加薪，更多的有薪病假，可負擔的健康保險，牙及視力保險，養老金福利計畫等等。

              華人前進會指出，梅西百貨的化妝品及香水部門是該公司唯一的非工會部門，7月19日，若有超過50%的工人投票支持成立工會，該部門員工將可加入梅西百貨其他部門同事在5月19日獲批准的工會合同。

              查詢相關詳情可上網<https://www.facebook.com/ufcwlocal1445/>。

中華耆英會白禮頓樓七月慶生

合唱團合影。(白禮頓樓提供)

壽星黃美寶。

(Boston Orange)中華耆英會白禮頓樓7月12日慶生，載歌載舞的祝賀兩名壽星，黃美寶，鍾恩禧。白禮頓樓主任梅麗梨也獻花，送禮物，和聚會耆英們歡樂一下午。

生日派對由李積秀、樂趙令瑜擔任司儀。李積秀帶著出席眾人大合唱”在那遙遠的地方”，”故鄉的雨”，鄧東慧老師和舞蹈組表演”夜上海”，李潤蓮鋼琴伴奏，何佩榮與張洋合唱”莫斯科郊外的晚上”，”茉莉花”。樂趙令瑜和國語組合唱"天佑美國"，"蘭花草”，”The star spangled banner”，楊澤瑞、馬愛慈表演蒙古舞蹈”草原上的月亮”。

鄧東慧與舞蹈組合影。

出席耆英們，台上唱跳，台下拍掌，大家都笑得很開心。抽獎環節由司徒汶安和楊蒙娜主持，抽到獎品的人更是為自己這天幸運，笑得合不攏嘴。

中華耆英會白禮頓樓表示，7月30日上午10點半，該會將舉辦”壽地平安服務”講座。8月份另有很多精采節目。查詢詳情可洽朱小姐。

中華耆英會白禮頓樓地址：677 Cambridge Street, Brighton, MA 02135），聯繫電話為：（617）789-4289。

Baker-Polito Administration Awards $1 Million to Town of Millbury to Address Climate Change Impacts

Baker-Polito Administration Awards $1 Million to Town of Millbury to Address Climate Change Impacts

For high resolution and additional photos, click here.

MILLBURY – Governor Charlie Baker and Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Kathleen Theoharides today joined state and local officials to award a $1 million grant to the Town of Millbury for a climate change adaption project, part of $12 million awarded to communities throughout the Commonwealth through the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Program. Additionally, Governor Baker spoke about the need for his Resilient MA legislation to provide a dedicated, sustainable funding source to invest in important local climate change resilience projects like Millbury’s.

“Massachusetts has been a national leader in addressing climate change, and these grants represent the Commonwealth’s largest funding commitment ever to improving community resiliency,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “We look forward to working with our legislative colleagues to pass our bill to continue important initiatives like the MVP program to mitigate climate change, build more resilient communities, protect residents and natural resources, and help generate economic growth and innovation throughout the Commonwealth.”

“Our Administration is committed to partnering with cities and towns to develop practical and cost-effective solutions to build the climate-resilient communities of tomorrow,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “We are proud to support this important climate resilience project in Millbury and many others across the Commonwealth that will foster stronger communities and improve the environment.”

The Town of Millbury received a $1 million grant for the Armory Village Green Infrastructure Project. As part of a larger downtown revitalization effort, the project will reduce flooding and stormwater runoff to the Blackstone River through the use of green infrastructure like stormwater planters, bioretention bump-outs, rain gardens, tree box filters, tree planting and porous pavement.

The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs’ MVP grant and designation program, which builds on Governor Baker’s Executive Order 569 as well as other administration-led state and local partnerships, provides communities with technical support, climate change data and planning tools to identify hazards and develop strategies to improve resilience. This funding is part of the largest release of climate change resilience funding for Massachusetts communities in state history.

“The record participation in the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Program underscores the real need for climate-smart solutions that promote strong local economies while reducing risks and avoiding future costs,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Kathleen Theoharides. “The Baker-Polito Administration is committed to supporting municipalities in getting this work off the ground through the ResilientMA legislation, which would provide a new and sustained funding source for climate resilience projects.”

Through the MVP Program, municipalities identify key climate-related hazards, vulnerabilities and strengths, develop adaptation actions and prioritize next steps.  Results of the workshops and planning efforts inform existing local plans, grant applications, and policies. Communities are then eligible for competitive MVP Action Grant funding to implement priority on-the-ground projects. With this announcement, 71 percent of Commonwealth communities have received MVP Planning Grants, while 70 climate change resilience projects have received MVP Action Grants.

Of the $12 million awarded, $1.7 million was awarded to 65 communities to pursue a community-led planning process to identify vulnerabilities to climate change and priority actions. The remaining $10.3 million was awarded to 34 communities that had completed the planning process and are ready to implement projects that build local resilience to climate change impacts. 

“While Massachusetts continues to be a leader in pursuing clean energy options, it’s also important to help communities identify opportunities to reduce risks and to build resilience against potential threats such as extreme weather and climate-related hazards,” said Senator Michael Moore (D-Millbury), who previously served as an Environmental Police Officer. “This funding through the MVP program will go a long way to help my hometown of Millbury adapt to climate change, and to implement recommendations previously identified by the community.” 

“This is a terrific project the state is investing in with Millbury which has multiple positive impacts for the environment, public safety, handicap accessibility, economic development and downtown revitalization,” said State Representative Paul Frost (R-Auburn). “I express my appreciation to the Baker-Polito Administration and Secretary Kathleen Theoharides of Energy and Environmental Affairs for their support of this grant program and recognizing how this can make a difference for Millbury’s downtown.”

Governor Baker filed the Resilient MA legislation to support municipalities and help protect Massachusetts residents, communities, economy, natural resources and infrastructure from the adverse effects of climate change, through an increase in the excise on real estate transfers to fund a substantial and sustained investment in climate change adaptation through programs like MVP. The revenue would be directed towards investments in resilient infrastructure to help make communities safer, keep vital services online, reduce the long-term costs of climate-related risks and protect the value of property across the Commonwealth. The proposal is estimated to generate $1.3 billion over 10 years which would be deposited into the Commonwealth’s Global Warming Solutions Trust Fund to support municipalities and regional municipal partnerships through loans, grants and technical assistance to implement priority adaptation projects.

The MVP program implements Executive Order 569, which established an integrated strategy for climate change adaptation across the Commonwealth. Local climate change vulnerabilities and actions identified through the MVP program inform the Statewide Hazard Mitigation and Adaptation Plan – a blueprint to protect residents, communities, and local economies. The funding available through the MVP program builds upon the Baker-Polito Administration’s continued commitment to mitigate and adapt to climate change

天滿街288-290號將建171個100%可負擔住宅單位

                      (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓綜合報導) 波士頓市天滿街288-290號的12號地段(P- 12C)，將由4組織合作，建成30層高，有171個住宅單位的100%可負擔大樓。

                  波士頓前鋒報(Boston Herald)和波士頓商業雜誌(BBJ)，7月16日都再發文報導，強調這將是一棟所有住宅單位都有收入限制的100%可負擔大樓，一樓還將留出空位，建永久性的波士頓華埠公共圖書館。

                         千禧年夥伴(Millennium Partners)和亞美社區發展協會(ACDC)，柯柯仁堅尼遜(Corcoran Jennison)公司，附屬於塔芙茨醫療中心的塔芙茨分享服務(Tufts Shared Services)公司等四機構，早從2018年1月就已向波士頓計畫及發展部門(BPDA)提案，要在天滿街288-290號這原為停車場的土地上，建一棟30層高，共171個有收入限制單位，有416,500平方呎的綜合用途大樓。

                           千禧年夥伴在2016年時，計畫斥資13億元，在波士頓市政擁有的停車場，也就是溫卓普廣場(Winthrop Square)115號上，蓋一棟綜合用途大樓。根據市府規定，如果他們不在所建大樓內留出固定百分比的可負擔住宅單位，就必須在另一個地點建造同樣數量的可負擔住宅。千禧年夥伴因此找了亞美社區發展協會這非牟利機構合作。

                       波士頓市政府在同年稍後，要這兩個機構合作，發展波士頓市政府擁有的另一塊停車場，也就是天滿街288-290號。

                     這一發展計畫，還將拓展柯柯仁堅尼遜公司所擁有的雙樹酒店(DoubleTree Hotel )，以及塔芙茨停車場。

                    這171個單位，有的出租，有的出售，全都有收入限制。亞美社區發展協會行政主任劉安琪表示，這對華埠來說尤其重要。

           根據BuildUp的網站資料，這棟大樓的估計造價為1億7400萬元，一樓會是波士頓華埠公共圖書館，二樓有會議中心，晚宴廳，4到10樓會是酒店房間，11樓到29樓會是住宅單位，面積為600到1,200平方呎不等，其中45間為出租公寓，126間為出售的共管公寓。

出租公寓部分， 會有15個1睡房單位，25個2睡房單位，5個3睡房單位。9個，36個單位，依序預定出租給家庭收入不超過地區中位收入30%，60%人家。

出售的共管公寓部分，會有42個一睡房單位，70個兩睡房單位，以及4個3睡房單位。出售對象為家庭年收入在地區中位收入的70%到100%人家。

波士頓慈濟訂八月十七日舉辦祈福會

             (Boston Orange) 佛教慈濟基金會波士頓聯絡處將於8月17日(週六)上午11點至下午2點，舉辦祈福活動，宣導”七月原是吉祥月”理念，並於8月份內和花蓮靜思精舍連線，舉辦3場”地藏經”共修。

             波士頓慈濟發出新聞稿指出，農曆七月是佛教及詳月，也是佛陀的歡喜月，感恩的孝親月。1974年時，慈濟證嚴上人就開始詳述蘭盆法會，普渡的真義，期許慈濟人深入社區，推動正知，正見，正信佛教，了解"真正的普渡觀念。2003年又開始把法會轉變為祈福會形式，在社區當地，舉辦各種愛灑祈福活動，宣導”七月原是吉祥月”的理念。

             8月份起，波士頓慈濟將和花蓮靜思精舍連線，由常住師父帶領，舉辦3場”地藏經”共修，與全球慈濟人一起虔誠誦念，為世間祈福。

             8月17日(週六)上午11點至下午2點，波士頓慈濟將舉辦”七月祈福”活動，以敬愛天地聚福緣的心念，感懷親恩，推動蔬食三好，健康好，環境好，尊重生命好的力行環保，疼惜大地。

             活動當天，波士頓慈濟將備蔬食點與來賓分享，歡迎來賓購買健康食品，素食料理食譜，醫療健保書籍等靜思法品。聯絡處還有二手物惜福站，與來賓分享延續物命，資源再利用，落實護生，環保理念。

波士頓慈濟表示，今年極端氣候影響劇烈，環境變異災害層出，3月份時熱帶氣旋伊代，造成東非莫三比克、辛巴威及馬拉威等三國嚴重受損，慈濟人深入災區援助。在吉祥月活動期間，慈濟還將佈展援助東非三國足跡，讓愛”非”揚的系列報導，勸募愛心。

查詢活動訊息，可洽(617)762-0569。

Baker-Polito Administration Celebrates the Start of the 2019 Summer Nights Initiative

Baker-Polito Administration Celebrates the Start of the 2019 Summer Nights Initiative

For high resolution and additional photos, click here.

BOSTON – Governor Charlie Baker and Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito today joined Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Kathleen Theoharides, Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) Commissioner Leo Roy, state and local officials, and key partners to celebrate the start of the 2019 Summer Nights Initiative at the DCR’s Dillaway-Thomas House in Roxbury. Since 2015, the Baker-Polito Administration has invested in additional recreational opportunities, such as increased programming and the extension of operating hours at several DCR water facilities, in select urban communities across the state for youth to enjoy during the summer vacation months.

“Our administration launched this program in 2015 to provide young people across the Commonwealth with the chance to participate in recreational and educational activities, and we’re proud to kick-off another summer,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “The goal of Summer Nights is to provide safe, inclusive and fun events for kids in dozens of communities to enjoy our parks and pools and we are grateful for the organizations who participate in this program.”

This year, the administration has partnered with 14 organizations within several cities, including the City of Boston’s Dorchester, Hyde Park, Jamaica Plain, Mattapan, Roxbury, and South End neighborhoods. Furthermore, eight state pools and two spray decks will have extended hours on Thursdays, including seven facilities in the Greater Boston area.

“Thanks to the Summer Nights Initiative and many involved stakeholders, youth from around the state are able to participate in excellent programming that is tailored to meet their interests and needs throughout July and August,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito.“The Summer Nights Initiative serves as a great example of state government working in partnership with key stakeholders to meet a shared goal that directly benefits the public.”

The Baker-Polito Administration is working in conjunction with 14 community partners to provide an exciting schedule of recreational, educational, cultural, and arts programs for kids, teens, and young adults to learn new skills and socialize with one another. Programs such as basketball, flag-football, floor hockey, kickball, dodgeball, volleyball, and ping pong, as well as, dancing, fitness, talent shows, and arts and crafts will be featured. The DCR’s program partners are Score4More (Jamaica Plain & Dorchester); PIM (Hyde Park & Dorchester); Youth Connect (Worcester); NAACP (Roxbury); MLK Family Services (Springfield); En Motion (Springfield); Originations (Roxbury); Boys and Girls Club of  Lawrence (Lawrence/Methuen); Boys and Girls Club of Greater Lowell (Greater Lowell); Dennison Community Center (New Bedford); Boys and Girls Club of Metro South (Brockton); Elevate Boston Foundation (Roxbury); Lena Park Community Center (Dorchester); and, Black Ministerial Alliance (Mattapan, Dorchester, Roxbury and South End).

“The Summer Nights Initiative provides a great opportunity for children to get outside and experience enriching programs and healthy activities all summer long,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Kathleen Theoharides. “Importantly, by keeping parks and swimming facilities open a little longer and offering special programming with partners, children will remain engaged during the school vacation season.”

The Dillaway-Thomas House, which is located at Roxbury Heritage State Park in Boston, recently underwent a major $3.7 million renovation project in an effort to preserve the historic landmark for future generations to use. Renovations that were made to the building include structural improvements, restoration of historic components, upgrades to the electrical systems, and park improvements. As a result of the enhanced space, the NAACP’s Boston Branch will be hosting an entrepreneurship course at the facility for 24 youths between the ages of 16-19 to teach them how to create, market, and sell their own products during the Summer Nights Initiative program.

“Economic opportunity is one of our country’s longstanding promises. Yet, economic inequality is a reality for so many of our families,” said Tanisha M. Sullivan, President of the NAACP Boston Branch. “To help address this challenge we are thrilled to launch our summer initiative for young people who are interested in learning how they can chart their own path to economic freedom. In collaboration with the Baker-Polito Administration, Street2Ivy, and several private and philanthropic organizations, this program is creating a new blueprint for summertime in the city.”

Additionally, the popular Free Family Flicks movie series will once again be offered by the DCR this summer. Movies will be shown at six locations throughout the state, with four locations in or near Boston (Martini Memorial Shell in Hyde Park, Sylvester Baxter State Park in Somerville, the Charles River Esplanade’s Hatch Memorial Shell in the Back Bay, and Pope John Paul II Park in Dorchester). Featured movies include: Ralph Breaks the Internet; Mary Poppins Returns; Spiderman into the Spider Verse; Bumblebee; The Lego Movie 2; How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World; Captain Marvel; and, Dumbo. The Free Family Flicks program provides family fun and entertainment at no charge (parking fees may apply depending on location).

For a full list of programming, please visit the DCR’s Summer Nights Initiative webpage

陳菊訪波士頓低調為蔡英文拉票

總統府祕書長陳菊在1979，1983，2019年，來過波士頓三次。
(周菊子攝)

左起，立法院副院長蔡其昌，總統府祕書長陳菊，國策顧問劉進興
和波士頓台灣同相會會長林碧憶，駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處處長
徐佑典在座談會中回答提問。(周菊子攝)

       (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導) “花媽”來波士頓了。七月十三日傍晚和年輕僑胞有約，七月十四日中午和台商牽線的僑團首長聚餐。總統府祕書長陳菊說，她這趟來波士頓是” 要負起身為民選政府成員的責任，傾聽海外的台灣人們的意見，說明政府的政策”。

             七月十一日時，陳菊已經在她的”陳菊(花媽)”臉書網頁上表示，她正陪同總統踏上”自由民主永續之旅”，前往美國。蔡英文在過境美國後，將往加勒比海，到邦交國做國是訪問，她自己將留在美國，從東岸到西岸的拜訪幾座城市，和僑胞交流。

             陳菊在七月十三日下午五點半左右，和立法院副院長蔡其昌，立法委員鍾孔炤，國策顧問劉進興等一行12人抵達波士頓僑教中心，在由波士頓台灣同鄉會主辦的”菊姐與僑胞有約”中，和應邀出席的約70人座談。七月十四日中午，在Peabody一餐館，和波克萊台灣商會前會長蘇鴻昌和顧問游勝雄邀約來的大波士頓地區商會，僑團首長，約50人聚餐。

台灣人公共事務會麻州分會前會長鍾佳君(左)，杜荷洲(右)和司儀
李坤珀(中)在會中放映短片，介紹該會。(周菊子攝)

             在波士頓僑教中心的座談由波士頓台灣同鄉會會長林碧憶開場，李坤珀，林治中擔任司儀。李坤珀在一開場時指出，這場座談非常特別，因為波士頓台灣同鄉會中有很多前輩，在當年戒嚴時期無法回台灣，很難想像這天竟會在僑教中心這場地，和總統府秘書長，政府官員座談，這反映了台灣從威權到民主的很大轉變。但是台灣還有很多需要去努力的方面，尤其是要怎樣實施轉型正義，如何凝聚共識，他們想知道台灣政府目前採取了什麼行動來化解大家的衝突，並實現轉型正義。

             陳菊坦言，這問題和她的人生歷程有關。1979年她到波士頓，見過許多台灣同鄉。當年熱愛、支持台灣的人，都被視為叛亂，罪不可赦，被列入黑名單，很多人長達40年不能回到自己的故鄉。也是那個時候，海外和台灣之內的台灣人都認為台灣是全世界最慘的國家，國會從來不需要改選，不能反映民意。由於當時組織反對黨會被判刑，坐牢，所以有一群被稱為”黨外”的人士，以”美麗島雜誌社”名義，組織了一個沒有黨名的黨，目標就是為台灣組織反對黨，這在民主國家非常普通，基本的組織。

住波士頓僑教中心主任歐宏偉(前右)當年踏入職場時，第一個上司
就是現任總統府祕書長陳菊。(前左)。後右微立法院副院長蔡其昌。
(周菊子攝)

陳菊和波士頓哲五，麻州台灣公共事務會成員合影。(周菊子攝)

             陳菊說，當時她們要求解除戒嚴，國會改選，開放黨禁、報禁，總統直接民選，都是民主政治最基本的事，但在那時的台灣是大事，台灣統治階層不願意看到台灣民主化，才發生了1979年12月10日，在國際人權日那天的美麗島事件，把她們這些主張民主的人都先抓起來再說。

從1947年二二八事件到1979年美麗島事件，中間發生過很多各種不同案件，從來沒有公開審判，但是1979年時，台灣已經進入不同階段，他們這些公然主張民主的人，是在”戒嚴”時期，根據”動員戡亂時期懲治叛亂條例第二條第一款唯一死刑”，接受軍事法庭審判，那也是台灣第一次公開審判。

陳菊認為，從二二八事件歷經恐懼，不敢觸碰政治，到1979年發生美麗島事件，林家血案以後，許多台灣人都認為關心台灣這土地，關心台灣的發展，是做為台灣人的天職。

她說，但是蔡英文總統和過去參與民主政治的她們這些人完全不一樣，沒有被壓迫過的經歷，是非典型的民進黨主席，非常專業，理性，要把民進黨，國家帶往一個新方向，是一個新時代的開始。

由於歷史的真相要理清，知道誰是加害者，誰是受害者，這個社會才能和解。陳菊表示，蔡英文非常在乎要給受苦的台灣人必要的交代，通過了促進轉型正義條例，還有專業的人來對促進轉型議題做研究。如今大約8000多名政治犯已得到平反。儘管許多人已不在世，但對他們的家人來說這非常重要。

陳菊指出，還有陳文成案，林家血案，美麗島事件等的歷史真相，文官體系以國家機密法為由，不予公開。她們經過內部討論後，已修法通過修訂”政治檔案法”，希望能盡量還原真相。

在座談中，波士頓台灣同鄉會前會長王志傑，台灣人公共事務會麻州分會前會長杜荷洲，現任會長法霍爾(Howard Fass)，波克萊台灣商會前會長林信福，紐英崙玉山科技協會會長陳立洋等多人，分別提及蔡英文支持率從高降低是為什麼，該如何防範紅色媒體滲透但同時能保障言論自由，有關謝清志和翁啟惠案件，台灣的經濟政策該怎麼訂，司法制度應怎麼改等等問題。

陳菊和波士頓台灣同鄉會會員合影。(周菊子攝)

             蔡其昌指出，司法改革要在確保公正之際兼顧其獨立性，的確很困難。過去三年來，立法院在修法上最重要的兩件事，一是修訂了法官法，讓不適任法官有退任機制，一是修訂了檢察官任命制度，以避免不同檢察官可因個人意見，對同類案件有迥異判決的情況出現。例如前總統陳水扁案以實質影響力入罪，另一人的同類案件卻以法令職權說豁免於罪。

             蔡其昌還以他本人在學時主修歷史指出，台灣的國家治理，還有很多困難需要克服，很多人以為轉型正義是要清算過去，或清算某一個政黨，但其實推動轉型正義是因為不能了解，面對，處理過去的事實的國家，會是一個沒有未來的國家。

陳菊和高雄同鄉合影。(周菊子攝)

             劉進興在會中表示，蔡英文的支持率會下降是因為改革會得罪很多人，例如年金改革，其實是很多前任總統都該做的事。在防範紅色媒體滲透上，台灣最近通過了對大陸或港澳地區適用外患罪，立法院下個會期將通過”外國代理人條例”等，都是為了捍衛台灣主權和安全所採取的措施。他表示，明年一月十一日，台灣將面對最大考驗。

陳菊在座談會末，為沒有時間談謝清志，翁啟惠案抱歉，但表示看到有這麼多年輕人關懷台灣，感到很高興，也很感激。十四日她在臉書上也寫了一篇訪波感言。

波士頓哲五代表廖甜，波士頓台灣人平群促進會志工屠澤寬，波士頓台灣人生物科技協會(BTBA)會長鄭永志等人，各自代表所屬協會，當天也在會中做了簡報。

部分出席"菊姐與僑胞有約"者合影。(周菊子攝)