伍振中打造全美首個龍舟博物館。訂2025端午正日剪綵

伍振中一手打造龍舟博物館。（周菊子攝）

                   (Boston Orange 周菊子麻州報導) 5月31日這2025年端午節正日的下午一點，全美國首個龍舟博物館將在昆士市中心，興國街（Hancock St.）1229號，由創建人伍振中邀嘉賓剪綵，隆重啟用。

伍胥山公所組隊前往參觀龍舟博物館。（伍氏提供）

                  端午節、划龍舟是源起於農曆5月5日紀念戰國時期楚國詩人屈原，距今已有2500多年的活動。全世界各地大約有90多個國家舉辦龍舟節或龍舟賽等活動，國際龍舟聯合會 (IDBF)今年也已經有包括49個正式的共82個國家協會。但是西方世界鮮少觸及龍舟的歷史文化。

                  剪綵日最終選定在農曆5月5日這端午節正日，是強調這體育活動與中國傳統文化的淵源。

伍詹淑慧（前左）率一眾參觀者試划龍舟。（周菊子攝）

                  曾任美國聯邦航空管理局 （FAA）通訊主任，當過美國空軍戰鬥機飛行員，現爲神筆基金創辦人，紐英崙伍胥山公所主席，華人醫務中心董事的伍振中（Peter Ng），在義務支援由癌症倖存者組成的「健康戰士(Wellness Warriors)」隊，以及波士頓龍舟賽，甚至羅德島州龍舟賽多年，還贊助了狼群 （Wolfpack）龍舟隊成立之際，看到龍舟隊有存放船隻困難，發現龍舟賽儘管已是世界性體育活動，卻有非常多人完全不知道划龍舟背後的中國歷史文化淵源，更何況龍舟運動在癌症倖存者身上所展現的療癒力量令人感動，於是起心動念，要建造龍舟博物館。

                  從設計到佈置，親自一丁一卯的敲敲打打，伍振中耗時5個多月，才把佔地約1400

廣教學校小朋友參觀龍舟博物館。（伍振中臉書）

平方英尺的龍舟博物館打磨出來，陸路續續已有中華廣教學校，伍胥山公所同宗，乳癌倖存者龍舟隊，甚至海外聞風而至者的近千人到訪過。

                  伍振中是來自香港長州的移民。10歲時，曾經滿心歡喜的坐進龍舟，但年紀太小，無法划槳，對龍舟的感情從此深埋心中。

伍振中的朋友特地為他製作了一塊
「龍舟古今情」的牌匾。（伍振中臉書）

                  隨家人移民來美之後，伍振中上學，進美國空軍，參加越戰，到美國聯邦航空局（FAA）任職，一路晉升至通訊主任，成為FAA歷史上的第一位亞裔主管，甚至還應美國總統之邀，為成立國土安全局做安全佈署顧問，這一生歷程，就是“美國夢”的實際例證。

                 伍振中也因為自己經歷過從家徒四壁般貧困，到事業有成，生活美滿，認為是美國給了機會，所以心存感激，總想著如何服務社區，回饋社會。退休後，他不但當義工，參與許多社區活動，還創辦了神筆基金會，以發獎學金方式，鼓勵青少年藉藝術創想，來關懷社會地球，懂得以更大格局來考量自己將來要面對的世界。

伍振中和小時候心心念念不忘的龍舟賽重新搭上線，是在塔芙茨醫療中心工作的妻子詹淑慧找他一起，從旁協助麻州第一個由乳癌倖存者組成的龍舟隊「健康戰士(Wellness Warriors)」排練開始的，然後越幫越多，包括他作為董事會成員的華人醫務中心隊，以及任何參加波士頓龍舟賽的隊伍，有需要幫忙的，從義務修補船隻，划槳到當教練，做比賽義工，他都幫忙，後來甚至還贊助成立了狼群隊（Wolfpack）。

在發覺有非常多人不知道龍舟賽背後的中國傳統文化歷史，看到龍舟隊所面對存放船隻與覓地練習困境，又從「健康戰士」那兒知道了划龍舟的療癒力量，這種種因素促使伍振中忍不住的想要建龍舟博物館。

伍振中從無到有，一丁一卯的打造龍舟博物館，詹淑慧
一路陪同，支持。（周菊子攝）

念頭一動，後續待做的事就一發不可收拾了。為了找場地，尋支持，伍振中想過波士頓茶黨博物館對面，昆士市瑪麗納灣渡輪碼頭旁等地方，分別和波士頓市長、昆士市市長都洽談過，最後在昆士市長支持，以及和昆士市政府的良好溝通下，他爭取到以合理價格租下興國街1229號這原本是牙醫診所的1400餘英呎空間。

他親自動手，清空場地，購置材料，鋪地磚，刷牆，製作各龍舟隊介紹掛板，一點一滴的把這龍舟博物館建造了起來。他想要不但介紹划龍舟源自紀念屈原的歷史故事，製作龍舟的工藝，也要讓人知道波士頓龍舟節40多年來的發展歷程，有龍舟比賽的關鍵口令，還有來自全美各地甚至海外龍舟隊的風采展示。

龍舟博物館裡，放著一艘Ohana隊贈送的實體龍舟，到訪參觀的人，可以坐進船裏，體會華龍舟的感覺。

為了讓龍舟博物館可以自給自足，伍振中特地設計，製作了許多與龍舟相關，可供出售的藝術創作品，包括馬克杯，冰箱貼，明信片，椅墊套等不一而足，藉以豐富參觀者的體驗，也為龍舟博物館創造收入。

在伍振中心中，其實有個更大的念想，那就是以昆士市這個龍舟博物館爲雛形，將來在適合地點，建造一個規模更大，內容豐富的龍舟博物館，介紹龍舟相關的歷史文化，展示全世界各地不同國家龍舟隊的歷史故事，徽印，隊衣，比賽，提供沈浸式體驗，作為龍舟隊的練習場地等等，從全世界的角度，為龍舟文化紮根。（更新版）

第46屆波士頓龍舟賽訂6月8日舉行。72隊參賽

(Boston Orange) 第46屆波士頓香港龍舟節訂6月8日中午12點至下午5點，在Weeks 步行橋和Western Ave大橋之間的查理士河畔舉行，將有72隊龍舟分10組參賽。

今年的波士頓龍舟節由籌委會主辦，有麻州環保休閑廳、水利資源廳、大波士頓中華文化協會（GBCCA）、劍橋市藝術委員會、萊克星頓高中、以及波士頓拉丁學校等參與協辦，有香港駐紐約經濟貿易辦事處、道富銀行、華人醫務中心、東方銀行，貝恩資本（Bain Capital），麻州藍十字藍盾（ Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts），中國文化基金會、溫柔巨人（Gentle Giants）、永明金融 （SunLife）等機構與公司贊助。。

龍舟比賽分10個組別，分別為集團組、金融組、醫保組、大學組、大學校友組、社區組、俱樂部組、女子組，青少年組以及癌症倖存者專賽。

波士頓香港龍舟節籌委會表示，今年龍舟賽的船隊，更加壯大，有東方銀行捐贈了一條新龍，也有Trapology出資，翻修了2艘龍舟。

根據波士頓龍舟節籌委會公佈的參賽船隊名單，首次參賽的有伍振中贊助的華夏隊，來自社區的有廣教學校對，華人醫務中心隊，劍橋社區龍舟隊，以及牛頓獅虎獸隊，校友隊部分還隊數特多，有南開及天津大學合組對，孫逸仙大學校友對，廣州清華大學校友和之江清華大學校友隊，浙江大學校校友隊，北京大學校友雅然隊，北大校友夢家隊，武漢聯合隊，復旦及同濟大學校友隊，交通隊，在校生隊伍有哈佛大學醫學院隊，東北大學學生會Ａ、Ｂ2隊等。

為迎接新船下水，籌委會將於6月6日傍晚5 點，在MIT 船屋（409Memorial Dr, Cambridge, MA 02139），請菩提禪修波士頓禪堂的觀海禪師爲新船祈福。

6月8日當天，龍舟比賽將從清晨開始，中午12點請嘉賓為龍舟點睛，一慣例請華林派舞龍舞獅，大波士頓中國文化協會表演中華大谷和腰鼓舞，接著才開始安排藝文表演上場。

目前排定的舞台節目有韓國和中國的傳統武術，舞龍，舞獅、韓國、泰國及中國舞蹈、日式大鼓、京劇、越劇表演，波士頓美少女歌舞隊等表演。

大波士頓太極拳社、中國武術學校、小獅子舞隊將在展演時和觀眾互動，邀觀衆學習並參與打太極和舞獅。

展示攤位除了歷年來都備受歡迎的大波士頓文協傳統手工製作示範之外，龍舟節籌委會還安排有各種亞洲遊戲與手工藝創作。

亞洲美食攤位也已知有十七家廠商，會在現場販售韓國、越南、泰國、印度、中國、菲律賓、日本等風味不同美食，以及應季冰凍飲品、亞洲融合風味甜品等。

麻州水利資源廳將在活動現場設置飲用水站，免費供水，人們可自帶水瓶接水飲用。

查詢詳情，可上網www.bostondragonboat.org ，或撥打電話(617) 259-0286 ，發電子郵箱：info@bostondragonboat.org;org。

麻州長Healey指派Kathy Henry主掌法官提名委員會

Governor Healey Announces New Leadership of the Judicial Nominating Commission  

Governor Healey elevates Kathy Henry to Chair and appoints Asha Santos and Mark Shaughnessy as Vice Chairs   

BOSTON – Today, Governor Maura Healey announced that she is appointing Kathy Henry to Chair of the Judicial Nominating Commission and Asha Santos and Mark Shaughnessy as Vice Chairs. Abim Thomas, the current Chair, and Mark Fleming, one of the two current Vice Chairs, are stepping down from the Commission after serving two terms. Kathy Henry will take on this new leadership position as Chair having served two terms as a Vice Chair. 

“The Judicial Nominating Commission does incredibly important work to identify the very best candidates to become judges who will uphold justice and the rule of law. Under the strong leadership of Abim and Mark, the JNC has recommended dozens of candidates who have been nominated and confirmed as excellent judges. I’m deeply grateful for their effort and their service,” said Governor Healey. “Kathy, Asha and Mark have also played important roles in this work, and I’m grateful to them for stepping up into these new leadership roles. I look forward to the work that they will continue to do on the JNC.” 

“Over the last two and a half years, I’ve been able to work with the Governor’s Council to help confirm great nominees to serve in our judicial system, and that would not have been possible without Abim, Mark and Kathy’s leadership to thoroughly vet and put forward quality candidates,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “I am confident that Kathy, Asha and Mark will continue this high quality of work, and I’m grateful to them for their service.”  

The Judicial Nominating Commission is a non-partisan, non-political, and non-compensated Commission composed of 27 distinguished volunteers appointed by the Governor from a cross-section of the state's diverse population. They screen judicial candidates and make recommendations to the Governor. Since Governor Healey took office, the work of the JNC has resulted in the nomination of 72 highly qualified judges and four Clerk Magistrates. 

About the New Chair and Vice Chairs: 

Kathy Henry has served on the JNC since 2023 and most recently served as Vice Chair. She is currently the Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Chief Human Resources Officer of Eastern Bankshares, Inc. and Eastern Bank, where she plays a significant leadership role across multiple strategic priorities, including managing legal risk, human capital management and internal communications and public relations.  She has been with Eastern since 2016. Before that, she served as the General Counsel and Deputy General Counsel for five years at Plymouth Rock Assurance Corporation, a Boston-based financial services company, and 11 years as a litigator at Choate, Hall & Stewart LLP.  Attorney Henry has over 25 years of experience advising boards, C-suite executives and business leaders on their most complex legal, strategic and human resource challenges. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Boston University and a Juris Doctor from Northeastern University School of Law. She lives in Boston.   

Mark Shaughnessy has served on the JNC since 2023. He is the Managing Partner at Boyle | Shaughnessy Law. His practice concentrates in civil litigation, focusing on business and commercial litigation, product liability claims, professional and medical malpractice, construction defect and accident litigation, pharmacy liability litigation, catastrophic injury claims, MDL and class actions. Attorney Shaughnessy has extensive trial experience in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Rhode Island state and federal courts. He manages and supervises the firm’s trial practice and has litigated over 100 jury trials as first chair. He also has significant appellate experience, successfully arguing many appeals. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from the College of the Holy Cross and a Juris Doctor from Suffolk University where he was an editor of the Law Review. He lives in Boston. 

Asha Santos has served on the JNC since 2024. She is the Office Managing Shareholder at Littler Mendelson P.C. where she oversees the daily operations of three law offices--including practice management, administrative functions, and client services. In addition to litigation, Asha has a robust practice as a neutral investigator. In this role, she has investigated and made factual findings concerning numerous high profile sexual harassment and discrimination claims, and she has conducted workplace culture audits concerning allegations of bullying and microaggressions. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Williams College and a Juris Doctor from Boston College Law School. She lives in Acton. 

Liana Wang獲得第28屆亞美律師會/譚金源基金獎學金$15,000元

 The Asian American Lawyers Association of Massachusetts (AALAM) and the Harry H. Dow Memorial Legal Assistance Fund (Dow Fund) are honored to announce that the recipient of the 28th Annual AALAM/Dow Fund Scholarship Award is Liana Wang! As the 2025–2026 awardee, Liana will receive the full scholarship amount of $15,000 in recognition of her demonstrated leadership, steadfast commitment to the Asian American community, and exemplary dedication to public interest law.

Liana Wang is a third year law student at Harvard Law School. After graduation, Liana hopes to defend civil rights and advance economic justice, especially for underserved and immigrant communities. At HLS, Liana is the Co-President of the Tenant Advocacy Project, a student practice organization that advocates for current and prospective public housing tenants, and a contributor to OnLabor, a blog about workers, unions, and their politics. She also supports fellow public interest students as a Law & Social Change Student Fellow and is a proud member of APALSA, First Class, and Lambda. Liana spent last summer in the SF City Attorney's Affirmative and Complex Litigation division, helping challenge unlawful business practices and enforce consumer protection laws. During the spring semester, she worked as a Law Clerk for Apollo, which represents workers and consumers in appellate and complex litigation. This summer, she will be advocating for people's rights and demanding government accountability at Public Citizen and Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro. 

Before law school, Liana received an M.Phil. in Political Theory with distinction at the University of Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar, and worked in and with local governments on pandemic recovery and climate and economic policy. She also received a B.A. in Economics with distinction at Yale University, where she was a member of the Human Rights Program.

Founded in 1984, AALAM is a non-partisan, non-profit organization of attorneys, judges, law professors, and students whose mission is to promote excellence within the legal profession and to champion civic engagement at the local, state, and national levels. The Dow Fund, established in 1985 to honor Harry H. Dow—the first Asian American admitted to practice law in Massachusetts—seeks to eliminate barriers to justice facing Asian Americans stemming from language, race, culture, poverty, or immigration status. Each year, the AALAM/Dow Fund Scholarship furthers these objectives by supporting a law student whose record embodies the values of community service, public interest, and professional distinction. After careful review of the candidates, the Scholarship Committee, with the approval of the AALAM Board, unanimously selected Liana for her outstanding achievements and promise as a future advocate.

The 2025 AALAM/Dow Fund Scholarship will be formally conferred to Liana during the AALAM Banquet and the Annual Dow Fund Dinner. We extend our sincerest congratulations to Liana and look forward to her continued contributions to our community.

美國務卿魯比歐宣佈禁發簽證給中國留學生、亞美促進正義會譴責指助長仇視亞裔氛圍

       （Boston Orange 綜合編譯）美國國務卿魯比奧（Marco Rubio）週三（5月28日）宣佈2項簽證限制令，指示國務院停止發放簽證給中國留學生，以及審查美國人的外國官員。亞美促進正義會（AAJC）為此發聲明，稱這是川普政府對國際學生及學術界的又一打擊。

美國國務院享有核發與撤銷簽證的行政權。魯比奧只要下了指示，國務院就可以執行，如今也已開始暫停接受所有中國留學生，以及審查美國人的外國官員的簽證申請了。

亞美促進正義會(AAJC)發表聲明，指國家安全固然重要，但散佈恐懼，針對種族，挑起仇外心理，絕不是解決辦法。AAJC認為魯比奧的聲明根植於種族主義思想，把所有中國學生都形容成對國家安全的威脅，但現實是絕大多數學生只是來美學習，歷史也證明，基於刻板印象的排他和歧視性政策，很少能解決實際的國家安全問題，但卻助長了對亞裔移民和亞裔美國人的偏見與不公平，摧毀了人們的生活與事業，對美國在全球創新上的競爭力產生負面影響。

AAJC指出，更重要的是，該指令漠視了中國學生及國際學生對美國經濟的貢獻，傷害美國學術界，也傷害了所有的美國人。

路透社指出，魯比奧此舉旨在加強審查來自中國和香港的未來簽證申請，以因應中國對美國高校的影響力和技術轉移問題。

截至2024年，美國約有27.7萬中國學生，和2019年的約37萬人相比，略為下降，原因包括地緣政治緊張、簽證限制以及新冠疫情的影響。魯比奧的這一新政策，可能擾亂美國大學的重要收入來源，並影響美國科技企業的人才供應。

中國政府已發聲譴責這政策，並提出抗議。

批評者警告，廣泛取消簽證可能損害中國學生的權益，並削弱美國在科學創新領域的全球領導地位；支持者則主張此舉是出於國家安全考量，以防範間諜活動和知識產權盜竊。

波士頓市2024鴉片類藥物致死率下降38%

NEW DATA SHOW 38% DECLINE IN OPIOID-RELATED DEATHS IN BOSTON IN 2024, FOLLOWING NATIONAL TREND 

This is the lowest number of overdose deaths in Boston in nine years

BOSTON – Thursday, May 29, 2025 - New data analyzed by the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) show a 38% decrease in opioid overdose mortality in Boston in 2024 compared to 2023. This is the lowest number of overdose deaths since 2015. The newest data reflect the continuation of an encouraging downward trend throughout 2024, as previously reported by BPHC. They also reflect national trends; recently released data by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show a nearly 26% decline in drug overdose deaths nationwide from 2023 to 2024.  

Black and Latinx Boston residents, specifically men, have been disproportionately impacted by opioid-related overdose deaths in recent years. In 2024, opioid-related mortality fell by 59% for Black men and 52% for Latino men. Overall, Black and Latinx residents experienced a 58% and 48% decrease, respectively. These data offer an encouraging sign of progress following ongoing efforts from the City of Boston, BPHC, and partners to implement innovative strategies to address health inequity across the city. 

“Every life saved from a fatal overdose shows the power of community, investment, and compassion," said Mayor Michelle Wu. "Not only does this data represent the impact of our collective efforts to combat the opioid crisis, but emphasizes our continued support to communities who are disproportionately affected.”

“The decreases in opioid-related deaths in our city are a testament to work done in partnership with community-based organizations, community health centers, and residents to increase access to naloxone, decrease substance use stigma, and encourage substance use treatment,” said Dr. Bisola Ojikutu, Commissioner of Public Health for the City of Boston. “These data reinforce our commitment to eliminating racial and ethnic disparities and to ensuring equitable access to services for people with substance use disorders. While we are encouraged by these data, we still have work to do. One life lost to overdose is one life too many.”

According to BPHC’s Live Long and Well population health equity agenda, unintentional drug overdose is the leading cause of early death in Boston, and it disproportionately impacts Black and Latinx communities. Black and Latinx residents account for 40% of Boston’s total population, but they accounted for 46% of all overdose deaths in 2024.  

As the Boston Public Health Commission continues to monitor the impacts of the opioid epidemic in Boston, strategies that led to the decline in overdose deaths in 2024 include distributing naloxone, expanding access to treatment, partnering with medical services, providing harm reduction services, offering housing navigation and stabilization, and engaging with the community.  

In 2024, Boston distributed over 23,000 doses of naloxone, a life-saving medication that can reverse an opioid overdose. This has been through BPHC’sAHOPE program and street outreach work, public health vending machines, naloxone kiosks, and community grants. Naloxone distribution also helps link people to services. Throughout 2024 BPHC’s street outreach work conducted over 25,000 engagements with people, and BPHC made over 2,000 treatment placements, often driving patients directly to a detox or treatment facility. 

 

The Boston Public Health Commission also collaborates with local organizations to expand access to medical care and housing support. BPHC partners with Boston Health Care for the Homeless to operate a medical clinic inside BPHC’s Recovery Services Building. This clinic assists people with services ranging from HIV treatment to medication for opioid use disorder. Since the partnership expanded in June 2024 through opioid settlements funds, the clinic has recorded over 2,700 patient visits. CDC funding through the Boston Overdose Data to Action (OD2A) program has also increased the capacity of community health centers to connect people with addiction treatment through substance use navigators.  

“Partnering with BPHC has allowed us to strengthen our internal systems and expand our care team’s capacity to provide opioid and substance use disorder treatment,” said Dr. Marjorie Janvier, Chief Medical Officer of Upham’s Community Care. “Adding a navigator and nurse has been a game changer, giving us more frequent contact with patients, greater insight into their needs, and the ability to offer timely support to those who are struggling. Integrating the substance use disorder program with primary care has also allowed us to coordinate care for patients and their children, an added win in supporting the whole family.”  

Over the past three years the City of Boston and BPHC have also invested in new programs designed to stabilize and house people experiencing substance use disorder. To date, these programs have served nearly 850 individuals and placed more than 270 people into long-term permanent housing.   

Harm reduction and treatment referrals are available through BPHC’s AHOPE and PAATHS programs. For over 30 years, AHOPE has been offering lifesaving harm reduction services including syringe exchange; drug checking to identify the presence of fentanyl and xylazine; naloxone distribution; and screening for HIV, hepatitis, and other bloodborne illnesses that can be spread through intravenous drug use. The PAATHS program connects people to a variety of treatment services including detox, medication for opioid use disorder, and outpatient treatment programs. For support with substance use disorders, contact the PAATHS program at 1-855-494-4057 or call 3-1-1. For more information, visit boston.gov/recovery.    

Governor Healey, Senator Warren, Senator Markey Fight Back Against Trump, Congressional Republicans’ Medicaid Cuts

 Governor Healey, Senator Warren, Senator Markey Fight Back Against Trump, Congressional Republicans’ Medicaid Cuts 

Reconciliation bill will cost Massachusetts health care system $1.75 billion, take away health care for 250,000 people, raise costs for everyone 

REVERE – Today, Governor Maura Healey, Senator Elizabeth Warren and Senator Ed Markey joined together to fight back against Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans’ devastating bill to cut $1.75 billion from the Massachusetts health care system. The reconciliation bill, passed by the U.S. House on Thursday, would take away coverage from 250,000 Massachusetts families, seniors, veterans and people with disabilities.  

The Governor and Senators were joined by health care leaders at the Cambridge Health Alliance’s Revere Care Center. The CHA Revere Care Center is one of 15 community health centers within the CHA public, safety net hospital and health center system. With greater than 50 percent Medicaid and 71 percent public payers, CHA provides 800,000 outpatient visits annually, including over 38,000 in Revere to promote the health of the community. 

“This isn’t a scalpel to trim waste – this is a massive ax to our entire health care system,” said Governor Healey. “What Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans are trying to do will mean seniors, pregnant women, and people with disabilities and mental illnesses are unable to get care. Nursing homes, community health centers and hospitals will be faced with firing doctors and nurses or closing their doors. Costs will go up for everyone. We cannot let this happen – we are fighting back.” 

“Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress want to raise costs and rip away health care and food assistance from millions of people — all to pay for giant tax handouts for billionaires,” said Senator Warren. “No one in America should go without health care so that Elon Musk can take a rocket ship ride to Mars. We’re fighting back to protect health care for families in Massachusetts and across the country.” 

“Instead of fighting for guaranteed health care for all, Republicans in Congress are trying to gut Medicaid and rip health care away from millions of children and seniors in Massachusetts, and across the country – all to pay for tax breaks for billionaires,” said Senator Markey. “But the fight to save Medicaid is far from over. We cannot agonize – we must organize to reject this big billionaire bonus and fight for a health care system that works for all Americans.” 

“MassHealth and the Health Connector offer low to no cost health care to residents across the state,” said Lieutenant Governor Driscoll. “This proposal from Congressional Republicans will undermine all of the work we’ve done to keep people healthy and keep costs low. States do not have the resources to make up for this dramatic cut in federal funding, and everyone is going to feel the negative impacts.” 

The reconciliation bill passed by House Republicans on Thursday would cut $1.75 billion dollars in federal funding from MassHealth, the state’s Medicaid program, and the Massachusetts Health Connector Marketplace. This would result in more than 250,000 Massachusetts residents losing health care coverage under those programs and increased costs for everyone. 

These cuts will have an impact well beyond those covered under MassHealth and the Connector. Nursing homes, community health centers and hospitals will be faced with cutting services or closing their doors. The jobs of the doctors, nurses and health care professionals in those facilities will be put at risk. Health care costs for everyone will increase as more uninsured people seek care in emergency rooms, further straining providers and limiting access to services for all. 

“Pay now and Pay More Later, and reduced access to healthcare, healthy foods, and preventive care will cost us all in the long run,” said Revere Mayor Patrick Keefe. 

“I stand with the families, seniors, and workers in my district who depend on Medicaid to survive.” said Senator Lydia Edwards, State Senator for the Third Suffolk District. “These cuts would threaten access to care, force community clinics and hospitals to reduce services or shut down, and leave thousands without coverage across the Commonwealth.  This isn’t just a budget cut—it’s a direct attack on working families and basic health care access.” 

“This is a cruel and dangerous attack on the health and dignity of our most vulnerable,” said Representative Jessica Giannino (D-Revere). “Slashing $1.75 billion from our health care system will mean real harm for families in Revere, Saugus and across Massachusetts. It impacts seniors, children, veterans, and people with disabilities who rely on MassHealth to live with dignity and security. I stand with Governor Healey, our federal delegation, and those fighting to protect the care our communities need and deserve.” 

"The elimination of waste, fraud and abuse are laudable efforts. Stripping women and children of access to healthcare is immoral,” said State Representative Jeffrey Rosario Turco (D. Winthrop). “The House Republican budget hides behind the former to accomplish the latter. Our Commonwealth is the national leader in providing health care to our residents, I commend Gov. Healey for her boldness and her voice to defend both our success but more importantly, the voices of those who would otherwise be voiceless.” 

“MassHealth supports nearly half of the children in our state, nearly three quarters of people in nursing homes, and more than half of people with disabilities,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Kate Walsh. “Any cuts to Medicaid or federal changes that diminish our Health Connector marketplace are going to have severe impacts on people’s ability to access health care. As people delay or defer care, not only with individuals and families suffer with worse health outcomes, but it will increase costs in the long term and put more strain on emergency rooms and on the excellent health care providers we are so fortunate to have in Massachusetts.” 

“Congress’s proposed cuts to Medicaid will push hundreds of thousands of people off health care coverage here in Massachusetts,” said Assistant Secretary for MassHealth Mike Levine. “As hospitals and community health centers strain to provide care for more uninsured, you can expect higher premiums for businesses and workers, and less access to services for all.” 

"The Massachusetts residents we cover tell us consistently that we have been their lifeline, allowing them to access health care and create the financial security they need to manage chronic conditions, and afford groceries, childcare, and car payments,” said Audrey Morse Gasteier, the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Health Connector. “The reconciliation bill passed by the U.S. House of Representatives would mean more than 85,000 of the residents we cover today would lose their Health Connector coverage, no longer being able to find a plan that covers the health care they need at a monthly cost within their budget.” 

"Medicaid is absolutely critical to Cambridge Health Alliance's mission to care for all and supports lifesaving health care for greater than 50% of our patients, including low-income and vulnerable people," said Dr. Assaad Sayah, CEO of Cambridge Health Alliance. "Alongside our delegation, we stand together in urging Congress to reject these harmful Medicaid cuts that imperil the health of our patients and the health care system for everyone." 

Kennealy, Shortsleeve Stay Silent While Healey, MA Senators Stand Against Trump’s Proposed Health Care Cuts

Since Launching Their Campaigns, Neither Has Named A Single Thing Donald Trump Has Done That They Oppose    BOSTON - Today, while Governor Maura Healey, Senator Elizabeth Warren, and Senator Ed Markey fought back against the Republican proposal to cut $1.75 billion from the Massachusetts health care system and strip health coverage from 250,000 people, the Republican candidates for Governor continued their pattern of silence and support for Donald Trump.    Mike Kennealy and Brian Shortsleeve have been silent since the Republican House passed Trump’s reconciliation bill on Thursday. The bill would have an enormous impact on Massachusetts. The $1.75 billion in cuts to the MassHealth and Health Connector programs would take away health coverage from 250,000 Massachusetts seniors, families, veterans, and people with disabilities.   In addition, the devastating cuts would likely cause nursing homes and community health centers to close, put hospitals further at risk, and cost doctors and nurses their jobs. It would also cause many more patients to turn to emergency room care, driving up health costs for everyone.   “By staying silent, Brian Shortsleeve and Mike Kennealy are siding with Donald Trump instead of the hundreds of thousands of Massachusetts residents in danger of losing their health care,” said Democratic Party Chair Steve Kerrigan. “In fact - from Trump’s costly tariffs to his cuts to NIH funding to his gutting of veterans services and health care  – Kennealy and Shortsleeve have chosen to side with Donald Trump instead of the people of Massachusetts every time. They are making clear what we already know – electing Brian Shortsleeve or Mike Kennealy will mean allowing Trumpism to flourish here in Massachusetts.”   It has been seven weeks since Kennealy launched his campaign and two weeks since Shortsleeve launched his. In that time both have refused to oppose a single action that Donald Trump has taken that will impact Massachusetts. Among the things that they have refused to stand up against include:   Trump’s tariffs which raise costs on everyone in Massachusetts Trump’s cuts to the National institute of Health and National Science Foundation  that hurt our ability to find cures to diseases like cancer and Alzheimer’s  and cost jobs in Massachusetts Trump’s cuts to our colleges and universities which are major employers and economic drivers in Massachusetts Trump’s proposed cuts to the Department of Education which impact funding to Massachusetts schools and support for our children Trump’s cuts to the VA and his firing of Massachusetts veterans  Trump’s and the GOP’s proposed cuts to MassHealth and the Massachusetts Health Connector Trump’s cuts to transportation funding including projects in Massachusetts   Shortsleeve said he proudly voted for Donald Trump during the 2024 election and supports his agenda here in Massachusetts for the next four years. This also means Shortsleeve supported Trump even after he was held responsible for a violent insurrection against our country. Kennealy is on record saying that he hasn’t voted for a president in the last three elections. This means he, too, refused to even do the bare minimum to oppose Donald Trump in any of the elections he stood for office.

AALAM Joins NAPABA Coalition in Amicus Brief Defending Birthright Citizenship

 AALAM Joins NAPABA Coalition in Amicus Brief Defending Birthright Citizenship

Asian American Lawyers Association of Massachusetts (AALAM) joins the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) and 48 other affiliate bar associations from around the country in an amicus brief to defend the constitutional right to birthright citizenship. The brief was filed yesterday in the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, in the cases Doe, et al. v. Trump, et al. (No. 25-1169) and State of New Jersey, et al. v. Trump, et al. (No. 25-1170). This case concerns Executive Order 14160, which seeks to limit birthright citizenship in the United States to only the children of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents, excluding the children of legal visa-holders, asylum seekers, and undocumented immigrants, among other groups. Our amicus brief supports affirmance of the nationwide preliminary injunction issued by The Honorable John C. Coughenour, enjoining implementation and enforcement of EO 14160 on the basis that it violates the Citizenship Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

The amicus brief highlights the core principles established in United States v. Wong Kim Ark, 169 U.S. 649 (1898), which has been distorted in attempts to justify the constitutionality of EO 14160. In Wong Kim Ark, the Court upheld the conferral of citizenship to children born in the U.S. to non-citizen parents under the Fourteenth Amendment’s Citizenship Clause. Through this brief, amici curiae seek to underscore the historical significance of this precedent, the role of Asian Americans in shaping our nation’s foundational immigration and civil rights precedents, and the disproportionate harm that would fall upon the Asian American communities if EO 14160 is not enjoined.

For these reasons, AALAM proudly joins the NAPABA coalition of 50 amici in yesterday’s amicus brief in defense of birthright citizenship.

波士頓市移民進步辦公室撥款210萬元加強支持移民社區

 MAYOR WU AND MAYOR’S OFFICE FOR IMMIGRANT ADVANCEMENT ANNOUNCE $2.1 MILLION INVESTMENT TO STRENGTHEN SUPPORT SERVICES FOR IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES 

BOSTON - Wednesday, May 28, 2025 - Mayor Michelle Wu and the Mayor’s Office for Immigrant Advancement (MOIA) today announced $2.1 million in grant funds and contracts awarded to support access to critical services and resources for Boston’s immigrant communities. This announcement builds on Mayor Wu’s work to make Boston a home for everyone.

“Supporting our immigrant residents and families is critical in ensuring Boston continues to be a welcoming, safe, and healthy city,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “These grant funds and contracts will ensure that residents across all our neighborhoods are connected to supports. I’m grateful to all of our partners for helping make Boston a home for everyone.”

This announcement was made in conjunction with the launch of MOIA’s annual City of Belonging Festival, a month-long initiative with community events throughout Immigrant Heritage Month to celebrate, uplift, and support Boston’s diverse immigrant communities across every neighborhood. For more information, please visit this link or boston.gov/immigrants. 

“At a time when immigrant communities face uncertainty across the nation, Boston is choosing connection, compassion, and celebration. Funding our grant programs and contracts reminds us that resilience grows stronger when we stand together, across cultures and languages,” said Chief of Equity and Inclusion, Mariangely Solis Cervera. 

“The celebration of all people is integral to the heart of the City of Boston," said Monique Tú Nguyen, Executive Director of the Mayor's Office for Immigrant Advancement. "Through partnerships with local nonprofits with over $2 million in grant investments and contracts, we're building a City of Belonging where every resident feels included. Together, we're creating spaces where immigrants from all backgrounds can thrive, contribute, and feel truly at home in Boston."

The grant funds and contracts are spread across five programs: Immigrant Youth Advancement, Immigration Legal Access, Promoting Access to English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), Weaving Well-Being, and Tuition Equity. The grants and contracts were allocated in the following breakdown:

Immigrant Youth Advancement: A leadership and work-readiness program for immigrant students, $715,000 awarded to 27 organizations:

• 617Peak
• ACEDONE
• Agencia ALPHA
• Apprentice Learning
• Beat The Streets New England
• Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center (BCNC)
• Boston International Newcomers Academy (BINcA)
• Boston Little Saigon
• Boston Public Schools - Recruitment, Cultivation & Diversity Programs - Teacher Cadet Summer Academy
• Brazilian Worker Center, INC
• Cape Verdean Association of Boston (CVSA)
• Centro Presente
• Chills Diamond Ring Education Foundation
• City on a Hill Church (English High)
• Digital Ready
• Haitian Health Institute, Inc
• Immigrant Family Services Institute, Inc. (IFSI-USA)
• MassVOTE
• Mattapan/Greater Boston Technology Learning Center Inc
• Northeastern University (Learn and Earn) 
• Piers Park Sailing Center 
• Shalupe Community Alliance
• Soccer without Borders
• Sociedad Latina
• Stories Inspiring Movements (SIM)
• The Pathway Initiative Inc
• Veronica Robles Cultural Center

Immigration Legal Access: An initiative to expand the capacity for Boston residents to access immigration legal services and community support from community-based nonprofits and legal aid organizations. $700,000 was awarded to 20 organizations:

• Agencia ALPHA
• Asian American Resource Workshop, Inc.
• Asian Pacific Islanders Civic Action Network
• Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center, Inc
• Brazilian Worker Center INC
• Casa Myrna Vasquez Inc
• Catholic Charities Bureau of the Archdiocese of Boston, Inc.
• De Novo Center for Justice and Healing, Inc.
• Greater Boston Legal Services (GBLS)
• Immigrant Connection at Awaken City
• Immigrant Family Services Institute - USA, Inc.
• International Institute of New England Inc
• Justice at Work
• KIND, Inc
• Mabel Center for Immigrant Justice
• Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition
• Mutual Aid Eastie
• Rian Immigrant Center
• Student Clinic for Immigrant Justice, Inc
• Vietnamese American Civic Association, Inc

“The need for compassionate and trustworthy immigration legal services has never been greater—this is clear from the turnout at our Boston Public Library legal clinics. Rian Immigrant Center is immensely grateful to MOIA for recognizing this need and for putting our great city’s values into action,” said Jackie Kelley, Director of Immigration Legal Services at Rian Immigrant Center. 

Promoting Access to English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL): An initiative to support innovative programming that reduces waitlists for English-language learners. $400,000  was awarded to 10 organizations: 

• Chinese Progressive Association
• Casserly House
• English for New Bostonians
• Friends of St. Stephen’s Youth Programs
• Friends of the Rafael Hernandez School
• Gardner Pilot Academy Adult Education Program
• Maverick Landing Community Services
• Potencia, Inc.
• Somali Development Center
• St. Mark Community Education Program

“Mayor Wu and City Council have once again affirmed their commitment to immigrant communities, and we are humbled to continue as the City’s partner,” said Claudia Green, Executive Director of English for New Bostonians. “This infusion of new ESOL funds through the Office of Immigrant Advancement will allow us to expand opportunities for immigrant parents of Boston school children to improve their English skills, have a strong voice in their children’s education, and navigate these extraordinarily challenging times. Now more than ever, English classes provide information, community, and a path forward.”

Weaving Well-being: An initiative to support immigrant community-driven wellness and mental health. $232,000 was awarded to 28 organizations:

• Abilities Dance Incorporated
• ARKanum
• Asian American Resource Workshop
• Berklee College of Music
• Brazilian Women's Group
• Chinatown People Progressive Association
• Community Healing Project Center
• EHR Boston Communities
• Family Nurturing Center of Massachusetts
• Fathers' UpLift
• Found in Translation
• Gilbert Albert Community Center
• Hiddo, Inc.
• Irish Pastoral Centre
• Jean Appolon Expressions
• La Alianza Hispana
• Madison Park Development Corporation
• Maverick Landing Community Services
• Mutual Aid Eastie
• Shalupe Community Alliance
• Soccer Without Borders
• Sociedad Latina
• Somali Parents Advocacy Center for Education (SPACE, Inc.)
• The City School
• Tunefoolery
• Vermilion Theater
• Veronica Robles Cultural Center
• Young Man with a Plan

Tuition Equity: An initiative to support immigrant youth-serving organizations, ensures students are informed and can take advantage of the Massachusetts Tuition Equity law. The following partners were contracted to support the program, with $84,000 provided to 11 organizations:

• Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center (BCNC)
• Brazilian Worker Center, INC
• Cape Verdean Association of Boston (CVSA)
• College Advising Corps 
• Cultivate Pathway
• Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy (MIRA) Coalition
• Shalupe Community Alliance
• Sociedad Latina
• Stories Inspiring Movements (SIM)
• St. Stephen's Youth Programs
• uAspire

“The Mayor’s Office for Immigrant Advancement’s support is an investment in immigrant youth futures. The funding enables us to support Boston Public School seniors in accessing state financial aid, with an average award of $10,000. This investment opens doors to opportunity for Boston’s talented immigrant students at a critical time,” said Michele Rudy, Co-Founder and Executive Director, Cultivate Pathways.

About the Mayor’s Office for Immigrant Advancement

The Mayor’s Office for Immigrant Advancement (MOIA) strives to strengthen immigrants' ability to fully and equitably participate in Boston's economic, civic, social, and cultural life. MOIA also promotes recognition and public understanding of immigrants' contributions to the City. To learn more, visit boston.gov/immigrants.  

麻州文化協會宣佈150萬元支持 Ｋ-12 創意學習

Mass Cultural Council Announces $1.5 Million Supporting Creative Learning Experiences During the School Year

BOSTON – Mass Cultural Council today announces $1.5 million in grant awards for school-based creative learning experiences in the 2024-2025 academic year, through the Creative Projects for Schools grant program.   This program, a one-time funding opportunity offered by Mass Cultural Council in Fiscal Year 2025, provides financial support to school-based projects fostering creative learning experiences for K-12 students statewide.   “Funding creative learning experiences isn’t just about supporting the arts or adding color to the curriculum – it’s about empowering young minds to think critically, take risks, and approach challenges with originality and confidence,” said Michael J. Bobbitt, Executive Director, Mass Cultural Council. “With these investments, Mass Cultural Council is cultivating creative thinking in the innovators, leaders, and problem-solvers of tomorrow.”

Students participate in a Streetscapes paint night at Artists for Humanity, Boston. Photo courtesy of AFH Photo Studio

As the Commonwealth’s independent state arts agency, Mass Cultural Council is charged with bolstering the creative and cultural sector, thereby advancing economic vitality, supporting transformational change, and celebrating, preserving, and inspiring creativity across all Massachusetts communities. Mass Cultural Council awarded $5,000 grants to 300 schools across the state, totaling $1,500,000. The funding supported a wide array of activities, including artist residencies, classes, lessons, workshops, public art installations, murals, afterschool programming, concerts, performances, readings, and field trips.   A review of the grant recipients shows: 81% (243) worked with a Massachusetts artist, scientist, or humanist for their project 70% (211) took place at schools in an Under-Resourced City or Town 60% (180) are BIPOC-majority schools or BIPOC-centered organizations 51% (153) are schools or organizations that haven’t received a Mass Cultural Council grant in the past 3 fiscal years 19% (58) are receiving their first ever grant from Mass Cultural Council The complete FY25 Creative Projects for Schools funding list and project descriptions are available online. Some examples of recipients include:   Albert D. Holland School of Technology, Boston Holland Tech grew their partnership with Artists for Humanity, supporting their Design and Visual Communications program. Students were able to collaborate with Artist for Humanity’s animation studio over 8 weeks. Artists for Humanity also hosted “Streetscapes” paint nights for students and families to create cityscapes.   Craneville Elementary School, Dalton Students in Grades 3-5 developed their geometry knowledge and spatial reasoning skills, while learning multicultural awareness through the art of origami, guided by Japanese artist Motoko.   Burncoat High School, Worcester Burncoat High School teamed up with Company One Theater’s Stage One Education Department to create an arts integration residency program within the school. Each week, a teaching artist from Company One joined a ninth-grade world history classroom and used theatrical strategies to make connections with curricular learning to bring history to life.   Joseph G. Pyne School, Lowell Students worked with Cambodian Master Ceramicist and 2025 NEA National Heritage Fellowship recipient Yary Livan to deepen their understanding of Cambodian culture. Activities included creation of Khmer ornamented elephants, the use of Kbach design and study of elephant body structure.   Horace Mann School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Boston Students attended a performance of ANIKAYA Dance Theater’s Conference of the Birds, followed by a five-day residence with Artistic Director Wendy Jehlen and Deaf theater artist Tayyeb Badwe. The residency culminated in a student performance for parents, families, and the school community.

Top: AFH Co-Founder Jason Talbot, Mass Cultural Council Executive Director Michael Bobbitt, AFH Executive Director Anna Yu, Mass Cultural Council Program Officer Amy Chu Bottom: Student and parent participants in Streetscapes paint night. Photos Courtesy of AFH Photo Studio

To mark these investments, Mass Cultural Council participated in the Streetscapes paint night event alongside students from Holland Tech and teaching artists from Artists for Humanity on May 2.   “The opportunities that have been provided to our students both through direct partnership and family paint nights has allowed our students to expand their professional horizons and explore new parts of the city they love,” said Jordan Ritchie, Real World Learning Director, Greater Egleston High School.   “Artists for Humanity Co-Lab Streetscapes is a unique event that not only celebrates teen artists, but expands the opportunity to include their families and our educational partners in the community,” said Anna Yu, Executive Director, Artists for Humanity. “We are excited to host Streetscapes as part of our collective commitment to arts access in Massachusetts.”