華埠社區議會年終會議清談收場

華埠/南灣社區議會昨（十五）晚召開本年度最後一次會議。共同主席報告七名競選連任議員全部同額當選後，因預定陳情者未出席，會議流為座談。

紐英崙中華公所昨晚首次召開財政及物業小組聯席會議，還把華福樓顧問奧馬利（Tom O’Malley），大同村管理經理翁麗芳請到會中報告，回答問題。由於這一會議佔用了中華公所會議廳，以往在這開會的華埠社區議會，轉而借用紐英崙中華公所圖書館開會，議員們彼此坐得更近，更像開圓桌會議。

華埠社區議會共有議員廿一人，昨晚有十四人出席。

原訂的兩項議程分別為李衛新說明已歇業多年的騰皇閣，正申請改建為“大上海”餐廳，以及李徐慕蓮報告成立波士頓同源會，但他們兩夫婦都未出席。

會議在共同主席雷國輝報告議員改選結果，所有七名競選連任的議員都同額當選後，轉為議員們各自匯報社區情況。

新近升任為波士頓市議會議長幕僚長的陳偉民透露，鄰近華埠的中城/文化區，正在籌組居民會，他已建議該機構和華埠聯繫，交流情誼。

議員們因此起華埠的界線到底在哪裡，許多人把南端部分的堡壘村也算在華埠，“墨水塊”雖然座落在南端，但據說提撥的社區福利，在馬丁華殊新政府要求下，申請者有份的均分給不下十五個機構。

圖片說明：

            華埠社區議會昨晚出席的議員，左起，陳偉民，余麗媖（被遮住），陳文浩，關榮康，陳魯誠，游誠康，周樹昂，梅伍銀寬，陳灼鋆，黃杏蓉，雷國輝，曾雪清等人。（菊子攝）

            波士頓市議會議長幕僚長陳偉民透露，中城文化區將組織居民會，人數龐大，華埠社區議會應關注。（菊子攝）

A Path to Extinguishing Ebola by Winston Kuo

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A Path to Extinguishing Ebola

THE ROLE OF INTERFERONS IN DETECTING EBOLA AND OTHER EMERGING PATHOGENS

Winston Patrick Kuo, Abdallah Elkhal and Ronald G. Jubin | December 15, 2014 |   0 Comments

Earlier this year, it appeared that the Ebola virus outbreak would be contained in West Africa; however, as seen of late, epidemics tend to be unpredictable. Instead, the Ebola virus has become an increasing concern and even more challenging since the first reported case from Guinea in March 2014. As of November 23, the World Health Organization reported at least 15,935 cases and 5,689 deaths in seven affected countries [1]. Given these statistics, the questions now are how far will it spread and at what rate? To mediate this situation, can a diagnostic test be developed to determine whether a patient is infected (exposed) but presents as asymptomatic in order to shorten or avoid quarantine? Overall, as epidemics continue to come and go, can we develop testing to differentiate between bacterial and viral infections? And as the global community embraces the Ebola virus epidemic, how will we move forward in the absence of effective early diagnostic tests and vaccines or therapeutics? Or is there a companion diagnostic test to monitor the effectiveness of a vaccine or drug in development?

The Ebola virus is a Filovirus that is comprised of five subspecies, four of which have been shown to cause infection in humans and of these four, three have high mortality rates. Patients infected with the Ebola virus present early signs and symptoms similar to that of many diseases making early diagnosis difficult. Such symptoms include sudden onset of fever, fatigue, muscle pain, headache, and sore throat, followed by vomiting, diarrhea, impaired kidney and liver function, and in some cases, both unexplained internal and external bleeding. Government officials are taking this matter seriously by implementing a 21-day quarantine for those infected (and/or those who have a history of traveling from West Africa) and those that came in contact with an infected individual, in order to break the transmission cycle [2]. Consequently, there is an immediate urgency to accelerate the development of vaccines and therapeutics to prevent and treat the disease and furthermore, diagnostic tools are needed to detect early onset of the disease because the initial signs and symptoms are so general, as well as a tool to measure the effectiveness of the therapeutic.

Ebola tests that are currently used or in development can only diagnose infection when the virus has replicated to levels high enough to be directly detected, typically 8-21 days after infection. At that stage, a person may already be contagious. Limitations in accurate diagnosis are either lengthy and/or often unnecessary quarantines. Unlike other viral infections, Ebola has evolved to evade detection by infecting dendritic cells (DCs) and inhibiting signaling of cytokines to eliminate the virus (avoiding the immediate antiviral effects of interferons (IFNs)) by Ebola viral protein 24 (eVP24) and eVP35, thus allowing the progeny of viral particles to invade cells, unchallenged, causing the infected cell to die and hemorrhage [3]. However, sub-types of IFNs (innate immune response) have shown to be expressed immediately after cells are infected with the virus, prior to the detection of elevated immunoglobulins, IgG and IgM (adaptive immune response), and the RNA of the virus. DCs are specialized cells that play a central role between the innate and adaptive immune responses. Upon infection, DCs have the ability to uptake particles and microbes by phagocytosis, process and then present them to other specialized immune cells, termed CD4+ T cells, which play a cardinal feature in the adaptive immune response. DCs are professional antigen presenting cells (APCs) that initiate the adaptive immune response by activating CD4+ T cells through at least three signals: 1) TCR activation, 2) activation of co-stimulatory molecules, and 3) secretion of chemokines and pro-inflammatory cytokines.

Graphical representation of the relationships between the innate immune response by IFNs and the adaptive immune response by IgM and IgG in response to a virus infection and resulting viral RNA levels.

More importantly, these professional APCs can guide immune responses by inducing a specific CD4+ T cell polarization that is characterized by a particular cytokine release pattern, resulting in a specific immune response that targets specific pathogens [4]. Type I and II IFNs are among the tools utilized by DCs to regulate adaptive immune response and CD4+ T cell polarization. IFNs, a family of cytokines, constitute a first line of innate defense against viral infections; more specifically, type I IFNs, including IFNα and IFNβ, activating both toll-like receptor (TLR) and non-TLR signaling cascades [5]. This further underscores that the immunopathogenic properties underlying the Ebola virus are multifactorial and complex.

As many biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies are in the process of developing targeted therapeutics against the eVPs—where inhibiting the target would result in the increased production of type I IFNs—a potential prognostic biomarker for survival of patients infected with Ebola virus is possible. A co-diagnostic test with Ebola virus signatures and type I interferons would enable clinicians to monitor and/or measure the effectiveness of these experimental therapies until approved by the US Federal Drug Administration (FDA). This co-diagnostic test could also be utilized for screening where the IFN levels with patients infected would tend be low as compared to other viral infections like influenza and malaria, complementing existing Ebola tests.

We must prepare ourselves now and for the future as well as learn from prior epidemic experiences that include severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), H5N1 and H1N1 influenza, and the recent Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), as there will be more unanticipated epidemics and outbreaks of new pathogens and/or re-emerging infections. In response, type I IFNs may play a critical role in not only the immune response, but mechanisms that interfere with the production of type I INFs are also potential targets for therapeutic development.

Boston selects New Zoning Board of Appeals Chair, Christine Araujo

New Zoning Board of Appeals Chair,

Christine Araujo 

BOSTON - Today Mayor Martin J. Walsh announced that Christine Araujo is the new Chairperson of the Zoning Board of Appeals (BOA), which regulates appeals to the use and dimensional boundaries of privately owned buildings and land throughout the City of Boston. Araujo will be the first woman to serve in this role.

“Christine is a forward-thinking leader who will help guide our City’s development to the next level,” said Mayor Walsh. “With her experience and education, she is an ideal fit for this role. She shares my strong commitment to both improving the quality of life of Boston residents, and promoting economic development for our neighborhoods. I’m grateful for her service and welcome her to this new role.”

“I am honored to be on the BOA with a thoughtful group of individuals who care about our city,” said Araujo. “Through the years, I have seen so many parts of Boston grow, and we’ve watched design and innovation that captures the essence of Boston’s unique character and quality.”

A long standing resident of Roslindale, Christine Araujo has over 14 years in the design and planning field.  Araujo was the Deputy Director of Neighborhood Planning and Zoning at the Boston Redevelopment Authority.  In 2001, she was appointed the Executive Director of Boston Connects, Inc., where she was responsible for implementing the economic and human development goals of Boston’s federal Empowerment Zone.  In 1998, Araujo was appointed to the BOA and was later served as the Board Secretary.  She has an undergraduate degree from Vassar College and a Master’s degree in City and Regional Planning from Pratt Institute.  

BOA members are appointed by the Mayor to serve three-year terms, and are charged with reviewing and making decisions for building or zoning code relief at Public Hearings. Current members of the BOA include: Bruce Bickerstaff, Peter Chin, Mark Erlich, Mark Fortune, and Anthony Pisani. Upon her appointment, Fortune will assume Araujo’s role as Board Secretary. Araujo will replace the former Chairman, Robert Shortsleeve, who resigned in November. 

For more information, visit: www.cityofboston.gov/BOA.

PATRICK ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS ANNOUNCE FUNDING TO STRENGTHEN ADVANCED MANUFACTURING TALENT PIPELINE

PATRICK ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS ANNOUNCE FUNDING TO STRENGTHEN ADVANCED MANUFACTURING TALENT PIPELINE

AMHERST – Monday, December 15, 2014 – Building on the Patrick Administration’s historic commitment to strengthening the advanced manufacturing industry in Massachusetts, Housing and Economic Development Secretary Greg Bialecki today joined Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Rachel Kaprielian and State Senate Majority Leader Stan Rosenberg to announce nearly $2 million in funding to support manufacturing workforce training across the Commonwealth. The announcement was made at the Advanced Manufacturing Collaborative (AMC) Pioneer Valley Summit, held at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

“I am proud of the work the AMC has accomplished over the years, creating opportunities for workers with a range of skill levels that will strengthen our economy for years to come,” said Housing and Economic Development Secretary Bialecki. “Collaborative efforts like this are a critical reason why Massachusetts is leading the nation in growing a 21st century advanced manufacturing sector.”

Nearly $1.5 million of the total funding was awarded through the Advanced Manufacturing Pipeline Training Grants Program to support five regional workforce investment boards throughout Massachusetts. This funding will help recruit and train approximately 280 unemployed or underemployed participants for careers in advanced manufacturing. The grants program is a cross-secretariat initiative between the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development and the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development. The following organizations received funding:

·         Bristol Workforce Investment Board, $287,950: To implement machinist-training components at local vocational schools and Lean Improvement training provided by Bristol Community College. In addition, an intensive assessment, case management, job development and job retention effort will be integrated into partnership activities.

·         North Shore Workforce Investment Board, $415,000: To offer adults training at one or more of the community colleges in the region. Training will include mathematics and core manufacturing courses including OSHA, Microsoft and manufacturing fundamentals.

·         North Central Workforce Investment Board, $300,000: To incorporate assessment of mechanical aptitude and curricula to improve deficits, Work Keys curricula to improve remediation, communication and critical thinking skills, concepts of Lean manufacturing and OSHA safety training. The second component will train participants in advanced CNC operator training that also includes communication, Lean, OSHA safety, job readiness, on the job training, pre-apprenticeship certification and three college credits.

·         Hampden Regional Employment Board, $219,960: To conduct the Advanced Manufacturing Training Program, in partnership with the Western Massachusetts Chapter of the National Tooling and Machining Association. Hampden Regional Employment Board will contract with local community colleges, part-time instructors from two vocational technical high schools and an advanced manufacturing company to train unemployed or underemployed adults of Hampden County.

·         Franklin/Hampshire Regional Employment Board, $276,705: To continue collaboration with employers from across the region, as well as community partners such as Greenfield Community College (GCC) , the two area vocational-technical school, and two adult education sites, to enable the regional employment board and GCC to offer three additional cycles of entry-level precision-machine training over the next two years in Franklin County. This will expand it from 220 hours to 300 hours, and add skill-building in the areas of blueprint reading, metrology, grinding, and lean manufacturing.

“The quick turnaround in awarding these grants reflects the urgency the Patrick Administration has adopted in scaling up these pipelines to help fill current job openings in advanced manufacturing all over the state,” said Secretary Kaprielian. “These awards will allow the grantees to build upon their proven successes and their capacity to work collaboratively through industry partnerships to increase the number of seats in their existing pipelines.”

“I am thrilled that the Franklin/Hampshire Regional Employment Board is receiving this grant,” State Senator Stan Rosenberg (D-Amherst) said. “For the last several years they have been out front in developing advance manufacturing training programs with higher education institutions and manufacturing in the region. This will help them continue their great work.”

Through a separate grant program, the Industry Training Capital Equipment grant program, also aimed at supporting the manufacturing industry in Massachusetts, Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School in Northampton was awarded $400,000 to rebuild its precision manufacturing training program. With the support of over 25 regional manufacturing and workforce leaders in Hampshire County, the rebuilt training program will be a site for daytime students and evening adult-learners, in partnership with the Franklin-Hampshire Regional Employment Board.

“The unprecedented partnership between the private and public sectors has helped manufacturing to regain momentum in Massachusetts,” said Marty Jones, President and CEO of MassDevelopment. “MassDevelopment started the AMP it up! campaign to encourage young people to pursue advanced-manufacturing careers, and the Commonwealth’s investment will complement this effort to meet the workforce challenges of this growing sector.” 

In September, the Patrick Administration announced the launch of the Industry Training Capital Equipment grant program to expand support of training programs at career technical high schools and community colleges. The capital equipment program will fund large scale grants for the purchase of equipment to prepare students for careers in high demand industries such as advanced manufacturing, information technology, hospitality and mechanical and technical skills. The grant equipment program is designed to help improve the skills of students enrolling in these programs, increase the number of students who can access training and allow employers to have access to a greater pool of qualified talent.

Funding for the program is provided by the Commonwealth’s Capital Plan. The Patrick Administration’s five-year plan includes $10 million in funding for a grant program to benefit Massachusetts’s career technical schools and community colleges.

Massachusetts is home to over 7,000 manufacturers with 250,000 employees. The Patrick Administration is committed to supporting the growth of advanced manufacturing in Massachusetts, an industry that is expected to require 100,000 jobs in the next decade and offers careers in a sector with an average annual salary of $75,000.

In 2011, Governor Patrick launched the Advanced Manufacturing Collaborative (AMC), a partnership between industry and government to help build a globally competitive manufacturing industry in Massachusetts. Its five-point agenda brings together manufacturers, educators, academia, and other organizations to work on industry-identified priorities including promoting manufacturing; workforce and education; manufacturing innovation; the cost of doing business including energy management and sustainability; and access to capital resources.

The AMC’s AMP it Up! Program, which launched in September 2012 and is operated by MassDevelopment, works to build awareness among young adults and their families on the opportunities for well-paying careers in manufacturing. Massachusetts-based nonprofit organizations that address education and workforce can apply for funding at www.ampitup.com. Across the Commonwealth in recognition of manufacturing week, the AMC engage manufacturers, schools and colleges to participate in open houses, public tours, roundtable discussions, career workshops and other events hosted by manufacturers.

In June 2013, Governor Patrick announced the creation of the Advanced Manufacturing Regional Partnership Academy, a first-in-the-Nation program designed to meet the manufacturing industry’s future workforce needs. The Academy provides hands-on learning opportunities, and tool and peer-education to regional leaders, helping eliminate one of the industry’s chief concerns of finding well-trained employees to fill available jobs in manufacturing.

This summer, Governor Patrick signed an economic development package that included $12 million for the establishment of the Middle Skills Job Training Grant Fund. The fund will provide grants to vocational-technical schools and community college to support advanced manufacturing, mechanical and technical skills, hospitality and information technology industries training. The fund aims to train 4,000 workers over the next four years to address the workforce and talent pipeline needs of employers in Massachusetts.

Senate Confirms Dr. Vivek Murthy as Surgeon General

Senate Confirms Dr. Vivek Murthy as Surgeon General 

WASHINGTON—The Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF) issued the following statement following the Senate’s vote 51 – 43 to confirm Dr. Vivek Murthy as Surgeon General of the United States. 

“Dr. Murthy brings the deep experience and commitment to improving our nation’s health that we need as a Surgeon General,” said Kathy Ko Chin, APIAHF president and CEO. “He has committed two decades to putting the health of those who are most vulnerable in our communities first, and we have no doubt he will do the same as Surgeon General. Dr. Murthy has already committed to tackling tobacco-related deaths and disease, obesity and improving access to mental health care – all issues deeply impacting Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities.”

APIAHF strongly supported Dr. Murthy’s nomination and looks forward to working with him as Surgeon General. APIAHF thanks the many Senate champions who spearheaded his confirmation, including Sen. Mazie Hirono. Sen. Hirono has been a champion for health access for the underserved and a key ally in making sure our nation’s highest offices reflect the diversity of our nation, ensuring that the needs of AAs and NHPIs are at the forefront.

Advancing Justice | AAJC statement: The appointment of Dr. Vivek Murthy as U.S. Surgeon General
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Senate voted today to confirm Dr. Vivek Murthy as the next U.S. Surgeon General. President Barack Obama nominated Dr. Murthy more than a year ago, but his nomination was halted by lawmakers who put politics and special interests before our nation’s health.

As a physician, Dr. Murthy expressed a desire for the nation to implement solutions to reduce gun injuries and deaths, a stance in line with many medical associations as well as most Asian Americans. According to the APIA Vote & Advancing Justice | AAJC 2014 Voter Survey, 80 percent of Asian Americans support stricter gun control laws and would support Murthy’s stance that gun violence is a public health concern.
Mee Moua, president and executive director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC, issued the following statement:
“We are thrilled the Senate finally fulfilled its duty and appointed Dr. Vivek Murthy as U.S. Surgeon General. Not only is Dr. Murthy exceptionally qualified, he is another first for the Asian American community, serving as the first Indian American U.S. surgeon general. We look forward to Dr. Murthy raising awareness about the many health concerns impacting Asian Americans." 
About Dr. Murthy
Dr. Vivek Murthy is a highly skilled physician and public health leader. Dr. Murthy has received the support of hundreds of major health organizations nationwide and is endorsed by two former U.S. surgeon generals. Dr. Murthy is a Harvard and Yale trained expert with the skills, experience and global perspective necessary to be a 21st century surgeon general. He has worked to improve the health and well-being of communities for two decades as a public health leader, physician, educator, researcher, healthcare entrepreneur and prevention expert. 


Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC is a national nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C. working to fight for civil and human rights and empower Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders to participate in our democracy. Advancing Justice | AAJC is part of a national affiliation that also includes Advancing Justice – Atlanta, Advancing Justice - Asian Law Caucus (San Francisco), Advancing Justice - Chicago and Advancing Justice - Los Angeles.

Harvard-Trained Mutual Fund Manager Charged with Securities Fraud 

BOSTON—A Boston-area mutual fund manager was arrested last night on securities fraud charges in connection with an alleged scheme to use the fund’s money to issue fictitious loans.

Daniel Thibeault, 40, of Framingham, was charged in a criminal complaint with a single count of securities fraud. Thibeault was held overnight and had an initial appearance today before U.S. Magistrate Judge M. Page Kelley.

As set forth in the complaint, Thibeault is the founder and principal owner of Graduate Leverage, LLC, an asset management and financial advisory firm he founded while a student at Harvard Business School, from which he graduated in 2004. Thibeault is also the co-portfolio manager of the GL Beyond Income Fund, a mutual fund launched in March 2012 that purports to invest in consumer loans to individuals “it believes are less susceptible to economic downturns, such as medical doctors, dentists, veterinarians, attorneys and business owners.” As of Jan.31, 2014, the Fund reported net assets of approximately $31 million – a number that the complaint alleges has increased since that time.

The complaint alleges that, although the Fund is marketed as consisting of a diversified pool of hundreds of consumer loans to young professionals, Thibeault caused the Fund to issue, or acquire, a number of fictitious loans to individuals who never requested and did not, in fact, receive such loans. Thibeault allegedly falsified or caused to be falsified the documentation related to those loans.

The charging statute provides for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $5 million. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz and Vincent B. Lisi, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division, made the announcement today. The United States Attorney’s Office received valuable assistance from the Securities & Exchange Commission in the course of investigating this case. The case is being prosecuted by Stephen E. Frank, Deputy Chief of Ortiz’s Economic Crimes Unit.

The details contained in the complaint are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

大波士頓文協 2015, 2/7辦年會

波士頓同源會十二月十三日正式復會

波士頓同源會十二月十三日在美洲同源總會組團到賀，二百多嘉賓出席與會中，正式復會，包括首屆會長李徐慕蓮在內，有五名女性幹部，其中三人年僅三十上下，彰顯該會扶持年輕人心意。

            美洲同源會曾於1927年在波士頓設立分會，其後因故消弭。現由李徐慕蓮，李衛新兩夫婦發起，大波士頓地區已有五十人加入。十三日在美洲同源總會會長敖錦賜出席主持儀式，加州Millbrae市長李偉忠親自到場，聯邦眾議員趙美心以錄影帶祝賀中隆重復會。據悉該會有至少兩位民選議員加入成為會員，十三日出席了的劍橋市議員張禮能是其中之一。

            在波士頓分會成立前，全美原有十八個分會。總會會長敖錦賜表示，繼芝加哥，西雅圖，拉斯維加斯之後，波士頓是最新分會，也是美東繼華府之後的第二個分會。

            波士頓同源會為隆重誌記復會，十三日中午在塔芙茨大學禮堂舉行分會成立，職員就職儀式，晚上在喜臨門舉行就職晚宴。

            美洲同源總會會長，來自德州敖錦賜，在就職典禮中把分會權槌交給波士頓分會李徐慕蓮；期許副會長，廿六歲的JP Fuji集團辦公室經理梁妮娜（譯音，Nina Liang）；秘書，哈佛朝聖者醫療保險公司社區經理譚雯楓（Rose Hom）；財務余宗濤等人承擔起推廣會務，維護華人權益，幫助下一代年輕人有更好的發展機會等工作。

            敖錦賜並透露，該會與加州史丹佛大學已達成協議，將把該會擁有的歷史資料，交給史丹佛大學整理，研究，發表。

            明年就六十五歲，目前仍在Jacobs工程公司擔任項目工程師的敖錦賜在會後表示，絕大多數華人在學校裏的表現都很好，經常排在前百分之十，但放眼全美各大公司的高層主管，華裔卻屈指可數。其中的原因之一或是習性使然，華人在社交生活上，多半仍侷限在自己人的圈子中，以致被人形容為勤奮的工作者，卻不是領導者。

            敖錦賜表示，美洲同源總會因此從廿六年前開始，在德州的萊斯大學舉辦青年領袖會議，十二人一組的錄取十二組共144名年輕人，並邀請三十五歲以下年輕人擔任輔導者，以期年輕人和年輕人更容易溝通。

熬賜錦、李徐慕蓮接受瑞獅獻桔，獻生菜。戴斯夢攝

            李徐慕蓮表示，他們復辦波士頓同源會的期望之一，是融合，團結來自四面八方華人，幫助年輕人在美國獲得更好發展機會，讓華人在美國發聲更有力量。該會已開始籌辦職業座談會，將來也打算每三個月舉辦一次行業介紹會，幫助年輕人在跨入職場之前，就能對各個不同行業有更深入認識，並因而及早知道自己更適合，願意投身進入哪個行業發展。

            李徐慕蓮說，波士頓同源會的復會日子，正好是2014年，12月13日，以西方紀曆來排是121314，可說是個非常特別的日子。她很感謝美洲同源總會會長敖錦賜，副會長馬麗珍（Helen Yin)等人早從今年八月起，就多方協助，這次還捐了二千美元給波士頓分會做啟動資金。

            十三日中午出席領取會員證書者，還包括黃鷹立，趙薇薇，曾雪清，甄翠嬿，楊磊，朱佩菡等人。(戴斯夢參與採訪)

圖片說明：

            波士頓同源會成立誌慶。前排右起，美洲同源總會會長敖賜錦，波士頓副會長梁妮娜，秘書譚雯楓，會長李徐慕蓮，以及李衛新。（菊子攝）

            劍橋市市議員張禮能（右二）抱著女兒來共襄盛舉，領取會員證書。又起為李衛新，美洲同源總會會長敖賜錦，波士頓同源會會長李徐慕蓮。（菊子攝）

            美洲同源總會會長敖賜錦（左起）把分會權槌交給波士頓同源會會長李徐慕蓮，副會長梁妮娜。（菊子攝）

            美洲同源總會會長敖賜錦（前左三）和波士頓同源會會長李徐慕蓮（前左四）等人切慶祝分會成立蛋糕。（菊子攝）

美侨团举办“南京大屠杀死难者公祭”活动 提醒美国社会牢记二战伤痛

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美侨团举办“南京大屠杀死难者公祭”活动  提醒美国社会牢记二战伤痛

http://www.aacyf.org/?p=4795

美侨团举办“南京大屠杀死难者公祭”活动  提醒美国社会牢记二战伤痛

全美华人华侨纪念抗日战争胜利70周年委员会发起主办的南京大屠杀死难者公祭活动12月13日在洛杉矶举办，来自华人社区传统侨社和新生代社团的代表们表示，要将公祭活动的起源、南京大屠杀的历史真相让美国的主流社会了解，同时提醒美国政府和社会牢记二战的伤痛。

全美华人华侨纪念抗日战争胜利70周年委员会执行主席、罗省中华会馆主席伍尚齐、共和党加州亚太裔妇女联盟主席黄赵企晨、美国华人公共外交促进会会长任向东等表示，设立南京大屠杀死难者公祭日并举办公祭活动，既是对死难者的的铭记，更是提醒国际社会以及全球华人不要忘记中华民族的这段悲痛历史。

相较与国际社会对德国法西斯暴行的了解程度，美国社会和民众对日本军国主义的暴行了解有一定的缺失，我们举办公祭活动就是要让美国社会的广大民众了解日本军国主义当年在中国的恐怖、残忍暴行。同时，我们也要让美国社会大众牢记美中在世界二次大战期间同盟合作的历史。 

知名华裔抗日战争文物收藏家陈灿培介绍，刚刚从夏威夷珍珠港事件博物馆参加完纪念活动，参加活动的美国老兵们对日本的侵略行径至今难以忘怀，而美国的新生代对这段历史记忆则相对模糊了。全美中华青年联合会理事长朱冰峰介绍从12 月初开始全美华人华侨纪念抗日战争胜利70周年委员会就已经开始以各种形式宣传 “公祭日”的有关信息和相关活动，希望让更多的新生代了解和铭记这段历史。

来自吉林大学第一医院、现在加州大学洛杉矶分校做访问学者的王颂博士表示，战后，远东国际军事法庭和中国审判战犯军事法庭均设专案调查审判，其中，南京审判战犯军事法庭经调查判定，日军集体屠杀人数达19万人；零散屠杀死亡人数达15万之多，南京大屠杀死难者达30万人以上。南京大屠杀不仅是中华民族的屈辱，也是人类史上最严重的反人类罪行之一。

中国的海外留学生也应该积极向美国民众介绍日本军国主义在“南京大屠杀”中的暴行，以及美国友人在南京大屠杀期间对中国民众施以的援手。

参加当天公祭活动的还有2015年度宁侨公会主席黄勇华、美洲中华青年促统会副会长佘军、罗省秉公堂副主席马正文、加州大学洛杉矶分校中国学生学者联合会项韬、南加州大学中国学生学者联合会李珺，以及刘洁珍、蔡惠玲等来自南加州侨学界的各界人士。（AACYF洛杉矶讯）