MAYOR WALSH AND POLICE COMMISSIONER EVANS ANNOUNCE ADDITIONAL STEPS TO CURB GUN VIOLENCE

波士頓市長馬丁華殊（Martin J. Walsh)和波士頓警察局局長伊文斯（William Evans)昨（9）日聯袂宣布，將加強和槍枝商販，持槍牌者聯繫，組織槍枝高峰會，以打擊非法槍枝。 波士頓市的槍枝兇殺案和去年同期相比，減少了30%，但最近一連串的非致命性槍擊案，促使市府決定加強行動。 馬丁華殊表示，“我們必須有創意的想出辦法來減少街頭的非法槍枝，以及暴力案件數量”。 去年，市議會採取步驟，加嚴了槍枝控制法，他也持續和政府及社區夥伴合作，要讓社區及家庭感到安全。             伊文斯表示，開槍射擊的人，多半都有辦法拿到街頭的非法槍枝。不更好的執法，教育民眾，就會讓合法買的槍枝都流入罪犯之手，             在2014到2015年內，波士頓警察局從街頭沒收了1500把槍枝，並將繼續使用主動，針對性地行動來執法。             新的做法將藉詢問合法槍枝擁有者及售賣者，打擊社區內的暴力行為。             波士頓警察局在2007年到2013年間，搜回3202支槍。波士頓市長馬丁華殊和警察局長伊文斯責成的一項調查，分析煙酒及槍枝局（Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF)）追蹤這些槍枝的數據，發現32.4%原本是從麻州持牌經銷商那兒買來的。             根據該調查作者，Anthony Braga博士，這些麻州槍枝有85%是從非原始擁有者那兒查收的。儘管法律有明文歸地，卻有63%沒向麻州槍枝紀錄局辦理轉讓或轉售登記。只有11%申報丟失或遭竊。             該報告的發現重點還包括，波士頓警察局在2007到2013年間，共查收3,764把槍，其中3,202支槍在調查中做了分析，64.2%是在犯非法持槍罪中被查獲，5.2%是在暴力犯罪中被查收。             儘管調查顯示，麻州罪犯仍然依靠州外槍枝，卻也顯示麻州政府需要加強教育人們新州法規定槍枝轉讓必須登記，而且人們可在網上快捷，方便的登記。 上週，馬丁華殊發佈法令，禁止在公共場合展示複製手槍，以免複製品太逼真，民眾，警察無法辨識，因而肇事。 該法令將容許波士頓警察局沒收複製槍，並要求擁有者到警察局取回。若持有複製槍者年紀未滿18歲，警方將通知家長或監護人。 在2015年內，波士頓警察局已在與犯罪相關行動中，查獲100多把複製槍。 MAYOR WALSH AND POLICE COMMISSIONER EVANS ANNOUNCE ADDITIONAL STEPS TO CURB GUN VIOLENCE

Engaging with Gun Owners, Convening Regional Gun Summit

BOSTON - Wednesday, September 9, 2015 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh and Boston Police Commissioner William Evans today announced steps to increase public safety in the City of Boston by engaging in extensive outreach to gun licensees and vendors, and convening a regional gun summit to discuss best practices.  Although the number of gun homicides is down nearly 30 percent compared to this time last year, Boston has recently seen an uptick in non-fatal shootings. "We must think creatively in order to reduce the amount of illegal guns and violence on our streets," said Mayor Walsh. "Last year, the Legislature took real steps to strengthen our gun control laws, and I look forward to continuing to work with our government and community partners to create neighborhoods where all of our families can feel safe." "These individuals who are doing the shootings, they have access to illegal weapons on the street," said Commissioner Evans. "Without better enforcement and education, we're letting things slip through the cracks and legally purchased firearms are falling into the hands of criminals. In 2014 and 2015, the Boston Police Department has recovered 1,500 guns from the streets of Boston, and will continue to combat gun violence by using proactive, targeted enforcement. These new initiatives will supplement the great work of the officers by asking legal gun owners and vendors to do their part to combat violence in the neighborhoods." In a recently published study commissioned by Mayor Walsh and Commissioner Evans that analyzed Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) trace data on 3,202 handguns recovered by the Boston Police Department between 2007 and 2013, the study found that 32.4 percent of traceable recovered handguns were originally purchased from a Massachusetts Federal Firearms License dealer. According to the study's author, Dr. Anthony Braga, of these Massachusetts-sourced firearms, almost 85 percent of them were recovered from someone other than the original, legal purchaser. Sixty-three percent of these guns had not been reported as transferred or sold to the Massachusetts Firearms Records Bureau, even though such transfers are required by law. Only 11 percent had been reported lost or stolen. Some Highlights of the Findings: 3,764: total number of firearms recovered by BPD between 2007 and 2013 3,202: number of handguns analyzed in study 64.2 percent recovered in illegal gun possession crimes 5.2 percent recovered in violent crimes (homicide, aggravated assault & robbery) While the report indicates that criminals in Massachusetts still depend on guns from outside the state, it also highlights the need for continued education about the new state law that requires secondary transfers to be submitted to the state's Firearms Records Bureau's online reporting system. The move to online processing was designed to be fast and convenient, and to address gaps in records submission like those highlighted in the study.  It is imperative that legal gun owners know about the online system, and utilize it, so law enforcement can better trace crime guns and continue to find where illegal guns are coming from. Mayor Walsh is actively working to engage local communities to change the trajectory of those involved in violence. The Mayor's Office of Public Safety and the BPD are working side by side with residents and neighborhood-based social service providers on a number of initiatives, such as community engagement walks, designed to create a street-level approach to combating gun violence. On the supply side, Mayor Walsh and Commissioner Evans are driving additional efforts aimed at keeping firearms off the streets and out of the hands of criminals. The following steps will immediately be implemented in an effort to assist with the safety, security, and tracking of firearms in the City of Boston. Letter to Gun Licensees   Mayor Walsh and Commissioner Evans believe strongly that Boston's responsible gun owners are equally concerned with gun trafficking and the illegal use of guns.  With that in mind, Mayor Walsh and Commissioner Evans will send a letter to all gun licensees in the City of Boston to personally ask for their help in reducing gun violence in the City and combat the noncompliance with the new firearms transfer requirements implemented last year. The letter will provide licensees with: Information on how to properly report a private gun sale, loss or theft.  In light of Dr. Braga's research and findings, it is imperative that all gun sales, losses and thefts are reported accurately and in a timely manner.  Gun licensees are reminded of this new requirement in the law, and specifics on how to electronically report secondary sales.   Opportunity for a free gun lock.  Free gun locks will be available at Boston Police Headquarters and district stations to gun licensees to assist them in properly securing their firearms. Information on how to turn in a firearm.  With the recent re-launch of "Your Piece for Peace," should a legal gun owner wish to turn in a firearm, they can do so at a district station for a $200 gift card. Advice on proper weapon storage.  Gun licensees are advised to contact the Boston Police Department Licensing Unit to obtain assistance on how to properly store and /or dispose of their weapons. 2. Survey to Gun Vendors during bidding process about Preventing Illegal Firearm Sales, Gun Safety Measures, and Education on Straw Purchasing In conjunction with the Arms with Ethics Responsible Gun Vendor Initiative, going forward the Boston Police Department will require all firearm vendors and retailers who respond to bids for the purchase of Department firearms to complete a survey about responsible gun vendor practices and include their responses to the survey with their bid response.  These responses will be included as part of the overall bid package, and will be evaluated by the Department to ensure the vendors and retailers are following best practices in their own company to prevent illegal gun sales and theft.  We are also evaluating an engagement program that will offer resources and tools to help get vendors and retailers to utilize these best practices to prevent illegal gun sales and theft. 3. Regional gun summit in Fall 2015 with Mayors and Law Enforcement Leaders to discuss a multi-jurisdictional approach to prevent gun violence. Because gun violence is a problem faced by every major city and town in the nation, conversations must continue to take place between Mayors and Law Enforcement to advance solutions and coordination.  Mayor Walsh is committed to leading this initiative in an effort to use all tools available to make the City's neighborhoods safer. Last week, Mayor Walsh filed an ordinance banning replica handguns in public spaces. Given the authentic look of many of the replica handguns on our streets, residents and even police officers have a difficult time determining what is a real firearm versus an imitation firearm. The ordinance will allow the Boston Police Department to confiscate replica firearms and require the owner to pick it up in person at the district station. If a replica handgun is confiscated from someone under the age of 18, BPD will notify the parent or guardian that the minor was found with a replica handgun in a public space. The parent or guardian will then have the option to retrieve the replica firearm, but BPD will not release it directly to the minor. By engaging parents and guardians, BPD hopes the community can be allies in the effort to remove replica firearms from the hands of our youth. In 2015, the Boston Police Department has recovered over 100 replica handguns in connection with crimes.

Registration for the 2016 Boston Marathon opens on 9/14

Field size will be 30,000 official entrants for the 120th running of event.

BOSTON -- Registration for the 2016 Boston Marathon opens on Monday, September 14, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. ET. The B.A.A. will use the same process to register qualified runners as it used in the 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015 Boston Marathons, allowing the fastest qualifiers to register first.

Registration will be held entirely online at www.baa.org. The qualification window for the 2016 Boston Marathon began last year on September 13, 2014.

In cooperation with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the eight cities and towns along the Boston Marathon route, the B.A.A. has set the field size for the 2016 Boston Marathon at 30,000 official entrants. The 120th Boston Marathon will be held on Monday, April 18, 2016 and will mark the 31^st consecutive year that the event will have John Hancock Financial as its principal sponsor.

2016 BOSTON MARATHON REGISTRATION DATES

• Monday, September 14 at 10:00 a.m. ET: Qualifiers who have met the qualifying standard by 20 minutes, 00 seconds or more may submit their application for entry.
   
• Wednesday, September 16 at 10:00 a.m. ET: Qualifiers who have met the qualifying standard by 10 minutes, 00 seconds or more may submit their application for entry (if space remains).
   
• Friday, September 18 at 10:00 a.m. ET: Qualifiers who have met the qualifying standard by 5 minutes, 00 seconds or more may submit their application for entry (if space remains).
   
• Saturday, September 19: Registration closes for the first week at 10:00 p.m. ET.
   
• Monday, September 21 at 10:00 a.m. ET: All qualifiers who have met the qualifying standard may submit their application for entry (if space remains).
   
• Wednesday, September 23: Registration closes for the second week at 5:00 p.m. ET.
   
• If space remains after this initial period, then on Monday, September 28 at 10:00 a.m. ET registration will reopen to anyone who meets the qualifying standards on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration will remain open until the maximum field size is reached.

The B.A.A. will not predict or provide an anticipated date for when the race will reach its maximum field of qualified applicants. However, the B.A.A.'s website, Facebook page and Twitter account will indicate the open or closed status of registration for the 2016 Boston Marathon, and these pages will be updated regularly.

The registration fee for the 2016 Boston Marathon for qualifiers is $180 USD for United States residents and $240 USD for international residents.

QUALIFYING TIMES

Potential qualifiers for the 2016 Boston Marathon must meet the designated time standard that corresponds with their age group and gender in a certified marathon on or after September 13, 2014 and prior to submitting an entry application. Proof of qualification must accompany each athlete's application, and participants are required to be 18 years or older on race day. All standards below are based on official submitted net time:   

AGE GROUP	MEN	WOMEN
18-34	3hrs 05min 00sec	3hrs 35min 00sec
35-39	3hrs 10min 00sec	3hrs 40min 00sec
40-44	3hrs 15min 00sec	3hrs 45min 00sec
45-49	3hrs 25min 00sec	3hrs 55min 00sec
50-54	3hrs 30min 00sec	4hrs 00min 00sec
55-59	3hrs 40min 00sec	4hrs 10min 00sec
60-64	3hrs 55min 00sec	4hrs 25min 00sec
65-69	4hrs 10min 00sec	4hrs 40min 00sec
70-74	4hrs 25min 00sec	4hrs 55min 00sec
75-79	4hrs 40min 00sec	5hrs 10min 00sec
80 and over	4hrs 55min 00sec	5hrs 25min 00sec

ATHLETES WITH DISABILITIES - QUALIFYING TIMES & REGISTRATION DATES

Registration for individuals who wish to participate among the wheelchair division, visually impaired division, and mobility impaired program (including duo teams) will open on Monday, October 5, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. ET. Registration for these groups will occur on a “rolling admission schedule, beginning with the fastest qualifiers. For more information, click here.

ABOUT THE BOSTON ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION (B.A.A.)

Established in 1887, the Boston Athletic Association is a non-profit organization with a mission of promoting a healthy lifestyle through sports, especially running. The B.A.A.’s Boston Marathon is the world's oldest annual marathon, and the organization manages other local events and supports comprehensive charity, youth, and year-round running programs, including high performance athletes and running club. Since 1986, the principal sponsor of the Boston Marathon has been John Hancock Financial. The Boston Marathon is part of the Abbott World Marathon Majors, along with international marathons in Tokyo, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York City. More than 60,000 runners will participate in B.A.A. events in 2015. The 120th Boston Marathon will be held on Monday, April 18, 2016. For more information on the B.A.A., please visit www.baa.org.

MEDIA: For further information, please contact media@baa.org.

21^st Annual Search Under Way for Nation’s Top Youth Volunteers

Volunteering as a teen can boost happiness and reduce stress, recent survey finds

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Over the past 20 years, Prudential Spirit of Community Awards have been given to more than 115,000 middle and high school students across the country for helping people in need, raising awareness of worthy causes, addressing needs in their hometowns and many other volunteer activities. Today, the search begins to identify thousands more young people who have made meaningful contributions to their communities over the past 12 months, as the awards program kicks off its 21^st year.

Now through November 3, students in grades 5-12 who volunteer are invited to apply for 2016 awards at http://spirit.prudential.com or atwww.nassp.org/spirit.

These awards, sponsored by Prudential Financial, Inc. in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), honor outstanding community service by middle level and high school students at the local, state and national level.

A recent survey of 1,200 teens by The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards revealed the virtuous cycle that young people encounter when they volunteer. Nine in 10 teens who volunteer said service makes them feel good about themselves, and that their participation leads to feeling needed (59 percent), feeling happier and less stressed (59 percent), and feeling more connected to people (54 percent). Compared to teenagers who did not volunteer, volunteers rated themselves an average of 15 points higher across a variety of traits, including independence, leadership, dependability, confidence and optimism.

The survey, which measured the attitudes of U.S. teenagers toward volunteering, was conducted this year in support of The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards’ mission to promote volunteerism amongst middle and high school students. Compared to 20 years ago, when Prudential first surveyed teenagers about their attitudes toward volunteering, the number of teens who see volunteering as important has increased from 62 percent to 76 percent.

“The feeling of knowing that you truly have a hand in doing something that helps someone else…is great for your spirit,” one survey respondent said.

Applications for 2016 awards must be completed by November 3, 2015, and then submitted to a middle or high school principal, Girl Scout council, county 4-H agent, American Red Cross chapter, YMCA or HandsOn Network affiliate. Paper versions of the application form are available by calling (877) 525-8491.

Participating schools and local organizations will select Local Honorees in early November and present them with Certificates of Achievement. These Local Honorees also will receive the President’s Volunteer Service Award if they have contributed the minimum number of volunteer hours to qualify (26 hours for age 10 and younger, 50 hours for ages 11-15 and 100 hours for older students). All Local Honorees are then reviewed by a state-level judging committee, which will name the top two candidates from each state and the District of Columbia – one high school student and one middle level student – as State Honorees on February 9, 2016. These State Honorees will receive $1,000 awards, engraved silver medallions, and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., with a parent for four days of recognition events April 30-May 3, 2016. Runners-up at the state level will receive bronze medallions or Certificates of Excellence.

In Washington, a distinguished national selection committee will name 10 of the 102 State Honorees as America’s top youth volunteers of 2016. These National Honorees will receive $5,000, gold medallions, crystal trophies for their nominating schools or organizations, and $5,000 grants from The Prudential Foundation for nonprofit charitable organizations of their choice.

“Every year for the past 20 years, we’ve been inspired by the stories of service we’ve heard from young people across the United States,” said Prudential Chairman and CEO John Strangfeld. “We look forward to honoring the top youth volunteers of 2016, and hope their example will inspire others to serve their communities, too.”

“Middle and high school students nationwide are making their mark on their communities through volunteer service,” said JoAnn Bartoletti, executive director of NASSP. “We are honored to celebrate their initiative, their dedication, and the powerful example they’ve set for their peers.”

The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards represent the United States’ largest youth recognition program based solely on volunteer service. The awards program also is conducted in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Ireland, India, China and Brazil, where Prudential has significant business operations.

The National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) is the leading organization of and voice for middle level and high school principals, assistant principals, and school leaders from across the United States and 35 countries around the world. The association connects and engages school leaders through advocacy, research, education, and student programs. NASSP advocates on behalf of all school leaders to ensure the success of each student and strengthens school leadership practices through the design and delivery of high-quality professional learning experiences. Reflecting its long-standing commitment to student leadership development, NASSP administers the National Honor Society, National Junior Honor Society, National Elementary Honor Society, and National Association of Student Councils. For more information about NASSP, located in Reston, VA, visit www.nassp.org.

Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE: PRU), a financial services leader, has operations in the United States, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Prudential’s diverse and talented employees are committed to helping individual and institutional customers grow and protect their wealth through a variety of products and services, including life insurance, annuities, retirement-related services, mutual funds and investment management. In the U.S., Prudential’s iconic Rock symbol has stood for strength, stability, expertise and innovation for more than a century. For more information, please visit www.news.prudential.com.

RED SOX FOUNDATION AND RED SOX WIVES TO HOST 14TH ANNUAL “FROM FENWAY TO THE RUNWAY” FUNDRAISER AT SAKS FIFTH AVENUE MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 21

RED SOX FOUNDATION AND RED SOX WIVES TO HOST 14^TH ANNUAL “FROM FENWAY TO THE RUNWAY” FUNDRAISER AT SAKS FIFTH AVENUE MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 21

BOSTON, MA – The Red Sox Wives will hit the fashion runway at Saks Fifth Avenue in the Prudential CenterMonday, September 21, for the annual From Fenway to the Runway fundraiser benefitting the Red Sox Foundation.  Neuro Brands has partnered with the Red Sox Foundation to be the presenting sponsor of the ‘Fenway to the Runway’ event. 

The event begins at 11:30 a.m. and includes lunch and a runway fashion show featuring the Red Sox Wives modeling the latest fall fashions. WCVB-TV anchor Liz Brunner will emcee the show, which includes a live auction with one-of-a-kind items donated by the players and their wives.

Red Sox wives and fiancées who will take the stage include: Kelli Pedroia, Tiffany Ortiz, Erin Bradley, Ashley Kelly, Brianna Hammonds, Kristen Lovullo, Lindsay Buchholz, Catherine de Rodriguez, Georgia Nua, Shannon Wright, Elisa Brenly, Kelly Breslow, and Laura Rutledge.  Red Sox Foundation Board members Linda Pizzuti Henry, Charlotte Wagner, and Joan Alfond will also be in attendance. To purchase tickets, please call 617-226-6440 or e-mailredsoxfoundation@redsox.com

  

The event, now in its 14th year, will benefit two of the Foundation's cornerstone programs: the Red Sox Scholars Program presented by Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, which provides mentoring, enrichment activities and college scholarships to academically-talented, financially-disadvantaged students from Boston Public Schools; and the RBI (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities) Youth Baseball and Softball Program, which uses baseball to promote healthy choices and valuable life skills among inner city children and teens.

Heat Advisory: Superintendent Chang Urges BPS Families to Prepare for High Temperatures With the Return of School

Heat Advisory: Superintendent Chang Urges BPS Families to Prepare for High Temperatures With the Return of School  

 

BOSTON - Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2015 -- Superintendent Tommy Chang is asking families to take extra caution and prepare for this week's high temperatures as students return to school today.

With unseasonably hot weather forecasted, Boston Public Schools has taken steps to ready schools for the high temperatures. Extra fans have been distributed throughout schools that lack central air conditioning and schools that have water coolers have stocked up on extra supplies of bottled water. BPS is closely monitoring all schools to provide any support that is needed during the hot weather. 

"As we welcome our students back to school, we want to ensure they are safe and ready to learn," Dr. Chang said. "I am asking parents to make sure their children are dressed in weather-appropriate clothing, stay well-hydrated and bring extra bottles of water to school this week. We are ready and excited to kick off a great school year." 

For additional safety tips, please visit: http://ow.ly/RUW9c. 

The Boston Public Schools, the birthplace of public education in the United States, serves more than 57,000 pre-kindergarten through grade 12 students in 126 schools.

Bolling Municipal Building, 2300 Washington St., Roxbury, MA 02119 | www.bostonpublicschools.org | Follow us on Facebook andTwitter @BostonSchool

CMS Releases First Ever Plan to Address Health Equity in Medicare

CMS Releases First Ever Plan to Address Health Equity in Medicare

Today, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Office of Minority Health (CMS OMH), unveiled the first CMS plan to address health equity in Medicare. The CMS Equity Plan for Improving Quality in Medicare (CMS Equity Plan for Medicare) is an action-oriented plan that focuses on six priority areas and aims to reduce health disparities in four years.

The plan was released at a conference entitled: Medicare & Medicaid at 50: Their Past, Present, and Future Impact on Health Equity, which was held in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid and the 30th anniversary of the 1985Report of the Secretary’s Task Force on Black and Minority Health, also known as the Heckler Report.                                                                                               

“As we strive to create a health care system that provides better care, spends dollars more wisely and creates healthier people, CMS is committed to achieving equity for minority and other underserved populations and eliminating health disparities among Medicare beneficiaries,” said CMS Acting Administrator Andy Slavitt.

The Equity Plan focuses on Medicare populations that experience disproportionately high burdens of disease, lower quality of care, and barriers accessing care. These include racial and ethnic minorities, sexual and gender minorities, people with disabilities, and those living in rural areas.

The priorities and activities described in the plan were developed during a rigorous year-long process in collaboration with NORC at the University of Chicago, which included examining evidence, identifying opportunities, and gathering input from a broad array of stakeholders across the country. Six priority areas and several high-yield activities serve as the plan’s foundation. They include:

• Priority 1: Expand the Collection, Reporting, and Analysis of Standardized Data
• Priority 2: Evaluate Disparities Impacts and Integrate Equity Solutions Across CMS Programs
• Priority 3: Develop and Disseminate Promising Approaches to Reduce Health Disparities
• Priority 4: Increase the Ability of the Health Care Workforce to Meet the Needs of Vulnerable  Populations
• Priority 5: Improve Communication and Language Access for Individuals with Limited English Proficiency and Persons with Disabilities
• Priority 6: Increase Physical Accessibility of Health Care Facilities

“Making sure care is equitable is often the forgotten core area of focus for ensuring that the health system is meeting patient needs and delivering high quality care. The CMS Equity Plan for Medicare will help to ensure that as we work towards better care, smarter spending, and healthier people we also continue to work to achieve health equity in Medicare,” said Cara James, director of the CMS Office of Minority Health. “We know that in order to achieve the goals of the plan, we need to work with many stakeholders, and we hope that as we start to implement the activities in the plan, we will see a number of them join us on the path to equity.”

The foundation for addressing each of the plan’s priorities includes the following interconnected principles that guide CMS’ efforts to achieve health equity:

1. Increasing understanding and awareness of disparities;
2. Developing and disseminating solutions; and
3. Taking sustainable action and evaluating progress.

To learn more about the six priorities and achieving health equity in Medicare visit: https://www.cms.gov/About-CMS/Agency-Information/omh/index.html

慶祝勞工節奧巴馬選擇訪麻州

大波士頓勞工協會昨（7）日邀得包括美國總統奧巴馬 （Barack Obama），聯邦參議員沃倫（Elizabeth Warren），馬基（Ed Marky）在內的多名政要出席早餐會，慶祝勞工節，強調勞工團結，權益才得保障。

美國勞工聯合會-產業工會聯合會（AFL-CIO）的麻州會長杜文（Steve Tolman）表示，美國總統奧巴馬選擇麻州來宣佈聯邦政府合約商必須給員工七天有薪假這行政命令，是為彰顯麻州近年來在爭取勞工權益上的傑出表現。

麻州工會表示，麻州勞工通過結盟，把工會，宗教團體，社區機構團結起來，不但成功爭取到把麻州的最低時薪，從9元提高到2016年將為10元，2017年11元，還推動民眾公投通過“有薪病假”法，從今年7月1日起，凡聘有員工11人以上的公司，都必須讓員工累計放有薪病假。

華人前進會指出，家居護理工人組織工會，時薪提高等，也都是該會參與推動爭取工人權益成果之一。

大波士頓勞工協會的這早餐會，政要雲集。代表麻州的兩名聯邦參議員沃倫及馬基，麻州總檢察長奚莉(Maura Healey)，波士頓市長馬丁華殊（Martin Walsh），美國勞工聯合會-產業工會聯合會（AFL-CIO）的麻州會長杜文（Steve Tolman）等人，都強調工會以及工人團結的重要。

許多出席者稱伊莉莎白沃倫的發言，發人深省。她感謝酒店工人，以及昨日在公園廣場酒店門外抗議的地鐵工人。

沃倫表示，今年的勞工節早餐會非比尋常，尤其是當總統候選人侮辱移民，呼籲遣返1100萬人，逼他們妻離子散；有些共和黨總統候選人不認為應該訂定聯邦的最低工資，或是同工同酬制度。儘管她也願意和大家一起慶祝勞工節的勞工成就，但在薪資停滯不前，醫療保險，教育及居住的開銷費用卻不斷上漲之際，勞工們所面對的挑戰非常真實。

沃倫認為，沒有人應該全職工作，卻仍然生活在貧窮之中。她呼籲爭取時薪15元。沃倫還指出，人們有權退休得有尊嚴，換言之，政府必須保護人們的退休金，擴大社會安全網。她強調，我們爭取，我們就會贏。

            麻州總檢察官奚莉在會上強調該辦公室保護勞工的職責，成績，也宣佈了新聘麥小瓊出任該辦公室的公平勞工組組長。

            美國總統奧巴馬昨日一早搭專機抵達羅根機場，在麻州州長查理貝克（Charlie Baker）夫婦和波士頓市長馬丁華殊（Martin Walsh）的迎接中，走下飛機，和趕到機場歡迎他的五，六十民眾握手寒暄後，就在包括警車開道下，十幾輛車一起開往公園廣場酒店，出席大波士頓勞工協會的勞工節早餐會。

            奧巴馬在早餐會中的發言，詼諧有趣，還拿多名總統候選人的言行來說笑。他表示今年是美國連續第七年失業率最低的一年，他也不斷找錢幫助人們回到崗位上工作。他強調只有讓更多人成為中產階級，整個社會的經濟及各項發展才會前進，幫助勞工生活穩定，是達成該理想的最佳途徑。

圖片說明：

            大波士頓勞工會在公園廣場酒店舉行的早餐會現場。（聯邦參議員辦公室提供）