波士頓市備受尊崇已退休華裔校長馮國樑一月底辭世 享年79歲

馮國樑。 (圖片來自 Bell-O'Dea網站)

             (Boston Orange 編譯) 曾經翻轉查理士高中 (Charlestown High School) 的華裔校長馮國樑 (Michael Fung) ，因呼吸道及其他疾病，1月25日在布魯克蘭鎮 (Brookline) 辭世，享年79歲。波士頓環球報日前為他發表了一大篇悼文。

              馮國樑1997年出任查理士高中校長。他知道如果要讓更多學生畢業，上大學，他必須做些改變，來幫助學生們克服深植於社會經濟差距的歷史性障礙。

              2005年時，他告訴波士頓環球報，” 在美國，如果你有個比較好的住宅，你的小孩就能上比較好的學校，有了比較好的學校，他們會找到比較好的工作。脫離惡性循環的唯一辦法是讓我們的孩子上大學” 。

              馮國樑從包括來自長春藤聯盟的許多菁英名校招攬來年輕老師，把查理士高中的教員平均年齡從56歲降到34歲。學校學生上大學的比率，也從60%躍升至80%。到2002年時，該校94%的高年級生都通過了10年級的麻州綜合評估系統測試 (Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System test) ，而當時的波士頓高中高年級生，幾乎有一半都做不到。

              2002年時，馮國樑告訴波士頓環球報，” 我們總是預估著事實是我們的小孩不可能每個都通過這測試，但我們想要每個定期來上學的學生通過測試。這無關聰明，而是你有多努力” 。

              馮國樑在幾乎是意外的情況下成為教育者，之後一路在波士頓公校當了30多年的老師、校長及行政人員。

              1980年代，他在布萊頓 (Brighton)的William Haward Taft 中學當校長時，以極為創新方式，成功處理了一些和他會在查理士城所面對的不同的問題。

他和老師及學生合作，把該校在他當老師的第一年時，有267名學生停學的記錄，降到第二年時只有35名。

馮國樑解僱了大約85%勒令停學源頭的6名老師，再和其餘老師合作，更好的來處理學生行為問題，並採行新規定。

例如，他要求學生在白天，從上一堂課的教室直接走到下一堂課的教室去，不准他們在餐廳站著群聚。

1988年時，馮國樑告訴波士頓環球報，” 你沒辦法坐在那兒打架” 。

1991年時，馮國樑名列波士頓學校委員會搜尋公校總監的半決選名單。他在波士頓學校系統中是一個非比尋常的人物。

馮國樑來自香港的一個富裕家庭，他在他教的課堂，他帶領的學校中，以身作則的給出了親力親為範例。

在查理士高中時，他會在午餐時間結束後，親自清理桌面，把學生留在桌上的洋芋片袋，幾乎空了的牛奶瓶，或者差不多吃完了的食物清理掉，而不是把這不討喜的工作留給低薪員工。

馮國樑2007年退休。在波士頓環球報寫手Neil Swidey於2008年出版，描寫查理士高中當年教練Jack O’Brien所辦理的極為成功籃球項目的”助攻: 籃球，希望，和他們生命的遊戲 (The Assist: Hoops, Hope, and the Game of Their Lives)”一書中，他是個重要人物。

O’Brien作為教練，在努力幫助球員進入大學時，和馮國樑磨合出專業的，以及私人的友誼，而籃球隊的成功，也鼓舞了整個學校的士氣。

2008年3月，當馮國樑在參加於約翰甘迺迪總統圖書館及博物館舉辦，關於種族，課堂及公共教育的座談中說，”我們在查理士城 (高中)能做的是，有點像似發展出學術是重要的文化”。

在那個論壇上，當時的JFK圖書館基金會首席主管John Shattuck介紹馮國樑時指出，在之前一年馮國樑從查理士高中校長一職退休時，波士頓公校總監及學校委員會舉辦了一場特別儀式來表揚他，還以”他為波士頓兒童及家庭的不懈努力，改變了那麼多人的一生”來形容他。

馮國樑是在1943年8月21日出生於香港，父親Hon-Hing Fung開辦過家俱公司，後來成為家族出口生意的主管。馮國良的母親，Norah Wong Fung在接手日常營運之前，和該家俱公司合作。

馮國樑還年輕時，想要成為作家。他父親把他送到美國親戚家住後，他研讀化學，從愛荷華 (Iowa) 州立大學畢業，再進入麻省理工學院深造，但就在要完成博士課業時，因為和指導教授意見不合，離校。

1960年代末期，他住在波士頓，成了一名活動家，而那些活動在1970年代初期，把他引領成為英文高中的數學及科學老師。

1972年，他和同在華埠成人教育項目中工作時認識的甄若素 (Susan Yan)結婚。

根據馮家消息，他們倆人的大兒子Monbill，以及馮國樑的兄弟John，去年都過世了。

在馮國樑擔任Brighton的Taft中學校長後，他被指派為E學區的社區總監，接著在擔任高中區總監，以及科技及資訊辦公室主任，然後才在1997年成為查理士高中校長。

在甘迺迪圖書館論壇中，他強調從名校招攬年輕老師，是他後期工作中最值得紀念的成就之一。

他說，”大約有四分之一的老師從哈佛大學本科或哈佛大學畢業，大約80%是來自全美最優秀的前25所大專院校中，排名前25%學生。他們全都可以去做其他的事，但是他們承諾來一所市區學校教書。

馮國樑的追悼會已於Bell-O’Dea殯儀館舉行。他身後遺有妻子，以及住在布魯克蘭鎮的兒子Monnard，以及2名女兒，Monique Liu 住在布魯克蘭鎮，Monnette Yoshino住在San Mateo。他有3名兄弟，Tony和 Bernard住在加州，Edmond住在勒星頓鎮，他還有6名孫輩。

馮經國在甘迺迪圖書館座談討論Swidey的書時，談及他對美國公共教育中的經濟分化有多驚訝，他稱那為”惡性循環”，給了來自更富裕社區學生更好機會成功。

他說，”就如你們中有些已經讀過這本書的人所知道的，我不是在這國家長大的，我事實上來自一個非常有特權的背景。讓我十分震驚的是，當我第一次觸及公共教育時，(我看到)這系統多不公平”。

“現在，我沒有無知到想要改變世界，但我想能夠改變的是如果你能讓孩子們上學，他們就能夠打破惡性循環”，他補充說，”我們在查理士城高中從一開始就承諾，讓孩子們上大學事我們的目標”。

麻州政府任命Elizabeth Mahony出任能源資源局局長

 Healey-Driscoll Administration Names Energy Resources Commissioner 

Elizabeth Mahony of the Attorney General’s Office to join the Administration 

 BOSTON – Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Rebecca L. Tepper today announced the appointment of Elizabeth Mahony to serve as Commissioner of the Department of Energy Resources (DOER). DOER develops and implements policies and programs aimed at ensuring the adequacy, security, diversity, and cost-effectiveness of the Commonwealth's energy supply to create a clean, affordable, and resilient energy future for all residents, businesses, communities, and institutions. Mahony starts February 27.  

“I’ve worked with Elizabeth for many years,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “I’ve seen her in action, thinking up creative solutions to complex problems and delivering real results for the Commonwealth. Elizabeth will be at the epicenter of our clean energy transition, and I know she will prioritize ratepayers and advance equity in everything she does.”  

“I’m thrilled to be returning to the Department of Energy Resources to continue the important work of achieving the Commonwealth’s bold clean energy goals,” said Mahony. “We will be intently focused on preparing our grid for this transition, updating our housing stock for electrification, encouraging more solar, storage, and wind, and creating a fertile ground for the clean technology economy to flourish – all while centering environmental justice communities in the work.”  

“I’ve worked with Elizabeth on the urgent need for the ongoing dispersal of the Merrimack Valley Renewal Fund to directly benefit our community in Lawrence,” said Ana Javier, resident of Lawrence and Merrimack Valley Renewal Fund Advisory Committee member. “As we build back from the gas disaster, Elizabeth has been a visible advocate for our community – working to ensure the settlement funds are directed to our residents and businesses. I know that environmental justice communities like ours will have an ally in DOER with Elizabeth as commissioner.”  

“A clean energy future means lower energy bills, cleaner air, and healthier communities, but the transition must be equitable and inclusive,” added Sean Garren, Chief Program Officer at Vote Solar. “Elizabeth knows how to urgently scale up solar and other clean energy resources; she also understands the importance of centering equity and justice. I’m excited to have her at the helm of DOER.”  

“Elizabeth brings the knowledge, experience, thoughtfulness, and passion needed to lead this important department and hit the ground running on work that is critical to securing a green and just future in the Commonwealth,” said Susannah Hatch, Director of Clean Energy Policy at the Environmental League of Massachusetts. “She and I have worked closely to shape our procurement process for offshore wind and I know she will be a fantastic leader for DOER during this crucial time. I'm looking forward to working with her in this new role, to reach our clean energy goals in an equitable way.”  

About Elizabeth Mahony 

Elizabeth Mahony most recently worked for Attorneys General Andrea Joy Campbell and Maura Healey as an Assistant Attorney General and Senior Policy Advisor for Energy. Elizabeth served in the Energy and Telecommunications Division, focusing on utility clean energy procurements, solar program development, clean energy rate design, consumer protections, and legislative engagement. Before joining the Attorney General’s Office, Elizabeth was Acting General Counsel for the Department of Energy Resources and Committee Counsel to Benjamin Downing, Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy before that. Prior to her work in the energy field, Elizabeth was an associate at a small litigation firm in Quincy, Massachusetts, and was Public Affairs Director for the late Senator Susan C. Fargo (D-Lincoln). She is the Chair of the Consumer Liaison Group at ISO New England and is a member of the Boston Bar Association’s Energy Advisory Committee to the Energy Committee. Elizabeth is a graduate of Marist College and Suffolk University Law School. She lives in Walpole. 

波士頓選務局提醒居民回應年度居民調查表

CITY OF BOSTON REMINDS RESIDENTS TO RESPOND TO 2023 ANNUAL RESIDENT LISTING Initiative aims to count all Boston residents and ensure equitable distribution of City services

BOSTON - Tuesday, February 21, 2023 - The City of Boston’s Election Department is reminding residents of the importance of responding to the Annual Resident Listing. The 2023 Boston Annual Resident Listing helps provide information for the fair planning and distribution of City services. The information collected is used to provide access to a fair jury and helps maintain an accurate and up to date voter list. Registered voters must respond to the Boston Annual Resident Listing in order to keep their registration active. Residents can check their voting status or register to vote at https://www.sec.state.ma.us/ovr/. The Annual Resident Listing does not register one to vote. Residents can register to vote online, in-person at the Boston Election Department, or by calling (617) 635-8683 (VOTE) to have a form mailed to them. Included with the 2023 Boston Annual Resident Listing is the City of Boston Childcare Survey. The survey, administered by the Office of Early Childhood provides data on the needs of parents with children ages 0-5 to inform policy and programming. Residents can fill out the Childcare Survey and return it with their response to the Boston Annual Resident Listing in the prepaid envelope provided or online at www.boston.gov/childcare-survey. The survey is available in Spanish, Chinese, Portuguese, Vietnamese, Haitian Creole, and Cape Verdean Creole. How to respond: By mail: Residents can return the completed forms to the Election Department using the prepaid envelope that is provided to all households as part of the mailing. Respond online: Visit Boston.gov/census to respond to the Boston Annual Resident Listing. Translations are available online.  Printable mail-in version: If for any reason residents did not receive the Boston Annual Resident Listing or if the mailing was misplaced, a printable version is available online at Boston.gov/census or by calling (617) 635-8683 (VOTE). Call the Election Department: Residents can call (617) 635-8683 (VOTE), Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., to speak to a representative about completing the census.

麻州農業資源部獲141萬元擴辦耆英農夫市場營養計畫

 MDAR Receives $1.4 Million to Increase Seniors’ Access to Locally Grown, Fresh Fruit and Vegetables 

 

BOSTON – The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) announced today that Massachusetts has been awarded $1,410,222 to expand the highly popular Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP). The award was granted by the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service from American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.  

 

The $1.4 million grant award will allow MDAR to increase the level of benefit for seniors participating in the SFMNP from $25 to $50. The increase in funding will also allow MDAR to serve an additional 2,300 seniors and disabled individuals over the next two years. 

 

“This award is a win for seniors, farmers, and our Commonwealth,” said EEA Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “The Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program provides an important safety net for our seniors and has proven to be a vital part of our recovery from the pandemic when food insecurity skyrocketed. With these funds, we can continue to expand access to local and nutritious fruits and vegetables, while continuing to support our Massachusetts farmers.” 

 

The Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program is a seasonal, annual program providing low-income seniors with coupons to purchase fresh, locally grown fruits, vegetables, fresh-cut herbs, and honey from Massachusetts farmers. Every year, coupons are spent at over 300 farmers’ markets and farmstands across the state.   

 

“MDAR appreciates the support and partnership with USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service and remains committed to ensuring that our most vulnerable populations, including elders, have access to local, fresh food,” stated MDAR Commissioner John Lebeaux. “At a time when food insecurity rates remain high, the added benefit will provide elders with high-quality, nutritious food while supporting our Massachusetts farmers and food producers.” 

 

“Every food dollar spent through the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program directly benefits local farmers, farmers’ markets, and Massachusetts residents in need,” stated MDAR’s Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program Coordinator Rebecca Davidson. “Doubling the SFMNP benefit will amplify the impacts of this successful program on the local Massachusetts food system, while increasing access to nutritious fresh food for our Commonwealth’s seniors.”   

 

The SFMNP is administered thanks to the 23 Elder Nutrition Programs across the state that distribute coupons throughout their service areas. Every summer, coupons are distributed to eligible participants at senior centers, councils on aging, and senior housing sites across the Commonwealth. Eligible seniors must be 60 years of age or older or disabled, living in senior housing where congregate nutrition services are provided, and with household incomes below 185% of the federal poverty level. Coupons are distributed from July through the end of September every year. For more information about SFMNP, visit the MDAR program website. Learn more about program eligibility here.  

  

MDAR’s mission is to ensure the long-term viability of agriculture in Massachusetts. Through its five divisions – Agricultural Conservation & Technical Assistance, Agricultural Markets, Animal Health, Crop and Pest Services, and Food Safety –

MDAR strives to support, regulate, and enhance the rich diversity of the Commonwealth’s agricultural community to promote economically and environmentally sound food safety and animal health measures, and fulfill agriculture’s role in energy conservation and production. For more information, visit MDAR’s website at www.mass.gov/agr.  

波士頓市議會7比5通過學校委員會民選提案 市長吳弭17日付諸否決

               (Boston Orange 編譯) 波士頓市議會2月15日通過了學校委員會民選的提案，2天後，波士頓市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu) 否決了該案。

.             這法案，是向州政府申請變動市府憲章的請願，需要市長簽字，才能走下一步流程。不像其他事情，市議會沒有推翻否決，或者採取行動逼迫向州議會請願的餘地。

              吳弭市長在給市議會的一封信中說，轉成新的管理模式會危及波士頓公校的穩定性。

              “我極度尊重這提案的內容，源由支持波士頓年輕人的承諾，這個我也同樣感到急迫的承諾” 。"尊敬的，我無法支持在這重要階段，會降低我們穩定及支持波士頓公校能力的立法變動” 。

              該法案一旦通過，將剝奪吳弭作為市長管學區的權力。學校委員會負有通過學區預算與聘請學校總監的責任，目前是由市長指派委員。

              在競選市長期間，吳弭說她支持混合作法，部分學校委員會委員由民選產生。但她上任後，改口說現在不是改變管理模式的時候。就在市議會投票的前一天，她進一步表示，目前甚至反對混合式的學校委員會。

              波士頓市議會是以7票對5票的比例，通過該案。市議員Kenzie Bok當天出席了，但未就支持或反對投票。支持該法案者辯稱這樣做會把民主問責任制帶回波士頓的學校系統，終結仰賴市長指派，只做市府決定的橡皮圖章的學校委員會。他們也說，他們是遵循人民去年的公投意願。

              領頭提案的市議員Ricardo Arroyo在一份聲明中表示，”每一名市議員，包括那些出席投票，或反對提案的人，都相信現有的指派式學校委員會模式需要改變，所以否決讓人失望。

              該法案要求4名不分區市議員，以及9名分區市議員逐步加入學校委員會，該辦法也要求增加2名無投票的學生委員。

              市長辦公室週五 (17日) 表示，吳弭市長簽署了另一份，要求州議會給學校委員會學生委員投票權的請願書。不過根據法案語言，那個請願是改為民選學校委員會委員提案通過，才跟著有效的。所以就算州議會通過了該一請願，也沒有作用。

              波士頓人支持民選學校委員會主席Lisa Green表示，由於9萬9千名選民”要求終止市長對波士頓學校的控制”，儘管他們遭遇挫敗，該會不會讓這議題就此消失。

              她說，”說現在不是時候，市長今日証實她拒絕向選民負起責任”。我們已經訂定日期開會，本週還會有新組織加入我們，討論可能的下一步，包括提出有約束力的選票公投”。

              波士頓市的指派學校委員會是麻州內唯一的，非民選學校委員會。全美大多數學區也都是民選委員會。有些其它大學區，包括費城、紐約，有指派的學校委員會，其他的最近通過了轉為民選或混合式委員會，例如芝加哥和普域敦斯 (Providence)。

              波士頓的學校委員會是在時任市長的雷費連 (Ray Flynn)厭倦了之前的波士頓學校委員會功能不彰，內部鬥爭，從1992年開始成為指派式的學校委員會。當時這舉動頗受爭議。

僑聲音樂社慶兔年新春 波士頓華埠又聞粵曲飄揚

僑聲音樂社社員合影。(僑聲音樂社提供)

右起，紐英崙中華公所主席雷國輝，麻州眾議員陳德基，財神司徒宗達，馬滌凡、僑聲
音樂社社長黃國威，波士頓經文處處長孫儉元、波士頓僑教中心主任潘昭榮都是主桌嘉賓。
(周菊子攝)

             (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導) 成立已有84年的僑聲音樂社，2月18日晚在波士頓華埠帝苑大酒樓以弦樂笙歌，繽紛衣影，慶祝癸卯兔年新春。300多嘉賓看著舞台上的光鮮亮麗，聽著久違多時的粵曲音韻飄揚，彷彿和歌舞昇平的往年又連上了線。

波士頓市議會議長Ed Flynn (右二)頒發表揚狀，僑聲音樂社社長黃國威(右起)、李伍碧香、
李盧蓮馨代表領取。(周菊子攝)

              僑聲音樂社社長黃國威、李伍碧香18日下午，先在中華公所大樓內會址，率一眾會員上香，獻生果，參拜粵劇界祖師爺華光大帝，晚上再在帝苑大酒樓，席開30餘桌的和波士頓僑界社團歡聚。

              駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處處長孫儉元，僑教中心主任潘昭榮，波士頓市議會議長愛德華費連 (Ed Flynn)，麻州眾議員陳德基，紐英崙中華公所主席雷國輝，曾任波士頓僑務委員的馬滌凡，華埠主街主任何陳素真、董事何遠光等人，這晚都是主桌嘉賓。

僑聲音樂社社員合唱「飲勝」，謝嘉賓們出席。(周菊子攝)

              今年的這場僑聲春宴很特別，在司儀李盧蓮馨、雷玉霞開場後，竟是由社長黃國威在茉莉花舞蹈團的一眾小朋友伴舞中，演唱「舊歡如夢」拉開序幕，像似既要有象徵未來的小朋友們為傳承帶出希望，又要藉歌詞中的「早經消散莫再尋」，感慨往年已逝，舊情別追。

              礙於新冠病毒疫情，到任雖已快3年的波士頓經文處處長孫儉元和僑教中心主任潘昭榮，這天還是第一次參加僑聲音樂社春宴。為表尊重，還都以廣東話致詞。

              愛德華費連則是再次提及近年社會中出現反亞裔仇恨暴力，但他堅定支持亞裔。麻州眾議員陳德基則一口氣代表了所有的亞裔州議員，以及轄區包括華埠的議員們，祝賀出席眾人兔年新春快樂。

司徒宗達扮的財神，走到哪兒都受歡迎。 (周菊子攝)

              在出席眾人享用美酒佳餚之際，僑聲音樂社社員們理所當然的輪番獻唱，包括李相文、雷玉霞的「藏域鸞歌萬里情」，梁雁英、陳秀娥的「情暖未央宮」，黃偉健、黃寶娥的「櫻挑落盡春歸去」等的雙人對唱，雖然沒有粉墨登場，但每個人的衣飾，顯然都經過刻意挑選，給人隆重的節慶氣氛感覺。

左起，劉小雲、司徒月華(中)等人在黃寶娥和黃偉健唱罷後，上台獻花。 (周菊子攝)

台上由王元思、陳大超、伍翠紅、黃樓、司徒石、趙鴻、甄雲龍、陳志文、李協、尹子章，黃琴石等人組成的樂師陣容，也讓人看見僑聲音樂社在波士頓粵曲界的勢力之龐大。

              司徒宗達扮演的財神在陳秀娥、阮謝少珍等人陪同下，逐桌發「利市」，則是走到哪都受人歡迎。

              僑聲音樂社社長黃國威、李伍碧香等人在宴會中強調，該社每週六、日中午在會址練唱，歡迎喜歡唱粵曲的人加入同樂。 (更新版)

波士頓最近一連有4家醫院急診室暫時關閉

 (Boston Orange 編譯) 或者是天花板漏水，或者是爆水管，大波士頓最近一連4家醫院的急診室都暫停服務，讓波士頓人大感頭痛，醫療行業人士開始擔心，一旦極寒天氣再度來襲波士頓，醫院不敷需求的情況可能更嚴重。

波士頓醫療中心急診室的水管，在2月初波士頓遭遇歷史性冷鋒時，先是天花板漏水，接著急診室裡一個已經不發揮作用的噴灑管結冰，把2英吋半的水管蓋擠飛出去。等到週六晚，醫院找到漏水源頭時，70%的急診室都已經泡在水裡了。

在2月4日時，由於水管爆裂等因素，波士頓醫療中心已經是至少第3家急診室暫停收病人的醫院了，逼使急救服務隊 (EMS)指引救護車改道，去其他醫院。其中一家是附近的塔芙茨醫療中心 (Tufts)，結果週日 (19)早上，也因為水管爆裂，急診室暫停接待救護車了。

醫療專家們說，儘管這種爆水管，急診室關門的情況是暫時的，但麻州的醫療體系可能得考慮一下，在氣候變遷狀況下，這些基礎設施受天氣影響的程度可能更頻繁。

麻州布里罕總醫院 (Mass General Brigham) 的緊急準備長Paul Biddinger表示，進10年來，因為氣候的關係，已經有破紀錄數量的醫院撤離及關門事件發生了。這些情況都意味著有些東西人們需要注意。

麻州長Healey、經濟廳廳長郝伊平參訪The Engine 申言支援麻州科技創新領導地位 (視頻)

Governor Maura Healey:

Well, good afternoon I am thrilled to be over here at the engine. We had the opportunity to visit and tour this amazing, amazing operation and we wanted to visit today, and because, yet another example of the amazing potential that we had here in Massachusetts when we leverage our research university and made a company an unmatched talent. 

Organizations like the engine are critical supporting the tech, the innovation start-ups that launched from our world class colleges and universities every year.

The engine invest in startups that addresses the most significant challenges we face today, in health care, climates, manufacturing and they recognize that we need to take intersectional approaches if we really want address these challenges.  We can’t exist in silos we need to bring together the very best of the world, and the best and brightest from all fields in order to make the widespread progress we so urgently need. 

So, I am so thrilled to be here today. I joined by Lt. governor Kim Driscoll, also joined by secretary of economic development Yvonne Hao, Secretary of Energy and environment Rebecca Tepper, earlier we were joined by Masstech executive director Linville-Engler, and importantly we have folks from The Engine, including former state senator Ben Downing and katie Rae who lead the operation. 

We are grateful, grateful to folks for showing, give us the opportunity to visit today. This is amazing. amazing what is happening here.

The chance for companies to come and continue research but also fabricate. To take things, ah, from the laboratories to actual fabrication, think about ways to scale up is really, really incredible. 

A few weeks ago. my administration filed an immediate needs bond bill that recognizes the importance of tech innovation in Massachusetts, it recapitalize programs that supporting innovative programs like startup like the ones we saw here today at the engine it includes 52 million dollars for programs that support advancement manufacturing and research technology development and emerging technologies the bond bill will also provide new funds to support or our states proposals to the federal chips and science bill. We’re currently working across collaboration between our government and private industry and research on applications for this incredibly important funding that is to come by way of the chip and science bill. Today we have once in a generation opportunity to harness the federal investment being deployed to revitalize domestic manufacturing and bolster support for innovative startups like those coming out of The Engine. 

The chips and science bill signed by President Biden last August is one of the major funding vehicles for us to achieve these goals and Massachusetts is taking the leadership role to bring that funding to the state Massachusetts has historically led when it comes to innovation, we are going to make sure we do everything to make sure that we are leading in this time. 

And so we are here today to lead it, to visit, look forward to collaborating as an administration with private sector with wonderful researches institutions and universities. This is a huge opportunity for Massachusetts. Massachusetts is going to compete, and Massachusetts is going to win and one of the reasons I am confident for that, of that is because we have our fabulous Secretary of economic development Yvonne Hao, who we would like welcome to the podium right now

 

Secretary Yvonne Hao:

So, this is very special for many reasons. But especially for me, personally to get to The Engine.

Many people might know that katie Ray was our first angel investor at our little startup Cove VC and I remember talking to her when The Engine was just an idea and now walking around it today, seeing the reality of what become of it today. 

This reflects what makes the Massachusetts so special. In fact that we have we world lead universities, most amazing, cutting edge research aiming at the world’s biggest problems combined with the financial capital and venture folks, combine with amazing entrepreneurs. This shows what makes Massachusetts special.  

So, as the governor said, we are at an interesting point in our history. So, this is once a generation opportunity with the federal government has just passed the Chip and Science Act. And where I want to double click on with an immediate proposal that we are now working on. 

The deadline is later this month, and this part of the Chip and Science Act is from the Department of Defense. 

Its called Microelectronics  Commons and I am really excited about this particular proposal for two reasons. The first is, this is a place where we absolutely as a state have the right to win. so this Partnership Act is almost 2 Million dollars from the Department of Defense is really aiming at the most advanced technology for national security, national defense. The brain behind, everything that we are going to do around our country and also around manufacturing. 

That is where Massachusetts has a right to win. We historically played here, so many things has been invented here, we have amazing global leaders like Analog devices that we visited a few weeks ago and the incredible startups we met here today. All working in these areas around quantum, around AI, around all the leading technologies. 

so this this is the place where we should be waiting to build a brain for the future of our country. The second reason I am excited is because we are working together as a team across the whole state. 

So, MassTech which is one of the protege institutions that we work with. MassTech convened a group in 2021.So well before the act has been passed and this is a group of a very wide cross section, leading academic research universities, with people like Lincoln Labs, with people like Analog Devices and many of the big companies and a lot of startups  This big coalition has been working together since 2021, trying to figure out where we invest bet, and how can we work together to go after these federal opportunities.

So, we have been working since then, we have been working together since the proposal came out in fall, and now we are close down to the proposal.

I think this coalition will show not only the power of Massachusetts, but also the power of we work together, we can accomplish. 

So we are really excited about this proposal, and we also know what are at stakes. So, the Massachusetts’s stakes is we want to not only protect our leadership, we want to lengthen our lead. 

So what the state brought is not only more funds to drive research, but also jobs, and workforce skill development programs, creating factories, going from lab to fabs.  We know there’s a lot of stakes at the state here.

The other stake is the country, we know it is an interesting time of the world, and we want to do our part as Massachusetts to help our country continue to lead.

So, we are really excited, and I feel very grateful to have the support of the governor, the Lt. governor to go after this, this broad opportunities, and but particularly, this specific common defense opportunity in the next coming weeks.

so, thank you so much governor and Lt. governor. and to the engine for all its great works.  We are in it to win it. So, thank you.

麻州州長Healey指派麻州眾議員Jon Santiago出任退伍軍人服務廳廳長

Jon Santiago 於3月1日正式上任退伍軍人服務廳廳長。 (周菊子攝)

           (Boston Orange 綜合編譯) 麻州州長奚莉 (Maura Healey) 今 (17) 日近午時分宣佈，指派現年40歲的麻州眾議員Jon Santiago，出任麻州有史以來的首名退伍軍人服務廳廳長。

2019年成為麻州薩福克郡 (Suffolk)第9區麻州眾議員的Jon Santiago，現為美國陸軍預備役少校，在波士頓醫療中心 (BMC)擔任急救醫師。上任麻州退伍軍人服務廳廳長新職後，他將掌管士兵之家，以及援助麻州退伍軍人的項目。

Jon Santiago。 (file photo)

麻州州長奚莉說，Jon Santiago不論是到多明尼加當和平部隊，還是在新冠病毒期間堅守急診室崗位，或是到海外當美國陸軍預備役軍官，又或者是在眾議員任內支持人民居有其所，行有公車，一生致力服務國家。他的特殊經驗使他成為退伍軍人服務廳廳長的極佳人選。

             

由於2020年新冠病毒疫情大流行期間，麻州Holyoke的士兵之家 (Soldiers’Home) 管理不善，導致84名 (坊間也有數據稱76名) 老兵死亡的不幸慘劇，麻州議會通過法令，2023年3月1日成立一個由內閣級首長領導的「退伍軍人服務辦公室 (Executive Office of Veterans’ Services)」，負責掌管麻州的2個退伍軍人之家。

前任州長查理貝克 (Charlie Baker)在位時，以行政命令指派了Cheryl Lussier Poppe擔任該職位，不過因為Chelsea士兵之家近來的狀況，讓她面對不少質疑。

Jon Santiago出生於波多黎各 (Puerto Rico) ，年幼時隨父母移民到波士頓後，在洛士百利長大，取得德州奧斯丁大學生物及宗教系學士學位後，2度赴海外服務。返美後，他返校進修，取得西雅圖華盛頓大學公共衛生碩士，以及耶魯大學醫學院學位。

                   他目前和妻子Alexandra，兒子Rafael住在南端 (South End)。

John E. Mawn, Jr. 中校出任代理麻州警察長

John E. Mawn, Jr. 中校。  (州長辦公室提供)

(Boston Orange 綜合編譯) 麻州州長奚莉 (Maura Healey) 上任一個半月後，今 (17) 日一連宣佈2項任命。早上指派John E. Mawn, Jr. 中校出任代理麻州警察長，中午指派麻州眾議員Jon Santiago出任退伍軍人服務廳廳長。

John E. Mawn, Jr.的任命，在已服務40年的現任麻州警察長Christopher Mason今日退休後，立即生效。麻州州警是麻州公安廳廳長Terrence M. Reidy麾下的機構之一。

現年40歲的Jon Santiago，則是一旦上任，將成為麻州州長內閣的首位退伍軍人服務廳廳長。這是因為2022通過，下個月起生效的一條法案，把原本棣屬於麻州健康及人民服務廳的退伍軍人服務處，升格為內閣級的廳。

在麻州政府對外發佈的消息中，奚莉州長稱John E. Mawn, Jr.有30多年的麻州州警經驗，是一名有成就的領導。麻州政府正在為搜尋下任警察長制定審核人選的最後計畫。

麻州州警(MSP)是個有2067名警員，其中1500名穿制服，611人為支援工作人員的機構，1865年，時任州長的John A. Andrew簽署法令，設立「麻州警察 (State Constabulary) 」後，麻州成為全美第一個有全州性執法機構的州。

John E. Mawn, Jr.原本是麻州州警調查服務處指揮，掌管凶殺案及其他暴力犯罪，侵害兒童，以及網路、組織犯罪等的調查工作，麾下有24個小組，400多名警員，為麻州的11個地方檢察官，以及總檢察官辦公室，還有麻州消防長的消防調查隊服務。

John E. Mawn, Jr.獲有Curry學院的刑事司法學士及碩士學位，曾是海灣戰和科威特戰爭中的美國海軍，當過6年Harwich地方警察，1993年加入麻州州警。