波士頓市議會議長Ed Flynn 關心退伍軍人事務 遠赴維州出席會議

               (Boston Orange 節譯) 波士頓市議會議長愛德華費連 (Ed Flynn) 過去3天到維琴尼亞州 (Virginia) 的阿靈頓 (Arlington) 參加2023 年的美國殘障退伍軍人仲冬會議，和來自全美的退伍軍人討論影響退伍軍人社區的重要議題及政策。

                   今年的美國殘障退伍軍人仲冬會議，討論了6 項重要政策目標，包括糾正在發放補償福利給退伍軍人和倖存者上的不公平，不均等現象；實施與接觸毒物福利有關的 PACT 法案； 確保退伍軍人管理局護理的公平性，在提供服務及福利上把女性、同性戀者 (LGBTQ+)和少數族裔退伍軍人包括進去；為服役傷殘和年邁的退伍軍人提供廣泛的長期護理選擇； 加強心理健康資源以減少退伍軍人自殺； 並擴大退伍軍人事務局的能量，為退伍軍人提供及時和高質量護理的能力。

Council President Ed Flynn attends the

2023 Disabled American Veterans Mid-Winter Conference in Arlington, Virginia

BOSTON - Over the last three days, Council President Ed Flynn attended the 2023 Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Mid-Winter Conference in Arlington, Virginia. Held annually, the DAV Conference draws veterans nationally to discuss the important issues and policies that impact the veteran community. 

At this year’s conference, the DAV discussed six critical policy goals: rectifying inequities and providing parity in compensation benefits for veterans and survivors; implementing the PACT Act relating to toxic-exposure benefits; ensuring equity in Veterans Administration care, including services and benefits for women, LGBTQ+ and minority veterans; providing a wide range of long-term care options for service-disabled and aging veterans; bolstering mental health resources to reduce veteran suicide; and expanding the VA’s capacity to deliver timely and high quality care to veterans. 

“Attending the annual Disabled American Veterans Conference is a great way to meet other veterans, learn about the issues that affect them, and advocate for better care and support for our veterans here in Boston and throughout the country.” said Council President Flynn. “Every year, I listen and bring back useful insights from the conference to my City and State colleagues so that we can better advocate and serve our local veterans. It is critical we continue supporting equitable healthcare for our women veterans, improving mental health care and resources for our veterans, and ensuring those who have been exposed to military toxic substances while serving are provided the necessary disability and health care benefits.” 

Note: At the conference, Council President Flynn also advocated support for honoring African American Veterans through a U.S. Commemorative Stamp Series, something the Boston City Council has expressed support for.

Ashley E. Randle 訂3月6日升任麻州農業資源局局長

                 (Boston Orange 節譯) 麻州能源及環境事務廳廳長 Rebecca Tepper 今(27) 日宣佈，指派Ashley E. Randle為麻州農業資源局 (MDAR) 局長。

            MDAR負責推廣在經濟上、環境上都很健全的食物安全、動物健康辦法，並在能源保存及生產上達到農業的角色，

               Ashley E. Randle3月6日上任後，將成為麻州農業資源局局長的第一位女局長。

目前她是麻州農業資源局副局長，負責監管法令及政策事務。之前，她是東北乳製品生產商協會的會員服務總監，曾在緬因州農業、保護和林業部擔任營銷專家，負責特殊項目。她畢業於康奈爾大學，獲有應用經濟與管理和動物科學學士學位，其後獲得西新英格蘭大學法學院的法學博士學位。 她目前還是麻州 4-H 基金會董事會的受託人，2022 年獲選入屋斯特商業雜誌 40 歲以下 40 強。

Ashley 的家族在南鹿場 (South Deerfield) 經營奶酪農場已連續五代，她在那兒出生、長大，如今和丈夫住在Sterling。 

Healey-Driscoll Administration Names Agricultural Resources Commissioner  

MDAR’s Ashley Randle to be Promoted to Commissioner 

BOSTON – Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Rebecca Tepper today announced the appointment of Ashley E. Randle to the role of Commissioner of the Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR). MDAR supports, regulates, and enhances 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. Randle starts on March 6, 2023, as the twenty-first Commissioner and the first woman appointed to lead the Department.  

“As we build our leadership teams in the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, I’m glad Ashley is joining the Healey-Driscoll Administration,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “Having been raised on a dairy farm, Ashley deeply understands and appreciates the agricultural industry. Her experience will be critical to guiding agricultural policy for our state, supporting our farmers and fisheries, and promoting access to nutritious foods in every community.”  

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue my service to the Commonwealth as a member of the Healey-Driscoll Administration,” added Randle. “We will continue to work to ensure a safe and secure food supply while building a more equitable, robust, and resilient local food system. Agriculture has laid the foundation for my career, and I have a deep appreciation for the dedicated members of our Massachusetts agricultural sector. It’s truly a privilege to work with our MDAR team, farmers, fishers, and stakeholders in this new role.”  

“The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture commends the appointment of Ashley Randle as Massachusetts agriculture commissioner and welcomes her as the new NASDA member,” said Ted McKinney, CEO of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture. “We know her well from her great work over the years and have witnessed her excellence as a leader in Massachusetts. We look forward to working with her to help create state and federal policy that best serves farmers, ranchers, urban agriculture, and all communities.”  

“The Massachusetts Association of Dairy Farmers would like to congratulate the Healey-Driscoll Administration on the appointment of Ashley Randle as Commissioner of Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources,” added David W. Shepard, President of the Massachusetts Association of Dairy Farmers. “Ashley is a proven leader with a passion for local agriculture and has a deep understanding of the commitment necessary to produce food in the Commonwealth. We will proudly work with her to help feed our citizens.”  

“We are delighted to welcome Ashley Randle as the new Commissioner at MDAR,” said Catherine D’Amato, Greater Boston Food Bank President and CEO. “As deputy commissioner, she was a valued partner in helping to skillfully manage funds in support of hunger-relief through the Massachusetts Emergency Food Assistance Program, with a portion of this state funding dedicated toward the purchase of local MassGrown products. We look forward to our continued partnership with MDAR under the leadership of Commissioner Randle as we continue to work collaboratively to address hunger in the Commonwealth.”  

About Ashley E. Randle  

Ashley Randle currently serves as Deputy Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, where she oversees legislative and policy affairs. Prior, Ashley was the Member Services Director for Northeast Dairy Producers Association, Inc. and the Marketing Specialist/Special Projects at the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry. She graduated from Cornell University with a Bachelor of Science in Applied Economics & Management and Animal Science and received her Juris Doctorate from Western New England University School of Law. She currently serves as a Trustee to the Massachusetts 4-H Foundation Board and was named to Worcester Business Journal’s 40 Under Forty class in 2022. Ashley was born and raised on her family’s fifth-generation dairy farm in South Deerfield and resides in Sterling with her husband. 

麻州能源及環球事務廳增設2高階職位 連結聯邦及地方來推廣清潔能源

(Boston Orange 節譯) 麻州能源和環境事務廳 (EEA)廳長Rebecca L. Tepper今 (27) 日宣佈該廳2項新人事任命，以在聯邦，州及地方層級推廣清潔能源轉型。

曾任新英格蘭各州電力委員會 (NESCOE) 副執行主任暨總法律顧問的Jason Marshall將出任聯邦及地區能源事務副廳長及特別法律顧問，目前是Dominion能源公司的新英格蘭州政府政策主任的Mary Louise "Weezie" Nuara將擔任助理廳長及特別法律顧問。

這2個職位在能源和環境事務局都是新職位，將聚焦發展及採購清潔能源，建造區域輸電網，支持電力可靠性及可負擔性，增強能源市場，並為達到麻州的清潔能源目標尋求聯邦支持。

Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces New Positions to Promote the Commonwealth’s Energy Priorities with Regional and Federal Partners   

NESCOE’s Jason Marshall and Dominion Energy’s Weezie Nuara to Join the Administration

 

BOSTON – Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Rebecca L. Tepper today announced the hiring of Jason Marshall to serve as Deputy Secretary and Special Counsel for Federal and Regional Energy Affairs and Mary Louise "Weezie" Nuara to serve as Assistant Secretary for Federal and Regional Energy Affairs. The positions, a first within EEA, will promote regional cooperation and advocate for advancing the Commonwealth’s clean energy transition with federal, state, and other stakeholders. 

 

“At this critical juncture in our clean energy transition, we need to step up our efforts to advocate for Massachusetts’ interests at the federal level and build strong relationships with our regional partners,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “The Healey-Driscoll Administration is going to be nimble and cooperative to achieve our clean energy goals, and Jason and Weezie will be key to these efforts.” 

 

The two roles will lead the Secretariat’s regional, interregional, and federal energy strategies to successfully implement our clean energy and climate laws. The pair will serve as the Commonwealth’s emissary to promote clean energy development and procurement, build regional transmission, support grid reliability and affordability, enhance energy markets, and pursue federal support.  

 

“New England states share both a regional power grid and laws and policies that prioritize clean energy and decarbonization. Together with other Northeast states and federal partners, we are better positioned to achieve a clean energy future when we leverage our collective efforts and innovations,” said Marshall. “I am excited to join Secretary Tepper and the Healey-Driscoll Administration in forging partnerships to move our state forward and make Massachusetts a global leader in clean energy technology.” 

 

“As we envision a thriving clean energy industry, a resilient electric grid, and transformational power markets, it’s interstate collaboration that will get us there,” added Nuara. “The creation of these roles says a lot about the Healey-Driscoll Administration and its commitment to regional coordination. I’m thrilled to join Jason as the first ones to fill them.” 

 

About Jason Marshall 

 

Jason Marshall comes to the Commonwealth after over ten years at the New England States Committee on Electricity (NESCOE), an organization representing the New England Governors on regional electricity issues, including regulatory proceedings before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).  Marshall most recently served as Deputy Executive Director and General Counsel. Previously, he was Counsel with the Regional and Federal Affairs Division of the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities and a Legal Counsel in the Massachusetts State Senate. Earlier in his career, Marshall was an associate at Brown Rudnick LLP and a Law Clerk to the Chief Justice of the Massachusetts Appeals Court. He is the immediate past-President of the Energy Bar Association’s Northeast Chapter. Marshall has a Bachelor of Arts from Boston College and a Juris Doctor from the University of Connecticut School of Law.  

 

About Weezie Nuara 

 

Weezie Nuara is currently Dominion Energy’s state policy director for New England, where she is responsible for all local, state, and regional policy matters impacting Dominion’s interests in the region. Weezie also supports Dominion’s market affairs activities through the New England Power Pool (NEPOOL) stakeholder process. Previously, Nuara was a senior external affairs representative for ISO New England, the region’s grid operator, where she was responsible for performing outreach to government officials in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. She sits on the Board of Directors for New England Women in Energy and the Environment (NEWIEE), where she serves as co-chair of NEWIEE’s Mentorship Committee and is the organization’s immediate past president. She received her undergraduate degree in Government from the University of Virginia and her Juris Doctor from the New England School of Law. 

 

Statements of Support 

 

“The New England states are powered by one grid, and it’s complicated. Jason is equipped to cover the full court on day one, from a deep understanding of our markets and transmission system, to expertise on federal rules and process, to working relationships with officials across New England,” said Heather Hunt, NESCOE's Executive Director. “Weezie brings front row experience from the vantage point of our regional grid operator and a power generator. Both Jason and Weezie are widely known to lead with respect and collaboration.” 

 

“Weezie’s appointment to EEA makes the Commonwealth's clean energy future brighter,” said Jeremy McDiarmid, Managing Director and General Counsel at Advanced Energy United. “Weezie brings deep leadership to the Healey-Driscoll Administration at a pivotal moment in the climate conversation. The need to foster strong working relationships among state, regional, and federal stakeholders has never been greater. Weezie is a proven and dynamic leader who will enhance those relationships and help Massachusetts achieve its ambitious goals for a clean and equitable energy future.” 

 

“In his role at NESCOE, Jason demonstrated a keen understanding of how actions and rules at the regional and federal levels influence capital investment and drive clean energy development. Jason is an excellent choice for this position,” said Liz Delaney, Vice President, Utility-Scale Policy and Business Development at New Leaf Energy. “His unique skill set will be incredibly useful in designing policy solutions that ensure our path to decarbonization is rapid, reliable and cost effective.”

新英格蘭學聯職涯展 美國、台灣機會都很多

新英格蘭學聯和部分出席活動同學及嘉賓合影。 (學聯提供)

             (Boston Orange

右起，新英格蘭學聯副會長蔡朗安、會長廖珮妤，波士頓經文處教育組組長黃薳玉，
處長孫儉元，以及學聯志工許雅婷、Ruby Huang。 (周菊子攝)

周菊子波士頓報導) 新英格蘭臺灣留學生聯合會 (FTSANE) 2月25日在哈佛大學西北大樓舉辦2023職涯展，儘管當天大波士頓飄雪，氣溫陡降至華氏30度以下，仍有120多人踴躍出席，既探詢各公司徵才概況，也藉由學聯安排的講座及學長經驗分享活動，獲得些「它山之石，可以為錯」的求職相關知識與參考。

新英格蘭學聯幹部合影。 (學聯提供)

                       新英格蘭臺灣留學生聯合會會長廖珮妤，副會長蔡朗安和20多名學聯幹部策畫，分工合作了好幾個月，為今年的學聯職涯會，邀得波士頓經文處教育組，駐美投資貿易代表處，以及安進製藥，IDIIL學習基金，劍橋國際教育集團 (JL Cambridge International)，遠見地產 (Montivista Real Estate Investment)，達理律師事務所 (TLA Law)，百奧賽圖生物製藥 (Biocytogen)波士頓分公司，中華廣教學校 (Kwong know)，以及Candice等機構及企業擺攤徵才。

波士頓經文處處長孫儉元致詞不忘為外交部徵才。 (周菊子攝)

                   其中波士頓經文處教育組有教育組長黃薳玉親自出馬，駐守攤位，向出席者介紹玉山學者計畫，赴台教英語計畫，以及為教育組儲備臨時及正式雇員的未來人選。

                   駐美投資貿易代表處的謝承淵，從紐約趕來，為台積電 (TSMC)，宏碁 (ACER)，環球晶圓 (GW)，西斯艾軟體 (CSI)，中國信託金控 (CTBC)，長春集團等多家公司擺出在美國及台灣的就業機會。謝承淵透露，環球晶圓公司正籌備在美國德州建廠，目前是需要協助建廠人才，但一年後就會需要工程師等多方面人才。

新英格蘭學聯會長廖珮妤頒發感謝狀給劍橋國際教育創辦人張程閎。 (周菊子攝)

               波士頓經文處處長孫儉元和僑教中心主任潘昭榮當天應邀出席。孫儉元處長嘉許新英格蘭學聯舉辦這樣的活動，給同學機會了解職場生態，聆聽前輩意見。他笑說自己三十多年前也是留學生，對學生們畢業在即，面對未來時的各種顧慮，也曾身有感受，相信這天的活動，能夠幫助同學摸索自己的人生。孫儉元處長還不忘利用機會，為外交部招攬人才，鼓勵對國際事務有興趣，希望為國家做事的人，加入外交部行列。

新英格蘭學聯會長廖珮妤請達理律師樓創辦人林志濤準備下一場演講。(周菊子攝)

                  在招才攤位之外，新英格蘭學聯當天特地就求職和留美申請居留，舉辦了專題講座，請來劍橋國際教育集團創辦人張程閎談「如何增加求職競爭力，求職VS創業，我要注意什麼」，達理律師樓律師創辦人林志濤說明「美國簽證、移民三部曲」。

                          張程閎教同學，求職要找出自己的競爭優勢，先思考、分析自己和其他競爭者的差異，短期的要把自己的優勢凸顯出來，劣勢包裝起來，長期的要研究個人資產那些會升值，貶值。他也建議同學在學期間就到自己有興趣的產業找實習機會，畢業時就會有已有工作經驗的優勢。

波士頓經文處教育組組長黃薳玉說明玉山學者徵才。

                       林志濤則為同學解釋了美國的實習、H1-B工作簽證等的法律意義及申請流程，包括實習可從畢業前90天開始，到畢業後60天之內辦理申請，一般可以實習一年，另有60天的緩衝期。H1-B則是工作簽證，持有者可以在美國境內合法工作等等。

                           大波士頓本地的社團組織，非常支持新英格蘭學聯的活動，包括波士頓台灣人生物科技協會(BTBA)、波克萊臺灣商會 (BTCC)、波士頓台灣龍舟隊(BTBC) ，波士頓北一女校友會(Beinu Boston)，新英格蘭成大校友會 (NCKUAA New England)，紛紛到場擺攤，向來自新英格蘭各校的台灣同學們介紹自己。就連江明信創辦的「哈囉台灣 (Hello Taiwan)」，都特地從紐約央請波士頓台灣人公共事務會 (FAPA)

活動現場。 (學聯提供)

代擺攤位，希望有更多台灣人知道他們這組織在向美國主流社會介紹台灣。

波士頓北一女校友會前會長吳杏玫和以北一女綠色為主題，親手做了一批小鑰匙包，鉛筆，信封，糖果，手提包，放在現場展示的校友梁雅惠，高興透露，會議還沒過半場，已經有3名新校友留下聯絡資訊。在一旁擺攤的成功大學校友會會長陳婉如和前會長張涵捷也滿臉帶笑說，他們也招到3名新校友。

駐美投資貿易代表處的謝承淵 (左)為台積電等台灣大企業，擺出招才資訊。 (周菊子攝)

                      新英格蘭學聯今年的工作團隊有20多人，除了都已進入業界工作的正副會長廖珮妤、蔡朗安之外，呂昀蓉、粘宇和、馬嘉亮、解晉維、邱愷雯、鄭炘榆、李承訓、賴盈綺、楊宸雲、陳柏全、張晴晴、孫尚毅、梁又懿、郭明蓉、黃榆晴、王燕婷、張家溱、王維儀、何嘉瑜、張晨鈺等人分別來自麻州的哈佛、MIT、波士頓，東北、傅萊明罕 (Framingham)，麻州醫藥與健康科學等大學，以及德州A &M，還有Purdue等學校校友，陣容龐大。學聯預計四月舉辦跨校聯誼晚會，繼續促進各校學生交流。 (更新版)

劍橋國際教育公司創辦人張程閎這天匯整求職注意事項，還分享了他的創業經歷。
 (周菊子攝)

波士頓北一女校友會的梁雅惠和前會長吳杏玫以綠色系在會場廣告週知，
波士頓有北一女校友會。(周菊子攝)

成功大學校友會現任會長陳婉如(左)和前任會長張涵捷當天至少找到3名校友。 (周菊子攝)

波士頓台灣人生物科技協會在會場擺攤招收新會員。 (周菊子攝)

盧信瑋、李鴻宇等人當天協助求職者修改履歷表。

Candice家教公司的攤位有不少人探問機會。 (周菊子攝)

李若梅表示IDIIL學習基金會利用人工智能等工具，可在短期內輔佐受疫情影響學童趕上
進度，目前至少需要4名老師支援據點。 (右)

許益祥為安進製藥回答求職者提問。 (周菊子攝)

百奧賽圖生物製藥公司也在現場擺攤。 (周菊子攝)

華人前進會迎水兔慶45週年 波士頓市長吳弭等十餘名政要出席

華人前進會幹部與嘉賓合影。台上右起，波士頓市議會議長Ed Flynn，麻州參議員Lydia Edwards，麻州眾議員麥家威
(Aaron Michlewitz)、中領館領事陳軍超，華人前進會會長李素影，副主任陳穎琪，主任陳玉珍，波士頓市議員Kenzie Bok，
麻州財政廳廳長Deb Goldberg，摩頓市議員Stephen Winslow，波士頓市議員Erin Murphy，華人前進會共同主席湯建華等人。
(周菊子攝)

華人前進會幹部與嘉賓合影。(周菊子攝)

           (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導) 華人前進會 (CPA) 2月24日晚在帝苑大酒樓慶祝癸卯兔年新春，不但瑞獅齊舞，鑼鼓喧天，包括麻州財政廳長Deb Goldberg，波士頓市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu) 等州市政要，出席人數之多破歷年紀錄，彰顯該會在地方上45年深根有功，政治影響力已更強大。

                 華人前進會的創會會長李素影，共同主席黃夏儀、湯建華，現任主任陳玉珍，副主任陳穎琪，前主任駱理德，社區組織員鄺寶蓮，工人互助中心協調員余翠鳳等該會擴增到共13名的職員，以及共9名執委，都在現場忙前、忙後的招呼。會場內人們互相問候，敘舊的歡聲笑語，讓整個會場充滿新年的熱鬧。

右起，華人前進會會長李素影，波士頓市議會議長Ed Flynn，市議員
Liz Breadon，KenzieBok，Erin Murphy，華人前進會主任陳玉珍，
以及 (左前)麻州財政廳廳長Deb Goldberg頒發表揚狀後合影。
(周菊子攝)

                 這晚出席的政要之多，確實讓人驚訝。波士頓市議會共13名市議員，竟有一半出席了，在波士頓市議會議長愛德華費連 (Ed Flynn) 帶領中，不分區市議員有Erin Murphy、Ruthzee Louijeune、Julia Mejia，分區市議員中，會說中文，有個中文名字白凱欣的第8區市議員Kenzie Bok，以及聘有至少一名華裔助理的第9區市議員Lisa Breadon都來了。

                 此外，波士頓市府的房屋長Sheila Dillon，波士頓市長新設的賦權工人內閣主管Trinh Nguyen，麻州眾議會財政委員會主席Aaron Michlewitz，麻州參議員Lydia Edwards，Bunker Hill 社區學院校長余慕潔 (Pam Eddinger)，亞美社區發展協會董事會主席李保華等人也欣然赴會。

麻州財政廳廳長Deb Goldberg頒發表揚狀給華人前進會，由
共同主席湯建華和主任陳玉珍代表領取。(周菊子攝)

                 出席政要們在致詞時，紛紛稱許華人前進會的為普羅大眾及移民爭取權益。麻州財政廳長Deb Goldberg更強調華人前進會專注於人民，她還和陳玉珍稱許為代表華埠歷來最好市議員，也是市議會議長的愛德華費連，都用廣東話說恭喜發財，市議員白凱欣 (Kenzie Bok) 也用普通話說新年快樂。

                  當晚最特別的可能是摩頓市第6區市議員Stephen Winslow的致詞。他不但報告摩頓市今年首次以中文舉辦了一場城鎮會議，還即將成立一個以華人為主要服務對象的社區中心。

                   中國駐紐約總領事館當晚也有僑務主任陳軍超，領事巴桑次仁，陳曲鋒到會祝賀。

                 華人前進會主席黃夏儀、湯建華在會中重申該會宗旨在為移民、勞工服務，以加州發生槍擊案至少導致2名亞裔受害為引，表達強烈的反對販賣和濫用槍枝意見。

                 

左起，華人前進會副主任陳穎琪，會長李素影，波士頓市長
吳弭，華人前進會主任陳玉珍，共同主席黃夏儀、湯建華等人
合影。(周菊子攝)

華人前進會主任陳玉珍說明過去這幾年，社區和該會都經歷重大考驗與磨練，整個社會受新冠病毒疫情衝擊，該會會址水管破裂，災情慘重，從2022年6月起礙於裝修，員工們被迫再次在家辦公，她感謝所有員工仍堅守崗位，繼續為社區服務，成功推動通過了公平繳稅的選票問題一，以及更安全道路的選票問題四，展望未來的許多挑戰，她相信該會在社區的支持下，能夠信心百倍地繼續提升內部力量，加強與勞工和社區夥伴關係，並建立跨越種族的族裔之間團結。

                   華人前進會當晚頒發正義行動獎給Dorchester (DOT) Not For Sale，工人正義獎給IBEW Local 103

華人前進會共同主席湯建華(左二)招呼中領館僑務主任陳軍超(左一)，領事巴桑次仁、
陳曲鋒(右一)等人。(周菊子攝)

分會。華林功夫太極學校創辦人余翠梅率領徒弟為大會表演祥獅獻瑞，讓政要們遵循傳統的發紅包給醒獅，領回蓬勃生氣與吉祥的生菜，柑桔，還解說祥獅獻瑞的含意，籲請社區捐款資助華人前進會的為移民服務。

                 根據華人前進會春宴節目冊，包括機構、個人的500元到1萬元不等捐款，當晚活動共募得5萬8500元。慶祝新年晚會在工友們大合唱「歡樂年年」聲中落幕。 (更新版)

摩頓市第6區市議員Stephen Winslow致詞，報告摩頓市將設立以華人
為主要服務對象的社區中心。(周菊子攝)

華人前進會會長李素影(後)、主任陳玉珍(左一)請麻州眾議會財政
委員會主席AaronMichlewitz(前右)，麻州參議員Lydia Edwards (前左)頒發
行動正義獎，工人正義獎。(周菊子攝)

華人前進會工友們合唱「歡樂年年」。(周菊子攝)

國會議員John W. Olver辭世 麻州長Maura Healey下令降半旗悼念

 Governor Healey Issues Statement on Passing of Congressman John W. Olver 

 

BOSTON – Governor Maura T. Healey today issued the following statement on the passing of former Massachusetts Congressman John W. Olver. She has also ordered flags to be lowered to half-staff at all state buildings.

 

“Congressman John Olver dedicated his life to serving the people of Western and Central Massachusetts and always stayed true to his values. He was a strong advocate for affordable health care, abortion access, public transportation and rural communities. I will always be grateful for his kindness and his friendship. He will be dearly missed, and my heart goes out to his loved ones.” 

 

波士頓藝聯慈善社美酒佳餚迎兔年 鄭慧民呼籲後輩傳承接手服務社區

藝聯慈善社幹部們敬酒。右起總顧問鄭慧民，幹事梁欽長，元老何木成，中文書記陳廉，
元老黃賢池，司儀黃愛梅，英文書記黃家強，主席湯偉雄。 (藝聯慈善社提供)

               (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導) 波士頓藝聯慈善社2月20日在帝苑大酒樓，以850元一桌的豐盛酒席和數百社員、嘉賓同慶兔年新春。總顧問鄭慧民強調該社最不政治，感慨期許新一輩藝聯人傳承前輩精神，參與會務，服務僑社，造福大眾。

藝聯慈善社總顧問鄭慧民 (左)、主席湯偉雄 (右二) 和波士頓經文處處長孫儉元，趕到
會場頒發表揚狀後，匆匆趕往下一場活動的波士頓市議會議長Ed Flynn。(周菊子攝)

              波士頓市議會議長愛德華費連 (Ed Flynn)，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，紐英崙中華公所主席雷國輝，以及僑界聞人馬滌凡等，這晚有不少嘉賓出席。

              藝聯慈善社的確是大波士頓內最特殊的一個社團，1957年成立時，既不問姓氏，也不理愛好，甚至不計較彼此語言是否相通。他們的宗旨十分清楚，明確，就是幫助漂洋過海而來的華人同胞，在波士頓安家落戶，過上溫飽生活，後來還連就地安葬，或運屍返鄉都協助辦理。

華林派醒獅團送上財源廣進、年年有餘的對聯祝福出席賓客。 (周菊子攝)

              這天的春宴慶祝，由已遷居佛羅里達州的華林派著名師傅陳培的哥哥陳廉，以及大徒弟Bob Rosen敲鑼打鼓，徒孫輩舞動瑞獅，非常傳統的獻上「財源廣進、年年有餘」對聯，再示範功夫，揭開序幕。

              藝聯慈善社社長湯偉雄言簡意賅的祝賀出席者新年快樂，強調身體健康最重要，再在陳國航等人陪伴下，演唱「財神」歌，獻上祝福。

華林派的徒孫輩示範功夫。 (周菊子攝)

             鄭慧民則藉題發揮，由僑界稱許藝聯慈善社非常捨得，年年春宴菜餚豐盛為引，敘述著在他看來，有捨就有得，今日的捨，就是明日的得，來帶出他企盼藝聯傳承有人的心聲。他還在餘興節目時，以譚詠麟「朋友」等歌曲中「共赴患難，絕望裏緊握你手」之類的歌詞，表達他在擔任紐英崙中華公所主席，出嚴重車禍期間對「朋友」意義有了更深切感受。

            鄭慧民還指出，藝聯慈善社在波士頓是一個比較成功的非政治僑團，會員當年不是”行船仔”，就是”廚房佬”，後來有能力”給予” (

華林派著名師傅陳培當年和哥哥陳廉 (左)都是藝聯慈善社成員，如今陳培早已遷居佛羅
里達州，他的大徒弟Bob Rosen仍在波士頓開館授徒，這天和陳廉一起為藝聯春宴敲鑼、
擊鼓。 (周菊子攝)

意味著有足夠的錢來辦菜餚豐富春宴，有錢照顧遭遇困難的會員)，全靠創社元老們努力打拼，推己及人，對待同胞全無私心。他透露，幾個月前，他整理社內文件、會章，這才發現許多老會員，根本不會英文，充其量能夠簽寫自己的名字，卻同心協力地為藝聯慈善社奠定這麼好的基礎，真是「心田先祖種，福地後人耕」的最佳實例。

黃賢池(右)和黃家強是藝聯慈善社中少有的父子檔幹部。 (周菊子攝)

            鄭慧民直言，藝聯慈善社和大波士頓許多僑團一樣，都面對著原有成員老化，下一代很多人在各行各業已有成就，卻多半未參加父執輩所開創社團的傳承困境，他衷心希望藝聯慈善社社員們的下一代，以及像他自己一樣的中生代，能夠多出來參加活動，秉承前輩精神，服務華人僑社。

藝聯慈善社的早期會員們，右起陳廉、何木成、梁欽長。 (周菊子攝)

藝聯慈善社其實不只面對社員老化的問題，年逾80的中文書記陳廉，年逾90的元老何木成都說，這些年來，既有會員辭世，更有會員遷居他州，該會的確面對著會員人數越來越少的窘境。但是藝聯慈善社也是僑社中比較富裕的其中一個僑團，既擁有位於波士頓華埠哈佛街55號的一棟4層高樓宇自置物業，還有200多塊佛士曉墳場墓地。

             藝聯慈善社中的年輕一輩，目前有數年前接任主席的湯偉雄，春宴中當司儀的黃愛梅，做接待的翁偉健、張秀玲，元老黃賢池擔任英文書記的兒子黃家強，較為人知。 (更新版)

1978年左右來美，大約7年前加入的翁偉健 (左)是藝聯慈善社的新血之一。 這天招呼
洪門貴賓入場。 (周菊子攝)

張秀玲 (右)的父親當年也是藝聯慈善社社員，她自己卻也是最近這幾年才加入服務行列。
這天特地把母親邀到會場，和早年舊識重聚。 (周菊子攝)

藝聯慈善社春宴會場，嘉賓濟濟。 (周菊子攝)