第22屆羅德島州龍舟賽破3項記錄 波士頓台灣龍舟隊奪冠軍

波士頓台灣龍舟隊奪得羅島州龍舟賽冠軍。 (周菊子攝)

波士頓台灣龍舟隊奪得羅島州龍舟賽冠軍，上台領取獎牌。 (周菊子攝)

               (Boston Orange 周菊子羅德島州報導) 第22屆羅德島州龍舟賽暨臺灣日打破3項紀錄，冠軍盃第一次由臺灣人組成的龍舟隊BTBC (波士頓臺灣龍舟隊) 捧走；第1次送出2張來回臺北機票；吃餃子比賽有19歲大學生一分鐘吃下41顆。

波士頓經文處處長廖朝宏(右)邀羅德島州州長Dan McKee (左)
品嘗台灣美食。 (周菊子攝)

決賽三隊在河上蓄勢待發。(周菊子攝)

             今年 (2023)的羅德島州龍舟賽暨臺灣日，仍然是羅德島州黑石谷旅遊協會主辦，Bob Billington主持。在25隊參賽隊伍中，有13隊來自羅德島州，9隊麻州，1隊賓州，1隊紐約州。

             波士頓臺灣龍舟隊以1分9秒16奪冠，贏得獎金1000元，以及2024年魁北克盃的參賽資格。華人青年會暴風雨隊 (Storm)以1分11秒落居第三，得獎金250元，以及2024Pocoos龍舟賽參賽資格。這2隊面對的比賽情況，有如去年翻轉。去年是波士頓臺灣龍舟隊的划船時間最快，但衝過終點線時，錯過了搶旗這步驟。今年則是暴風雨隊時間快，卻失旗，扣分3秒，於是跌至第三名，由Khmer Naga以1分10秒73得第二名，獎金500元，以及2024大西洋龍舟賽參賽資格。

             波士頓臺灣龍舟隊近期出賽，率創佳績，上個月才贏得了2024年到義大利參加龍舟賽的資格。

羅德島州州長Dan McKee (左)說他和J葉超、吳子平、ames Diossa等人
從臺灣把友誼之船帶回來。(周菊子攝)

             吃餃子比賽是羅德島州龍舟賽中，最受觀眾矚目的場邊活動之一。今年由於贊助獎品的航空公司繼中華之後，新增長榮，各出一張紐約到臺灣的來回機票做獎品，不但吸引了多達50人猜賽，還締造出1名大學生吃下41顆餃子的記錄。女子組也出現4人都吃下19顆餃子，得再比一場以分高下的出人意外狀況，讓主持餃子比賽，曾任克蘭斯頓 (Cranston)市市長的馮偉傑馬上叫停正在以折扣價出售的剩餘餃子，重擺擂臺。這4名女子接著一輪30秒內競比，最後由吃下9顆餃子的女子奪冠。

葉超(左)和羅德島州州長Dan McKee (中)、波士頓經文處
處長廖朝宏(右)握手言歡。 (周菊子攝)

             今年的到會嘉賓有羅德島州州長Dan McKee，副州長Sabina Matos，財政應廳長James Diossa，參議員Sandra Cano，眾議員Barbara Ann Fenton-Fung，普塔基市市長Donald R. Grebien，波士頓經文處處長廖朝宏，波士頓僑教中心主任潘昭榮，前克蘭斯頓市市長馮偉傑，哈囉臺灣的執行長江明信，副執行長楊承融等嘉賓出席。

             

葉超(右)、吳子坪(左)為新到任的波士頓經文處處長廖朝宏 (中)
和羅德島州眾議員 Barbara Ann Fenton-Fung (左二)和她丈夫，
前克蘭斯頓士士長馮偉傑(右二)。 (周菊子攝)

當龍舟賽在黑石谷河上競逐時，陸續趕到活動現場的民眾，有的看划龍舟比賽，有的欣賞中華民俗藝術工作坊在臺上的精采表演，遊逛波士頓經文處和工作坊家長，以及輔導老師呂宗禧所率領波士頓海外青年文化大使 (FASCA) 們擺出來的臺灣風土人情問答，剪紙、寫字等文化展示，粽子、茶葉蛋，鳳梨酥，珍珠奶茶等各色小吃攤位。

             羅德島州龍舟賽暨臺灣日的共同創辦人葉超及吳子平呼應羅德島州州長Dan McKee的致詞發言，指出這項活動既是文化交流，更是友誼連結，尤其是臺灣曾先後2次，在羅德島州組團拜訪後，各送給羅德島州6艘船。2019年那次還是和時任副州長的Dan McKee

波士頓僑教中心主任潘昭榮(左)和出席活動，宣揚台灣文化的波士頓
海外青年大使，以及導師呂宗禧(右一)。(周菊子攝)

一起去的。

             波士頓經文處處長廖朝宏坦言，他剛到任一個月，在轄區內第一次參加有成千上萬人出席的活動，居然是「臺灣日」活動，他十分感動。

羅德島州眾議員 Barbara Ann Fenton-Fung (右)和參議員Sandra Cano (左)
去年攜手促成羅德島州通過開設亞美歷史課程。 (周菊子攝)

吃餃子大賽是羅德島州龍舟賽每年最受歡迎的活動之一。(周菊子攝)

中華藝術工作坊表演舞蹈。 (周菊子攝)

中華民俗藝術工作坊的小朋友和大力支持他們的僑教中心
主任潘昭榮(左起)、吳子平合影。 (周菊子攝)

長榮航空公司主任張駿 (左一起)、課長何湘鈴和波士頓經文處
施維鈞副處長(右一)和吃餃子比賽冠軍。(周菊子攝)

吃餃子比賽時，臺下觀眾擠得滿滿的。(周菊子攝)

吃餃子比賽女生組冠軍。 (周菊子攝)

波士頓臺灣龍舟隊教練盧信瑋也到波士頓經文處攤位打卡，拍張「熊愛臺灣」照。(周菊子攝)

波士頓龍舟隊這次勇奪冠軍。 (周菊子攝)

慈濟基金會進哈佛辦證嚴上人研討會 奠立慈濟宗派基礎

慈濟基金會在哈佛大學舉辦「證嚴上人思想與實踐研討會」。 (周菊子攝)

             (Boston Orange 周菊子麻州報導) 慈濟基金會和哈佛大學文理學院麾下的CAMLab 合作，9月3、4兩日，在哈佛地理學大樓，舉辦「證嚴上人思想與實踐研討會」，邀得30餘學者，法親，從不同角度論述佛法，證嚴上人創立慈濟的用心、做法、影響力，以及其未來。

代表證嚴上人的德宸法師 (右起)，慈濟基金會執行長顏博文、哈佛大學亞洲藝術史
教授暨CAMLab創辦人汪悅進教授，副執行長何日生簽屬合作備忘錄。
(周菊子翻攝自會議視頻)

慈濟基金會執行長顏博文(左)、副執行長何日生(右)和哈佛大學
亞洲藝術史教授暨CAMLab創辦人汪悅進教授。 (周菊子攝)

             慈濟基金會和哈佛大學CAMLab還在9月3日第一天的會議結束時，簽署合作備忘錄，約定2026年，慈濟六十週年時，由CAMLab以其融合創意與學術研究的理念與實踐，製作全方位的多媒體沉浸式展覽，先在哈佛大學和慈濟臺灣總會舉辦首場展覽，再陸續到慈濟全球各地分會巡迴展出。

             慈濟慈善基金會副執行長暨學術委員會召集人何日生直言，這是共善學思會的第9屆會議，並是第一次以證嚴上人的思想與實踐為主要研討內容。他們希望藉著哈佛大學這個開放平台，能讓更多人認識證嚴上人，進行更深刻的宗教門派交流，討論慈濟與證嚴上人對於世界目前面對的各種問題，都有哪些解決方法，實際解決到甚麼程度，對全球還可以有些什麼貢獻，也探討證嚴上人和佛教的關係，其所繼承的佛教脈絡，逐步建立出更完整的慈濟理念與思想 論述，以奠定慈濟宗門的永續基礎。

             何日生表示，他相信慈濟人要做的就是維持原有的價值那種心靈狀態，不要過度官僚化，才能夠創新的為眾生，也就發揚了佛教原本的精神。

慈濟基金會波士頓聯絡處負責人長金滿(中)歡迎波士頓經文處
處長廖朝宏(左)，僑教中心主任潘昭榮(右)進會場。(周菊子攝)

             這場為期2日的會議由哈佛大學亞洲藝術史教授暨CAMLab創辦人汪悅進 (Eugene Wang)，慈濟基金會執行長顏博文，普林斯頓大學佛學研究教授Stephen Teiser，代表證嚴上人的德宸法師致詞開場，接著有證嚴上人的社會影響，從歷史來看證嚴上人，證嚴上人的哲學等主題的3場學術報告，以及佛教及跨宗教互動，慈濟的全球慈善事業座談討論。

第三場報告，主題是證嚴上人的哲學，由普林斯頓大學佛學研究教授
Stephen Teiser (右依)  主持。 (周菊子攝)

             第一場報告，主題是「證嚴上人的社會影響」，由加州大學聖地牙哥分校社會學榮休教授趙文詞 (Richard Madsen)主持。渥太華大學比較政治教授Andre Laliberte，維琴尼亞大學中國宗教副教授Natasha Heller做評議。

           哈佛大學費正清中國研究中心研究員李嘉倫 (Caroline Reeves)   申論Charity 和Philanthropy的區分，指Charity 是一種給予，針對短期危機，提供金錢等物品來解決問題的行為，而Philanthropy 則是一種投資，有長期使命，經過深思熟慮，要得到令人滿意結果的行為。她強調詞彙在理論上儘管抽象，但在經驗應用上卻意義深遠，因而用詞很重要。

慈濟基金會執行長顏博文闡述慈濟理念與行動。 (周菊子攝)

              Depaul大學人類學客座教授C. Julia Huang 談「魅力和同情心2.0」，申論慈濟從2005年開始重新整頓志工系統，講究琉璃同心圓，成立慈濟宗門，形成靜思法脈，然後在2015到2018年間有過反彈，再經歷組織轉型，訂定清修士制度，以印證法源，依止靜思，傳承法脈，恆立宗門。衍進到化身、報身、法身的新三身。

               慈濟大學國際事務院長 Elise Anne DeVido談「證嚴大師的” 我們時代的大哉教育”:吃素和拯救世界」。她以臺灣藝術家凌宛琪一幅插畫上寫著的全球每一秒有2556隻動物被殺害，每天有2億2千多萬生靈被宰，每年有806

慈濟基金會美國總會執行長曾慈慧 (Debra Boudreaux)闡述
慈濟心懷所有人的理念。 (周菊子攝)

億多動物送命來帶出素食的意義，地球狀態的反映人類精神，慈濟雖是佛教，但在對抗新冠病毒，注重環保上卻都依循科學，申論證嚴上人的大哉教育傳承著中國佛教關於動物與業力的持久傳統。她的研究目的是刻劃出慈濟如何在佛教，科學及國際發展這三種論述中遊走，並形成一個獨特的宇宙學。

                 倫敦大學宗教及哲學系中國佛教讀本教授 Stefania Travagnin談「她如是說: 證嚴大師的話有如新智言」。她闡述證嚴上人的開示，經臟演繹，以及佛法生活化，菩薩人間化的具有包容性，超越佛教的佛教。

德宸法師 (右二)籲請所有人做證嚴上人的分身。左起為慈濟基金會副執行長何日生，
哈佛CAMLab創辦人汪悅進教授，慈濟基金會執行長顏博文。 (周菊子攝)

  以「慈濟全球慈善事業」為主題的座談，由法鼓山文學院
佛教研究系主任鄧偉仁 (右依) 主持。 (周菊子攝)

第二場報告，主題是歷史背景中的證嚴上人。由倫敦大學宗教及哲學系中國佛教讀本教授 Stefania Travagnin主持，玄奘大學宗教文化研究所所長釋昭慧法師，北京大學佛學中心教授王頌做評議。

               中國人民大學佛教及宗教研究院及哲學系教授何建明談「現代人間佛教宗派觀的傳承與創新」，澳門理工大學講師桑海談「中國文化脈絡中的證嚴上人思想」，佛教慈濟大學宗教與人文研究所教授兼所長林建德談「印順導師與證嚴上人『菩薩觀』之初步對比」，玄奘大學宗教與文化學系教授侯坤宏談「臺灣佛教史上的證嚴法師」，慈濟大學宗教與人文研究所退休教授林安梧談「『慈濟思想』對念一世紀人類文明的啟示—以『大愛』為核心的展開」。

             第三場報告，主題是證嚴上人的哲學，由普林斯頓大學佛學研究教授Stephen Teiser主持，田納西州大學東亞宗教副教授Megan Bryson，邁阿密大學宗教研究副教授Justin Ritzinger做評議。

國立政治大學佛教哲學中心助理教授Pei-ying Lin談「證嚴法師在當代臺灣的菩薩道」，法鼓山文學院佛教研究系主任唐偉仁談「法華經和證嚴的慈濟使命」，慈濟大學宗教及人文學院副教授何日生談「證嚴法師的哲學及慈濟菩薩道 – 先人後己的菩薩道」。

             以「佛教與跨宗教互動」為主題的座談，由慈濟大學宗教及人文學院副教授何日生主持，有印尼DAAI電視執行長陳豐靈 (Tjhin Hong Lin) ， 馬來西亞李炳玄，慈濟基金會文史部主任賴睿伶(Lori Lai)各做簡報，威靈頓維多利亞大學宗教研究講師Lina Verchery，中佛羅里達大學宗教及文化研究副教授Ann Gleig，哈佛大學亞洲中心主任東亞語言及文明系教授羅伯松 (James Robso)n發表評議。

清修士是慈濟成立宗派後的新制度。這次會議共有3名清修士出席。 (周菊子攝)

             以「慈濟全球慈善事業」為主題的座談，由法鼓山文學院佛教研究系主任鄧偉仁主持，有慈濟基金會計畫及志工發展經理 Joe Huang，慈濟基金會執行長顏博文，慈濟基金會美國總會執行長曾慈慧 (Debra Boudreaux)各做簡報，UCSD榮休教室Richard Madsen，以及哈佛宗教學院助理院長桑福德(Monica Sanford)做評議。

             曾於大約10年前以證嚴上人及慈濟基金會做個案研究，哈佛大學商學院及甘迺迪政府學院的公共管理教授Herman Leonard也分享了他對證嚴上人及慈濟基金會面對危機，卻能在不確定狀態中有效率發揮領導力的研究。

慈濟基金會從1991年起從事國際賑災活動。

               這場會議還有靜思精舍3名清修士，黃晟祐 (思浩)，陳祖淞 (思擔)，潘翠微 (靜涵)，紐約分會蘇煜升、以及長金滿率波士頓分會所有慈濟人，包括金花師姊和蕭蕙菁操辦素食餐點的全力支援。

             慈濟基金會在網路上公佈了2日會議的視頻，網址分別為https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psRoUsSnYjs，以及https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKEAKKCJInE。https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7CMF5q9Liw    (更新版)

俄烏戰爭爆發後，慈濟前往波蘭馳援難民。

哈佛大學費正清中國研究中心研究員李嘉倫 (Caroline Reeves)   申論
Charity 和Philanthropy的區分。 (周菊子攝)

哈佛大學商學院及甘迺迪政府學院的公共管理教授Herman Leonard
早在10年前就以慈濟為領導力個案做研究。 (周菊子攝)

德宸法師致詞。 (周菊子攝)

慈濟基金會執行長顏博文(右)，副執行長何日生(左)送紀念品
給哈佛教授汪悅進 (中)。(周菊子攝)

一華裔昆士市居民涉嫌銀行票據詐欺9/7被捕

               (Boston Orange 編譯) 1名昆士市華裔居民於9月7日早上被捕，波士頓聯邦調查局指他涉及總額超過100萬元，共114張假支票的銀行詐欺案。

              41歲的昆士市居民張惠 (譯音， Hui Zhang) 被控1宗銀行詐欺罪。

              警方稱，從2020年6月起至大約2022年5月，張惠以假身分開設甲銀行帳號，以大約114張偽造支票，存入100多萬元，然後透過提款機從這些照護堤娶了成千上萬元。

              據說張惠被認出來，一部分原因是提款機監控錄影上，看得到他左手上的紋身。據說張惠使用他開設假銀行帳戶的同一個網路地址 (IP address) 來存假支票。

              銀行詐欺罪可判入獄30年，5年監管釋放，以及罰款最高100萬元，或者毛收入的2倍。

              判刑由聯邦政府地區法官根據美國量刑指南，以及犯罪案件判例來決定。

              代理美國檢察官Joshua S. Levy和波士頓聯邦調查局主管Jodi Cohen於9月7日宣佈了這一逮捕結果。刑事犯罪組主管，美國助理檢察官William F. Abely，起訴此案。

判刑準則裁決

              警方表示，在未定罪前，將假設嫌犯為無罪。

大波士頓商會促請麻州議會改革稅法

Legislators Must Pass Tax Reform Quickly to Strengthen the Commonwealth’s Quality of Life and Economy

Massachusetts Chambers Policy Network Urges the Legislature to agree on tax reform legislation that includes important policies for businesses and residents 

The Massachusetts Chambers Policy Network urges the Commonwealth’s legislators to finalize tax relief, ensuring that businesses and employees are recognized as pillars of a strong economy. 

Small businesses, large employers, and residents support essential tax reforms that will improve Massachusetts’s competitiveness and help retain local talent. As the House and Senate conference committee continues to negotiate, 9 Chambers of Commerce from across the state urge the Legislature to pass a bill that includes important policy reforms for individuals and businesses. 

A strong economy is important for the present and future of every community, downtown, and economic hub in Massachusetts. Outlier tax policies that drive employers and workers out of state are threats to a vibrant economy. We are already seeing the results: between April 2020 through July 2022, 110,000 people moved from Massachusetts to other states. Several tax policies subject to conference negotiations address outlier policies that position Massachusetts as uncompetitive, including the estate tax, short-term capital gains, and single sales factor apportionment. These reforms are essential to ensure employees and employers view Massachusetts as a desirable place to live, work, and do business. 

The Estate Tax

Massachusetts is one of only 12 states that impose an estate tax. The Commonwealth also has the lowest exemption in the country along with Oregon, currently set at $1 million. Additionally, the Commonwealth applies the tax to the full value of the estate once the valuation threshold is triggered. 

Reforms that increase the exemption and eliminate the “cliff effect” are critical to retaining talent and supporting small businesses. Family businesses in particular already face significant challenges when a founding family member passes away, resulting in the closure of the business in nearly half of such circumstances.  When the value of a family or small business exceeds the $1 million estate tax threshold, families are faced with difficult choices about whether they can afford to continue operating or are forced to sell or close the business rather than pay the assessed tax. Raising the exemption threshold to $2 million and applying the tax only to the value above that threshold will create a less punitive tax structure and ensure more small businesses stay open and continue to operate through generations. 

Short-Term Capital Gains

Massachusetts has the 2nd highest short-term capital gains rate in the nation. The federal government and many states treat short-term capital gains as ordinary income. Phasing in a more competitive tax rate for this outlier tax policy improves our competitiveness and helps retain jobs in Massachusetts. 

Single Sales Factor Apportionment

A large majority of states now use the single sales factor when apportioning taxable income for multi-state businesses, making Massachusetts a clear outlier. The state’s current apportionment system penalizes employers that choose to establish large operations or a headquarters in the state and employ Massachusetts residents. Adopting a version of single sales factor apportionment that eliminates this penalty to in-state businesses and conforms to most of the nation will help keep our local employers here while removing a disincentive to locate in Massachusetts. Single sales factor is not a new concept for the Commonwealth; this method of apportionment already applies to the manufacturing, defense, and qualifying financial services industries. While not every employer benefits from this policy change, a nuanced legislative compromise adopting single sales factor apportionment can balance the impacts on various industries while ensuring a level playing field for our businesses.  We encourage the conferees to adopt a thoughtful approach towards this tax policy. 

Housing and Family Tax Deductions and Credits

Massachusetts has record-setting housing costs in the country and very low housing stock, and several reforms proposed by either the House or Senate will encourage residents to stay in Massachusetts, including increasing rental deduction, the child and dependent tax credit, and the earned income tax credit. Each of these measures will provide relief to individual taxpayers. 

Importantly, the combined impact of all of these proposals would be well within the means of the state budget and will favorably promote more economic growth and future state revenue. Massachusetts experienced explosive growth in revenue in recent years. Between FY 2019 and FY 2024, state budget spending increased by $14 billion from $42 billion to $56 billion, a 33% increase. In comparison, the impact of the first year of the tax relief package is less than $600 million for both packages. With record reserves, these tax reforms are well within the Commonwealth’s ability to pursue without significant impacts on the overall budget. It will send a strong signal to workers and businesses that Massachusetts prioritizes the economy and business climate. 

“As Presidents of Chambers of Commerce, we continue to hear from employees and employers that other states are trying to incentivize them to leave Massachusetts with competitive tax policies. We must ensure a successful economic future for the people of Massachusetts. Strategic tax reform will remove the Commonwealth as an outlier while encouraging people – and their skills and businesses – to stay and grow in the region,” said James E. Rooney, President and CEO of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce. 

“The business community in the north of Boston region urges legislators to approve a tax relief package that improves the Commonwealth’s competitiveness. The state must provide employers and employees with affordable means to stay in the state, while encouraging new growth for our economic viability. Comprehensive tax relief is a must for the health of our state, region and its employers,” said Karen E. Andreas, President and Chief Executive Officer, North Shore Chamber of Commerce. 

“Comprehensive tax relief is essential to the health of our South Coast businesses. The burden of the current tax structure, along with other mandates that have added cost to our businesses, creates a powerful disincentive to starting or growing a business in the Commonwealth. We strongly urge the administration and the legislature adopt a substantial tax relief package that will provide our businesses a more level playing field and a greater ability to retain their employees and grow to provide more good jobs for our residents,” said Mike O’Sullivan, CEO of One SouthCoast Chamber. 

“Two governors and both legislative chambers have twice voiced support for tax reforms designed to make Massachusetts more affordable, equitable and competitive. We need Beacon Hill to act with urgency and finally advance a package that aims to keep other states from stealing our workers and our companies and provides relief to parents, renters, seniors and our small business owners,” said Greg Reibman, President, Charles River Regional Chamber.

麻州長Healey要求國土安全局為移民更改申請工作證流程

 Governor Healey Requests Changes to Work Authorization Process for Migrants    

BOSTON – Governor Maura T. Healey sent a letter to U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas outlining her administration’s specific requests for changes to the work authorization process to allow migrants to secure work faster and relieve pressure on the emergency shelter system in Massachusetts.  

“Massachusetts has stepped up to address what has been a federal crisis of inaction many years in the making. Communities, service providers, and our National Guard are going above and beyond to ensure that families arriving in Massachusetts have a safe place to sleep and their basic needs met,” said Governor Healey. “We are grateful to Secretary Mayorkas and his team for meeting with us to hear about the emergency we are facing and the help we need from our federal government. This letter memorializes our requests for additional federal funding and changes to the work authorization process that would support families, reduce the burden on our shelter system, and help us address our state’s workforce needs.” 

“Massachusetts is facing twin crises that aren’t unique to our state – we have rapidly rising numbers of migrant families arriving here who want to work but can’t get their work authorizations, and we are facing severe workforce shortages in all industries,” said Lieutenant Governor Driscoll. “We have the opportunity to not only address both of these issues, but also to grow our economy and strengthen our communities in the long run. We are hopeful that the federal government will take these requests into serious consideration.” 

Last month, Governor Healey declared a state of emergency in Massachusetts due to rapidly rising numbers of migrant families arriving in Massachusetts, requiring the state’s shelter system to expand in an unsustainable manner. There are currently more than 6,200 families with children and pregnant women in emergency shelter, many of whom are migrants. Governor Healey also recently activated up to 250 members of the National Guard to provide services at emergency shelter hotels. 

In declaring the emergency, Governor Healey appealed directly to the federal government to streamline the work authorization process to help many of these migrants obtain work that will help them support their families and eventually move out of emergency shelter. Two weeks ago, Governor Healey met with Secretary Mayorkas and his team at the Massachusetts State House to discuss these goals. This letter memorializes the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s specific requests for the federal government to address this emergency, which include regulatory and guidance changes, as well as logistical and technological improvements. The letter also reiterates the administration’s request for additional federal funding to support shelter and human services, and the need for that funding to be distributed equitably among states based on the pressure facing their systems and finances. 

The requested regulatory changes include an immediate shift in how DHS interprets the statutory rules for authorizing migrants to work, allowing them to quickly and immediately apply for work authorization when the law allows it, rather than forcing them to wait for long and bureaucratic processing procedures that could take months. In addition, the letter urges DHS to dramatically accelerate its digitization of the immigration process and to build better connectivity between the information collected by U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. This includes improved access to online forms with direct language translations and user-friendly guides, more efficient creation of work authorization cards, and more streamlined application procedures to help speed up the process.  

波士頓公圖館9月放映恢復月紀錄片

CITY OF BOSTON ANNOUNCES RECOVERY MONTH DOCUMENTARY FILM SERIES September is National Recovery Month; Film series at Boston Public Library Central Library in Copley Square will be presented in partnership with RIZE Massachusetts Foundation and Brendan Little Strategies

BOSTON - Friday, September 8, 2023 - In celebration of National Recovery Month during the month of September, the City of Boston today announced the Recovery Month Documentary Film Series. Three documentary feature films will be screened at the Boston Public Library’s Central Library in Copley Square throughout the month of September. Each film will be paired with a post-screening panel discussion composed of local and national experts. This film series is sponsored by RIZE Massachusetts Foundation and was organized by the City of Boston’s Office of Arts and Culture, Office of Recovery Services, Boston Public Library, and Brendan Little Strategies LLC.    All films will screen in the Central Library’s Rabb Hall and will be free and open to the public. The films in this series explore the complexities of substance use in North America, at personal and community levels and how they deeply impact and shape our society. The Recovery Month Documentary Film Series explores urgently relevant topics, such as supervised injection sites, racial disparities in the war on drugs, and deceptive opioid marketing and overprescribing.   “Film is a powerful and accessible way to kick off National Recovery Month and educate Bostonians on the nuance and strength it takes to overcome substance use disorder,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “I’m thankful to the RIZE Massachusetts Foundation, Brendan Little Strategies, BPHC, BPL and our City offices for their partnership in delivering this valuable series to our communities.”   Panelists for the post-screening discussions include filmmakers, local elected and appointed officials, frontline substance use disorder professionals, and people with lived experience with substance use and recovery. All panel discussions will be moderated by Brendan Little, a consultant, writer, and documentary filmmaker. Little formerly served as the founding Policy Director for the City of Boston’s Office of Recovery Services and is a person with lived experience with substance use disorder and homelessness.    “I am honored to help organize this extraordinary film series and moderate discussions with experts in substance use and recovery,” said Brendan Little. “Documentary film is an incredible tool in opening minds and shining light on misconceptions. I hope this film series will promote empathy and allow people to challenge their preconceived notions of substance use disorder.” The films, dates, location, and panelists in the film series are:   Love in the Time of Fentanyl (Directed by Colin Askey)  Wednesday, September 13th at 5pm Rabb Hall, Boston Public Library  700 Boylston Street Panel Discussion Moderated by Brendan Little with:    •  Colin Askey - Director/Editor/Producer, Love In The Time of Fentanyl •  Jim Duffy - Co-Founder & Director, Smoke Works •  Tehya Johnson - Nurse Practitioner, Boston Health Care for The Homeless Program •  Dr. Bisola Ojikutu - Executive Director, Boston Public Health Commission   Crack: Cocaine, Corruption & Conspiracy (Directed by Stanley Nelson Jr.) Wednesday, September 20th at 5pm Rabb Hall, Boston Public Library  700 Boylston Street Panel Discussion Moderated by Brendan Little with:   •  Tania Fernandes Anderson - Boston City Councilor, District 7 •  Byron Rushing - Former MA State Representative •  Ruth Rollins - Founder, We Are Better Together Warren Daniel Hairston Project •  Berto Sanchez - Director of Policy and Equity, Bureau of Recovery Services, Boston Public Health Commission   All the Beauty and the Bloodshed (Directed by Laura Poitras) Saturday, September 30th at 1:00pm Rabb Hall, Boston Public Library  700 Boylston Street   Panel Discussion Moderated by Brendan Little with:   •  Mario Chaparro - Program Director of Caspar Men’s Residence, Bay Cove  •  Tania Del Rio - Senior Advisor, Coordinated Response Team, City of Boston •  Joanne Peterson - Founder and Executive Director, Learn to Cope, Inc. •  Mike S. Quinn - Partner, Eisenberg & Baum, LLP, New York; founding member of Nan Goldin’s P.A.I.N. (Prescription Addiction Intervention Now) All films in this series are widely acclaimed and have won numerous awards at film festivals around the world. All the Beauty and the Bloodshed was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature in 2022.    RIZE Massachusetts Foundation, a public-private partnership solely dedicated to funding solutions to end the overdose crisis, is the lead sponsor for this film series.   “We are thrilled to be a part of the Recovery Month Documentary Film Series in collaboration with the City of Boston, Boston Public Library, and Brendan Little to recognize National Recovery Month and raise awareness about the overdose crisis,” said Julie Burns, President and CEO of RIZE Massachusetts Foundation. “We hope this film series will educate the public about substance use disorder and recovery while inspiring discussion and breaking down the stigma associated with addiction.”   For several years, the City of Boston’s Office of Recovery Services, Office Arts and Culture, and Boston Public Library have collaborated to promote innovative programming celebrating National Recovery Month. Past years have included citywide read programming and author events. The Recovery Month Documentary Film Series is the first of its kind in Boston.   “Substance use disorder is not simple. There’s no single story that captures the many sources or answers, or the individual journeys at the center,” said Jen Tracey, Director of the Office of Recovery Services for the Boston Public Health Commission. “Ongoing education is vital, and the Recovery Month film series demonstrates what we can achieve when public and private sectors unite over a shared cause.”   “This film series will highlight the pivotal role that filmmaking can play in understanding substance use and recovery,” said Kara Elliott-Ortega, Chief of Arts & Culture. “The opportunity to view these films in community with others and to engage in dialogue through the panels is a wonderful example of how the arts expand our ability to understand and engage with issues facing our communities.”   “Promoting public dialogue about critical issues impacting our patrons is at the core of the BPL’s mission,” said BPL President David Leonard. “Hosting this film festival is an important step in combating addiction stigma and surfacing important conversations about substance use disorder. We are grateful for the work of the Office of Recovery Services and Office of Arts and Culture and are committed to continuing our partnership with all the agencies working across the city of Boston to address this crisis.”