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人生一定要有的八個朋友: 推手(Builder)、 支柱(Champion)、 同好(Collaborator)、 夥伴(Companion)、 中介(Connector)、 開心果(Energizer)、 開路者(Mind Opener)、 導師(Navigator)。 chutze@bostonorange.com ******************* All rights of articles and photos on this website are reserved.
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Chamber Achieves Goal of Board Gender Parity Two Years Before Deadline
Women on Chamber Board of Directors increased to 50%
The Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce today successfully achieved a significant goal as part of its continuing efforts to promote business community equity and inclusion. With its vote today adding three additional women to the Chamber Board, women now represent 50% of Directors.
Not only has board gender parity been achieved, but the Chamber has reached this goal two years early.
The Chamber’s journey to create a diverse Board began in 2017 when we established the first ever five-year diversity goals. After meeting those goals a year early, in 2021, the Chamber issued a call to action to the business community to commit to Board diversity with intention and action. And in 2021, the Chamber Board publicly committed to a new ambitious set of 5-year diversity goals for itself: a board that is 50% women and 37% people of color, including 17% Black, 10%
The Chamber’s immediate past Board Chair, Micho F. Spring, strategized and launched the new 5- year diversity goal plan and the broader call to action to the entire regional business community. During his term as Board Chair over the past fifteen months, current Chamber Chair and State Street CEO Ron O’Hanley has embraced and led the implementation efforts.
“This important milestone took diligence and a firm commitment by our Board to recruit new leaders. I hope this progress encourages our members to redouble their efforts to make Boston’s business community more inclusive, which is key to our future economic success,” said Micho F. Spring, former Board Chair, Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce.
“Our Board’s impact will be even stronger and more meaningful because of the diverse voices and life experiences that have joined us.” said James E. Rooney, President & CEO of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce. “I am grateful to our Board of Directors for their leadership and efforts to help us meet these goals, especially the Nominating and Governance Committee Co-Chairs, Yvonne Garcia of State Street and Paul Ayoub of Nutter, who as a former chair oversaw the effort in 2017 to create the first Chamber board diversity goals.
Asian Americans Advancing Justice Responds to District Court Ruling Against DACA
Congress Must Get Its Act Together and Pass Permanent Protections for Immigrant Youth
WASHINGTON, D.C. –
Yesterday evening, Judge Andrew Hanen of the Southern District of Texas ruled
against the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program in Texas v.
United States. As this court case goes through appeals, current DACA recipients
are still protected—with their status and ability to work still intact—and can
continue to renew their DACA.
Asian Americans
Advancing Justice, an affiliation of five independent civil rights
organizations, responds with the following statement:
“While expecting this ruling, Asian
Americans Advancing Justice is appalled by the relentless attacks on DACA and
the callousness shown for the lives and futures of DACA holders, immigrant
youth, and families across the country.
“For too long, hundreds of thousands
of people with DACA have been forced to live with uncertainty as the program
endures such attacks, while millions of other undocumented community members
without access to these protections are stuck in an unending limbo. This is a
direct result of Congressional inaction and failure to deliver permanent
protections for our communities.
“Of the 1.7 million undocumented Asian
Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States today, over 14,000 Asian
Americans and more than 150 Pacific Islander youth are currently protected by
DACA. If DACA were to end, these community members—who have long called the
United States home alongside millions of others—face the loss of their jobs and
ability to care for their families as well as the threat of deportation and
separation from their loved ones.
“But the fight is not over, and we
continue to call on our elected officials to ensure the safety and livelihoods
of our communities. While our moral compass should ultimately guide our
immigration policies, the significance of a permanent solution for DACA holders
and undocumented people on the economy, workforce, and fabric of America must
also be understood by our country’s leaders. Congress must act now before it is
too late.
“In the meantime, neither this order
nor the accompanying supplemental injunction requires the Department of
Homeland Security or the Department of Justice to take any immigration,
deportation, or criminal action against any DACA recipient, applicant, or any
other individual that would otherwise not be taken. DACA holders continue to
maintain their status and can continue to renew their DACA and work
authorization as this fight continues.”
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Governor Healey Joins Legislative Leadership to Celebrate Permanent Universal Free School Meals
Students, Faculty, Local Quincy Officials, and Community Advocates Emphasize Equity Impact of Universal Free Meals in Schools
QUINCY—Governor Maura T. Healey and Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll hosted a press conference this morning at Snug Harbor Elementary School in Quincy, Massachusetts to celebrate her administration delivering permanent universal free school meals for K-12 students in Massachusetts. The Governor was joined at the celebration by House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano, Chair Aaron Michlewitz, bill sponsors Representatives Tackey Chan and Bruce Ayers, and Erin McAleer, the President and CEO of Project Bread, all of whom highlighted the impact the program is expected to have in addressing hunger and advancing equity for students across the state.
“We’re making school lunch and breakfast free for all students permanently in Massachusetts,” said Governor Healey. “By delivering universal free meals, this administration is making clear that nothing is more important than ensuring our kids are fed, healthy, and ready to learn and play and grow.”
“Universal free school meals are an investment in childhood nutrition, ensuring each of our school-aged students has access to the healthy food they need to fuel their learning,” said Lieutenant Governor Driscoll. “This policy is also removing a source of stress from families and schools, lea
The fiscal 2024 budget that Governor Healey signed on August 9, 2023 delivered $172 million in permanent state funding to provide universal free school meals for K-12 students. This funding, paired with federal reimbursement for eligible meals, means that all students who attend schools that participate in the National School Lunch and Breakfast programs are entitled to one free lunch and breakfast each school day.
“During my 12 years as a teacher in the Quincy Public School System, I saw up-close just how important it is to ensure that a student’s ability to focus and ultimately succeed in the classroom is not affected by their family’s financial circumstances,” said House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano. “I’m incredibly proud that Massachusetts will be one of the first 8 states to permanently provide free school meals for all students, a vital initiative that furthers the Commonwealth’s role as a national leader in education. I want to thank Chairman Michlewitz and my colleagues in the House, as well as the Healey Administration, our partners in the Senate, and the folks at Project Bread for recognizing the critical nature of this program, and for working to make it a reality.”
“Making school meals free for students in Massachusetts will keep our young people focused on learning and provide financial relief for families who will save hundreds of dollars per student every year,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “It’s a proud moment for me—and for our entire Commonwealth—to know that our students and their families will have one less thing to think about before heading out the door for class every morning.”
“Our families, schools and communities are stronger when kids don’t have to worry about where their next meal is coming from and when school staff don’t have to worry about whether their students are hungry,” said Quincy Mayor Thomas Koch. “We are honored to welcome Governor Healey, Lieutenant Governor Driscoll and Speaker Mariano to Quincy today to celebrate this policy that will have widespread positive impacts for our city.”
“"Making school meals free for all is a historic victory for Massachusetts families and children. It will have a lasting impact on the health and wellbeing of an entire generation. We are so grateful to Governor Healey, the legislature and the thousands of advocates across the Commonwealth who took action for our kids. It is an incredible example of the change that we can make when we all come together around a common purpose,” said Erin McAleer, President and CEO of Project Bread.
Universal free meals began as a national program with federal funding during the pandemic, and Massachusetts continued it on a trial basis. With this year’s budget, the Healey-Driscoll Administration
“Food security is essential for learning, which is why the Healey-Driscoll administration has delivered $172 million for universal school lunch in our first budget,” said Secretary of Education Dr. Patrick Tutwiler. “It’s related to a hierarchy of need—students can’t be focus on their lessons in the classroom if they continue to be hungry. Aligned with our goals to stabilize, heal, and transform our education system, this funding will ensure that students can focus on their classes in school, instead of where their next meal is coming from.”
“Thank you to Governor Healey, Lieutenant Governor Driscoll, Speaker Mariano, and Chairman Michlewitz for the leadership in enacting this very important legislation for our students and families,” said Quincy Public Schools Superintendent Kevin Mulvey. “Since the inception of this universal meals program, Quincy Public Schools has seen a 25% increase in the number of meals served. The funding will help us improve the overall quality and freshness of our meals by expanding purchasing of food items grown locally”
The universal free school meals program will cover the cost of one lunch and breakfast including fruit, vegetables and whole grains, as per the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs. School cafeterias might also choose to offer “a la carte” items for a fee. These items might include milk (if purchased alone) or an extra slice of pizza, and students must pay for those. Students must also pay if they want a second lunch or breakfast on the same day. Students’ first complete breakfast and lunch each day is covered.
麻州州長Maura Healey。 (檔案照片,周菊子攝) |
凡是年滿16歲至21歲的麻州居民,都可申請加入這州長的青年顧問委員會。報名截止日期為10月14日。
奚莉州長表示,那些她曾經遇到過,讓自己的聲音被人聽見,在麻州所面對的最急切問題上,要求高層做得更多的年輕人,讓她深感鼓舞,覺得這些年輕人在決策桌上應有一席之位。她認為年輕人在對抗氣候、教育、心理健康、槍支暴力等問題中成長,對這些議題有獨特立場,更何況現今政府所訂的政策也對他們的未來影響最大。
奚莉州長鼓勵麻州各地年輕人申請參加這委員會,協助政府迎接時代,使麻州成為更可負擔,更有競爭力,對所有人都公平的州。
這委員會將包括每個郡 (county)至少1人,任期2年,將每季和正副州長見面一次。
麻州教育廳廳長Patrick
Tutwiler 認為年輕人都很想要加入這公民參與活動,親自試試會影響他們及同儕的政策制定。他很高興將有機會和委員會合作並提供支援。
查詢更多信息,可上網mass.gov/youthcouncil。
Governor Healey Signs Executive Order Establishing Youth Advisory Council
Applications available through October 14
BOSTON – Today, Governor Maura T. Healey signed Executive Order #617 establishing the Governor’s Youth Advisory Council to advise the Governor, Lieutenant Governor and the entire administration on critical issues impacting Massachusetts, such as civic engagement, education, the environment, housing, and youth violence.
Applications to join the Youth Advisory Council will be available through October 14 for Massachusetts residents aged 16-21.
“I’ve been so inspired by the young people I’ve met who have been making their voices heard and demanding more from their leaders on the most pressing issues facing Massachusetts. They deserve a seat at the table,” said Governor Healey. “Young people are uniquely positioned to advise us on policies related to climate, education, mental health, gun violence and more – because they’ve grown up confronting these issues and it’s their futures that will be most impacted by the decisions we make today. I encourage young people across Massachusetts to apply for the council and help us meet the moment to make Massachusetts more affordable, competitive and equitable for all.”
“This is a great opportunity to bring together the innovative
The Council will include at least one from each county. They will be appointed to two-year terms and will meet with Governor Healey and Lieutenant Governor Driscoll quarterly.
“The innovation and creativity of our Massachusetts youth are unmatched,” said Secretary of Education Patrick Tutwiler. “They’re all eager to be involved in civic engagement and have a hand at creating policies that will impact them and their peers. I am excited to work with and support this council to amplify the perspectives of our students and to conquer what matters most.”
Applications are due by 11:59 PM on October 14, 2023. For more information visit mass.gov/youthcouncil.