紐英崙至孝篤親公所慶100週年紀念陳毓禮

紐英崙至孝篤親公所一舉三得，慶祝成立一百週年，召開會員大會，慶祝中秋節。 (周菊子攝)

波士頓市長吳弭(左三)邀政要同仁一起頒發表揚狀給紐英崙至孝篤親公所。
左起，波士頓市議員Ruthzee Louijeune，麻州眾議員Aaron Michlewitz，GHOT 
主席陳文珊，北美洲舜裔篤親公所總理陳建立，波士頓市議會議長Ed Flynn，
GHOT副主席陳鐵堅。 (周菊子攝)

               (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導) 紐英崙至孝篤親公所 (GHOT) 10月22日在帝苑大酒樓慶祝成立100週年及中秋節，有600多名宗親與政要出席同歡。會末宗親獻歌，司儀陳廣漢父子把YMCA改成GHOT的同台合唱，不只把歡樂氣氛帶到最高潮，更彰顯了姓氏公所重視的家族傳承。

              這晚，至孝篤親宗親們既歡喜追憶公所走過了100年，照慣例的慶祝中秋節，舉行會員大會，也為公所重量級宗親，91歲的陳毓禮甫餘10月9日辭世，感到淡淡哀傷。

波士頓市議員Ruthzee Louijeune (左一)和波士頓市議會議長Ed Flynn
頒發表揚狀。GHOT主席陳文珊 (左二起)、副主席陳鐵堅、北美舜裔總理陳建立。
(周菊子攝)

              波士頓市長吳弭致詞時就說，這晚不僅只是慶祝一個在華埠，波士頓，甚至整個紐英崙都那麼重要社團的成立週年，更是她和很多人所期待的，在次日(23日)至下週二的正式喪禮前，一個慶祝法蘭克叔叔 (陳毓禮)的傍晚，懷抱著對他的記憶，誌記這位波士頓華埠社區最偉大的人之一。吳弭市長還要求所有在場人士為法蘭克叔叔默哀一下。

嘉賓與主辦單位接受祥獅獻瑞。(周菊子攝)

              吳弭市長接著以國語說了一句，謝謝大家。她笑說至孝篤親公所很少會有這麼安靜的時刻，因為有那麼多的宗親，朋友，她來到波士頓後，也是在至孝篤親公所，找到了第一個像家一樣的地方。

陳廣漢父子在台上合唱，把YMCA這首歌改成GHOT,
全場大嗨。 (周菊子攝)

              司儀陳廣漢也分享了點他個人和陳毓璇、陳毓禮的交往經過。他透露當年是在陳毓璇鼓勵下，他才同意出任公所英文書記。陳毓禮喜歡打電話，可是每次都很簡潔，事情交代完，馬上掛電話，有時掛得他有點不知所措。他說，不過這晚，相信陳毓禮和GHOT許多其他宗親一樣，在天上看著，希望大家這晚開開心心，一起慶祝宗親前輩們的貢獻與成就，”所以這晚是慶祝的夜晚，大家飲杯 (廣東話，大家喝一杯)”。

波士頓經文處處長廖朝宏致詞。(周菊子攝)

              至孝篤親公所主席陳文珊是年輕一輩加入公所服務的代表，這晚以英文致詞。她說100年是個里程碑，她為自己是這個組織的一部分感到驕傲。前輩宗親們非常努力為公所的成長鋪路，沒有他們，GHOT不會有今日。後人們在未來的100年都還記得他們的貢獻。她強調自己尤其想念法蘭克叔叔曾經教導她，要以誠實、正直來管理公所的組織與人事。將來，GHOT會繼續充分利用其優勢，包括財務與物業上的力量，來為宗親及社區服務，興旺華埠的經濟環境。她指出，陳毓禮16年前就為GHOT成立了大學院校獎學金，這晚她看到有不少曾經獲得獎學金者和家人一起出席這百年慶晚宴，希望將來時機到後，這些年輕人會加入公所，一起為社區服務。

波士頓安良工商會送出一幅書法"光前裕後"，獻上祝福。
(周菊子攝)

              麻州眾議會財政委員會主席麥家威 (Aaron Michlewitz) 指出，同心協力為社區服務是保存、強化文化傳承的重要基礎。這是他以GHOT為榮的地方，也為自己能和GHOT合作感到驕傲。他說，陳毓禮可能會為大家在慶祝GHOT的100週年時也慶祝他一生的成就，但是陳毓禮是這麼重要的一個人，大家當然必須這麼做。他也特地感謝陳氏家族為社區所做的一切。

紐英崙至孝篤親公所的百歲人瑞阮陳金鳳是陳裕禮的大姊，這天子女全都各州趕來，
一起慶祝。左起，阮立文，阮坤慈，阮陳金鳳，阮立彬，阮立武。
(周菊子攝)

              本身是GHOT ”姑爺” 的紐英崙中華公所主席雷國輝指出，中華公所和GHOT “風雨同路” 100年，都成立於1923年。GHOT也是中華公所的創會會員之一，一直以來人才輩出，為中華公所做過許多事，例如現在的中華公所大樓，就是經由陳毓璇和陳毓禮等多名宗親努力，和當年的波士頓市長Kevin White嗟商，以1元取得。陳毓禮更是以身作則的推動選民登記，才使得華埠的聲音在波士頓市府、麻州政府，也能被聽見，可以說華人社區民眾都是受益者。他要代表中華公所向紐英崙至孝篤親公所致上萬二分謝意、敬意。

紐英崙至孝篤親公所在慶祝百年大會中，也向甫辭世的陳毓禮致敬。
(周菊子攝)

              北美洲舜裔篤親公所總理陳建立簡述了紐英崙至孝篤親公所由陳、胡、袁三姓組成，100年來遵循帝舜的教訓，守望相助，支持公益。起初是代表陳姓家族的陳穎川堂在泰勒街(Tyler) 27號於1922年成立，接著1923年才在夏利臣街 (Harrison) 38號成立至孝篤親公所，並在政府登記立案。後來因應擴充需要，搬到夏利臣街72號2樓。1925年時，GHOT買下夏利臣街199號，1960年賣掉199號，買下77號，大規模改建後，1964年9月20日開幕。這些年來，除了服務宗親外，也支持社區公益，參與或舉辦許多活動。

吳弭市長請出席者一起為陳毓禮默哀一下。 (周菊子攝)

              GHOT副主席陳鐵堅向宗親們報告，今年GHOT迎接兔年，承辦了第16屆懇親大會，8月時舉行為期一週活動，頒發獎學金給15名即將升讀大學的學生等。

至孝篤親公所主席陳文珊(左二)、鄺劍峰夫婦和波士頓市聯邦是物主任Sam Hyun
都支持吳弭市長愛將 Henry Santanna參選不分區市議員。 (周菊子攝)

              由於陳毓禮和波士頓市長吳弭、麻州眾議會財政委員會主席麥家威都有深厚的私人關係，而且這關係也傳承給了GHOT的下一代，這晚的GHOT一百週年慶，眾多政要出席，在駐波士頓經文處處長廖朝宏，波士頓僑教中心主任潘昭榮之外，波士頓市府更是大規模動員，包括波士頓警察局局長Michael Cox，副局長陳孔恩，消防局副局長黃瑞瑜，聯邦事務主任Sam Hyun，波士頓市議會議長愛德華費連 (Ed Flynn)，市議員Ruthzee Louijeune，Erin Muphy等人。

吳弭市長公開支持參選波士頓市不分區市議員的Henry Sanata後來也趕到會場拜票。

至孝篤親公所宗親陳余寶愛 (右三)、陳韓幼文(右二)
等宗親幹部，為了公所的活動，全都十分投入。(周菊子攝)

波士頓安良工商會當晚由梅宇國代表，送了一幅「光前裕後」的書法，祝福紐英崙至孝篤親公所。

WanaBana 袋裝蘋果肉桂泥含鉛量過高 廠商已同意回收

             (Boston Orange 編譯) 波士頓市公共衛生局 (BPHC) 今 (2) 日發出公共衛生警告，提醒民眾，袋裝WanaBana蘋果肉桂泥含鉛濃度過高，食用有危險。

            北卡羅萊納州 (North Carolina) 農業及消費者服務部調查4宗兒童血液含鉛濃度過高案件時，發現源頭是袋裝蘋果肉桂泥。

            經測試，該產品所含鉛濃度可導致嚴重毒性。聯邦食品藥品行政管理局 (FDA) 已檢視該一分析，並支持這結論。FDA也已發出公共衛生警告，忠告父母，照顧者不要買袋裝蘋果肉過泥給嬰兒或小朋友吃，以免暴露於濃度過高的鉛元素中。生產商已同意自願回收所有的袋裝WanaBana蘋果肉貴泥，但要下架所有的袋裝品果肉桂泥，需要一點時間。

            在麻州，凡是住在波士頓等高危險社區的9至12個月大嬰兒，或2至4歲兒童，都必須做鉛測試。家有6歲以下孩童的父母，應和小孩的小兒科醫生洽談，以確保子女做了例行的血液含鉛量檢測，以及早發現並處理血液中含鉛情況。

            查詢相關情況可上網boston.gov/bphc-leadpoisoning，或撥打BPHC 電話， 617-534-5965，發電郵到leadpoisoning@bphc.org。

MAYOR WU ANNOUNCES NEXT STEPS TO ENHANCE COASTAL RESILIENCE IN EAST BOSTON

MAYOR WU ANNOUNCES NEXT STEPS TO ENHANCE COASTAL RESILIENCE IN EAST BOSTON

The City will launch the first coastal resilience project that will span multiple private properties to protect the East Boston community from current and future flooding

BOSTON - Thursday, November 2, 2023 - Today, Mayor Wu announced that the City of Boston is seeking proposals to build climate resilience for the central Border Street waterfront in East Boston. Under this procurement, the City will award up to $1.5 million for technical services, facilitation, and engagement support for this project. Identified as a critical flood risk area in Coastal Resilience Solutions for East Boston (Phase I), this is the first Climate Ready Boston project to advance the design of a district-scale coastal resilience strategy solely on private property. The City released a Request for Proposals (RFP) on Monday, October 30 to design coastal resilience strategies on a near-term flood pathway to protect residents in an environmental justice community. 

Through this process, the City seeks technical services to complete engineering assessments and site investigations, landscape design, and permitting as well as facilitation support to work with the property owners, the East Boston community, and state agencies. The City aims to develop coastal resilience strategies that reflect the needs of diverse stakeholders and community members by facilitating a process that provides long-term flood risk reduction, allows property owners to incorporate specific site needs, and reflects the community’s priorities for open space and waterfront access.

 “It is critical that we equip East Boston with climate-resilient infrastructure to ensure that generations of residents can thrive in the neighborhood without being harmed by coastal flooding and its effects,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “I’m excited to release this request for proposals and work toward our mission to protect East Bostonians from the harms of climate change through coastal resilient development and supports.”

The focus area will extend from approximately 40 New Street/60 Border Street to the Mario Umana School, involving private properties between Border Street and the water. The entire project area and its surroundings fall within state-designated environmental justice block groups. When this area floods, surrounding residences, businesses, and critical infrastructure, such as the MBTA Blue Line, are at risk.

“The City of Boston is committed to prioritizing the flood risks in our coastal neighborhoods,” said Reverend Mariama White-Hammond, Chief of Environment, Energy and Open Space. “Residents in East Boston bear a disproportionate burden of climate impacts in our City. The core of our coastal resilience work on Border Street will focus on protecting our residents from the danger of flooding.”

Design work will focus predominantly on the water's edge and complete a range of design concepts that could successfully protect the area from flooding while holistically reflecting the needs and desires of the East Boston community. The design process will explore opportunities for coastal resilience infrastructure that reduces flood risk while working within the Designated Port Area boundary that spans the majority of the project area. With the combination of green infrastructure, such as trees, bioretention features, and porous paving, and gray infrastructure, such as elevated structures and seawalls, the City aims to deliver multiple benefits to the East Boston community. These benefits include improving stormwater management, reducing the urban heat island effect, and enhancing connectivity along and access to the East Boston waterfront.

“District One is the perfect spot to launch this initiative dedicated to funding for coastal resilience, recognizing the sheer amount of coastline to protect right here,” said City Councilor Gabriela Coletta. “East Boston is uniquely vulnerable to coastal flooding and this initiative is vital to protecting residents in the Maverick Central area. Boston’s coastline is vital to our culture and economy and we must engage in district-wide coastal resilience because the climate crisis is real, it’s here now, and we need action.”

“This initiative is going to protect not just a few parcels of land along the water, but whole areas of the nearby neighborhood – from Maverick Landing to Atlantic Works – from flooding in the near future,” said Sal Colombo, Deputy Director of East Boston Community Development Corporation. “We could not be more excited that Mayor Wu and her administration are prioritizing this type of resiliency work in East Boston, where we are facing the threats of climate change every day.”

This work builds on Mayor Wu’s Green New Deal and the City’s priority of creating resilient and thriving communities. Last month, the City of Boston was awarded a Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) grant of $330,500 to advance the design of coastal resilience strategies extending along Bennington Street in East Boston and Frederick's Park in Revere. The City of Boston has also completed coastal resilience plans for Boston’s 47-mile coastline, including neighborhood-level studies in East Boston, Charlestown, Downtown/North End, Dorchester, and South Boston. Additionally, Climate Ready Boston released the 2022 Heat Plan that outlines 28 strategies to address the effects of heat on Boston’s environmental justice neighborhoods.

波士頓市一連第2日第2日率眾說明清理美沙酮英里概況 (市府視頻)

 

麻州政府提案把麻州復健局改名為麻州能力局

(Boston Orange 編譯) 麻州政府今 (1) 日遞出法案，要把麻州復健局 (MRC)改名為麻州能力局 (MassAbility)，以更恰當形容該局的角色是要幫助殘障人士重新獲得獨立自理生活能力。

提議改名是該局為施展殘障服務及獨立生活而持續擴大服務的一部分。

麻州政府經由大量研究，焦點小組，調查，和殘障社區級企業，共應商級支持組織對話而挑選出來的。藉由這一提案，麻州加入全國遠離”復健”一詞，並使用以殘障人士的技能及優勢為主要詞彙的趨勢。

麻州州長奚莉 (Maura Healey)、副州長Kim Driscoll，健康及人民服務廳廳長 Kate Walsh，以及MRC局長Toni Wolf等人都支持這一改名方案，強調麻州致力讓所有人都得到公平、公正，受尊重，無歧視標籤的對待。

麻州政府並列出波士頓殘障局局長Kristen McCosh，可行性 (Viability)董事長兼執行長Colleen Holmes，生活及工作中心執行長Meg Coffin，家庭包容大使Roxi Harvey、Kristen Flynn、Liz Topaz、Gillan Wang，殘障包容領袖George Farrington、Destiny Maxam、Jaemily Torres等人。

 

Governor Healey Files Legislation to Change Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission’s Name to ‘MassAbility’ 

 

BOSTON – Today, the Healey-Driscoll Administration filed legislation to rename the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC) to MassAbility to better represent the agency’s role in helping those with disabilities gain autonomy and independence. The proposed name change is part of the office’s ongoing efforts to expand its reach and usher in a new, more expansive model for disability employment services and independent living.  

 

The name was selected following significant research, focus groups, surveys, and conversations with the disability community, businesses, providers, and advocacy organizations. With this proposal, Massachusetts joins a national trend moving away from the term “rehabilitation,” and instead uses terminology that centers the skills and strengths of people with disabilities.  

 

“The name ‘MassAbility’ centers the strengths and capabilities of the community we serve, and it more fully captures the range of services that the agency offers. We are proposing this change to reduce stigma for the disability community and to help ensure that no one is left behind as we pursue a strong economy for everyone in this post-pandemic era,” said Governor Healey. “Our administration is grateful for the stakeholders who engaged with us during this process, and we look forward to working with our legislative partners to make it official.” 

 

“In renaming MRC to MassAbility, we are recognizing that everyone, regardless of disability, deserves to be able to live life on their own terms without barriers in the way,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “The name broadens the prospective on what this agency does, and why it matters, in a way that engages and excites participants, jobseekers with disabilities, team members, partners, and advocates across the state.” 

 

“The new name MassAbility reflects our agency’s mandate to promote pride and self-determination, rights and equal access,” said Secretary of Health and Human Services Kate Walsh. “This evolution of their name mirrors the progress of the disability rights movement. What began as demands by veterans with disabilities for rehabilitation and vocational training became a worldwide movement to break down barriers to self-determination for all people with disabilities – not just in the workplace, but in every aspect of life.” 

 

“We want people to see the true agency today and where we are headed in the future - progressive, thoughtful, caring, and committed to breaking down barriers for people with disabilities," said MRC Commissioner Toni Wolf. “Our work is both at the individual and societal level. One of the biggest barriers for people with disabilities is how society disables them. Now is the time to change the perception for those in the Commonwealth to view disability as an attitudinal, systemic, and communication barrier created by society. As the Healey-Driscoll Administration has made a significant commitment to equity, the change in language including the name of our organization, will shift the stigma for the disability community–and ensure individuals with disabilities are not left behind as we re-build the economy in this post-pandemic era.” 

  

“The Healey-Driscoll Administration is committed to reducing barriers to employment while also lifting up opportunities that will drive an inclusive workforce and workplace for our residents,” said Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Lauren Jones. “The proposed change to ‘MassAbility’ recognizes the capabilities for a community we are dedicated to advancing job training and career pathways to help empower the skills for individuals with disabilities in our workforce today and in the future.” 

 

The Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission provides services that break down barriers and empower people with disabilities to live life on their own terms. The agency supports people with physical, cognitive, intellectual or mental health conditions throughout the job-seeking and employment process and offers a range of programs focused on job training and employment, independent community living, and disability determination for federal benefit programs. 

 

Statements of Support 

 

Kristen McCosh, City of Boston Disability Commissioner: 

“The Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission has a longstanding partnership with the City of Boston that supports residents with disabilities who are seeking employment. We know that language matters, and that it evolves over time. I applaud the agency's commitment to ensuring that its new name conveys inclusion and respect for people with disabilities.” 

 

Colleen Holmes, President & CEO, Viability, Inc.: 

“In the name ‘MassAbility,’ I hear an unequivocal proclamation that every one of us has capabilities of value; that what is broken are systems and perceptions built on bias, and not the individual with a disability. The new brand undercuts the falsehood that a disability is all there is to know about a person with a disability and reinforces the truth – a disability is a single aspect of multidimensional identities. I applaud Governor Healey and Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commissioner Toni Wolf for their leadership furthering dignity and equity.” 

 

Meg Coffin, CEO, Center for Living & Working, Inc.: 

“The Center for Living & Working supports this name change. MassAbility reflects the spirit of the independent living movement and the fact the people living with a disability are able to live full lives.”    

 

Richard Ackerman, Vice President, Educational Services, Red River: 

“The new name MassAbility is a more empowering nomenclature to better support people with disabilities and continue changing perceptions community-wide. The purpose of this organization is to shine a light on the 'mass abilities' this community brings and the equal rights and access they should have. This name is just one more critical step toward removing long-standing barriers and reflecting the intrinsic value of this community in every aspect of life.” 

 

Roxi Harvey, Family Inclusion Ambassador: 

“The name change from Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission to MassAbility begins the systemic transformation that is needed to focus on the strengths and skills that individuals with diverse abilities bring to Massachusetts communities and employers. Individuals with disabilities and their families need to be inclusive members of every decision made in Massachusetts and beyond moving forward. MassAbility welcomes individuals with disabilities and their families to sit at the table, have agency and choice.”  

  

George Farrington, Disability Inclusion Leader: 

“The new name says it all. I’m a brain tumor and brain injury survivor, and I belong to the New Start Brain Injury Community Center, which is a program that falls under the vast umbrella of MassAbility. Thanks to New Start, I realized that I still had the ability to live a meaningful life and the ability to still chase my dreams. One of which is furthering awareness and helping better the lives of people with disabilities. This name change puts the emphasis more on people with disabilities actual abilities, which is a sign that the state is ready and willing to do the same thing now and for generations to come.” 

  

Destiny Maxam, Disability Inclusion Leader: 

“Having my voice truly heard and knowing my opinion makes a difference have restored my confidence in not only myself but in this administration. To know they are listening to the disability community as a whole and taking our ideas and acting on them has been assuring. I’m looking forward to a brighter future knowing my voice has an impact.” 

  

Kristen Flynn Family Inclusion Ambassador: 

“The name change to MassAbility is the public facing representation of the commitment of this agency to continue to ask questions and challenge the norms in support of all people with disabilities. It has been an exciting time to be part of the progressive effort that MassAbility is making as Massachusetts continues to be a leader in disability advocacy and inclusion.” 

  

Jaemilly Torres, Disability Inclusion Leader: 

“MassAbility, I love it! We are able to still feel love, support, and respect. Focus on the positive. Focus on what we can do. Don't focus on the things we need to fix. We still can smile. We do have hearts.” 

  

Liz Topaz, Family Inclusion Ambassador: 

“According to the dictionary, the word ‘rehabilitate’ literally means ‘to help a person who has acquired a disability to readapt.’” My young adult son has had his disabilities since birth; our family can't relate to readapting when our son needs to acquire work skills for the first time. This new name puts the spotlight on his many skills instead of focusing on the things he can't do.” 

  

Gillan Wang, Family Inclusion Ambassador: 

“I am excited about this rebranding as it reflects the renewed energy and commitment within the agency to make improvements to the way it supports families. As far as the name itself, the emphasis on ABILITY seems to better convey the intention of supporting individuals and families where they are and to empower them to live their best lives.”