星期一, 4月 29, 2019

Baker-Polito Administration announces $30 million in capital grant funding to support life sciences sector

Baker-Polito Administration announces $30 million in capital grant funding to support life sciences sector

11 projects to receive funding to sustain the Commonwealth’s competitive edge in advancing human health and connecting communities across Massachusetts to the innovation economy
Waltham – Today, the Baker-Polito Administration and the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC) announced $30.95 million in capital grant funding to support the state’s global leadership in the life sciences sector. In total, 11 projects across Massachusetts will receive funding through the MLSC’s Competitive Capital Program to support advances in human health, accelerate innovation in the areas of clinical and translational research, and expand the capacity of life sciences development and job growth across the Commonwealth.
“Our administration is dedicated to generating economic growth and supplying researchers with the tools they need to create new advancements in improving patient outcomes,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “By investing in the Massachusetts innovation economy, we can work together with academic and industry partners to support game-changing technological research and create jobs across the state.”
“This capital funding further enhances our world-class talent pipeline, spurring additional educational and career opportunities throughout every region of the Commonwealth,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “Our administration is pleased to make investments in educational and training programming to ensure that any resident pursuing a career in the life sciences can thrive, positioning Massachusetts to continue to lead the way in this field.”
The MLSC’s Competitive Capital Program invests capital dollars through a competitive process in high potential economic development projects that promise to make a significant contribution to the state’s life sciences ecosystem. Moreover, the competitive program aims to address funding gaps in capital dollars, industry support, and federal funding for educational institutions, incubators, research institutions, and workforce training programs, while also catalyzing private and philanthropic investment to match state investment and preparing the life sciences workforce of the future.
“These investments represent new opportunities for our life sciences ecosystem to support job growth, talent development, and entrepreneurial growth across the Commonwealth,” said MLSC President and CEO Travis McCready. “By continuing to expand regional access in education and hands-on training and supporting innovative, novel technologies, we are unlocking new potential in our understanding of human physiology to push toward medical advances for patients around the world.”
Leaders representing the awardee institutions shared how this investment will positively impact their work:
“We are grateful to the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center for their generous support.  The Center for Translation Neurotrauma Imaging (CTNI) will spur high-tech job and industry growth, train the next generation research leaders and further consolidate the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as a global leader in life science innovation,” said Karen Antman, MD, provost, Boston University Medical Campus and dean, School of Medicine.
“Mass Life Sciences Center’s support is helping the Massachusetts General Hospital explore new ways to transform clinical research in the neurosciences by providing the infrastructure to construct a new unit that will allow us to learn more from clinical research in neurological and psychiatric diseases  including Alzheimer’s disease,” says Bradley Hyman, MD, PhD, director of the Mass. Alzheimer Disease Research Center at MGH. “We plan a state of the art unit that combines recent advances in clinical trial technologies, advances in neuroimaging with MGH’s Martinos Center, and biomarker discovery all in a facility that will allow early phase clinical trials to proceed efficiently, gathering all the data together to facilitate learnings.  We are really grateful for the opportunity to grow this program, with the hope that we will translate these opportunities into future therapies for dementia and other diseases.”
“We are honored to receive this award, which will allow BATL to expand into training on biomanufacturing” said Dr. Jared Auclair, the director of Northeastern’s BATL and principle investigator and the lead researcher for the grant proposal. “This will allow BATL to provide end-to-end training on biologics and grow the field in Massachusetts.”
“GMGI/GBA is thrilled to be able to add a state-of-the-art cell culture room to our facility,” said GMGI Board Chair Michele May. “It will enable us to expand our program offerings and comprehensively train our students to meet the needs of the area’s life sciences companies.”
“This support will expand Baystate Health’s capacity to perform efficient and compliant clinical trials, speed medical advances, and make novel treatments available to our diverse patient populations,” said Dr. Peter Friedmann, Chief Research Officer for Baystate Health and Associate Dean for Research, University of Massachusetts Medical School-Baystate. “We are grateful to MLSC, our legislators, the Governor and the citizens of the Commonwealth for this investment in the future of biomedical research in Western Massachusetts.”
“There is a real need in the industry for both qualified professionals graduating from programs like Quincy College’s Biotechnology and GMP program, and for customized incumbent worker training that we offer in our state-of-the-art biotechnology labs at Quincy College. This specialized and customized training pipeline supports the Commonwealth’s biopharma industry form the ground up. Quincy College is uniquely positioned to support skill development for all levels of professionals working in the Biotech industry.  Quincy College excels at addressing this real-world need head-on, providing a resource for continuing education as incumbent worker training and critical skill development for those just entering the biotechnology industry. With the generous Massachusetts Life Science Consortium Grant,  the Quincy College Biotechnology and Compliance program will be able to further the study of biotechnology and good manufacturing practice and implement ongoing positives changes initiated by the Quincy College leadership to make the College not only a wonderful work place but also a modern institution that provides the best possible education for students and workforce training for workers throughout the Commonwealth,” said Quincy College President Michael G. Bellotti.
“The research planned going forward with the establishment of this new resource at Brigham and Women’s Hospital will further expand the potential for benefiting our patients with precision therapy. The siting of the new resource, between the Harvard Medical School quadrangle and the Brigham, at the heart of the Longwood Medical Area, will surely inspire new programs to leverage unique intellectual and physical resources from different institutions to bring together programs that promise to become much more than the sum of each of their investments and contributions.” Paul J. Anderson, MD, PhD, Chief Academic Officer and Senior Vice-President of Research at the Brigham.
“We are so proud of the success of our MBI companies,” said Massachusetts Biomedical Initiatives (MBI) President & CEO Jon Weaver. “It’s truly amazing to witness the caliber of life and health science companies that are choosing to make their start in Central Massachusetts.  Our partnership with the Massachusetts Life Science Center will provide additional opportunities for these startups to seed, scale, and succeed in Central Massachusetts, and accommodate the high demand for laboratory space.”
“We are excited about the opportunity to create a Center for Therapeutics and Genomics Training at MassBay,” said MassBay President Dr. David Podell. “And we are extremely grateful to Mass Life Sciences for their support for this important initiative which will allow us to better prepare underrepresented students for careers in the life sciences.”
“We appreciate MLSC’s continued support and commitment in supporting NSIV to deliver on its mission to support and nurture early-stage life science companies in Boston North,” said North Shore InnoVentures CEO Chris Ilsley. “The commitment will allow us to not only support more companies currently here in Massachusetts, and continue to make us relevant in Boston North’s Life Science community; and will also attract and support international life science companies looking to make Massachusetts their home for the North American market.”
This is the sixth round of the competitive capital program administered by the MLSC. Applicants are academic organizations, research institutions, research hospitals, business incubators and other non-profit organizations. The MLSC recognizes that investment in capital projects and infrastructure is necessary to create and sustain the attributes that make Massachusetts attractive to innovation sectors such as life sciences. To date, the MLSC has awarded or committed more than $455 million to support capital projects across the state.
The MLSC’s infrastructure investments have contributed to the creation of more than 1.9 million square feet of new life sciences research and manufacturing space across the Commonwealth, while creating more than 5,800 jobs in the building trades and in the life sciences sector. The more than $30 million in capital funds in this most recent round of the competitive program will be distributed across 11 different projects, including six research institutions, three projects centered on workforce development efforts, and two incubators in Worcester and Beverly. Many of the projects are multi-partnered and leverage an additional $29.85 million in investments by partner institutions or the awardees themselves.
This past June, Governor Baker signed An Act providing continued investment in the life sciences industry in the Commonwealth to invest up to $623 million in bond authorization and tax credits over five years in education, research and development and workforce training. This legislation will serve to reinforce the Baker-Polito Administration’s commitment to ensuring Massachusetts’ leadership in the life sciences sector.

MLSC Competitive Capital Program award descriptions:

Baystate Medical Center – $3,949,912
The capital project will expand capacity to perform clinical trials in Western Massachusetts by building a clinical trials unit at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield and a satellite unit at Baystate Franklin Medical Center in Greenfield, and enhancing training in clinical research in collaboration with local community colleges. This project will accelerate human testing of innovative digital health, biopharma, and medical devices developed in the Commonwealth. Moreover, for Baystate and its partners in Western Massachusetts, the project will increase access to innovative treatments for the patients and communities within the region, expand collaborations with academic and industry partners, and develop a workforce skilled in clinical research.
Boston Children’s Hospital – $1,545,050
The MLSC’s funding will support the launch of a multi-disciplinary initiative at Boston Children’s Hospital focused on advances in precision medicine in the treatment of cardiac disease. The Center for Accelerated Therapeutic Development (CAT-D) will bring an interdisciplinary team of cardiac biologists, bioengineers, and clinicians together under one roof to develop innovative human cell and tissue models of human disease. CAT-D will accelerate therapeutic development through the use of disease-relevant, human in vitro models, enabling “clinical trials in a dish” to identify patient groups most likely to respond to specific therapies or most at risk for adverse responses. The initiative will also serve as a collaborative hub for scientists in academia and biotechnology, seeding academic-industry partnerships and accelerating translation of basic discoveries. An initial focus of CAT-D will be inherited heart disease, but the same infrastructure and principles are equally applicable to other rare and inherited diseases.
Boston University Medical School – $4,991,000
The Center for Translation Neurotrauma Imaging at Boston University Medical School will establish a start‐of‐the‐art research facility to accelerate development of transformative brain imaging techniques, applications, protocols, and markers to detect and track subtle changes in the brain that result from neurotrauma and increase risk for neurodegenerative diseases such as chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and Alzheimer’s disease. This type of imaging technology will fill an existing gap in detecting and tracking before emerging treatments can be successfully tested and deployed in humans.
Brigham and Women’s Hospital – $5,000,000
Brigham and Women’s Hospital will use MSLC funding to advance the rigor and efficiency of clinical trials and biomedical research with targeted therapeutics by providing information otherwise not available to drug companies, as well as enhancing basic research at Massachusetts academic institutions. The MLSC-funded instrument package will provide a unique resource in the United States by combining quantitative metabolomics and high-resolution spatial mass spectrometry imaging, including a high-resolution 15 Tesla mass spectrometer. This novel, state-of- the-art facility, which will be made available to the scientific community and biotechnology companies, will aim to transcend cancer research and accelerate the development of new medicines for infectious disease, cardiac medicine, and neurological disease states, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.
Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute – $174,383
The Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute (GMGI) will receive $174,383 to build out and equip a new, state-of-the-art cell culture laboratory. The lab will enhance student experience and training at GMGI’s Gloucester Biotechnology Academy, while also addressing an industry need for entry-level technicians with cell culturing experience and advance its genomics research goals. This funding builds upon previous MLSC support for the construction of the world-class genomics research institute on Cape Ann, made possible by a previous $2.7 million MLSC capital grant.
Massachusetts Biomedical Initiatives – $3,494,256
Massachusetts Biomedical Initiatives (MBI), one of the first life sciences incubators in the Commonwealth, is currently home to more than 30 life sciences companies, having “graduated” another 95 companies, which employ approximately 825 people in the local life sciences cluster in central Massachusetts. With the support of the MLSC, MBI will redevelop 17 Briden Street within Worcester’s Gateway Park by establishing additional incubator space, which will include a “Stage II” incubator.  MBI will operate more than 20,000 square feet of a renovated facility to expand its business incubation operations, including 19 additional suites and supporting office space. Additionally, the inclusion of a “Stage II” incubator will provide MBI the ability to create 5-7 suites of around 1,000- 3,000 square feet for growing companies. This space will serve as a bridge for those companies to grow and sustain their business models and prevent the financial and logistical stress that can cause companies to struggle and fail, by leaving the incubator environment before they are ready.
Massachusetts General Hospital – $4,805,000
MLSC investment will support the launch of a “Big Data & Digital Health Hub”, administered by the Clinical and Translational Research Unit (CTRU) at Massachusetts General Hospital. The CTRU is focused on dramatically transforming clinical research to accelerate progress in the prevention, management and cure of complex brain disorders like Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, mood and anxiety disorders. The MLSC’s funding will support the purchase of a high-end computing system for analysis of diverse datasets and a data visualization room with a hyperwall (video wall that uses coordinated visualizations for interactive exploration of multidimensional data and data simulation) and virtual reality capability. Additionally, funding will support advanced multi-sensor clinical exam rooms, wearable and remote digital devices for patient monitoring, and dedicated mass spectrometry for large-scale measurements. This initiative will enable unprecedented analysis of individualized precision medicine data on brain health with an ultimate goal of developing new therapies.
MassBay Community College – $500,000
MLSC funding will be used to create a Center for Therapeutics and Genomics Training at MassBay Community College that aims to transform community college technical education by preparing underrepresented students for employment and research positions in the Massachusetts life sciences ecosystem. The college will upgrade its biotechnology facilities, allowing for the development of an array of new, credit and non‐credit, courses in areas such as genomics, developmental biology, and biomanufacturing. In addition, MassBay Community College will provide laboratory space through summer programming for high school students, as well as, to small businesses for employee training.
North Shore InnoVentures – $1,650,000
Since 2012, North Shore InnoVentures (NSIV) and Endicott College have forged a successful partnership to deliver on the mission to foster and support regional life science startups. Today this collaboration continues as NSIV will now manage the expanding Endicott College incubator space to better support the increasing number and range of life sciences startups active in the North Shore region of the state. MLSC funding will expand infrastructure capacity at NSIV and obtain key instrumentation for both the NSIV and Endicott facilities that will serve as a catalyst for startups’ product development and facilitate training of a highly skilled workforce for the life sciences industry. The advanced instrumentation at NSIV and Endicott College will be used by startups, student interns from the region’s high schools, community college, and four-year colleges, in addition to, companies across Massachusetts more broadly. The economic impact of this project will include: helping to create and fill high-quality life-sciences jobs in Massachusetts; better preparing the workforce for those jobs; and affording early-stage life sciences companies in the region access to tools and services to enhance their potential for growth and success.
Northeastern University – $4,271,867
Northeastern University will utilize MLSC funding to establish a training program in biomanufacturing analysis and quality control, by providing hands-on training in state-of-the-art facilities at its Burlington campus. The university plans to build out two additional laboratories: a mock GMP suite and a biomanufacturing suite, in addition to, purchasing training equipment, including a manufacturing scale bioreactor and purification system for the biomanufacturing suite, and instrumentation upgrades to the campus’ mass spectrometry laboratory.
Quincy College – $725,000
MLSC funding will enable Quincy College to continue its leadership in providing comprehensive workforce training and education in manufacturing. The college’s bio manufacturing certificate and associate degree programs have been at capacity enrollment consistently for the past seven years. Quincy College will utilize funding to upgrade existing equipment and enhance the student experience. This new funding will build upon $645,000 in previous MLSC funding to support Quincy College’s biotechnology and GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) programming.
About the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center
The Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC) is an economic development investment agency dedicated to supporting the growth and development of the life sciences in Massachusetts, home to the most verdant and productive life sciences ecosystem in the world.  Through public-private funding initiatives, the MLSC supports innovation, research and development, commercialization, and manufacturing activities in the fields of biopharma, medical device, diagnostics and digital health.  Since its creation in 2007, the MLSC has strategically deployed over $700 million in Massachusetts, through a combination of grants, loans, capital infrastructure investments, tax incentives and workforce programs.  These investments have created thousands of jobs and propelled the development of new therapies, devices and scientific advancements that are improving patient health and well-being in Massachusetts and beyond.

Governor Baker Announces New Secretary of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs

Governor Baker Announces New Secretary of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs

BOSTON – Governor Charlie Baker and Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito today announced the departure of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Matthew Beaton, and introduced current EEA Undersecretary of Climate Change, Kathleen Theoharides, as incoming Secretary. Secretary Beaton will be the Senior Vice President of Renewable Energy and Emerging Technology at TRC Companies, Inc. Secretary Theoharides will officially be sworn in May 3, 2019.

“Matt hit the ground running on day one, and his tenacious approach to solving difficult problems helped our administration usher in major energy and environmental milestones that will benefit the Commonwealth's residents, businesses and communities for years to come,” said Governor Baker. “His leadership on the record-setting procurement of offshore wind and hydropower will allow Massachusetts to achieve carbon reduction goals and is making Massachusetts a hub for the wind industry. Matt’s dedication to conserving and protecting of our environmental resources will go a long way to ensuring future generations have access to pristine open spaces to hunt, fish and enjoy for years to come. We are incredibly grateful to Matt for his hands-on approach to public service, and we look forward to welcoming an experienced and thoughtful leader in Katie Theoharides to the cabinet.”

“Leading by example has been a hallmark of Matt’s career, and we feel fortunate to have had him at the helm of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs since the beginning of our administration,” said Lieutenant Governor Polito. “His passion for the outdoors and commitment to future generations guided Matt’s tireless work to prepare Massachusetts for the impact of climate change, promote the Commonwealth’s invaluable natural resources and ensure all residents had access to renewable energy and open spaces. Governor Baker and I wish Matt well in his future endeavors and are excited about working with Katie going forward.”

“Words cannot express my gratitude to Governor Baker and Lieutenant Governor Polito for entrusting me with the tremendous opportunity to serve as Secretary of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs,” said Secretary Beaton. “Working closely with the team at EEA, members of the Legislature, community leaders, and passionate residents around the Commonwealth, I am proud of our collaborative approach that led to historic selections of projects to bring clean and renewable energy to the Commonwealth, nation-leading work on climate change, and providing wonderful opportunities for all residents to enjoy the outdoors. Katie is an experienced, knowledgeable, and passionate leader, and I am eager to watch her continue the Baker-Polio Administration’s commitment to developing new ideas and solutions to make the Commonwealth an even better place to live, raise a family, grow a business, and enjoy the great outdoors.”

“It has been a privilege to serve the Baker-Polito Administration and the Commonwealth as the Undersecretary of Climate Change under Secretary Beaton's leadership, and I am honored and humbled by the opportunity to serve as Secretary,” said incoming Secretary Theoharides. “Secretary Beaton leaves a strong legacy, and I look forward to working with residents, stakeholders, and communities to continue the Commonwealth’s national leadership on climate change and clean energy, building upon efforts to protect our most valuable environmental resources and expand access to open space, and sharing my lifelong passion for nature and the great outdoors.”

Under Secretary Beaton’s leadership, the Commonwealth achieved major milestones in the development and deployment of renewable energy technologies, and upheld a strong commitment to environmental protection and preservation. Key accomplishments include:

                 Diversified the Commonwealth’s energy portfolio and stabilized electric rates through comprehensive energy diversification legislation, leading to the largest renewable energy procurements of hydropower and offshore wind in state history.

                 Led the country as the most energy efficient state, including nation-leading goals for energy savings, investing over $220 million in grid modernization technologies, and over $60 million in funding through the Green Communities program.

                 Crafted Executive Order 569 which lays out a comprehensive approach to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions, safeguard residents, municipalities and businesses from the impacts of climate change, and build a more resilient Commonwealth. 

                 Launched the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness program to provide funding to cities and towns to complete a community-driven process to identify hazards and develop strategies to improve resilience, and enrolled over half of Massachusetts’ communities in the initiative.

                 Created the first ever State Hazard Mitigation and Climate Adaptation Plan, a blueprint for Massachusetts’ efforts to prepare for natural hazards and adapt to the impacts of climate change over the next five years.

                 Invested over $609 million across Massachusetts to address climate change mitigation and adaptation.

                 Authored a $2.4 billion Environmental Bond Bill which authorized capital investments to safeguard residents, municipalities and businesses from the impacts of climate change, protect environmental resources, and improve recreational opportunities.

                 Ensured continued access to outdoor recreational opportunities through new programs like Summer Nights Initiative, allotting $488 million in funding for capital projects in state parks, and renovating numerous playgrounds, spray decks, and campgrounds.

                 Protected and restored nearly 17,000 acres of critical wildlife habitat and conservation land across the Commonwealth.

                 Coordinated the Commonwealth’s response to the natural gas explosions in Merrimack Valley, and ensured the timely and safe restoration of utility services to residents and businesses.

About Kathleen Theoharides:

In 2016, Katie Theoharides joined the Baker-Polito Administration as Director of Climate and Global Warming Solutions in the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. As Director and later Assistant Secretary, Theoharides guided the development and implementation of the Administration’s efforts to safeguard Massachusetts from the impacts of climate change, support cities and towns, and coordinate efforts across state government to reduce emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change.  She worked to implement Executive Order 569, led the development of the State Hazard Mitigation and Climate Adaptation Plan and created the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness program, working to grow the program to reach 50 percent of cities and towns in the Commonwealth in less than 3 years. Theoharides was promoted to Undersecretary in 2019, and continued to lead the Commonwealth’s efforts on climate change, including working to strengthen regional and national coalitions focused on bipartisan state climate leadership including the United States Climate Alliance and the Transportation Climate Initiative.

Trained as a field biologist, Theoharides began her policy career working in Washington, D.C. at the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition and Defenders of Wildlife. During her time in DC, Theoharides worked on the federal farm bill and conservation policy, and helped establish a national program that partnered with federal and state agencies to incorporate climate change adaptation into policy, budgets, and planning. After returning to Massachusetts, Theoharides served as the Executive Director of the Hilltown Land Trust, and founded Theoharides Consulting which provided climate and environmental policy analysis, strategic planning, and facilitation to universities, government agencies and non-profits.

Theoharides received a B.A. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from Dartmouth College and Masters of Science in Ecology and Environmental Biology from University of Massachusetts-Boston.

Originally from western Massachusetts, Theoharides lives with her husband, three young children, and dog in Arlington, Massachusetts.

劍橋合唱團5/25 春季音樂會

Passion and Glory - 劍橋合唱團2019春季音樂會

劍橋合唱團本季將演出全系列歐洲作曲家作品,包括韋瓦第「榮耀頌」、布拉姆斯「流浪者之歌」(吉普賽之歌)、及當代英國作曲家暨合唱指揮約翰·盧特的三首合唱小品。

「流浪者之歌」(吉普賽之歌)是浪漫時期作曲家布拉姆斯最有名的聲樂作品之一。全組曲共11首歌,以德文演唱,聲響色彩豐富,全部使用四二拍,展現吉普賽民族的熱情與傷感,本次演出輯選其中四首。

生於義大利威尼斯的韋瓦第,早年曾擔任神職,是巴洛克時期重要多產的作曲家。這首「榮耀頌」的樂譜,在韋瓦第逝世約兩百年後才被發現,目前咸認創作年代是在1713-1717年間,為他當時任教的一所專收女童的孤兒院的聖誕慶典所作。由於本身是小提琴家,伴奏部分可以聆賞到豐富的絃樂音效。賦格的運用、各聲部的競唱、活潑爽朗的樂風與音群,都展現巴洛克時期音樂的豐盈。這也是劍橋合唱團近年開始與職業音樂家合作以來,樂團編制最大的一次演出

時間:5/25(星期六)晚間 7:30
地點:MIT Kresge Auditorium
(48 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA)
購票:每張$15,5/22前早鳥特惠每張10元 
10張以上團體購票另有優惠

聯絡請洽contact@mitcccs.org
或致電617-615-6108。


MIT Cambridge Chinese Choral Society proudly presents its 2019 spring concert, “Passion and Glory,” featuring masterworks of European composers.

Led by music director Dr. Yufen Yen and accompanied by Dr. I-Ying Lin, this musical journey starts in the Romantic period in Germany where Brahms, with
his sentimental and passionate melody of “Zigeunerlieder,” or “The Gypsy Songs,” brings us a taste of the happiness and sorrow that spring from a heart full of love. Afterward, a selection from contemporary British composer John Rutter explores the mystery and paradox of life. We then conclude our concert in Baroque Venice with Antonio Vivaldi’s Gloria.
Performing with a chamber orchestra, we will bring you the full rendition of this joyful hymn of praise and worship to God.

Come join us for a magical night of traveling through heaven and earth with music, and experience the spiritual glory and passion of love that has resonated with humanity through the centuries.

星期日, 4月 28, 2019

路加基金會、ILF頒羅島華協、威廉黑石獎學金 鼓勵26學生

  羅德島州的副州長麥基(Daniel Mckee)(後左三),州務卿Nellie Corbea(前左三)眾議員
Carlos Toban(前右一)頒發威廉黑石獎學金。(周菊子攝)
羅德島華人協會理事和獎學金得主合影。(周菊子攝)
  (Boston Orange羅德島州報導) 路加慈善基金會和國際領袖基金會(ILF)新英格蘭分會427 日在羅德島州普塔基市中國客棧頒發威廉黑石和羅德島華人協會的兩項獎學金,鼓勵共26名即將升讀大學高中學子。國際領袖基金會創辦人董繼玲應邀分享個人經歷,強調積極正面,建立關係,回饋社會,表達感謝,懂得溝通的重要性。
 吳子平(左起)、葉超代表路加慈善基金會捐款三萬元
給國際領袖基金會,由該會創辦人董繼玲,代理
主任朱小棣代表接受。(周菊子攝)
             頒獎典禮由黑石谷旅遊局主任畢靈頓(Bob Billington)主持。他指出,來自香港大澳的葉超和吳子平,移民來美後定居羅德島州,從經營餐館,洗衣店,漸次轉型做房地產土地發展,累積財富後,積極回饋社區,七年前設立羅德島華人協會獎學金,鼓勵華人子弟求學深造,二年前再增設威廉黑石(William Blackstone)獎學金,造福地方後進。

克蘭斯頓(Cranston)市長馮偉傑夫婦()和路加基金會
的吳子平(左一),葉超(右一)(周菊子攝)
                    葉超,吳子平表示,羅德島是他們的第二故鄉,為了向給予他們穩定生活的羅德島表達感恩之心,他們決定借用1635年第一個來到羅德島州定居的歐洲移民,威廉黑石牧師的名字,來為獎學金命名,藉以強調這各獎學金是真正的回饋地方,要鼓勵在地子弟追求更美好的人生。
羅德島州的副州長麥基(Daniel Mckee)(),州務卿
Nellie Corbea(右一)和代表威廉黑石獎學金得主致詞的
Charlotte Geohehan(左二)及其父母。(周菊子攝)
             今年他們共收到81份申請書,威廉黑石獎學金邀請了中央瀑布高中等9所羅州學校老師擔任評審,選出21名得獎人。羅德島華人協會獎學金委員會選出5名得獎人。每人獎金2000元。
             根據畢靈頓在會上的報告,路加慈善基金在2019年共安排了6項捐款,分別為華人龍舟賽8萬元,布朗大學醫學院交換項目4萬元,國際領袖基金會3萬元,衛克菲爾德(Wakefied)樂隊聖誕節音樂會1萬元,羅德島大學中國學生交換項目5千元,波士頓華埠社區中心5千元,合共17萬元。
欖城安良工商會共同會長陳任卓(左)頒發獎學金給
王樂平(中),和兩父子合影。(周菊子攝)
             今年的獎學金頒獎典禮,照例政要雲集,羅德島州的副州長麥基(Daniel Mckee),州務卿Nellie Corbea,眾議員Carlos Toban,克蘭斯頓市市長馮偉傑(Allan Fung),中央瀑布市市長James Diosa,以及國際領袖基金會創辦人董繼玲,代理主任朱小棣,在會上分別致詞或頒獎。
             20185月獲邀加入百人會,今年2月被川普總統任命為亞太裔太平洋島民(AAPI)顧問委員會的董繼玲為頒獎典禮做主講人。她指出,和葉超、吳子平,以及座中許多人一樣,她也是來自其他國家的移民,現在竟能和總統共事,這種事只有在美國才會發生。
             董繼玲的丈夫Joel Szabat是白人,現任美國交通部助理部長。曾有人開玩笑的對她說,她那麼成功,是因為嫁給了一個白人,她就回答,不是的,她先生能夠成功,是因為娶了個華裔女人。
             董繼玲告訴座中的年輕人,要懂得什麼是領導力,其中最重要的是態度積極正確。此外的身體健康,儲蓄有道,錢財無虞也都很重要,和家人,配偶及身邊的人相處有道,也就要在人生路上有互相扶持友伴,更是重要。像她近來職務越來越多,包括全美亞裔總商會(ACE),國際領袖基金會,白宮亞太裔太平洋島民顧問委員會,國會獎委員會委員等等,她都能夠做得過來。怎麼做到的?就是因為有夥伴。譬如葉超、吳子平,當初她一見就知道,這會是她的終生夥伴,年輕人必須要學會辨識這樣的夥伴,記得和態度積極的人來往,遠離思想負面的人,到底人生太短,沒有時間可以浪費。
             董繼玲還提醒年輕人,要養成感謝的習慣。發電子郵件出去時,第一行一定要記得心懷感激的先表達謝謝,對父母,配偶也一樣,此外要發現自己的熱情所在,並付諸實行。她也指出,現代社會中的人,都有如活在玻璃缸中的魚,舉手投足,都隨時可能被其他人記錄下來,傳佈出去,所以要記得千萬不要說謊,要不然很可能你自己忘記了,別人卻幫你記得很清楚。
             董繼玲也強調社會正義的重要性,直指不論族裔或出身,每個人都有權實現美國夢。她說,今年是太平洋鐵路竣工150週年,有誰會想到,150年前華裔來美築路,大都生活在社會最底層,150年後,卻有華裔趙小蘭當上了美國交通部部長,這就是美國夢最好的註解。
             根據獎學金委員會資料,羅德島華人協會獎學金得主為東格林威治高中的劉陽熙,王樂山,巴靈頓高中的王芬妮,林肯高中的李憶薷,岩丘(Rocky Hill)學校吳旺侯。
             威廉黑石獎學金得主為Cumberland高中的Juliana KarbonikLeah MottaDavies科技學校的Luz CorreaVanessa SanchezBeacon 學校的Maia Young-OndrasekElla MenocheBlackstone AcademyDa-Naijah GibbsWoonsocket 高中的Victoria DuguayDavid MarszalkowskiRI Alternative AcademyArieanna LarameeBlackston Prep. Charlotte GeogheganDaniella MaganaCentral Falls 高中的 Kamolat lbikuntekelsea MoranJ. M. Walsh Alexander PretoriusShea高中的Brendon Lorena Kaylin FortesTolman高中的Alexandra ClarkAlexandria Lorenzo。(updated version)

呂慶龍:聲援台灣加入WHO要理性關懷、付諸行動

前駐法大使呂慶龍4月26日抵波士頓,聲援台灣加入WHO。
(周菊子攝)
                  (Boston Orange 周菊子牛頓市報導)行銷台灣,爭取加入WHO? 中華民國前駐法國大使呂慶龍,應「北美臺商總會 WHO 工作委員會」之邀,426日晚在波士頓僑教中心,宣揚「疼惜台灣.放眼國際」,生動提醒有心人,把握當下,有恆堅持,兼顧務實與創意,努力就有希望。
             從事外交工作42年,最後8年半擔任駐法代表的呂慶龍,2015年在直播的法國企業奧斯卡頒獎典禮上,用布袋戲即興宣傳台灣的免簽證,介紹台灣的科技產品,經濟成就,贏得布袋戲大使文化大使稱號。他的隨和,幽默,有創意,還讓一名市長在他退休時,用他的名字命名了法國巴黎近郊一條街。
主辦單位代表和呂慶龍合影。左起,歐怡君,李苡惠,
杜麗雲,徐佑典,郭競儒,呂慶龍,蘇鴻昌,陳美儀,
歐宏偉,陳玉瑛,李淑玲。(周菊子攝)
             426日這晚,呂慶龍的使命是協助「北美臺商總會 WHO 工作委員會」,爭取海外僑胞支持台灣加入WHO”的行動。他強調,愛台灣固然好,有行動更重要。
             呂慶龍指出,要推動中華民國加入世衛組織(WHO)有三個重點,國家有實力,不一廂情願的悲情,能沉得住氣的不斷努力,就會有機會。最好從理性角度出發,告訴聯合國衛生組織與中國大陸,防疫工作應該全世界一起來,不要因為排除台灣,而在防疫上出現缺口。
右起,波克萊台灣商會顧問游勝雄,郭競儒,新英格蘭
台灣商會會長李苡惠。(周菊子攝)
             一整個晚上,呂慶龍不斷以他個人的成長經歷,外交生涯中的故事,搭配提綱契領的警句,來提醒有心幫助台灣突破外交困境,加入國際組織的海外僑胞,要理性,務實,持續努力,就會有機會,如果不做,就會被遺忘。
             呂慶龍當年參加聯考,數學6分,連考兩次,才進淡江,之後努力到連作夢都在用法語,還拚到畢業時成績第一名,只因家貧,如果第一名,學費可全免。又因家中舉債供他上學,為求工讀賺錢,一開學他就找校內長官求助,長官透露,工作機會只有一個,他先到先得,也就是得助於把握當下。
駐波士頓經文處處長徐佑典表示推動台灣加入WHO是
該處的優先工作之一。(周菊子攝)
             呂慶龍還講了許多故事,來陳述做外交工作或行銷台灣,要務實,發揮創意。譬如法國和中華民國沒有邦交,公開場合不便懸掛中華民國國旗,他就把掛有國旗的台灣101大廈照片,用來做文宣背景。譬如他用布袋戲來介紹台灣,贏得法國媒體界大量報導,其中一段視頻還贏得86萬人次的點擊率;台灣每年從法國進口葡萄酒數量超過一億二千萬升,法國五個品酒聯盟也因此頒給他一個品酒騎士獎章,向世界第二大的漫畫展單位要求,派台灣漫畫家參展,愛拍照的他拍出別具特色的凱旋門,天鵝背上揹著烏龜等照片,參加文化展覽等等。
呂慶龍用布袋戲介紹台灣的這段視頻,點擊人數超過
86萬人次。(周菊子攝)
            這場「疼惜台灣.放眼國際」,推動台灣加入WHO宣講會,在波士頓由波克萊台灣商會和新英格蘭大波士頓台灣商會、新英格蘭台灣青商會、北美臺灣人醫師協會總會,以及高醫大新英格蘭校友會共同舉辦,駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處及僑教中心協辦。波克萊臺灣商會顧問蘇鴻昌,波士頓經文處處長徐佑典,波士頓僑教中心主任歐宏偉等人分別在會上致詞,還有兩名大四學生,益子翔,許宸維專程從紐約趕來聽演講。





呂慶龍的演講,吸引了許奪人聽。(周菊子攝)
呂慶龍拍的巴黎凱旋門照片。(周菊子攝)
波克萊台商會理事蘇鴻昌(右)和經文處處長徐佑典
(左)送感謝狀給呂慶龍(中)。
呂慶龍和兩名從紐約來的大學生。(周菊子攝)
法國有接到以呂慶龍命們。(語慶驢)
法國街道以呂慶龍命名。(周菊子攝)
僑教中心主任歐宏偉(右一)主持提問環節。(周菊子攝)

Alejandra St. Guillen正式宣佈參選 七人角逐波士頓不分區市議員

左起,東方銀行副總裁陳咏梅,波士頓市不分區市議員
吳弭(Michelle Wu)支持盛吉蘭(Alejandra St. Guillen)
參選波市議員。(周菊子攝)
                (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導)今年的波士頓市議員選舉,將於924日初選,115日大選。四席不分區市議員席位,已有至少七人宣佈參選,其中包括在位的吳弭(Michelle Wu),以及辭去市府移民進步辦公室主任職位參選的盛吉蘭(Alejandra St. Guillen)
             今年42歲的盛吉蘭(Alejandra St. Guillen),父母來自委內瑞拉,出生成長於波士頓使命丘(Mission Hill),上了波士頓拉丁學校,畢業於衛斯理安(Wesleyan)大學,曾在南布朗斯(South Bronx)教過兩年書,才搬回波士頓,為一家教育性非牟利機構工作。
盛吉蘭(Alejandra St. Guillen)辭去移民進步辦公室主任職位,
專心參選波市不分區市議員,(周菊子攝)
原本和政治沾不上邊的她,因妹妹Imette St. Guillen被酒館保鑣謀殺,父親辭世,大受打擊。
搬回波士頓後的這些年來,她在當年的麻州眾議員黛安威可遜(Dianne Wilkerson)辦公室工作過,曾出任西語裔倡議民權政治組織你聽說過(¿Oiste?)”的行政主任,積極行動幫助馬丁華殊(Marty Walsh) 當選波士頓市長後,她取代了陳清音,出任新波士頓人辦公室主任,最近才辭職,專心參選波士頓市不分區市議員。
華人前進會名譽主席李素影(左)也支持盛吉蘭(Alejandra
St. Guillen)參選。(周菊子攝)
盛吉蘭表示,無論是做為老師,活躍份子或公僕,她一直都在波士頓市內為每一個人爭取活出極至潛能的機會。她父親和13年前逝去的妹妹失去這可能,她希望能和大家攜手努力,保障每個人都有這樣的機會。這也是她為什麼辭職,參選波士頓不分區市議員的原因。
424日,盛吉蘭在多徹斯特一啤酒店內,當著五、六十名支持者,正式宣布參選。波士頓不分區市議員吳弭(Michelle Wu)為她站台,透露當年她初次參選波士頓市議員時,盛吉蘭是你聽說過(¿Oiste?)”的主任,給了她許多幫助,後來她也一直鼓勵盛吉蘭參選民代。她指出,波士頓市議會近年來不斷多元化,盛吉蘭一旦當選,將是波市府首名拉丁裔女市議員。
曾經是波士頓首名拉丁裔市議員的Felix G. Arroyo。
(周菊子攝)
參選波士頓市第九區的Brandon Bowser,參選第五區市議員的Ricardo Arroyo和他哥哥,前波士頓市議員Felix G. Arroyo,他爸爸薩福克郡遺囑認證登記處主管Felix D. Arroyo,以及波士頓市長的政策長Joyce Linehan,當晚都到會支持。
市級的期中選舉,候選職位不包括市長,選民出席率一般偏低,但波士頓市今年的市級選舉,因為第五區的Timothy McCarthy,第八區的Josh Zakim,以及第九區的Mark Ciommo3名在位市議員已宣佈不參選連任,選戰變得十分熱鬧,迄今共有14人要角逐這3個席位。 (圖片已於4月25日發表)
右起,麻州港務局前政策主任Jose C. Masso,盛吉蘭
(Alejandra St. Guillen),波士頓市不分區市議員吳弭
(Michelle Wu),波市議員參選人Richard Arroyo,
盛吉蘭的另一半,Josiane Martinez。(周菊子攝)

Statement from U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross on Q1 2019 GDP Growth

Statement from U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross on Q1 2019 GDP Growth

U.S. Economy Grows 3.2 Percent in First Quarter
WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) released the first quarter 2019 Gross Domestic Product (GDP) numbers. The Bureau found that the real gross domestic product increased at an annual rate of 3.2 percent in the first quarter of 2019.
“This blockbuster GDP report shows that President Donald J. Trump’s policies are unleashing the vitality of the American economy, fulfilling the President’s promise for 3 percent economic growth and benefiting American workers in the form of better jobs and higher wages,” said Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross. “The Trump economy has repeatedly defied the skeptics who predicted an economic downturn and has restored America’s position in the world as a consistent source of economic growth.”
The U.S. economy has gotten off to a strong start so far in 2019. In January and February of 2019, the two months for which data is available, the U.S. trade deficit dropped well below expectations. This trend continued as exports alone drove nearly half a percentage point of overall GDP growth in the first quarter.
After starting off the year by adding over 300,000 jobs in January, the economy ended the first quarter at a 3.8 percent unemployment rate. In February, annual wage growth for hourly workers increased by 3.4 percent, the fastest rate since early 2009.
As they have since the start of his term in office, President Trump’s actions have yielded real results for American businesses, workers, and families, increasing incomes while cutting taxes and regulations.