CAPAC Members Commemorate the Start of Ramadan

CAPAC Members Commemorate the Start of Ramadan

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) released the following statements to commemorate the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which begins at sundown:

Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-27), CAPAC Chair:

“As Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, I want to extend my warm wishes to all who are celebrating Ramadan. For millions in the United States and around the world, this holy month is a time for reflection, devotion, spiritual growth and renewal. As we celebrate Ramadan, let us also reflect on the indelible contributions that American Muslims have made to our great nation and renew our commitment to denouncing hateful rhetoric, policies, and actions that seek to divide us. Our nation has always been strengthened by its diversity, and we will continue to stand with the American Muslim community to safeguard the religious freedoms and civil rights of all Americans. Ramadan Mubarak.”

Congressman Ted Lieu (CA-33), CAPAC Whip:

“Warmest wishes to all those observing the month of Ramadan at home and abroad. During this spiritual time, we recognize our nation’s rich and diverse religious communities and renew our commitment to defending religious freedoms for all. To our Muslim friends and family: Ramadan Mubarak.”

Congressman Joe Crowley (NY-14), Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus:

“I want to extend my warm wishes to Muslim-American families in New York, and across the country, as the holy month of Ramadan begins. Ramadan marks a period of reflection, spirituality, and rejoicing for those observing both here in the United States and around the world. As Muslim Americans join together to celebrate this month of reflection, we are reminded of our shared American values of tolerance, inclusion, and religious freedom. During this holy month, let’s embrace the spirit of Ramadan by celebrating the contributions of Muslim Americans, and rejecting violence and hateful rhetoric toward them in our country.”

Congressman Ami Bera (CA-07):

“As people of Muslim faith across America and around the world observe the month of Ramadan, I want to wish Muslims around the world a peaceful and reflective holy month of Ramadan.”

Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13):

“Today, our Muslim community in the East Bay and across the country will begin the celebration of Ramadan, a holy month of reflection and charity. Ramadan brings families and communities together through fasting to reaffirm their faith and spiritual discipline. To my Muslim brothers and sisters, Ramadan Mubarak!”

Congresswoman Grace Meng (NY-06):

“It is an honor to wish the Muslim community in New York and throughout the world a very happy and joyous Ramadan. Ramadan is the most sacred time of the year for Muslims. It is a time for fasting, self-reflection, prayer, sacrifice, and generosity. May all who observe this holy month have and blessed and peaceful holiday. Ramadan Mubarak.”

Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy (FL-07):

“Ramadan is a time for reflection and spiritual discipline for Muslims around the world, when they express their devotion to faith, family, and service to the less fortunate. I wish all my Muslim friends a spiritually rejuvenating fast and a blessed Ramadan.”

Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-40):

“Ramadan Mubarak!  As Ramadan begins, I hope it will be a time of health, peace, reflection, and generosity for Muslims around the world.  May it also be a time for Americans of all faiths to reaffirm the value of our country’s rich religious diversity.  The freedom to worship has always been central to America’s national identity, and by welcoming and celebrating all faiths, we make our nation a stronger and wiser place for every man, woman, and child.  I send my best wishes for a blessed Ramadan to all those observing this holy month.”

Congressman Adam Schiff (CA-28):

“Ramadan Mubarak. I send well wishes for a joyous and peaceful Ramadan to people of the Muslim faith around the world. Ramadan, a holy month of prayer and fasting, is a time for reflection, spiritual purity, generosity and an opportunity to become closer to God. I hope this month is fulfilling and peaceful for Muslim American communities across the nation.”

Congressman Adam Smith (WA-09):

“I would like to wish a blessed Ramadan to Washington state’s Muslim community and to our Muslim friends across the nation. Ramadan is a time for peace, gratitude, and self-reflection. In a period of uncertainty in our country, I want to reiterate our commitment to all religious communities and the vitality they bring to our country. We recognize that the incredible diversity of our community makes us stronger. To all those celebrating, Ramadan Mubarak!”

Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez (NY-07):

“My best wishes for blessed Ramadan to New York’s Muslim community and to all those who observe around the world. May this holiday, marked by a month of spiritual cleansing, bring peace and renewal. During this period of deep reflection, let us all commit to ensuring that our country remain a place of religious freedom, tolerance and inclusion. Ramadan Mubarak.”

WGBH 慶祝亞美傳統月邀政商學界成功亞裔談經驗

WGBH 理事們和嘉賓。左起，李保華，羅旭，李超榮，程必璧，范文南，余幕潔，Rebecca Lee，朱曉曄。(周菊子攝)

            (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導)亞裔美人的在美處境，因大環境的改變，已更受重視，但亞裔美人是否，或可否團結成為一體，以在主流社會中形成更響亮聲音，從WGBH電視廣播電台的第九屆亞美傳統月慶祝座談來看，強烈共識有待琢磨。

主持人，WGBH總經理程必璧(左起)與嘉賓，麻州企業發展署助理署長
范文南(Nam Pham)，邦克丘社區學院校長余幕潔，Cue Ball創投
合夥人朱曉曄。(周菊子設)

5月24日晚，WGBH電視廣播電台的亞裔董事們與贊助機構攜手，地9次舉辦亞美傳統月慶祝會，放映4部亞美影片的片段，邀3名大波士頓本地在政商學界各有成就者分享經驗。

            WGBH電視及世界頻道總經理程必璧指出，該台今年在亞美傳統月的五月份中，共安排播出50餘部主題與亞裔美人有關的影片，其中有8部是世界首映，有3部在當晚放映片段。她很驕傲地指出，WGBH不僅是全美產量最高的傳播媒體，全美公共電視台播映的影片至少有30%是由該台製作，該台今年五月播映的亞美影片數量，相信也是歷年最多的一次。

"永遠的華埠"影片中展示迷你外賣餐盒。

            側身WGBH董事，監事，社區董事等董事會行列的陳秀英，李超榮，李保華，羅旭，Rebecca Lee等人，當晚分別致詞，介紹放映片段的影片，包括Rick Burns所拍製，闡述1882年5月美國通過排華法案所帶來衝擊的”美國經驗:排華法案”，描述一名16歲時入屋搶劫，一關19年，出獄後重新做人的”呼吸:張艾迪故事(Eddy Zheng)”，從一個印度家庭經歷來看亞裔社區面對的重男輕女習俗，避談精神問題現象的”為打破的玻璃天花板(Unbroken Glass)”，以及記錄一名82歲退休華人， Frank Wong投注精力，以迷你模型複製了舊金山華埠的”永遠，華埠(Forever, Chinatwon)”。

            程必璧指出，這幾部影片5月份時分別在WGBH 2，WGBX 44，以及世界頻道上播映。該台在一整年中放映很多亞裔影片，錯過了電視放映時間的人，還可以上網，或者購買碟片看。

            WGBH今年的亞美傳統月慶祝，還聚焦在各行業，社區成為領袖的成功亞裔。5月24日晚應邀出席分享經驗的包括麻州企業發展署助理署長范文南(Nam Pham)，邦克丘社區學院校長余慕潔(Pam Y. Eddinger)，以及Cue Ball創投和高景策略(High Vista Strategies)共同創辦人朱曉曄(Brian Chu)。

            在程必璧主持，開放網路直播聽眾提問的問答環節中，三名講者還簡單介紹了各自經歷。

            去年10月才赴白宮接受奧巴馬總統表揚的余慕潔說，當年她和家人從香港移民來美，落腳邁阿密，純粹是排華法案迫使她叔叔先赴古巴，轉加拿大，再來美國邁阿密。當他們抵達時，周圍也只有他們一家是華人。雖然剛到美國時，她一句英文也不會，但面對生活，要當叔叔餐館的外賣女郎，她連西班牙文都學了。上學時，更是什麼表格都自己填。可是，她覺得自己的經歷一點也不特別，因為直到今日，一代又一代的新移民，仍然有著和她類似的經歷。

麻州亞美局副主席周樹昂提問。(周菊子攝)

            在查理貝克政府中職位最高亞裔的范文南，是來自越南的難民，當年在美國政府安排下落腳明尼蘇達州。當地民眾很友善，他們順利定居，求學，他還有幸進了哈佛大學就讀，到華府實習，進入銀行界工作近廿年。他說自己的踏入公家機構服務是受到一直做工會組織工作的父親所影響。他認為亞裔在私底下可各有各的聚會，活動，但面相美國主流社會時就應該不分族裔，原國籍的團結在一起，才能形成更大力量，發出更響亮聲音。

昆士中學校長張可仁提問。(周菊子攝)

            年僅40出頭的朱曉曄是來自台灣移民的後代，紐約出生，新澤西州長大，在哈佛大學讀本科，主修東亞文明，畢業後曾在紐約，香港，西雅圖工作，後來回哈佛讀企管碩士，並從1998年起留在麻州。由於個性喜歡解開疑團，喜歡有挑戰性的事務，後來進金融界，和人合夥，開投資公司及風險公司。他坦言自己的經歷，和另兩名嘉賓相比，比較沒有波折，但他同意要建立人脈關係。

            在討論中，余慕潔表示，亞裔美人在美國社會中的時間還不夠長，融入主流社會的經歷和東歐人略有差別。她頗為直白地認為亞裔是泛稱，其中包含太多族裔，文化背景各不相同，要整合統一為一體是不可能的事。

程必璧指出，當年如果沒有從1882一直持續到1943年的排華法案，沒有一年只准105名華人移居美國的限制，亞裔美人的在美處境，如今或許大不相同。

排華法案顯然是當晚的一個重點話題。李超榮(Leverette Wing)在介紹影片時也透露，他的英文姓名來源，就是排華法案的一個結果。當年他母親因為是在美出生，得以隨外祖父回到美國，但其他的兄弟姊妹卻無法來美，外祖母也只好留在中國照顧它們。外祖父病故前，特地交代他母親要把家人接來美國，但他母親那時才只14歲，經人介紹認識姓氏為Leverett的參議員，獲得幫助，歷經11年，才終於為全家人辦成移民來美國。他的名字Leverett，就是為了紀念這位參議員。

提問時，昆士中學校長張可仁問猶太人的經驗是否有可學習之處。麻州亞美局副主席周樹昂則指出，排華法案影響深遠，導致許多華裔成了”紙上兒子( paper son)”。(圖片已於5月25日發表)

臺中二中訪倍得福高中 臺灣與美國新罕布夏州首次高中生國際交流

臺中二中何富財校長、鄭肇豪老師、賴莉伶老師，倍得福高中副校長

Bob Jozokos、王明德老師，教育組黃薳玉組長與臺中二中同學

於波士頓中國城牌坊前合影。(波士頓經文處教育組提供)

臺灣臺中市立第二高級中等中學（臺中二中）於5月13日由校長何富財率領，帶領2名老師與20名同學首度拜訪新罕布夏州倍得福高中，進行兩週的國際交流與文化學習。

駐波士頓辦事處教育組於5月24日晚間代表教育部及駐波士頓辦事處舉辦座談餐會，歡迎這些來自臺灣的高中生，黃薳玉組長在餐會中說明新英格蘭地區不僅擁有優質學習環境，更是全球學術重鎮，教育部也設立許多獎勵計畫，包括短期研習、實習，以及各項留學獎學金，鼓勵青年學子赴海外學習，以提升學生國際競爭力，希望與會同學未來可選擇到美國新英格蘭地區留遊學。

席間同學們彼此分享上課寄宿經驗，許多同學是第一次出國，他們表示此次活動不僅促使語言上有所進步，對於美國開放問答的教學方式感到嚮往，也期盼畢業後可以來美國留遊學，教育組則鼓勵這群高中生從現在開始規劃留遊學事宜，除教育部的獎學金計畫，並上網查看新英格蘭地區暑期遊學以及大學的申請方式。

臺中二中已與日本、法國的高中合作交流多年，今年正式踏入美國，與美國主流高中分享經驗，及課堂和文化的學習。20名參與交流的學生，必須通過英語檢測和面試，才能獲得出國交流的機會。每位同學獲分配一位倍得福高中學生作為「學伴」，白天在學校和學伴一起上課，晚上和週末則和學伴家庭一同生活，親身體驗美國生活文化。臺中二中的同學對於學伴與寄宿家庭的安排感到興奮，和學伴一同上課、利用Snapchat和學伴分享經驗與照片，週末學伴家庭帶二中同學遊覽歷史古蹟及觀光勝地，有同學表示學伴家庭帶他們參加高空彈跳、射擊及駕駛飛機等臺灣少有的運動活動。

臺中二中同學也在倍得福高中設置展攤，介紹臺中二中、推廣臺灣文化、表演街舞及扯鈴等民俗技藝，其中街舞受到全校師生的驚嘆，活動結束後，倍得福高中同學主動來認識臺灣的同學，可說是最好的國民外交。此次交流訪問，不僅是課堂上學習，訪團同學並到新罕布夏州的安養中心做志工服務，介紹臺灣、演奏長笛及歌唱等音樂活動，帶給當地的年長者不一樣的文化經驗。

成立10年的倍得福高中，在國際交流上相當積極，每年舉辦世界文化週介紹各國文化，並與國外的高中交流合作。該校中文老師王明德是此次國際交流計畫的幕後推手，去年底王老師與該校副校長Bob Jozokos赴臺中討論交流事宜，今年4月15日王老師帶領4位倍得福學生造訪臺中二中，參訪臺灣名勝古蹟，並由臺中二中同學家庭接待，融入臺灣生活。(波士頓經文處教育組提供)

麻州野生動物會放生55隻瀕危烏龜

MassWildlife Releases 55 Endangered Turtles as Part of Successful Restoration Effort

BOSTON – As part of the Baker-Polito Administration’s efforts to restore endangered species in Massachusetts, Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) officials, cooperating partners and members of the public today participated in the release of 55 Northern Red-bellied Cooters, a turtle listed on both federal and state endangered species lists, at the Burrage Pond Wildlife Management Area in Hanson.

Last fall, the cooter hatchlings were removed from the wild and paired with partnering educational and scientific facilities from across the state as part of MassWildlife’s “headstarting” program. Raising the turtles in captivity for several months greatly accelerates growth and reduces the likelihood of death from predators during a turtle’s first year of life.

春天科技高中中文課學生進波士頓華埠探險

春田科技高中教師：外語部主任Anne Ferriter(前排左二)、中文教師

黃美珠(前排右一)、駐波士頓教育組組長黃薳玉(前排左三)與該校

學生會後合影。(教育組提供)

(Boston Orange周菊子整理)麻州中部春田科技高中(Springfield High School of Science and Technology)29名中文課學生，日前由該校外語部主任Ann Ferriter，中文老師黃美珠率領，進波士頓華埠”探險。

駐波士頓臺北經濟文化辦事處教育組組長黃薳玉配合該校的華語文戶外教學主題，請這些學生到華埠餐廳品嘗中華美食，學習使用筷子。

席間，黃薳玉派發教育部臺灣獎學金與華語文獎學金資料，鼓勵這些學生將來到臺灣進修。她說，臺灣的華語文教學環境豐富多元，大學課程學費和美國比也更有經濟效益，人民又友善，絕對是美國學生到海外留遊學的最佳選擇之一。

            到華埠餐廳用餐前，春田科技高中的這些學生根據黃美珠老師的設計，當天早上先分組走訪波士頓華埠的中藥店、飲料店、中華藝品店，訪談商家，練習華語文，也藉由實地接觸，認識中華文化及華埠社區的生活型態，午餐時再由4名同學做代表，分享見聞，交流心得，從一踏進華埠就看到中文店鋪招牌林立，糕餅、飲品店裏賣茶葉蛋，珍珠奶茶，超市新鮮蔬菜種類繁多，聊得好開心。

            黃薳玉指出，春田科技高中的黃美珠老師在教育的第一線崗位長年耕耘，2016年還獲得波士頓經文處頒給「2016年優秀中文教師獎」，十分難得。海外華語文教育的延續，全靠這些老師的熱心付出。(經文處教育組提供資料)

中華耆英會慶祝45週年

波士頓僑教中心主任歐宏偉(右起)與駐波士頓臺北經濟文化辦事處
副處長陳銘俊代表僑委會委員長吳新興，送出「共濟群力」賀軸
乙幀給中華耆英會，由董事長陳建立，行政主任梅伍銀寬接受。
(波士頓僑教中心提供)

波士頓中華耆英會5月24日晚在華埠龍鳳大酒樓慶祝創會45週年，300餘名各界僑領及主流政要參加。

會上不但有音樂演奏等文娛表演，摸彩等助興節目，還有多名藝術家捐贈的攝影、國畫作品現場拍賣，場面熱絡溫馨。

駐波士頓臺北經濟文化辦事處副處長陳銘俊，僑教中心主任歐宏偉在會上依序代表中華民國政府，僑務委員會委員長吳新興，向中華耆英會表達敬意，祝福，感謝該會在海外華人社區的長期付出與貢獻。

他們兩人也聯袂送給該會「共濟群力」賀軸乙幀，由董事長陳建立和行政主任梅伍銀寬代表接受。

波士頓年輕人比率之高 全美大城市中排名第一

(Boston Orange 周菊子整理報導)波士頓基金會(Boston Foundation)週三(24日)公佈的一份調查報告指波士頓是”千禧年世代城市”。 市內年紀在18至37歲的千禧年居民己乎佔了總人口的三分之一。

波士頓商業雜誌指出，根據大約1600名參加調查的大波士頓千禧年世代居民，波士頓市有著文化豐富，多元的好處，但也面對著房價太貴，地方經濟並不能為不同族群提供平等機會的現實。

根據該報告，波士頓市的20至34歲人口，佔全市人口34%，高居全美25大城市的第一位。年輕人最多，聚集最密的地區是高佔82%的芬衛-侃麼(Fenway-Kenmore) ，以及高佔65%的奧斯頓-布萊頓(Allston-Brighton)。這些年輕人的族裔多元化程度也前所未有的高，有43%是非白人或西班牙裔白人。

波士頓商業雜誌認為，這調查報告讓人看到至少五大現象，首先是房價太貴，大部分年輕人都未置業，一半以上得把三分之一的薪水花在房租上。其次是族裔不同，收入有別。許多接受調查的黑人及拉丁裔千禧年世代，都說自己入不敷出。三是波士頓，劍橋市，尚莫維爾市這三個城市的千禧年人口在2000年到2015年間成長最快，遠超過其他城市。大波士頓地區的千禧年代人口受教育程度之告，也遠比以前年代為高。以波士頓為例，在2000年到2015年間，持有大學學位年輕人的比例從52%成長到65%。這些千禧年世代年輕人並不特別擔心波士頓的經濟景況，但憂慮機會不平等。80%接受調查的人說，他們相信波士頓的未來經濟前景很好，但有不下70%的人認為，並不是每一種社會經濟背景的人都有一樣多的經濟機會。

波士頓環球報指出，以2014年為例，大波士頓25歲以上年輕人，有45%持有大專學歷，在全美排行第四，僅次於華府，聖荷西，以及舊金山。

該調查由波士頓基金會的研究機構，波士頓指標(Boston Indicators)，以及大波士頓商會的”城市覺醒(City Awake)”製作，調查了308名18歲至37歲的年輕人。

馬克祖柏格領哈佛博士學位 盼未來世界人人無憂 勸對別人好一點

哈佛大學校長佛斯特(Catherine Drew Fauter，右)為畢業演講致詞。
前左一為馬克祖柏格。(周菊子攝)

            (Boston Orange 周菊子麻州劍橋市報導)臉書(Facebook)創辦人馬克祖柏格(Mark Zuckerberg)5月25日下午為哈佛大學畢業典禮演講，向冒雨出席的數百名校友及嘉賓說，推動社會前進的世代挑戰是”重新建立使命感(renew sense of purpose)”，理想的未來世界應該是沒有人會因為害怕無法生存而放棄夢想。

馬克祖柏格站在哈佛畢業典禮舞台上，笑得合不攏嘴。(周菊子攝)

            從未大學畢業，但獲頒哈佛大學榮譽法學博士學位的馬克祖柏格在演講中從個人談及社會，直言世界並不公平，人們成功不只是因為有好想法，肯努力，更是因為幸運。他希望和他一樣屬於"千禧年"這世代的年輕人，能有勇氣讓自己的生命變得更好，並連帶影響世界。

            他說這演講主要想談目的。他認為”千禧年”世代的人都有使命感，但個人有使命感還不夠，大家面對的挑戰是如何創造一個每個人都有使命感的世界。要推動社會向前，就必須重新建立使命感。

馬克祖柏格位哈佛畢業典禮致詞。(周菊子攝)

            一，二，三的，馬克祖柏格還舉例說明，要如何重建使命感。首先要有一個有意義的大項目，例如治癒人世間所有的疾病，讓民主現代化；其次是重新定義平等，給人們追求目地的自由，因為最偉大的成功，往往源於能自由的不懼怕失敗；最後，要為每一個人建立目的感的做法是打造社區，並且以全世界為最終目標的從小，從地方做起。馬克祖柏格說，我們生活在一個不穩定的時代，自由，開放及全球社區和獨裁對抗，知識流通，貿易及移民和會拖慢他們的力量對抗。這其實不是國家之爭，而是理念之戰。

馬克祖柏格。(周菊子攝)

            他還藉演講澄清電影裡關於Facemesh是Facebook前身的故事不正確，但認識Priscilla，的確是他哈佛生涯中發生的最好的一件事。那時候他告訴Priscilla，還有三天他就要被踢出學校了，所以他們得趕快約會。他笑說這台詞，快畢業的人都可以用。

哈佛大學校長佛斯特(前左)，和校董中唯一的華人李威鳳
(William F. Lee)(前右)坐在舞台第一排。(周菊子攝)

            馬克祖柏格表示，當初不肯賣臉書，是因為他想要對世界有影響。他認為”凡事從小做起”，每個人都可以一星期拿出一，二個小時做公益，為改善社會做些貢獻。他在Priscilla堅持下，去了一個男女童軍會教編碼，市場行銷，了解到一個以前從來沒有深刻認識的社會層面。

其中一名無證件學生，因為這特殊身分，恐怕自己沒有機會上大學，但在回應馬克祖柏格問他最想要什麼生日禮物時，卻回答”一本有關社會正義”的書。馬克祖柏格提及這段經歷時，語帶哽噎。

馬克祖柏格看著台下的妻子。(周菊子攝)

            他也以自己的遭遇，勸年輕人平時對別人好一點。他說初進哈佛時，不知為什麼，竟沒人會和他說話，只有一個名叫KX Jin的人。結果，KX Jin現在和他一起經營”臉書”。                                                             輟學者獲頒博士學位，為學校畢業典禮致詞，馬克祖柏格並不是第一人。哈佛大學在他之前，有比爾蓋茲(Bill Gates)於2007年返校演講，領得同樣的榮譽法學博士學位。麻州大學安赫斯特(Amherst)分校，有2016年時，所創辦公司Crashlytic被推特(Twitter)以逾億美元收購的張宗瑋。

哈佛大學13名校董中唯一的華人，李威鳳(William F. Lee)。(周菊子攝)

哈佛校友進場，從1928年那一屆開始。(周菊子攝)

麻州總檢察長奚莉(Maura Healy)也是哈佛校友，特地出席。(周菊子攝)

麻州總檢察長奚莉(Maura Healy)獲點名介紹。(周菊子攝)

Add caption

儀式結束，哈佛畢業生們紛紛湧上前要和馬克祖柏格合影。

下雨，許多哈佛畢業生及校友都選擇留在室內看轉播。

REP. LIEU STATEMENT ON 4TH CIRCUIT UPHOLDING BLOCK OF TRUMP'S MUSLIM BAN

 REP. LIEU STATEMENT ON 4TH CIRCUIT UPHOLDING BLOCK OF TRUMP'S MUSLIM BAN

Washington – Today, Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D | Los Angeles County) issued the following statement after the US 4TH Circuit Court of Appeals decided not to reinstate President Trump’s revised travel ban.

“As an immigrant, I applaud the decision by the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals to uphold the block of President Trump’s Muslim ban.  The 4th Circuit is spot on when it writes that Trump’s ban ‘drips with intolerance, animus and discrimination.’  As a Veteran, I also stress the fact that Trump’s bigoted ban – couched within a misguided argument about our national security – does nothing to make America safer.  In fact, Trump’s Muslim ban hands our real enemies like ISIL and al-Qaeda a powerful recruiting tool and undermines our relationships with partners abroad.  There is nothing more un-American than undermining our fundamental value of accepting those who are fleeing tyranny, those who want to start a better life in the United States.  Thanks to the 4th Circuit, some of America’s fundamental values are safe from Trump’s desire to gut them.”

CAPAC Chair Rep. Judy Chu on 4th Circuit Upholding Block of Muslim Ban

CAPAC Chair Rep. Judy Chu on 4th Circuit Upholding Block of Muslim Ban

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a lower court’s injunction against President Donald Trump’s repackaged Muslim and refugee travel ban. Following the ruling, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) Chair Rep. Judy Chu (CA-27) issued the following statement:

“Today, the Fourth Circuit Court confirmed what we have been saying for months – President Trump’s Muslim travel ban is not only anti-Muslim and un-American, but fundamentally violates our constitutional right to freedom of religion. Both of the President’s failed attempts to discriminate on the basis of religion prove that his dangerous policies cannot be shrouded behind a false rhetoric of national security. In fact, neither the Muslim ban nor Trump’s other xenophobic Executive Orders have anything to do with national security. Instead, they are thinly veiled attempts to discriminate against entire communities and they run contrary to many core American values. I applaud the decision of the 4th Circuit today, whose ruling affirms that our fundamental values as a nation cannot be threatened.

Hubway bike share network expansion is a project of the Go Boston 2030 mobility plan

MAYOR MARTIN J. WALSH AND LEADERS OF BROOKLINE, CAMBRIDGE, AND SOMERVILLE ANNOUNCE MAJOR EXPANSION OF PUBLIC BIKE SHARE SYSTEM

Expansion of the Hubway bike share network is a project of the Go Boston 2030 mobility plan

BOSTON - Thursday, May 25, 2017 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced the largest single expansion of the public bike share system since its launch in Boston in 2011. The upcoming expansion delivers on one of the projects and policies of Go Boston 2030, the City of Boston's comprehensive mobility plan released in March of this year. Over the next two years, more than 70 new bike stations will be added to the 127 stations currently in existence in Boston, more than a 55 percent increase in bike stations located across the City of Boston. The expansion comes after the Boston Transportation Department negotiated a new long-term contract with Motivate, International to operate the publicly-owned Hubway system. "Bike share is low-cost, reliable transportation for Boston residents. I'm proud to bring new service to neighborhoods that have asked to be included in the program," said Mayor Walsh. "To further improve the system, the majority of Hubway stations will now operate in the City of Boston year round, continuing service to residents and other members throughout the winter months." "During the Go Boston 2030 planning process, residents told us they wanted more access to healthy transportation options," said Boston Transportation Commissioner Gina N. Fiandaca. "With this expansion of bike share service, more people can count on riding a bike year round for trips to work, to school, to libraries and more, or for recreational purposes." BTD will continue to seek additional funding opportunities to work toward the City of Boston's 2030 bike share goals. The expansion, as well as new service improvements that will also be introduced in the coming months, is the result of efforts made by BTD's Policy and Planning Division/Active Transportation Team. Additional service improvements include more valet services where users are guaranteed bikes and docks at high-demand locations, and innovative techniques to make sure bikes and empty docks are more available at every station. In addition, the system's dependability will be improved with the addition of new stations and docks where many people are already using bike share. The additional bike-share stations in Boston will be complemented by growth of the Hubway network in Cambridge, Somerville and Brookline as well. Together with Boston, these municipalities manage the regional bike share system and also approved long-term contracts with Motivate. "The region's highly successful bike share system is a result of the collaborative relationship that exists among the partnering cities," said Cambridge City Manager Louis A. DePasquale. "Hubway has been available to Cambridge residents and visitors year-round for the past four years, which reflects our commitment to sustainable and cost-effective transportation. We look forward to year-round service coming to Boston, and the system's expansion in the coming years." "For Brookline, near-term system expansion will more than double the number of stations in Town, and at full buildout there will be thirteen stations, making it easier than ever to make regional connections. We are excited to be joining our municipal partners in growing the system and reaching more neighborhoods and riders," said Brookline Board of Selectmen Chair Neil Wishinsky. Planning for Boston's bike share station expansion will begin in the early summer, with public meetings to be held in neighborhoods across the City. BTD expects to reach new neighborhoods with bike share, including Dorchester, Roslindale, and Mattapan. Dozens of new stations and docks will also be added in Boston's existing service area to better meet current demand. "We're excited to work with such great partners to help expand Hubway, and get more people riding than ever before," said Jay Walder, President and CEO of Motivate, the operator of Hubway. "As part of that effort we are talking to several companies potentially interested in becoming the new title sponsor of the program and look forward to finding the right fit to help continue to grow this dynamic, vital new part of Boston's regional transportation network." "Without a doubt bike sharing is having a profound impact on our region," said Marc Draisen, Executive Director of the Metropolitan Area Planning Council, whose agency helps to coordinate the regional Hubway system. "There is great demand to expand the system into more neighborhoods in Boston, Cambridge, Somerville, and Brookline, and into neighboring cities and towns. Getting more people onto bikes more often is our goal." The Hubway system is regional public transportation by bike, owned by the municipalities of Boston, Brookline, Cambridge and Somerville. System wide, there are more than 180 stations offering 1,600 bikes to more than 15,000 members. Since launching in July 2011, users have taken 5.3 million trips.  Find out more about the Hubway system at www.thehubway.com. ###

吳新興訪敘利亞難民中小學 見證慈濟大愛精神

僑務委員會委員長吳新興5月24日赴歐洲考察僑務，專程轉往敘利亞難民滿納海中小學及慈濟土耳其聯絡點義診服務中心等地，見證臺灣人在海外實踐人飢己飢、人溺已溺的奉獻精神。

吳新興當天在駐土耳其代表鄭泰祥、土耳其台商會會長林榮堂、土耳其慈濟聯絡點負責人胡光中以及土耳其伊斯坦堡當地各級官員等人陪同下抵達滿納海中小學，學生們以精彩的歌唱與舞蹈節目表演熱情迎接。

在師長引領下，吳新興進教室參觀上課情形。據悉，老師與學生同為難民，在物資缺乏、桌上的書本新舊不一的情形下，老師極力協助重返校園的難民幼童接受教育。

吳新興表示，敘利亞社會長期動盪不安，逃難的孩子流離失所，受教育的機會與時間是一種奢侈。他表示，他也是一名教育者，看見難民師生在刻苦的環境下教學與學習，令他心痛，同時對於台灣慈濟志工不分宗教、背景、膚色，一心服務人群的精神，與有榮焉。

參訪結束時，他感謝慈濟人以物資、人力協助受災者，並協同義診中心的志工醫護團隊為當地人免費診治，慈濟不僅在慈善、教育、人文上付出，醫療腳步也不停歇，值得大家尊敬與效法。

強森藥品標示不實 付麻州90餘萬元

MASSACHUSETTS TO RECEIVE MORE THAN $900,000 FROM JOHNSON & JOHNSON OVER ALLEGED MISREPRESENTATIONS OF QUALITY OF DRUGS 
Payment Part of $33 Million Settlement Resolving Multistate Investigation into Marketing and Promotion of Certain Over-the-Counter Drugs

BOSTON – Massachusetts will receive more than $900,000 in a settlement resolving a multistate investigation into Johnson & Johnson related to misrepresentations concerning the quality of certain over-the-counter drugs, Attorney General Maura Healey announced today.

The companies – Johnson & Johnson and Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc. – have agreed to pay a total of $33 million in the multistate settlement and update their practices around the marketing and promotion of over-the-counter drugs manufactured and distributed by McNeil Consumer Healthcare Division, a business unit of Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc.

“Massachusetts residents deserve over-the-counter drugs to be safe and marketed truthfully,” said AG Healey. “These companies will be held accountable for using deceptive marketing practices in promoting these drugs, including medications for infants and children.”

The investigation conducted by AG Healey and 42 other state attorneys general concluded that McNeil unlawfully promoted its over-the-counter drugs as complying with federally-mandated current Good Manufacturing Practices even though the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) found that some McNeil manufacturing facilities did not comply with those practices between 2009 and 2011. As a result, certain McNeil over-the-counter drugs were deemed adulterated as a matter of federal law.

The complaint, filed along with the consent judgment today in Suffolk Superior Court, alleges that the companies, acting through McNeil, violated state consumer protection laws by misrepresenting compliance with the current Good Manufacturing Practices and the quality of their over-the-counter drugs. They also allegedly represented that these drugs had sponsorship, approval, characteristics, ingredients, uses, benefits, quantities, or qualities that they did not have. 

According to the complaint, McNeil then delivered into the market certain batches of over-the-counter drugs that failed to comply with federal standards and were deemed adulterated. 

McNeil’s alleged quality control lapses resulted in recalls of drugs manufactured between 2009 to 2011 including Tylenol, Motrin, Benadryl, St. Joseph Aspirin, Sudafed, Pepcid, Mylanta, Rolaids, Zyrtec, and Zyrtec Eye Drops, several of which are indicated for pediatric use.

The settlement requires McNeil to ensure that its marketing and promotional practices do not unlawfully promote over-the-counter drug products. Among other measures, McNeil is specifically prohibited from representing on its websites that its drug product facilities meet current Good Manufacturing Practices if they have had a recall of their over-the-counter drug products within the prior 12 months. 

Massachusetts was part of the Executive Committee, which was led by Pennsylvania and Texas, and also includes Attorneys General from Arizona, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Montana, New Jersey, and Ohio. Also participating in the settlement are Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

            This matter was handled in Massachusetts by Assistant Attorney General Stephen Vogel of AG Healey’s Health Care Division.