麻州華裔民代點將錄 年輕女性從政興趣大

在美華人一向政治冷感，無論是參選或投票都不積極，以至華人儘管移居美國已逾百年，傳承不下四、五代，但從政者迄今鳳毛麟角，麻州地區加起來僅10人上下。

麻州華人公開支持政客的也一直不多，最知名的是1930年代在波士頓出生的廣東台山移民後代，陳毓璇，陳毓禮兩兄弟。

陳氏兄弟藉著當年名為華珍，那時他們自己經營，現名龍鳳的酒樓，經常為政客辦籌款會，在華裔社區拜票，奠定他們儼然波士頓華埠地下市長的影響力。

陳毓璇的主要影響力，來自當年擔任麻州參議會議長的威廉鮑傑，陳毓禮的主要影響力則來自他和波士頓市任期最長，逾20年的市長萬寧路（Tom Menino），以及延伸到後來的前任麻州州長派屈克（Deval Patrick），現任州長查理貝克（Charlie Baker），現任波士頓市長馬丁華殊（Martin Walsh）的友誼。

來自中國大陸華人移民，近年增加極為迅速，使麻州華裔人口數在2014年的美國人口統計調查中已上升到141,655，佔總人口的3.39％，但礙於美國移民法的配額制度，以及華人本身的過客心態，許多華人即使來美已十幾，廿，甚至三十年，仍然頂多只有綠卡，還沒拿公民身份，或未登記成為選民，以致無權投票，也難以在政治上產生影響力。

麻州本地的華人參政，早在1985年就有司徒其安（Kai Shang）當選過亞特柏羅（Attleboro）市市長，但過去這30年來，參政華人仍屈指可數，包括90年代起先後當選牛頓市市議員的馬惠美，談繼欣，2007年當選費奇堡（Fitchburg）市長的黃素芬（Lisa Wong），2009年 當選麻州眾議員的黃子安，陳德基，曾參選麻州副州長，當選連任劍橋市議員已四屆的張禮能。

在人口規模較小的城鎮中，有李波當選為勒星頓鎮委員，伍甘澍當選為康可鎮鎮議員，王衛東當選為房屋委員，蕭廣松參選過。文華則是在牛頓市參選過憲章委員會委員。

然後直到2014年，才有吳弭當選為波士頓不分區市議員，2016年有梁秀婷當選為昆士市不分區市議員。

2016年時，吳弭再度締造歷史，當選為波士頓市有史以來的首名華裔、亞裔市議會議長。

綜觀歷年來的華裔麻州民代，人們可發現幾個有趣現象，其一是女性當選成功率高，其二是年齡越來越輕。黃素芬，吳弭都是年僅28歲時首度當選，剛當選的梁秀婷更是才26歲，其三是不再競選連任的都是女性。

談繼欣數年前卸任，沒競選連任。黃素芬當了四任市長後，去年中也宣佈不再連任。

三名男性民代，麻州眾議員黃子安，陳德基都已宣佈今年（2016）繼續競選連任。劍橋市市議員張禮能已於去年底順利連任。

去年，緬因州也有一名混血華裔陳樂（Ben Chin）參選路易斯頓市市長，十一月大選時得票最高，卻因得票率未超過半數，最後在依照市府規定辦理的二選一複選中，不幸落敗。

今年跳進選戰中的華人，還有刻正參選麻州參議員的黃子瑜（Diana Hwang)。根據麻州政府規定，年滿30才能競選州參議員。

鄰州參選華人有甫於2月26日宣佈競選連任，曾參選果羅德島州副州長的克蘭斯頓市市長馮偉傑，以及在賓州參選國會眾議員，年僅24歲的李林笛。（更新版）

BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY CELEBRATES TEEN TECH WEEK

BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY CELEBRATES TEEN TECH WEEK

Programs take place at six locations throughout the system

BOSTON – February 29, 2016 – Boston Public Library celebrates Teen Tech Week March 6-12, an annual national initiative of the Young Adult Library Services Association. Six neighborhood locations in the Boston Public Library system, including the recently renovated Teen Central at the Central Library, have events planned with the theme “Create it at your library.” Through these programs, learning is extended beyond the classroom and teens have a space in which they can explore, create, and share content, and learn to be competent and ethical users of digital media.

“Teen Tech Week is a great opportunity for our young residents across the city to participate in free programs that will advance their skills in using modern technology,” said Mayor Walsh. “I encourage all of our teenage learners to participate in these programs that will help them expand their knowledge of digital media and technology, and gain a competitive advantage that will help them achieve their future goals.”

“Boston Public Library joins libraries across the nation in supporting the digital literacy needs of teens everywhere,” said Boston Public Library Interim President David Leonard. “Boston teens across the city have a variety of programs to choose from and can further their education and skill development in a safe learning environment.”

”Teen Tech Week is a prime opportunity for teens across the city to have a hands-on experience with technology and hone their skills; teens participating in technology programs at Boston Public Library locations will help support their college and 21st century career needs,” said Farouqua Abuzeit, Manager of Youth Services.

Programs offered March 6-12 include music making through code, building robot hardware, blogging, and coding with Minecraft in conjunction with the Rhode Island Computer Museum. The six Boston Public Library locations participating in Teen Tech Week are: Dudley, East Boston, Grove Hall, Hyde Park, Mattapan, and Teen Central, Central Library in Copley Square. The complete schedule of events for Teen Tech Week and beyond can be found by searching for “Teen Tech Week” in the Boston Public Library calendar, which is available via www.bpl.org/calendar.

Minuteman Lands $500,000 Competitive State Grant to Help Launch New Career and Technical Program

Minuteman Lands $500,000 Competitive State Grant

to Help Launch New Career and Technical Program

LEXINGTON – With the help of a $500,000 state grant, Minuteman High School will launch a new Advanced Manufacturing & Metal Fabrication program to train high school students and adults for high-wage, high-demand jobs in the field of advanced manufacturing in the MetroWest region. 

The competitive grant was announced by Governor Charles D. Baker during ceremonies at the State House on February 24.  The Governor announced grants totaling $9.3 million from the new Massachusetts Skills Capital Grant Program.  He was joined at the event by Lt. Governor Karyn Polito, Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Ronald Walker II, Education Secretary James Peyser, and Housing and Economic Development Secretary Jay Ash.

Some 68 schools and training programs applied for grants.  Only 35 were successful.

“This is terrific news for our school and for our region,” said Dr. Edward A. Bouquillon, Superintendent at Minuteman High School.  “We are grateful to Governor Baker and his Workforce Skills Cabinet for making this investment in high-quality vocational-technical education.”

Minuteman received $500,000, the largest grant possible under the program.  Only one other school received the maximum award.

With the grant, Minuteman will purchase 10 industry-standard machines and 15 ancillary training simulators.  The equipment will include five Mini Mills, four CNC Tool Room Lathes, and one CNC Lathe with Y Axis.   

The equipment will help Minuteman serve vocational high school students, academic high school students, unemployed and underemployed adults, and incumbent workers seeking to earn industry credentials.

"Securing this highly-competitive state grant helps reduce costs to local taxpayers,” said Dr. Bouquillon.  “Minuteman will continue to aggressively pursue opportunities like this one to get grants.” 

Instruction will be delivered at Minuteman High School by Chapter 74 state-licensed teachers and will follow state curriculum frameworks and guidelines from the National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS).  The new program will be guided by a Program Advisory Committee of business, education and community leaders that will review curriculum, equipment, instruction, and industry trends.

Dr. Bouquillon noted that nine companies or agencies wrote letters supporting Minuteman’s grant application.  These include the Boston Tooling & Machining Association, Inc.; Vaccon Vacuum Products; Mach Machine, Inc.; Lexington Public Schools; Wentworth Institute of Technology College of Professional and Continuing Education; Partnerships for a Skilled Workforce; North Central Massachusetts Workforce Investment Board; Metro North Regional Employment Board; and the Minuteman Futures Foundation, Inc.

Several business people and educators have already agreed to serve on the Program Advisory Committee for the new program.

According to Michelle Roche, Director of Career and Technical Education at Minuteman, the school will be ordering and installing equipment and designing the new program over the next several months.  The school is hoping to have initial course offerings in the fall.

Minuteman officials are currently planning a new 628-student high school consisting of two Career Academies supporting a total of 16 high-quality career and technical education programs.  Advanced Manufacturing will be part of the new school’s Engineering, Construction and Trades Academy.

Minuteman is an award-winning regional high school that integrates robust academic and career & technical learning to deliver a revolutionary competitive advantage. The school serves a diverse student body with multiple learning styles, expanding opportunities for college and career success.

As an accredited member of the New England Association of Schools & Colleges (NEASC), Minuteman challenges all students to aspire to their full potential, accelerate their learning, and achieve success in the 21st-century global community.

吳弭接連締造歷史 掀麻州講普通話華人參政意識

  

             (Boston Orange周菊子報導)數十名麻州郊區華人，2月28日下午匯聚在波士頓市聖詹姆士街的忍者快車餐廳（Samurai Express），支持波士頓市有史以來的首名華裔市議長吳弭（Michelle Wu），為麻州華人團結合作，支持華裔參政，發揮華人在美國政界影響力跨出更大一步。

吳弭指出，過去這兩年多的從政經驗，讓她更深刻體會到，政府許多政策，都是由一小撮代表討論出來的。在政策決定桌上都坐著誰，因此非常很重要。亞裔社區若沒人代表，就沒有聲音。

她認為亞裔如今在人數上，專業成就上，其實都已達到相當水平，如今就還只差走到一起這一步。

目前不單只亞裔有中，印，日，韓，越，泰，新加坡等分別，就連華人也有來自中國，香港，台灣的差異，如何求同存異的團結出一種聲音，將是亞裔在美國政界發揮影響力很重要的因素。

她相信亞裔只要把追求專業成就上的理念、價值觀，轉移到關心，參與政治上，從出席投票，捐錢支持參選者，到當仁不讓的提出政見，競選職務，亞裔必能不被忽視。

吳弭在會中藉由她個人的經歷，鼓勵年輕人在規劃人生時，要把關心時事、政治包括進去。她強調，無論各人專業背景為何，政治其實和人們生活的每一層面都息息相關。亞裔凡事默不出聲，亞裔社區就更會被人拋在腦後。

2月28日的這場活動，可能是麻州來自中國大陸移民為政客辦籌款會的首例。吳弭致詞時，百分之八、九十的內容都用普通話說，讓與會者感到格外親切。

這籌款會的主要承辦者是在金融界工作的郭慧明，趙剛，開國際文化旅行社的婁新新，以及忍者快車餐廳東主鄺國彬夫婦。包括麻州新成立牛頓市華人協會的董事沈安平，蔣紅；大安多福華人協會會長褚真威，以及最近在微信上做華人權益講座的廣西同鄉會董事謝婉珍，劍橋中國文化中心夕陽紅站代表王開成等等，全都不住在波士頓，但他們對吳弭都抱有無限希望，期許她能帶動麻州華人關心政治風氣，也促使麻州政界更加關注華人，亞裔社區的需求。

有些出席者也藉機會提出要求，開設“厚仁”送中式早餐到大學院校的劉霜，請吳弭代查相關牌照申請，夕陽紅籲請代找補助資源，一名家長問子女實習機會等等。

吳弭在會中也提醒亞裔社區，政府部門有許多職位出缺時，晉用什麼人遞補，常常是看哪個社區要求最力，打電話最多。亞裔社區必須以行動

這活動的主要籌辦者，會後在微信中提醒眾人，3月1日是美國2016年總統大選的黨派初選投票日，請出席投票。

吳弭在活動中簡述了自己的背景，坦白指出，身為亞裔，從未想過踏進政壇，主要因為鮮有先例。

1983年時，她的父母從台灣移民來美，定居芝加哥，陸續生下她這老大，以及三個弟妹。成長時，從來沒人說將來應該從政，頂多說她可以像關穎珊，做個溜冰冠軍。

當年最出名的從政亞裔，是時任美國勞工部部長的趙小蘭。上大學時，她在暑假到那兒實習過，由於一同實習的人中，幾無亞裔，她因此完全沒想過從政，畢業後進了企業界工作，住在波士頓北端。

有一天，小妹妹打電話來，說媽媽情況不好，催她回家。她回去後才發現，母親精神狀況不好，不但不能照顧弟妹，連自己都無法照顧。那時才22歲的她，不得不常常想，政府有哪些資源，可以讓她把弟妹放進最好的學校，找到會聽說中文的醫生，來給母親看病。

為了維生，她開了一家簡餐店，供應茶點，餃子。但是餐廳開張前申請許可所經歷的種種困難，讓她下定決心，將來回波士頓，一定要在牌照申請上幫助小企業，在學校教育上協助父母，在照顧精神有障礙者方面，琢磨出資源。

回波士頓到哈佛大學上法學院時，她就一邊照顧妹妹，母親，一邊到波士頓市長辦公室打工，從簡化餐車牌照申請上著手實現理想。在這過程中，她發現市政府層級的政策，對人們的生活，往往有直接影響，真的可以馬上幫助到人。

那時候的她，其實還很害羞。巧的是她在哈佛大學的合約法教授，伊莉莎白沃倫（Elizabeth Warren）也正走在從沒想過從政，卻開始參選的路上。 為老師助選的經歷，有如她從政的啟蒙老師。吳弭坦言，在敲開不善英語的選民大門，以中文和這些人溝通時，她更深刻認識到亞裔社區與政治的距離。