摩頓市長特別助理獲表揚為無名英雄

MASSACHUSETTS COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN

ANNOUNCED UNSUNG HEROINES OF 2018

Maria Luise of Malden was honored as a member of the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women’s 2018 class of Unsung Heroines.  Representative Steven Ultrino recommended Ms. Luise for this recognition because of her outstanding contributions to the city of Malden. Ms. Luise was honored with 130 other Unsung Heroines for her outstanding contributions to her organization/community in a ceremony on Wednesday, June 20, 2018 from 1-4 p.m., in the Great Hall at the State House in Boston.

Maria Luise is the special assistant to Mayor Gary Christenson. She has been a dedicated government employee for many years as well as an active member of the Malden community.

“Maria Luise has made significant contributions to the city of Malden,” says Representative Ultrino, “Her dedication to the community deserves recognition, which is why I was honored to nominate her for the Unsung Heroine Award.”

The Unsung Heroines are women who don’t make the news, but make the difference.  They are the women who use their time, talent and enthusiasm to enrich the lives of others and make a difference in their neighborhoods, cities and towns. They are mentors, volunteers and innovators who do what needs to be done without expectations of recognition or gratitude. These women are the glue that keeps a community together and every community is better because of their contribution.  

The ceremony included a program emceed by MCSW Chair Margot Parrot, acknowledging each of the 2018 Unsung Heroines, along with remarks from Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito, Speaker of the House Robert A. DeLeo, Senate President Harriette L. Chandler and Representative Colleen M. Garry, Co-Chair of the Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators. The ceremony was followed by a group photograph and a “Just Desserts” reception.

A complete list of this year’s honorees is available by contacting the Commission; to request this list or for additional information please contact the MCSW at 617-626-6520 or mcsw@state.ma.us.

This event was made possible with the generous support of the following sponsors: Baystate Health, Eastern Bank, Girls Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts, Jacqueline’s Gourmet Cookies, Kerry Goodwin Photography, Polar Beverages, and SM Lorusso and Sons, Inc.

The Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women is an independent state agency that was legislatively created in 1998 to advance women of the Commonwealth to full equality in all areas of life and to promote their rights and opportunities. The MCSW provides a permanent, effective voice for the women of Massachusetts.

AG HEALEY STATEMENT ON U.S. SUPREME COURT DECISION TO UPHOLD TRUMP TRAVEL BAN

AG HEALEY STATEMENT ON U.S. SUPREME COURT DECISION TO UPHOLD TRUMP TRAVEL BAN

BOSTON – Attorney General Maura Healey today issued the following statement in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to uphold President Trump’s travel ban:

“From the beginning, President Trump has been trying to make good on an outrageous and discriminatory campaign promise by banning Muslims from entering our country,” said AG Healey. “While I disagree with the court’s decision today, I am proud that we successfully stopped the first two versions of this executive order and limited the impact of this shameful policy. My office will continue to work with leaders in government and immigrant communities across Massachusetts to protect everyone’s rights and stand up to hate in all of its forms.”

AG Healey was one of the first state attorneys general to challenge President Trump’s executive order banning individuals from seven predominantly Muslim countries from entering the U.S. in January 2017, and later joined a lawsuit challenging the president’s revised travel ban in March 2017. Both of these earlier versions of the ban were struck down in court.

18 州總檢察官結盟 為強行拆散家庭移民政策告川普

AG HEALEY SUES TRUMP ADMINISTRATION OVER ILLEGAL FORCED FAMILY SEPARATION POLICY 
Lawsuit Seeks to Reunite Thousands of Separated Families and End the ‘Zero Tolerance Policy’

BOSTON – Attorney General Maura Healey today joined a coalition of 18 attorneys general in filing a lawsuit against the Department of Justice, the Department of Homeland Security, and relevant Trump Administration officials over their cruel and illegal policy of forcibly separating families at the southwestern border.

“What the Trump Administration is doing is not only inhumane and immoral, it is illegal,” said AG Healey. “Last week’s executive order is just another effort by the Administration to avoid responsibility for intentionally tearing apart thousands of families. We are suing to end this cruel and illegal policy, reunite families and ensure that this does not happen again.”

The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, asks the Court to order the Trump Administration to reunite the more than two thousand families that have been torn apart as a result of the unconstitutional policy. The attorneys general argue that the “zero tolerance” policy, requiring immediate separation of children from their parents and criminal prosecution of all adults who enter the southwestern border without express authorization, including those seeking asylum, violates due process, equal protection, and federal law.

The lawsuit further contends that the Executive Order issued by President Trump last week does not actually end the illegal policy, admits the federal government does not have the resources to indefinitely detain all of these families together, and does not reunify families who have been separated.

While the family separation policy starts at the southwestern border, it is impacting states across the country – including Massachusetts. As a result of the policy, a Brazilian mother who is now in Hyannis after an asylum officer found she has a credible fear of persecution in Brazil, has been separated from her nine-year-old son for almost a month. The woman’s son is still being held in a shelter in Chicago. The complaint also points to two Guatemalan children now in Massachusetts who were separated from their mother in Texas. After being held in Michigan for five weeks, the children have been reunited with their father in Westboro, while their mother is still held in Texas.

            Announced in April, the “zero tolerance policy” directs immigration authorities to detain and prosecute every unauthorized person that crosses the southwestern border, take their children away from them, and place the children into federal custody. Pursuant to President Trump’s Executive Order, the Department of Justice has subsequently asked a federal court to detain children with their parents for indefinite periods of time at unlicensed facilities. The lawsuit asks the Court to prohibit the Trump Administration from placing children in such unlicensed facilities.

By carrying out this policy, the attorneys general claim, the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security are inflicting devastating and long-lasting trauma on thousands of innocent children.

            The complaint also alleges that the policy violates the Administrative Procedures Act in that it is arbitrary and capricious and violates various laws that require defendants and the states to consider the best interests and well-being of children arriving in the United States.

            According to the lawsuit, the Trump Administration’s rationale for adopting the family separation policy – deterring migration – is not actually effective and not a legitimate law enforcement tactic. Furthermore, as the complaint points out, the policy is intended to target immigrants based on their national origin and is consistent with the bias President Trump has shown toward immigrants from Latin America.

           

Last week, AG Healey joined a coalition of 21 attorneys general in sending a letterto United States Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen calling on them immediately end the “zero tolerance” policy of forcibly separating children from their families at the border.

Joining AG Healey in filing the lawsuit are the attorneys general of Washington, California, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Virginia, as well as the District of Columbia.

This matter is being handled by Assistant Attorneys General Genevieve Nadeau, Chief of AG Healey’s Civil Rights Division, Abigail Taylor, Director of AG Healey’s Child and Youth Protection Unit, Angela Brooks, also of AG Healey’s Child and Youth Protection Unit, with assistance from Assistant Attorneys General Andrew Haile, of AG Healey’s Civil Rights Division, Jon Miller, Chief of AG Healey’s Public Protection and Advocacy Bureau, Paralegal Thayse Mendonca, of AG Healey’s Civil Rights Division, Paralegal Sneha Pandya, of AG Healey’s Consumer Protection Division, Investigator Ciara Tran, of AG Healey’s Civil Investigations Division, and Advocate Ellen Davis, of AG Healey’s Victim Witness Services Division.

CITY OF BOSTON KICKS-OFF 37th ANNUAL HARBORFEST

CITY OF BOSTON KICKS-OFF 37th ANNUAL HARBORFEST

Opening Ceremony at Historic Faneuil Hall Marketplace

BOSTON - Tuesday, June 26, 2018 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced the City of Boston will kick-off the 37th annual Boston Harborfest at Faneuil Hall Marketplace on Thursday, June 28 at 11:00 a.m. "The Boston Harbor has a rich history that goes all the way back to our country's founding and the fight for independence," said Mayor Martin J. Walsh. "Harborfest brings together residents and visitors alike to celebrate our city's unique history with exciting events and activities. I look forward to celebrating alongside everyone for another great year of festivities." Boston Harborfest is a multi-day festival with activities celebrating American Independence, honoring the city's colonial roots, and showcasing Boston's vibrant harbor. Mayor Walsh will be joined by Captain Claudia Gelzer, Captain of the Port of Boston, United States Coast Guard; Commander Nathaniel Shick, 75th Commanding Officer, USS Constitution; Pat Moscaritolo, President and Chief Executive Officer, Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau; Joe O'Malley, General Manager of Faneuil Hall Marketplace; and Harborfest partners during the celebration to kick-off the festival. Residents, visitors and businesses are invited to participate in the patriotic opening ceremony, which will feature United States Navy Band Northeast's Ceremonial Band and Rhode Island Sound who will create excitement with patriotic music, and the ceremonial cutting of the Harborfest cake. Mayor Walsh, Captain Gelzer, and Commander Shick and special guests will use a cutglass (sword) to cut the cake, provided by Faneuil Hall Marketplace and created by Montilio's Baking Company. National Park Service Park Rangers and Freedom Trail® Players, dressed in 18th-century costume, will be on hand to offer historical information about Faneuil Hall and other sites along the Freedom Trail. Held from June 28 through July 7, Harborfest celebrates the colonial and maritime heritage of America's independence in Boston. Over the years, Harborfest has grown from a local event to a national celebration. In 1982 there were 35 activities over the course of three days. Now in its 37th year, Harborfest is considered to be the country's largest Fourth of July festival with hundreds of activities over a week-long period at Boston's best landmarks. The family-friendly event includes the annual opening ceremony at Faneuil Hall Marketplace, historical reenactments, Freedom Trail® tours and historic sites' programs and events, activities along Boston Harbor, live entertainment, and much more.  An evening concert on Saturday, June 30 features the Squeezebox Stompers and Sweet Harmony leading up to a 9:00 p.m. fireworks show presented Friends of Christopher Columbus Park, Boston Harbor Now, and the Wharf District Council. Harborfest will also feature events at Christopher Columbus Park on Sunday, July 1, including Arts at Harborfest, curated by Artists Crossing, and Chowderfest, where attendees may vote on the best creations from local restaurants. On July 4, the annual City of Boston's Official Independence Day Commemoration, including a flag raising ceremony and parade will begin at 9:00 a.m. on City Hall Plaza.  The parade will travel from Boston City Hall to the Granary Burying Ground for a wreath laying honoring America's patriots, and to the Old State House for the official July 4threading of the Declaration of Independence. For more Harborfest information and a list of activities, please call 617-439-7700 or visit www.Bostonharborfest.com.

AARP Members Endorse Governor Baker’s Housing Choice Legislation

AARP Members Endorse Governor Baker’s Housing Choice Legislation

AARP leaders join members of the Administration to support the Baker-Polito Administration’s legislation, An Act to Promote Housing Choices

BOSTON – Today, Governor Charlie Baker, Secretary of Elder Affairs Alice Bonner,  Department of Housing and Community Development Undersecretary Janelle Chan, MassHousing Executive Director Chrystal Kornegay and members of the Administration met with several members of the Massachusetts Chapter of the AARP to discuss the administration’s efforts in providing Massachusetts’ aging population with diverse housing options. Leaders from AARP also expressed their support of the Baker-Polito Administration’s comprehensive housing legislation, An Act to Promote Housing Choices, which will drive housing production and affordability across the Commonwealth.

“Our administration is committed to providing more affordable and diverse housing options for Massachusetts’ aging population appreciates AARP’s support for our bill,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “We look forward to working with our colleagues in the Legislature to pass this legislation.”

“The older population in the Commonwealth has strengthened our workforce and helped to build stronger communities,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “With the support of AARP and others, we are committed to building more sustainable housing options for older adults here in Massachusetts.”

In Massachusetts, there are more people over the age of 60 than under the age of 20 and older adults will make up 23% of the Commonwealth’s population by 2035. To meet the impending needs of this fast-growing demographic, Governor Baker established the Governor’s Council to Address Aging in Massachusetts, which has provided recommendations to promote healthy aging and other age-friendly initiatives across the state. In January of 2018, Massachusetts became the second state in the nation to join AARP’s Network of Age-Friendly Communities, representing a major milestone in Massachusetts’ goal to become the most age-friendly state in the nation.

“The vast majority of people age 50 and older want to stay in their homes and communities for as long as possible. Governor Baker’s Housing Choice bill addresses the availability, affordability, and variety of housing options, which are very important to AARP and are woven into our Age Friendly Community and State principles,” said Mike Festa, AARP Massachusetts State Director.

The Baker-Polito Administration’s Housing Choice Initiative will create a new system of incentives and rewards for municipalities that deliver sustainable housing growth; create a new technical assistance toolbox, empower cities and towns to plan for new housing production; and deliver smart, effective zoning at the local level through proposed legislative reforms. The ability to rezone more easily will increase multi-family housing production near town centers or transit access, facilitating community involvement and travel by older adults.

“Housing is a critical component of livable communities and supports healthy aging,” said Secretary of Elder Affairs Alice Bonner. “The Administration’s Housing Choice legislation will add to the options that older people have told us that they want and need, so that they can continue to live and thrive in the communities they call home. This legislation represents an approach to ‘aging in all policies’ that is already moving us towards our goal of becoming the most age-friendly state in the nation.”

“We are pleased to receive the Massachusetts AARP's endorsement for our Housing Choice Legislation, which we believe is crucial to the future of our Commonwealth,” said Housing and Community Development Undersecretary Janelle Chan. “Massachusetts needs a balanced housing market that meets the demands of our diverse residents, and our current market is not doing that. From older adults looking to downsize and youngerfamilies hoping to put down roots, many of our residents are struggling to find affordable, appropriate housing. Our Housing Choice Initiative and Legislation provides powerful tools for cities and towns to tackle this vital challenge.”

The Housing Choice Initiative will deliver more than $10 million in incentives, grant funding and technical assistance per year, and enable Massachusetts to realize a new goal of creating 135,000 housing units over the next 7 years.

紐英崙至孝篤親發獎學金 廣教、僑立學生各8名

紐英崙至孝篤親公所頒發獎學金，鼓勵宗親子弟向學，為傳承鋪路。(周菊子攝)

               (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導)紐英崙至孝篤親公所(GHOT)6月25日在夏利臣街會所頒發獎學金，獎賞16名宗親子弟在中文學校的學習優秀，鼓勵他們多和公所來往，了解歷史，傳承家族。

得到獎學金的GHOT宗親子弟們。(周菊子攝)

               紐英崙至孝篤親公所元老陳毓禮在會上另宣佈，學習成績持續優秀的宗親子弟，將來升讀大學都有獎助金。

               至孝篤親獎學金委員會主任陳余寶愛表示，GHOT頒發獎學金有兩重作用，一是鼓勵宗親子弟學習中文，傳承中華文化傳統，一是希望宗親們代子女來到公所，認識其他宗親，建立感情，成為會員，延續並維繫公所的宗族血脈。

               GHOT分別請公所主席陳文珊，公所元老陳毓禮頒發獎學金，還請元老陳建立做開場講話，簡述GHOT源自舜帝，講究忠孝勤勉的傳統，鼓勵宗親子弟們進一步深入查察歷史。

得獎學生及家長和GHOT宗親們同聚一堂。(周菊子攝)

               會上也介紹了出席的公所資深長者，歷任主席的陳天佐，陳日華，陳文浩，以及獎學金委員會的陳余寶愛，陳黃海蘭，陳麗儀，胡衛正等人。

               中華廣教、僑立中文學校的各年級前三名學生中，當天各有8名陳、胡，袁三姓至孝篤親子弟，獲發元50元至150元不等金額的獎學金。非會員的獎學金為50元至75元，會元的獎學金為100元至150元。

GHOT元老陳毓禮(右)告訴宗親子弟，舜帝當年孝感動天，
象都來幫他耕田的故事。(周菊子攝)

               今年獲得獎學金有，中華廣教學校的陳浩斌，陳婉馨，陳柏志，陳晞媛，陳銘謙，Joline Chen，陳曉桐，陳安婷；僑立學校有陳煒琪，陳思琪，陳昊，陳翼宇，陳偉嘉，陳卓恒，陳萱，陳晉熙等人。

                         一名學生家長透露，自己不到10歲時移民來美，雖曾聽聞過至孝篤親公所，但這還真是第一次踏進該公所會址。

紐英崙GHOT公所供奉舜帝。(周菊子攝)

               

獎學金委員會主任陳余寶愛(中)和陳黃海蘭先點名，了解領獎學生出席
狀況。(周菊子攝)

GHOT元老陳建立(中)簡述宗族歷史。(周菊子攝)

MAYOR WALSH AND HISTORIC BOSTON CELEBRATE THE REDEVELOPMENT OF THE HISTORIC FOWLER CLARK EPSTEIN FARM IN MATTAPAN

MAYOR WALSH AND HISTORIC BOSTON CELEBRATE THE REDEVELOPMENT OF THE HISTORIC FOWLER CLARK EPSTEIN FARM IN MATTAPAN

BOSTON - Tuesday, June 26, 2018 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh yesterday joined partners Historic Boston Inc., The Trust for Public Land, the Urban Farming Institute of Boston, North Bennet Street School, and the Mattapan community to celebrate the more than $3.7 million historic renovation of the 18th century Fowler Clark Epstein Farm. The redevelopment includes transforming the space into a working urban farm, including a new state-of-the-art farmer training center. "It's exciting to celebrate the revitalization of this historic farm in Mattapan, which represents our past, present and future" said Mayor Walsh. "I am proud that together with many community partners, we have stepped up to make the investments needed to bring this farm back to life, ensuring that a new generation will grow up with access to this space and all the opportunities it offers." Originally built in 1786, the Fowler Clark Epstein Farm is Mattapan's oldest building. The original farmhouse was once part of a Dorchester farm encompassing more than 330 acres dating back to the 17th century. Although five families have passed through the house across its 200-year history, it has primarily been owned by three families, beginning with Samuel Fowl­er, a Dorchester yeoman in the late 18th cen­tury. More than half an acre of land was preserved within a densely developed residential neighborhood, and the original house and barn were sold to Jorge Epstein in 1941, remaining in the family's possession until falling vacant in 2013. The developer for the historic renovation of the 1786 Fowler Clark Epstein Farm is Historic Boston Inc. (HBI), a nonprofit organization that preserves and redevelops endangered historic buildings in Boston for new uses. HBI partnered with three other nonprofit organizations -- The Trust for Public Land, the Urban Farming Institute, and North Bennet Street School -- on this $3.7 million project to turn one of Boston's oldest farm properties into a modern farm and urban agriculture training and education center.    "Rehabilitation of the Fowler Clark underscores the power of historic preservation to inspire communities and renew places that make Boston's neighborhoods special," said Kathy Kottaridis, Executive Director of HBI. "Our city's historic places like this historic farm can serve the contemporary needs of Bostonians."    Historic Boston Inc. as owner and developer of the property assembled and structured all of the financing sources for the renovation of the historic buildings. The Trust for Public Land built the farm's planting beds and prepared the soil for farming. The Urban Farming Institute, a non-profit organization devoted to advancing commercial urban farming in Boston through land development, technical training and education of urban farming professionals is the primary tenant and operator of the urban farming center. Students and instructors from North Bennet Street School's Preservation Carpentry program stabilized the historic barn and restored some of the historic elements in both the barn and the house. As the new headquarters and a demonstration farming center for the Urban Farming Institute, the Fowler Clark Epstein Farm will host formal training for farmers, public programs and workshops for the public. Produce generated from the site will be sold to area restaurants and to the public through an on-site farmstand. The site will host numerous programs for the public. The farm is located adjacent to the Fairmount MBTA Commuter Rail Line at Morton Street. Rehabilitation included construction of new planting beds for food production, a processing space for washing and preparing produce for market, classrooms and a demonstration kitchen for educational programs, and a residence for an on-site farm manager in the historic house. In the future, a greenhouse will be built to extend the growing season.