Thankful for New Hope for Families with the President’s Executive Action on Immigration

Thankful for New Hope for Families with the President’s Executive Action on Immigration

Posted by Paul Chang on November 26, 2014 at 01:12 PM EST 

Speaking at Del Sol High School in Las Vegas, where he laid out his principles for commonsense, comprehensive immigration reform nearly two years ago, President Obama delivers remarks on the new steps he will be taking within his executive authority on immigration. 

Last week, I had the great pleasure of joining President Obama at Del Sol High School in Las Vegas as he spoke about new steps he is taking to start fixing America’s broken immigration system. President Obama announced executive actions that can provide nearly 5 million undocumented immigrants, including approximately 400,000 Asian immigrants, with temporary relief from deportation. With over 11 million undocumented immigrants in the United States, nearly 1.3 million are from Asian and Pacific Islander communities.

President Barack Obama delivers remarks on immigration at Del Sol High School in Las Vegas, Nev., Nov. 21, 2014. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Standing before a packed auditorium, President Obama inspired hope for me and so many Americans, as well as those who already consider themselves Americans. These executive actions will provide sweeping reforms to the current immigration system by securing our borders and protecting Americans by prioritizing the removal of felons, not families. It will provide a way for those living in the shadows to come forward if they pass national security and criminal background checks, pay a fine, and contribute their fair share of taxes. The President’s actions will also grow our economy, reduce our deficit, and create jobs.

Audience members, Lorella Praeli (left) and Chela Praeli (right), react as President Barack Obama delivers remarks on immigration at Del Sol High School in Las Vegas, Nov. 21, 2014. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

I was brought to tears hearing the story of Astrid Silva, a young undocumented student who knew she could not have the same childhood as her peers and who was unable to attend the funeral of her grandmother overseas. Like Astrid, millions of undocumented individuals live in fear and are separated from their families. With the President’s executive actions, Guo Qiang Ye, father of four children all born in the United States, can now apply for deferred action to be with his family without the fear of deportation. If approved under the program and granted permission, Mr. Ye will also be able to visit his ailing mother in Hong Kong who he has not seen since 1996.

The President’s reforms will also provide relief for millions of undocumented workers. With deferred action, they will be better able to avoid exploitation, allowing them to earn at least minimum wage, which also helps protect native-born workers. Families can go to work with the peace of mind that they will not be deported while simply trying to make an honest living. Undocumented workers will also be able to report their income and pay their fair share in taxes.

Due to the inaction of Congress on immigration reform, President Obama is taking actions -- within his executive authority as President -- to make America's immigration system more fair and just. These reforms, however, do not change the law or fully fix our broken system. Only Congress has the authority to create a new law that can replace these actions and fix the whole system. President Obama reiterated that he will continue to work with Congress to make permanent, comprehensive, common-sense immigration reform a reality. As an undocumented child, I received my legal status when Congress last acted on immigration reform in 1986. Now serving at the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, I look forward in the coming months to working with federal agencies and immigrant families on implementing President Obama’s Immigration Accountability Executive Actions. And I stand alongside families across the country in being thankful this holiday season for a new hope for the future.

Paul Chang is a Regional Advisor at the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

Over 100 Companies Join Energy Buying Group MassMEC to Save on Cost of Winter Utility Bills

Over 100 Companies Join Energy Buying Group MassMEC to Save on Cost of Winter Utility Bills

Mass. manufacturers make the switch to state sponsored energy buying program as electricity prices spike

Boston (December 10, 2014) –  The Massachusetts Manufacturing Energy Collaborative (MassMEC), a buying group of manufacturers that reduces energy costs by purchasing energy supply in bulk, today announced that more than 100 businesses have signed on to participate in the collaborative to save on the rising cost of electricity and natural gas this winter.

The cost of electricity for National Grid providers has jumped 37 percent from last winter while N Star prices will increase 29 percent, motivating many manufacturers to find alternative options.  

MassMEC members across the Commonwealth range from metal manufacturers, restaurants and breweries, to hospitals and real estate properties.  It includesWatch City Ventures in Waltham, Accurounds in Avon, and Steward Health Care Systems and Hajjar Management Co in Boston, among dozens of others.

MassMEC, which was first announced by Governor Deval Patrick in April, enables manufacturing companies and businesses to lower their energy costs by negotiating volume rates from electricity and natural gas suppliers. It also provides no-cost renewable energy reviews and consultations. 

“With electricity prices rising this winter, more and more manufacturers are making the switch to MassMEC to save on their utility bills,” said Shaun Pandit, president of EarlyBird Power and manager of MassMEC. “MassMEC is now providing over 100 manufacturers and companies with energy consultations, electricity and natural gas procurement services and renewable energy analysis to help them save on energy.”

Lynne Mastera from Precix Inc, a New Bedford-based manufacturer of high performance o-rings and seals for automotive, aerospace and energy markets, faced sky-high electric costs and contacted MassMEC for advice.  The buying group provided a winter hedge that will save up to $62,700 against their utility's variable rate, and up to $35,800 against the average supplier.  

"Energy costs, especially this winter, represent a huge percentage of our expenses," said Lynne. "The MassMEC team provided straightforward information and advice, guiding our company toward securing the best electric rate. These savings are critical for saving on our bottom line and investing other areas of the company with funds to benefit consumers."

MassMEC recently saved Crusader Papers, a converter and distributor based in North Andover, over $12,000 this winter on electricity bills, compared to the forecasted utility rates.  Rob Martin from Ipswich brewery also reached MassMEC for the best pricing on heating, and chose a deal that will reduce his company’s energy costs by at least $4,800 throughout the winter.

MassDevelopment, the state’s finance and development agency that created MassMEC, selected EarlyBird Power to manage the Collaborative following a competitive bidding process. EarlyBird Power is a Milton-based energy market expert that provides energy management and sustainability solutions to commercial, municipal and industrial clients. A licensed broker in natural gas and electricity in every deregulated state, EarlyBird uses its market expertise and relationships with wholesale suppliers to help clients save money and “go green.” 

MassMEC is also a product of the Advanced Manufacturing Collaborative, a Patrick Administration initiative that brings together members of the private and public sectors to support Massachusetts manufacturers.

波士頓有三名大學校長年薪逾百萬美元

高等教育紀事報（The Chronicle of Higher Education）的一份廿度調查指出，大專院校領導層的薪資持續高漲，2012年內有三，四十名的私立大專院校校長年薪逾百萬美元，其中波士頓就有三人。

在麻州接受調查的私立大專院校中，大多數校長的薪資都遠高於全美平均的一年四十萬元。

年薪超過一百萬美元的包括已卸任的麻省理工學院校長蘇珊霍克菲爾德（Susan Hockfield），東北大學校長安諾（Joseph Aoun ），以及波士頓大學的羅伯布朗（Robert Brown）。

            整體來說，將近五百所私立大專院校校長的薪資，在2012年內上漲了2.5%，漲幅和往年類似。

            該調查的薪資計算，包括基本工資，獎金，以及其他福利，例如住房，旅行，搬家，支出帳戶（spending accounts）等。

            為因應來自大專院校的抱怨，該刊物在計算薪資時，並未包括撥放一旁，來年再給的報酬，例如退休給付等。

            由於大專院校學費持續高漲，學生負債更加沈重，校長的優渥薪資開始更受人注意。在2013年內，大約70%的畢業生揹有學生貸款，平均負債二萬八千元。

            在2012年內，全美年薪總額最高的校長是紐約倫斯勒理工學院（of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute）校長Shirley Ann Jackson。包括福利在內，她的年薪超過七百萬美元。

            她的酬勞包括正規薪資九時四萬五千元，以及將近五百九十萬元的留任獎勵。

            該校一名發言人表示，該校在前一年為累積了十年的延期補償，申報了稅款。該校董事會主席Arthur Gajarsa在一份聲明中表示，Shirley Ann Jackson的酬勞反映了她的傑出領導力。

            全美總薪資第二高的校長是康州哈姆登（Hamden）的昆尼皮亞克（Quinnipiac）大學校長John Lahey。他的薪資是三百七十萬元。

            該校發言人表示，該校以最高企業管理標準來訂定校長薪資。

            該校表示，2012年時，John Lahey領取了所有的退休計畫福利，繳稅時必須全額申報。

            麻省理工學院的蘇珊霍克菲爾德在2012年六月離任。她那年的薪資是一百六十萬元，其中七十一萬三千元是基本薪資，八十八萬四千元是其他給付。他的薪資總額比之前一年高了五十萬元。

            麻省理工學院現任校長Rafael Reif的2012年薪資為六十九萬一千元。

            東北大學校長安諾，年薪一百一十萬元，是全美年薪第十九高的校長。該調查去年公佈的安諾2011年薪資為三百萬元，其中有兩百萬元要等他離任時才能領。

            波士頓大學校長羅伯布朗年薪一百一十萬元，比之前一年上漲了4%。

            塔芙茨大學校長Anthony Monaco，以及愛默生學院校長M. Lee Pelto，各有年薪逾七十五萬元。哈佛大學校長Drew Faust和布蘭岱斯校長Frederick Lawrence各有年薪逾九十萬元。

            波士頓學院以及聖十字學院這兩所耶穌會大學的校長，都領取零薪資。

            今年五月時公佈的一份公家機構薪資年度調查顯示，在2012到2013年間，公立大專院校校長薪資漲幅約5%。麻州大學系統校長羅伯卡瑞特（Robert Caret）薪資五十九萬二千元。

波市長馬丁華殊為七十五對佳偶慶祝金婚

現代社會醫學發達，百歲人瑞已屢見不鮮，但社會風氣的改變，已使白頭偕老不再那麼容易。波士頓市長馬丁華殊（Martin J. Walsh）與波市府老人局，昨（八）日在波士頓泰姬陵（The Taj）酒店，為七十五對佳偶，慶祝金婚。

波士頓泰姬陵酒店位於已有八十七年歷史的古董建築內，一向古典風格，服務週到聞名。酒店內還有許多出名的藝術品，古董，慶祝會是在古色古香，掛著捷克藍水晶燈，樑柱有雕飾，採用巴伐利亞國王路德維希一世風格裝潢，可眺望波士頓花園及紐百利街美景的餐室舉行。

獲邀出席的金婚佳偶們，不但在為婚禮伴奏已有三十年歷史，由柏克萊音樂學院教授G. Andrew Maness率領的“禮服四人隊（Four Guys in Tuxes）”樂隊演奏中享用精美午餐，婆娑起舞，還有波士頓市長馬丁華殊親自出席祝賀。老人局請專業攝影師為每對佳偶拍照留念。

其中結婚時間長達七十二年的一對佳偶，獲邀和市長一起切蛋糕。

今年才四十七歲，在世時間都還沒出席耆英們結婚的時間長的波士頓市長馬丁華殊坦言，這是他第一次為耆英們主持金婚慶祝，只是站在耆英們中間，就已讓他覺得很榮幸了。他說能夠“執子之手”，共度半百光陰，絕對算得上是人生一大成就。昨日會場內佳偶的族裔之多元化，也見證了人們可以和平共存。

馬丁華殊表示，結婚五十年是一項不小的成就，但面對他自己為何還未結婚這問題時，笑說以後再談。

波士頓老人局昨日的金婚大慶，共邀請了七十五對結婚已五十年以上的佳偶出席，其中有廿五對來自華裔社區，分別住在交響樂廳大樓，布萊頓鎮等老人屋，有些人講廣東話，更多人講國語。老人局特地請中華耆英會白禮頓樓主任梅麗梨做翻譯。

現年八十六歲的朱大昀和八十二歲的妻子沈惠中，以前都在北京的中國社科院歷史所工作，退休後於1991年來美，但這還是第一次參加市政府舉辦的金婚慶祝會。

朱翠娥和謝運忠這對夫妻從上海來美也十幾年了。朱翠娥昨日穿上綢緞旗袍，戴上珍珠項鍊，和丈夫翩翩起舞，在舞池中的舞姿優雅，一點也不遜色於老外夫婦。

圖片說明：

            右起，朱大昀，沈惠中，魏文華，彭鐵權（後），王美娜，孫鳳亭（前），趙玉琴，鄒海，朱翠娥，謝運忠等人和波士頓市長馬丁華殊（右五）合影。（菊子攝）

            波士頓市長馬丁華殊（右二）和出席耆英合影。（菊子攝）

            波士頓市長馬丁華殊（左二）陪同結婚已七十二年的夫婦切蛋糕。中華耆英會白禮頓樓主任梅麗梨（右一）出席協助翻譯。（菊子攝）

衛斯理圖書館辦金薇薇 Palouse 攝影展

波士頓華人社區內，喜歡攝影的人不少，但持續不斷辦展覽的，金薇薇是其中的少數之一。她的最新個展，“Palouse-WA + 夜間攝影”，共25張作品，目前正在衛斯理公共圖書館展出，將展至十二月底為止。

衛斯理公共圖書館表示，金薇薇認為攝影是種把霎那變成永恆的偉大藝術，沈醉其中，把相機當畫筆，生動地捕捉藝術，留住美麗。她常能看見許多人們沒注意到的細節，聚焦放大了許多花朵，風景，建築，甚至體育運動鏡頭，也常讓觀眾從欣賞她照片中的抽象結構，紋理，自有一番感動。

該館透露，有一名詩人參觀展覽後，不斷向金薇薇索要照片，藉以啟發創作靈感。

金薇薇是在2002年後，開始到紐英崙藝術學會師從梅國治學攝影。起初她只想把自己喜愛的花卉之美拍下來，但學著學著，梅國治的悉心啟發，激起她濃厚的興趣，開始鑽研，從拍照技巧，選擇題材，到使用相機，全都非常用心。        這些年來，她在林肯鎮圖書館，塞德百利（Sudberry）圖書館等多地辦過個人攝影展，從 PSA，NECCC，PSRI這些攝影團體，得到過不少獎項，. 攝影雜誌 Shutterbug 曾兩次刊登她的作品，波士頓美術館也二次拍賣她的創作。

金薇薇說，這次的攝影展主題是位於美國西北部的帕盧斯（Palouse）。那兒地形起伏，綠色田野，金黃收成，給人絕佳的視覺觀感。她希望人們能透過她的鏡頭，對當地美景有更貼近感受。

查詢攝影展開放時間可上網http://www.wellesleyfreelibrary.org/hours/index.html)

圖片說明：

            金薇薇在衛斯理公共圖書館展出攝影作品。（圖由金薇薇提供）