BAKER-POLITO ADMINISTRATION AWARDS $215,000 in WORKPLACE SAFETY GRANTS

BAKER-POLITO ADMINISTRATION AWARDS $215,000 in WORKPLACE SAFETY GRANTS

BOSTON, MA, MARCH 21, 2016 – Fourteen Massachusetts employers were awarded more than $215,000 in grants to train employees to prevent workplace injuries, illnesses and death, Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Ronald L. Walker announced today.

“These training grants not only help to improve safety in the workplace, but assist employees in advancing their own skill sets,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “It is a priority of our administration to give residents more opportunities to further their training and skills.”

The Department of Industrial Accidents Office of Safety administers and manages the Workplace Safety Training and Education Grant program to promote safe, healthy workplace conditions through training, education and other preventative programs for employers and workers covered by the Massachusetts Workers’ Compensation law.

“Every year the Commonwealth sets aside funding resources to ensure it is a priority to keep workers safe by providing training,” Lt. Governor Karyn Polito said. “Thousands of workers receive training through these grants, making themselves and their work environments safer.”

With $800,000 budgeted annually for the Safety Grant program, the Department of Industrial Accidents (DIA) has funded hundreds of programs that have educated thousands of workers and employers in the Commonwealth.

“With these grants announced today, the Department of Industrial Accidents has awarded $800,000 in fiscal year 2016, providing training for 7,600 employees at 48 companies,” Secretary Walker said.

The maximum grant amount per employer is $25,000. Employers are awarded training grants through a competitive application process.

Organizations that received grants:

1.       Vietnam Veterans Workshop, Inc., Boston - $5,136 - New England Center for Homeless Veterans is one of the nation’s leading providers of supportive services to homeless and at-risk veterans. Employees will be trained in de-escalation techniques.

2.      Marion Manor, South Boston - $22,094 - Marion Manor is a non-profit nursing facility. Employees will be trained to handle aggressive patient behavior and safe patient lifting.

3.      Care Dimension Inc., Danvers - $17,120- Care Dimensions has been a driving force in expanding access to hospice and palliative care in Massachusetts. The company will train employees in communication, de-escalation and tactical awareness.

4.      City of Lowell/Lowell Regional Water Utility- $24,945- Lowell-Lowell Regional Water Utility is a grade 4 water facility supplying drinking water to 106,000 residents is surrounding areas. Employees will be trained in OSHA 10, confined space, forklift and excavation safety competent person training.

5.      Worcester JATC, Worcester - $16,103 - Worcester JATC Electrical operates a union electrical training center for new apprentices and journeyman. The center teaches all aspects of the electrical installation business. The grant will provide safety training in OSHA 10, OSHA 30, fall protection, confined space and asbestos awareness.

6        Baxter Inc., West Yarmouth - $14,300- Baxter Inc. provides crane and rigging services. Employees will receive training in proper crane set-up, joint safety, wire rope guidelines and inspection and standard hand signals. 

7        Joseph Botti Inc., South Easton - $21,614- Joseph Botti Inc. is an underground utilities, drainage services, septic systems and tanks company. Training will include OSHA, electrical safety and roadside worker safety.

8        Roca, Inc., Chelsea- $20,620- Roca is a nonprofit that serves young people ages 16-24 in Greater Boston and Hampden County. Roca's mission is to disrupt the cycle of incarceration and poverty by helping young people transform their lives. Training will include OSHA training for 135 employees.

9        Town of Paxton/Paxton Municipal Light-$10,432 - Paxton- Paxton Municipal Light Department provides electricity to the town residents. Employees will be training in OSHA 10, NFPA electrical arc flashes, safe maintenance of electrical high and low voltage equipment and excavation and trenching safety

10    JGS Lifecare-Longmeadow-$13,979- JGS Lifecare is a not-for-profit healthcare facility providing long-term care, dementia care, and rehabilitation services. The proposed plan includes CPR/AED, safe patient handling and de-escalation.

11    Landscaping by J Michael-Marshfield - $12,626- A landscape contractor and maintenance firm, the company plans to train workers in hoisting and hydraulics, pesticide safety, CPR/FA, OSHA 10, heavy equipment safety, excavation competent person and machine guarding.

12    People Inc.- Fall River - $18,939 –People Inc. was founded by parents of people with disabilities who were seeking better quality and more diverse services for their children. Today, the organization offers employment training, job development, day habilitation and children’s services. The proposed training includes injury prevention and ergonomics.

13    Busy Bee Party Services Inc.-Whitman - $12,144 - Busy Bee specializes in events and party rentals.  Training will include CPR/FA.

14    Tree Technology & Landscaping Co. Inc.- Foxboro, $5,350- A residential and commercial tree service companies will train 40 employees in OSHA 10.

MAYOR WALSH AND SUPERINTENDENT CHANG ANNOUNCE GABRIELLE FARRELL AS DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF OF COMMUNICATIONS AT BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

MAYOR WALSH AND SUPERINTENDENT CHANG ANNOUNCE GABRIELLE FARRELL AS DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF OF COMMUNICATIONS AT BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

BOSTON - Monday, March 21, 2016 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh and Boston Public Schools Superintendent Tommy Chang today announced the appointment of Gabrielle Farrell as Deputy Chief of Staff of Communications for Boston Public Schools. In this position, Farrell will be responsible for developing and managing short and long term communications strategies, with a focus on the administration's education policy agenda for the City of Boston. "As a Boston native and an alumna of Boston Public Schools, there is no better person to take on this role as Deputy Chief of Staff," said Mayor Walsh. "Gabrielle is living proof of the potential and talent we have in the City of Boston. Her insight will be invaluable to our school district. She has been a leader in my office and I have enjoyed the opportunity to work with her these past two years. I look forward to her continued contributions to the Boston community as we work to build a stronger city for many generations of students to come."  In her role as Deputy Chief of Staff of Communications, Farrell will drive many of Boston Public Schools' key initiatives as they pertain to a proactive internal and external communications strategy.  During her time in Boston Public Schools, Farrell attended the James P. Timilty Middle School in Roxbury and the Edward M. Kennedy Academy for Health Careers, formerly known as Health Careers Academy in the Fenway community. "I am excited to welcome Gabrielle to the team to help carry our agenda forward," said Superintendent Tommy Chang. "As a former Boston Public Schools student, Gabrielle understands the critical issues facing Boston classrooms and will help to further our efforts." Farrell is currently Associate Press Secretary to Mayor Walsh. She joined the Walsh Administration in March 2014 as the Mayor's Press Assistant. Previously, Farrell served at Project Bread, which stewards The Walk for Hunger, handling communications and external affairs. "Working directly with Mayor Walsh these past two years has been nothing short of incredible," said Farrell. "I extend my gratitude to the Mayor for his work and dedication to the students of Boston and granting me this honor and opportunity to give back and serve my community." In 2008, Farrell was awarded the prestigious Posse Foundation Scholarship, a national full-scholarship, merit-based program, which received support from President Barack Obama, who donated a portion of his Nobel Peace Prize award to the foundation in 2010. She is also a graduate  Harvard University's Crimson Summer Academy, which taps local high-achieving, economically disadvantaged students, from Boston, Cambridge and Somerville, to study at Harvard for six weeks each summer. A native of Mattapan, Farrell has a longstanding passion for Boston's public education system and Boston youth. Farrell graduated from Bryn Mawr College in 2012 and earned a bachelor's degree in both French and Political Science and is currently working to attain her master's of science degree in Communications from Northeastern University. Farrell currently resides in Dorchester and is expected to begin onMarch 28, 2016.

聖派翠克日早餐會 麻州政要謔笑彼此

右起，麻州州長查理貝克（Charlie Baker），波士頓市議員米高法拉提（Mike Flaherty），聯邦眾議員林奇（Steven Lynch），波士頓市長馬丁華殊（Marty Walsh），麻州參議員傅瑞（Linda Docena Forry），麻州眾議員柯林斯（Nick Collings），波士頓市議員林乃肯（Bill Linehan）等人合唱“南部是我家（Southie is my hometown）。
（周菊子攝）

南波士頓聖盼翠克日早餐會有600多人參加。（周菊子攝）

麻州州長查理貝克（Charlie Baker）捧著一籃子衣服進場，具體
形象化他要講的笑話。（周菊子攝）

            (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導)南波士頓聖派翠克日（St. Patrick’s Day）早餐會是每年一度，麻州政客以笑話嘲諷、戲謔同儕的大日子。3月20日早上，600多人在波士頓會議展覽中心欣賞政客扮演員，頻頻爆笑。

麻州聯邦參議員伊莉莎白沃倫（Elizabeth Warren）也來講笑話。
（周菊子攝）

            從聯邦參議員伊莉莎白沃倫（Elizabeth Warren），國會議員林奇（Steven Lynch），麻州州長查理貝克（Charlie Baker），副州長白莉朵（Kyran Polito），麻州參議會議長羅森柏（Stan Rosenberg），波士頓市長馬丁華殊（Martin Walsh）到麻州眾議員柯林斯（Nick Collins），各自準備了的含沙射影笑話，是否讓那些被嘲諷的政客吞嚥得下，真是天知道。

南波士頓聖派翠克日早餐會主席枱第一次出現華裔面孔。波士頓市議會
議長吳弭（Michelle Wu）應邀出席。左一起為麻州長查理貝克，愛爾蘭
文化旅遊主管。（周菊子攝）

            就在前幾天，波士頓市長馬丁華殊（Martin Walsh）想要縮短聖派翠克日遊行路線的行動，才因為遊行主辦單位一狀告進法院，法官判決馬丁華殊政府不能這麼做而引人關注，這天就有國會議員林奇（Steven Lynch），以及早餐會主持人，麻州參議員傅瑞（Linda Dorcena Forry）拿這題目開玩笑。

            林奇戴上人造大手套，把雙手變大後，在空中揮揚著說，不知道大家注意到沒，馬丁華殊的手很小。暗指馬丁華殊手小而短，鞭長莫及的管不到聖派翠克日遊行路線長短。

麻州國會議員林其（中）戴上大手套，說波士頓市長手太小，取笑他
要縮短南波士頓聖派翠克日遊行路線，遭法院判敗訴。麻州長
查理貝克（左）笑不可抑。（周菊子攝）

麻州參議員傅瑞（Linda Dorcena Forry）則是故意遲到。她表示自己剛從莫克利（Moakley）法院趕過來，因為“你們相信嗎？波士頓市長馬丁華殊（Martin Walsh）竟想把早餐會的時間縮短一半“。

            伊莉莎白沃倫主要拿總統候選人開刀。她指川普（Donald Trump）想找布朗（Scott brown )做競選搭擋，將有如”名人學徒“和“最大輸家”的“ 真人秀（Reality Show）“配對。

        查理貝克進場時是捧著洗衣籃，小跑步到講台前。他拿前一陣子涉嫌接受洗衣店免費洗衣服務的麻州參議員喬伊斯（Brian Joyce）開刀，說他在排隊洗衣服，聽到喬伊斯拿到很划算的服務。接著說喬伊斯已宣佈不再競選連任，下一個適合他的工作是蛇島管理員。

            談到他的民意支持率高達84%時，查理貝克故意說，他正在派州警把那些不支持他的人找出來。

            說到坊間近來盛傳他和波士頓市長馬丁華殊有“兄弟情（bromance）“，查理貝克指那其實有點誇大，播出一段視頻，揚言“別以為我在南波士頓沒朋友”。

            查理貝克在視頻中和傅瑞扮作社區中的青少年搗蛋鬼，在波士頓市議員米高法拉提（Michael Flaherty）開車路過時，拿水球砸車窗，敲國會議員林奇家的門後躲起來，讓林奇開門後看不到人，大聲喊“查理貝克，我知道是你，我會打電話給你媽媽”，引起許多人的會心微笑。

            查理貝克還拿他2012，2014支持才剛公開支持新澤西州州長克里斯帝（Chris Christie）選總統，馬上就傳出克里斯帝停止參選的消息為例開玩笑，指自己背書的候選人，老是未選已輸。所以他現在要提名伊莉莎白沃倫，馬丁華殊，以及麻州總檢察官奚莉（Maura Healey）參選2018年麻州州長。

            查理貝克還拿波士頓爭取奧林匹克賽主辦權開玩笑，說要宣佈7月21日為“奧林匹克死亡日”，也是“撤退日（Evacuation Day sequal）續集”。

            輪到波士頓市長馬丁華殊時，他的視頻更搞笑。在黑白色調，配以Adele的“哈囉”，這語調幽怨歌曲做背景音樂的視頻中，馬丁華殊穿著皮裘大衣，載著金框大墨鏡，像電影中的“洛基“，站在州政府大樓前層層而下的階梯上，仰望金頂州府大樓，然後不斷打電話給州長，要談“通用公司（GE）”的事情，卻沒人接聽。視頻接著秀出一張張他們兩人在不同場合同時出現，或者交頭接耳，或者查理貝克以關愛眼神望著馬丁華殊的嚴然兄弟情深照片，引得台下爆笑。在視頻最後，字幕打出“快樂結局，或者是嗎？”之後，再一連打出兩張圖片，一張顯示報紙質疑查理貝克未向民眾報備，就私自離開麻州，一張顯示共和黨的查理貝克支持川普選總統，民主黨的馬丁華殊支持希拉蕊，惹得查理貝克開懷大笑。

視頻播畢後，馬丁華殊還拿起自拍神器，和查理貝克把臂相擁的來一張自拍，顯示兄弟情。

上台發言的政客，還有副州長白莉朵試圖以麻州參議員傅瑞到外州考察報銷費用高達3000餘元，做取笑話題。麻州眾議員柯林斯編了一首歌來嘲諷查理貝克接管地鐵，有如上政治入門課，把問題都歸罪到民主黨，工會身上，如今州民都認為這是醜聞，因為大家付的車費越來越貴。

英文報章指出，南波士頓派翠克日遊行，一向都由轄區包括南波士頓，幾乎清一色愛爾蘭裔的麻州參議員主持，在海地裔的傅瑞當選為代表該區的麻州參議員後，南波士頓一度傳出杯葛聲音，不過在眾多麻州政客支持下，傅瑞已一連主持了三年。

今年的聖派翠克日早餐會，首次出現了華裔面孔。甫於今年當選為波士頓市議會議長的吳弭（Michelle Wu）坐在主席枱上。刻正競選麻州參議員的黃子瑜（Diana Hwang）也擠進了台上的嘉賓列中。

           

United States-Cuba Relationship

FACT SHEET: United States-Cuba Relationship

President Obama’s trip to Cuba marks a historic milestone in the normalization process between the United States and Cuba.  Since President Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro announced that the two countries would initiate a new era of relations 15 months ago, we have expanded cooperation across a range of areas for the benefit of the citizens of both the United States and Cuba.  We are advancing our shared interests and working together on complex issues that for too long defined – and divided – our relationship.  The President’s Cuba policy now allows us to more effectively improve the lives of the Cuban people, advance our interests and values, and build broader ties of cooperation across the Americas.

Normalization will be a complex, long-term process and challenges remain, but President Obama believes that engagement offers a path toward success where isolation has failed for more than 50 years.  We will engage and work through challenges in order to empower the Cuban people and advance the interests of the United States.

Connecting the U.S. and Cuban People 

As President Obama said in his State of the Union address, we have sought ways to increase opportunity for Americans and improve the lives of the Cuban people, including by opening the door to increased travel and commerce between our two countries. The President fundamentally believes that the best way to achieve that goal is by facilitating more interaction between the Cuban and American people, including through travel and commercial opportunities, and through more access to information. We have great confidence the steps we have taken over the past year will lead to a better future for both the American and Cuban people.

On March 15, the Department of the Treasury authorized Americans to travel to Cuba provided that, among other things, the traveler engage in a full-time schedule of educational exchange activities that result in meaningful interaction with individuals in Cuba.  Previously, Americans were required to travel to Cuba under the auspices of an organization and be accompanied by a representative of the sponsoring organization. 

The United States and Cuba in December 2015 reached an arrangement to re-establish regular, direct flights between the United States and Cuba for the first time in more than 50 years.  U.S. carriers have applied to the Department of Transportation for an allocation of the new opportunities to provide scheduled flights, which will begin later this year.  Thirteen U.S. carriers have applied to provide direct flights to Havana from 20 U.S. gateway cities, as well as one-stop flights from three additional U.S. cities.  In addition, seven U.S. carriers have applied to provide scheduled flights to the other nine international airports in Cuba from five U.S. gateway cities. For more information about authorized travel to Cuba, including the 12 categories of travel permitted by law, please visit Department of the Treasury’s page.

The United States and Cuba have re-established the direct transportation of mail between the two countries.  On March 16, the first direct flight of mail from the United States arrived in Cuba after 53 years. One letter sent on the first direct mail flight was a personal letter from President Obama to Ileana R. Yarza, in response to a letter she sent to the White House. 

The United States and Cuba have begun to collaborate on port security and have conducted reciprocal port visits.  The U.S. Coast Guard assessed that Cuban ports meet international port security standards andlifted the Port Security Advisory on Cuba.  This step helps clear the way for ferry and cruise ship services between the United States and Cuba to begin. 

The United States and Cuba signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that recognizes the mutual interests and challenges of both countries in improving services for maritime navigation safety to protect the marine environment and promote safe maritime economic activities.  The MOU will facilitate the exchange of data to update nautical charts, monitor and forecast tides and currents for ports, and other related activities.  Improved navigation services are important for commercial mariners and recreational boaters alike, particularly as travel and trade increases between the two countries.

Educational Exchanges

For the first time, Cuba will be included as a participating country in the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program, which brings 200 outstanding mid-career professionals from developing countries to the United States for non-degree study and related professional experiences, and the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program, which offers grants for U.S. undergraduates of limited financial means to pursue academic studies or internships abroad.

The goal of 100,000 Strong in the Americas, the President’s signature education initiative in the Western Hemisphere, is to increase the number of student exchanges in the Americas to 100,000 in both directions by 2020.  As part of the President’s visit to Cuba, the United States is proud to announce a new $1 million commitment from the Cuban American community to the 100,000 Strong in the Americas Innovation Fund, which provides opportunities to create university partnerships that enhance regional competitiveness and provide new study abroad opportunities. This funding will support Cuba-specific Innovation Competitions in both countries, to advance student exchanges focused on entrepreneurship, with a secondary focus on agricultural management, business and social innovation, environmental and sustainable energy, language learning, international trade and development, study abroad infrastructure, and cultural collaborations. 

The 100,000 Strong in the Americas Innovation Fund will also launch the 10^th Innovation Competition: Promoting Study Abroad Partnerships for Innovation and Collaboration.  This competition is supported through a contribution from Santander Bank as part of their $1 million commitment to 100,000 Strong in the Americas.  All higher educational institutions in the Western Hemisphere that promote study abroad programs between the United States and other countries in the hemisphere are eligible to compete.

At the request of and in coordination with the Cuban Government, the United States will send English-language specialists to work with the Cuban Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Higher Education for programs to support English teacher training this spring and summer. We also will offer a selection of online courses for Cuban teachers of English from the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Higher Education later this year.

Over 250 young leaders from the United States and the region will take part in Youth Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI) fellowships this year that enable them to develop joint business and civil society initiatives while at universities, businesses, and other institutions in the United States.  The United States will welcome 10-15 Cuban participants among the 250 YLAI Fellows who will be in the United States in the fall of 2016.

The United States will invite up to 10 Cuban entrepreneurs to this year’s Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) in Silicon Valley June 23-24.  The event will include 700 entrepreneurs, representing every country in the world.  A total of 100 entrepreneurs from Latin America and the Caribbean will participate.  GES provides an opportunity for entrepreneurs to build new skills, grow their networks, and connect with peers, mentors, and investors from around the globe. 

In June 2016, NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal will travel to Cuba for a Sports Envoy Program focusing on youth in Havana.  The program will be the first in which U.S. Embassy in Havana will partner with the Cuban Ministry of Sports.  In November 2016, Misty Copeland, the American Ballet Theatre’s first Principal Dancer of color, will travel to Cuba to conduct master classes and speaking engagements.  She will also lead dance clinics for minority youth and hold inclusion workshops for coaches, with a special focus on building athletic programs for female youth. 

Expanding Business and Commercial Ties

The Administration has taken a number of steps to ease certain travel, trade, and financial transaction restrictions applicable to Cuba.  These regulatory changes have made it easier for U.S. businesses, educational entities, and NGOs to engage with Cuban counterparts to provide resources, share information, and help the private sector grow.  Regulatory changes by the Departments of the Treasury and Commerce are encouraging more engagement by U.S. telecommunications and Internet companies in Cuba to support better connectivity and access to information for the Cuban people.  We have also made it easier for Cuban entrepreneurs to access resources and best practices from the United States. 

Empowering Civil Society and Standing Up for Human Rights

In March 2015, the United States and Cuba held the first planning session in Washington, D.C., for a Human Rights Dialogue at which both governments raised issues to pursue.  Our commitment to universal human rights and support for democratic principles in Cuba is unwavering.  We will continue to call out the Cuban Government’s violations of human rights and will advocate for the respect of universal human rights including freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.  We remain convinced the Cuban people would be best served by being able to freely choose their leaders, express their ideas without fear, practice their faith, hold institutions accountable, and participate in civil society groups.

The United States and Cuba agree on the importance of combating human trafficking. As such, the United States and Cuba have each agreed to invite the U.N.'s Special Rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons to conduct an official visit in their respective countries.

Health and Science Cooperation

The United States and Cuba have committed to deepen scientific and public health cooperation, focusing on communicable diseases including arboviruses such as Zika, dengue and chikungunya, as well as on the prevention and treatment of chronic non-communicable diseases such as cancer.  In the coming months, the United States and Cuba intend to work toward finalizing arrangements to strengthen our collaboration in these and other scientific and health areas.

The President’s policy change has increased the ability for American and Cuban experts to collaborate on important science and technology issues of mutual interest such as sister parks, oceans conservation and disease monitoring and reduction.  Foundations and philanthropies in the United States have been critical to the funding of a wide range of joint research projects.  The Department of State plans to convene a working group with U.S.-based philanthropies and the scientific community to investigate areas where they might work to enhance collaboration between our two research communities to tackle common challenges.

Agriculture

The Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Cuban Ministry of Agriculture developed an MOU to increase bilateral cooperation in agriculture, recognizing the mutual interest of both countries in advancing agricultural technologies, agricultural productivity, food security, and sustainable natural resource management.  Additionally, USDA is working with the Cuban Ministry of Agriculture to schedule a visit to the Caribbean Climate Sub Hub in Puerto Rico in late May of 2016.  The hub supports applied research and provides information to farmers, ranchers, advisors, and managers to support climate-related decision making.  During this visit, USDA and the Ministry of Agriculture will exchange information on tools and strategies for climate change response that help producers cope with challenges associated with drought, heat stress, excessive moisture, longer growing seasons, and changes in pest pressure.  Cuba has long had institutional and legal frameworks to address climate change and has established a robust national disaster risk reduction framework that supports its early warning system for extreme weather events.

USDA will also allow industry-funded Research and Promotion (or “Check-off”) programs and Marketing Order Committees to use their resources for certain authorized research and information exchange activities with Cuba. Research and Promotion and Marketing Order Boards, Committees and Councils have an opportunity to participate in this partnership as certain information exchanges with Cuban Government and industry officials, and industry-funded health, science, nutrition, and consumer-oriented research activities with Cuba will be permitted.

Climate, Energy, and the Environment

The United States and Cuba recognize the threats posed by climate change to both our countries, including worsening impacts such as continued sea-level rise, the alarming acidification of our oceans, and the striking incidence of extreme weather events. Cooperative action to address this challenge is more critical than ever.  The United States welcomes opportunities to work with Cuba to enhance our bilateral cooperation on climate change, and also work together to play a positive role in addressing this urgent global challenge through international fora.

Building on the successful conclusion of the December 2015 Paris Agreement, the United States and Cuba intend to sign and join the Paris Agreement as soon as feasible this year.  The United States will also work with Cuba to pursue cooperation in the areas of disaster risk reduction, addressing ocean acidification, advancing climate-smart agriculture, and sharing best practices and lessons learned through international initiatives focused on adaptation and low emissions development.

Also recognizing the importance of secure and efficient energy supplies for both countries.  The United States is pleased to invite Cuba to join Caribbean and Central American countries at the Energy Summit on May 3-4 in Washington, D.C. to be chaired by Vice President Biden.  The Energy Summit focuses on enhancing energy security, regional cooperation, renewable integration, and coordination of international partners. 

Law Enforcement

U.S. and Cuban Government representatives held technical exchanges on counternarcotics, fraud identification, human smuggling, and cybercrime, and we continue looking at better ways to share information and coordinate law enforcement activities.  The United States and Cuba are also working toward an arrangement  to combat illicit trafficking in drugs.  In addition, the Department of Homeland Security and the Cuban Ministry of Interior are working toward finalizing an MOU to establish a working group, nestled within the framework of the Law Enforcement Dialogue, focused on trade, travel security, and border security.