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星期二, 12月 20, 2016

BAKER-POLITO ADMINISTRATION AWARDS MORE THAN $162,000 IN WORKPLACE SAFETY GRANTS





“Every year, thousands of workers in the Commonwealth receive training to make themselves and their work environments safer,” Lt. Governor Karyn Polito said.













AG HEALEY ANNOUNCES AGREEMENTS WITH SIX MAJOR RETAILERS TO STOP ON-CALL SHIFT SCHEDULING

AG HEALEY ANNOUNCES AGREEMENTS WITH SIX MAJOR RETAILERS TO STOP ON-CALL SHIFT SCHEDULING
Disney, Aeropostale, David’s Tea and Other Retailers Agree to Cease Burdensome Scheduling Practice Following Multistate Investigation

BOSTON – Continuing her efforts to protect vulnerable workers and their families, Attorney General Maura Healey today announced that six major national retailers that have locations in Massachusetts have agreed to stop using on-call shift scheduling following an inquiry by a multistate coalition of attorneys general.

An estimated 50,000 workers nationwide will benefit from the agreements to end the burdensome scheduling practice. Employees assigned to on-call shifts are typically required to contact their employer an hour or two before a scheduled shift to learn whether they must work the shift. Work is not guaranteed, and no wages are paid if a worker is not needed.
“On-call policies hurt low-wage workers who not only must line up daycare, elder care, or other arrangements with no guarantee of compensation, but also must pass up other opportunities to cover a shift or risk losing their job,” said AG Healey. “These policies are bad for workers and their families and we are pleased that these retailers have stopped using them.”

The six companies – Aeropostale, Carter’s, David’s Tea, Disney, PacSun, and Zumiez – were among 15 large retailers who received a joint inquiry letter from nine attorneys general in April of this year seeking information and documents related to their use of on-call shifts. Each of these 15 retailers has at least one store in Massachusetts, and collectively they have more than 150 stores in the state.

These six companies reported that they were using on-call shifts, but after discussions with the AGs’ Offices, all agreed to stop doing so, and none are currently using on-call shifts.

In addition to ending the use of on-call shifts, four of the companies – Carter’s, Disney, David’s Tea, and Zumiez – all committed to providing employees with their work schedules at least one week in advance of the start of the work week. This advance notice allows employees to plan ahead to cover child care and other obligations.

The six companies all found alternative staffing methods for addressing unanticipated employee absences or fluctuations in business volume. Typically, some kind of pool arrangement has been implemented in lieu of on-call shifts.

The collaboration among attorneys general stemmed from their collective concern about the impact of on-call shifts on employees and their families, as well as the national scope of the retail companies involved.

In April, AG Healey’s Office joined the other attorneys general in sending letters to 15 retailers, including American Eagle, Aeropostale, Payless, Disney, Coach, PacSun, Forever 21, Vans, Justice Just for Girls, BCBG Maxazria, Tilly’s, Inc., David’s Tea, Zumiez, Uniqlo, and Carter’s. Nine of these companies responded that they did not use the practice of on-call scheduling or had recently ended it.

The letters were signed by representatives of the attorneys general of California, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York, and Rhode Island. Several offices signed only letters to retailers located within their states. 

Retail salesperson is the most common occupation in the United States. In Massachusetts, there are over 100,000 retail sales jobs, and entry level retail workers earn, on average, $1,460 a month or $17,520 a year. Although men and women are nearly evenly represented in retail jobs, women are concentrated in low-wage retail jobs. 
AG Healey is committed to protecting the economic security of Massachusetts residents, particularly vulnerable workers. AG Healey’s Fair Labor Division is responsible for enforcing the Commonwealth’s wage and hour laws, including minimum wage and overtime laws.
Workers who believe that their rights have been violated in their workplace call the Office’s Fair Labor Hotline at (617) 727-3465. More information about the state’s wage and hour laws is also available in multiple languages at the Attorney General’s new Workplace Rights website www.mass.gov/ago/fairlabor.
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BURLINGTON WOMAN SENTENCED TO JAIL, ORDERED TO PAY UP TO $570,000 FOR BILLING PUBLIC AGENCIES FOR UNLICENSED MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

BURLINGTON WOMAN SENTENCED TO JAIL, ORDERED TO PAY UP TO $570,000 FOR BILLING PUBLIC AGENCIES FOR UNLICENSED MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
Defendant and Her Twin Sister Stole from Medicaid, Medicare and Lawrence Public Schools

WOBURN – A Burlington woman has been sentenced to jail and ordered to pay up to $570,000 in restitution for stealing from public agencies by billing for unlicensed psychological services, Attorney General Maura Healey announced today. 

Nita Guzman, age 52, pleaded guilty on Friday in Middlesex Superior Court to the charges of Medicaid False Claims (2 counts), False Claims to Public Agency (1 Count), Larceny (4 Counts), and Unlicensed Practice of Psychology (2 Counts). 

After the plea was entered, Judge Laurence Pierce sentenced Guzman to 18 months in the House of Correction, with five years of probation upon completing her sentence. He also ordered her to pay up to $570,000. A restitution hearing has been set for Feb. 7, 2017 in Middlesex Superior Court to determine the exact restitution amount.

“Guzman and her sister orchestrated a criminal scheme to provide and bill for unlicensed psychological and mental health services for patients, including children, that they were not qualified to offer,” said AG Healey. “Guzman stole more than half a million dollars from taxpayers and defrauded public agencies who provide important services to those in need.”

Guzman’s twin sister, Nina Tischer, pleaded guilty in February 2016 to charges of False Claims to Public Agency (3 Counts), Larceny (3 Counts), Identity Fraud (3 counts), and Unlicensed Practice of Psychology (3 Counts). She was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in the House of Correction, suspended for a probationary period of five years.

Guzman and Tischer were indicted in August 2014 by a Statewide Grand Jury.Both sisters lived in Minnesota at the time of the indictments. In September 2014, Guzman was arrested by a Minnesota County Sheriff and Tischer turned herself in, and they were subsequently arraigned in Middlesex Superior Court.

The AG’s investigation revealed that Guzman, through her company New England Psychological Consultants, Inc., billed Medicaid, Medicare, and Lawrence Public Schools more than $550,000 for unlicensed mental health services.

Her twin sister, Nina Tischer, through her company PsychSupport, Inc., billed a division of UMass Medical School more than $30,000 for unlicensed psychological examinations. Neither sister is a licensed psychologist, a legal requirement for practicing psychology in Massachusetts. 

Through their corporations, both located in Lowell, the sisters provided bilingual psychological services to Medicaid and Medicare members in the greater-Lowell and greater-Lawrence areas, performed mental health disability evaluations for the Department of Transitional Assistance and the state’s Medicaid program (MassHealth), and assessed children for learning disabilities for Lawrence Public Schools. 

The investigation of Guzman began when a licensed psychologist reported to the AG’s Office that Guzman’s company had used her name and license number without permission to bill a Medicaid managed care organization more than $430,000. 

Additional investigation by the AG’s Office and federal agents from the Office of the Inspector General for Health and Human Services revealed that Guzman also used the name, license and other identifying information of a second psychologist to bill the managed care organization and the federal Medicare program more than $60,000 of services that the psychologist did not provide. 

Guzman also billed the Lawrence Public School system more than $60,000 of psychological evaluations of students in special education programs. The evaluations were performed by Guzman or Tischer. State regulations require that any such evaluations be performed by a licensed psychologist. 

The investigation of Tischer began when a licensed social worker reported the unauthorized use of her name and license by Tischer’s company, PsychSupport. Tischer used the social worker’s name and credentials to bill a division of UMass Medical School for disability examinations of people applying for Medicaid benefits or financial assistance from the Department of Transitional Assistance. Tischer billed UMass more than $8,000 for those evaluations.   

Two additional professionals, a licensed mental health counselor and a licensed psychologist, also reported the unauthorized use of their names and licensing information by Tischer. The investigation revealed that Tischer billed UMass more than $30,000 for disability evaluations purportedly performed by the three professionals. 

This case was handled by Assistant Attorney General Casey Groff of the AG’s Medicaid Fraud Division. It was investigated by Investigator Eric Panicucci, also of the AG’s Medicaid Fraud Division, the Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General, State Police assigned to the AG’s Office, and officials from the Division of Professional Licensure. The Wright County Minnesota Sheriff’s Office and Wright County Attorney’s Office also assisted in this case.

波士頓華裔退伍軍人會送玩具讓小朋友快樂過聖誕

陳文浩(前)扮聖誕老人,為小朋友們送上禮物。
(波士頓華裔退伍軍人會提供)
BCNC提供
              (Boston Orange) 波士頓華裔退伍軍人會(Post 328)上週末當聖誕老人,到波士頓華埠社區中心(BCNC)的紅橡木聖誕會上送禮物,共送出約169份玩具。
            12月22日,該會將出席中華廣教學校聖誕會,為小朋友送禮物。
            波士頓華裔退伍軍人會從司徒文信擔任會長那一年起,已連續多年在年終舉辦籌募玩具,給小朋友快樂聖誕的活動,
            往年該會都是把籌募到的玩具,交給軍人社區服務機構去發放,今年該會決定改由自己發放給華埠的小朋友。
             該會從12月3日開始,分別在波士頓僑教中心,波士頓華埠牌樓前擺出大紙箱,為兒童籌募玩具做聖誕禮物。
             包括司徒文信,現任會長歐靖儀,資深會員黃國麟,陳志航,陳文浩,司徒倬榮等多人輪流站崗,收集到的玩具數量,足以讓數百名小朋友過一個開心的聖誕節
          1216日下午五點半,該會的陳文浩與波士頓華埠獅子會會長余麗媖等人,來到昆士小學飯堂,出席波士頓華埠社區中心的紅橡木項目聖誕慶祝會,給那些零到10歲的小朋友們帶去了100多件玩具做聖誕禮物,還帶去了餅乾,節慶糕點。
陳余寶愛(後左起)與美東公安會前會長余國華,波士頓華埠獅子會會長
余麗媖(右一)和扮成勝膽老人的陳文浩(前)一起為紅橡木的小朋友
送上禮物及溫暖。
              華裔退伍軍人會的陳文浩還穿上紅衣,貼上白鬍鬚,扮起聖誕老公公,為會場平添更多歡樂氣氛。
             波士頓華裔退伍軍人會近年每年都在社區內籌募玩具,分贈兒童,期以溫暖更多小朋友的心,為更多人帶來聖誕新年的歡樂氣氛。
           今年和往年稍微不同的是,該 會募集的玩具,由該會自行匯集,並分送給華埠內的小朋友。
            在波士頓華埠社區中心之外,該會還將於1222日率隊拜訪中華廣教學校,把禮物送達廣教學校的小朋友手中。 (更新版)


牛頓市新年慶邀藝協表演中國傳統舞

藝協傳統中國舞蹈團接受 Newton 市政府的邀請,在 New Year’s Eve Mayor’s Open House, Saturday, December 31, 2016, 1:30PM –
3:30PM 演出三場各三十分鐘的中國傳統舞蹈。


每年市政府主辦的 Mayor’s Open House 都提供很多精彩的節目,譲市民攜家帶眷自由參觀,觀眾川流不息。中華藝術協會為這個重要的演出特別安排了三場不同的多彩多姿舞蹈節目,譲觀眾能欣賞到更多中華民族舞蹈之美,有興趣的觀眾朋友不要失去這難得的好機會。

AACYF 美南加州華人社團2016十大新聞

轉載
美国南加州华人社团2016年度十大新闻揭晓
美华裔非政府组织(NGO)研究会、北美华文新媒体民调中心、全美华裔青年新闻工作者联谊会、英文版《洛杉矶邮报》等机构于1220日联合公布“美国南加州华人社团2016年度10大新闻”评选结果。
评选结果是根据专业民调、新闻影响度、社会影响力,并结合网上搜索率排名等综合方式产生。这是相关机构连续第八年公布的南加州地区华人社团年度10大新闻评选结果。今年首次有英文媒体参与评选工作,评选结果同时以中英文版本发布。
从评选结果可以看出,南加州华人社团在2016年度呈现出较为明显的变化态势,新生代社团在社会公益领域、营造创新、创业氛围,建设华人社区高端交流平台、在主流社会建立话语权、中华文化传承;深度涉入国家政治事务等方面采用了新的运作方式和更为丰富的活动内容,华人社团的活动方式正在开始出现转变。
  按事件发生时间顺序,2016年度南加州华人社团10大新闻依次为:
1, 由非营利机构PlusYoou普创等机构主办的首届南加州华人创业颁奖典礼131日下午在洛杉矶帕萨迪纳市隆重举行,吸引近六百位风华正茂的各路青年精英与会。颁奖典礼全程充满了鼓励青年学子创业,分享创业经验和知识的热烈氛围,被誉为南加州华人创业圈形成以来最大规模和最具影响力的颁奖盛典。
2,美国少林寺文化中心等机构319日下午在洛杉矶中国城中山广场举办“嵩山少林寺日”庆祝活动。设置了禅、武、医、艺、食等不同展区,吸引了众多的各族裔观众,当天的庆祝活动为中国城带来超过万人的游客。美国西岸发行量最大的英文版《洛杉矶时报》在当天的加州版,头版头条报道了“少林寺日”活动举办的新闻,并同时刊登了对美国少林寺文化中心负责人释延续师傅的大篇幅专访,这是近年来该报纸首次为华人社区的活动发布的正面新闻报道。
3, 由南加州大学、加州大学洛杉矶分校、尔湾分校、圣地亚哥分校的香港学生会(HKSA430日晚联合在洛杉矶好莱坞举办国际舞会,得到南加州各大学的中国同学会、台湾同学会、香港同学会、韩国同学会、印度尼西亚同学会等31个留学生团体的支持协办。是多年来华人留学生在南加州地区举办的规模最大的国际学生交流舞会。
4, 美国华人公共外交促进会、全美中华青年联合会、美华国际商会、北美海峡两岸文化交流写会、美洲中华青年促进中国和平统一联合会、南加州华人华侨联合会、亚洲研究会、美国海峡两岸经济研究、北美深圳青年联合总会等侨团,713日在洛杉矶向全球华人社团发出倡议,海外华人社团发表的反对南海仲裁声明,要同时发布当地语种的版本,并争取在当地主流媒体发布,让当地社会知道中国对南海主权的立场,同时在国际社会中为历史留下重要的记录。他们同时表示,只要有英文版本的声明,就提供协助在美国的英文媒体上发表。该倡议获得了全球众多媒体的广泛报道。
5, 由洛杉矶当地知名学府罗耀拉大学 (Loyola Marymount University) 的华裔教授们发起组成的中国俱乐部,和该大学的中国学生学者联谊会(LMUCSSA),819日在洛杉矶的La Harbra 市举办专题研讨会。提出加强美国大学和中国学术界、教育界的交流。联合在美的中国学者,营造中国学者板块,提高中国学者整体在美国学术界的影响力。这是近年来,在当地众多华裔学界团体和各类活动中,首次公开明确提出的学界愿景。
6,由PlusYoou普创、LEAP职业发展论坛、肯尼亚马拉野保基金会、美国栖息地守望者基金会、全美中华青年联合会、“再站起来”公益项目,以及深圳守望自然野保发展研究中心等机构联合主办,旨在鼓励全球华人投身支持公益事业以提高华人国际形象的“全美首届华人公益及非营利组织创业论坛”928日在洛杉矶举行,该论坛是第一次在美国举办的由华人社团发起的立足公益事业创新的主题论坛。
另,由北美职通车发起、与南加州中华科工会CESASC,全美中华青年联合会,美西南中国学生学者联合会,世界青年发展论坛等几家美、中公益组织合作的 首届全美公益调查-留美中国学生职业规划现状调查”的启动仪式,109日下午在南加州大学校园内的Ronald中心举行。
南加州华人公益事业的专业化细分、参与公益人数构成的多元化和年轻化、公益组织的的执行力等方面的成长和发展在主流社会中备受关注。
7,在全美享有知名度的南加州华裔草根政治组织“橙县金橙俱乐部”等有区域地缘群众基础的华裔草根组织,在大选期间,组织大量义工参与包括电话拜票、人工逐一手写明信片、拜访选民家庭等,为愿意维护华裔权益、愿意为华裔代言、对华裔友善的候选人提供最直接和有效的支持。华裔参政正在从口号变成最直接有效的行动,华裔的草根组织在这次美国大选中受到各级参选人的重视。
8,由中国留学生发起成立的SoGal洛杉矶分会, 108日在洛杉矶主办的全球影响力峰会。邀请了十多位,合计拥有粉丝上亿的国际网红、各行业具有极大影响力的网络大咖们,介绍自己的经验、分享自己的观点、回答青年朋友们的问题。将洛杉矶的创业优势,娱乐产业、新媒体、多元文化内容创造一起来讨论,给青年创业生态圈带来更多的思路。是洛杉矶众多新兴的创新创业活动中,唯一专注促进和帮助青年女性创业的专业活动。
9,在孙中山先生诞辰150周年之际,美国南加州侨学界人士组织的“孙中山与青年、留学生”专题研讨会,探讨孙中山与青年之间的关系、以及对青年的重视,鼓励海外华裔青年、留学生加强社会责任感。提出创新社区活动方式、创新社团组织结构、以创新思维推动华人社区思维方式转型,符合时代发展的需求。
10,有近四千名中国留学生的南加州大学中国学生学者联谊会 (USCCSSA)  1118日晚在洛杉矶市中心的城市俱乐部 (City Club) 举办南加州菁英汇 (SoCal Elites Connect) ,邀请来自社会各界精英与留学生分享工作心得和感悟。鼓励留学生积极面向社会,建立自信,培养使命感和责任感。近30名知名人士嘉宾和来自南加州各知名学府经过遴选出的150名中国留学生出席了当天的活动。是首次由华人社团、留学生社团在城市俱乐部举办的高端交流活动。(AACYF洛杉矶讯)

星期一, 12月 19, 2016

A Statement from House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo

A Statement from House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo

“I am pleased that the First Circuit Court of Appeals has reversed the convictions of John O’Brien and the other employees of the Probation Department in connection with the alleged scheme to receive legislative appropriations in return for jobs in the Probation Department. 

I am particularly grateful that the Court has found that no member of the legislature had committed any impropriety in connection with the allegations in the indictment. It is unfortunate that for six and a half years other legislators and I have lived under the cloud of suspicion of having been involved in illegal activity. 

Today, the Court of Appeals has affirmed what I have said for the entire period – that neither I, nor to my knowledge any other legislator had engaged in any wrongdoing. The decision of the Court constitutes a complete exoneration for this institution and all of its members. These false and scurrilous allegations can now be given an appropriate burial.”

麻州獲選為美國生物醫藥製造創新夥伴 分享2.5億美元大餅

Massachusetts Selected to Partner in Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing Innovation
Public-private partnership will develop and commercialize new advanced manufacturing technologies, and train a skilled workforce

BOSTON - Today the Baker-Polito Administration is pleased to announce that Massachusetts will be a partner in the nation’s first manufacturing innovation institute in biopharmaceutical manufacturing. The biopharmaceutical manufacturing innovation institute is the sixth Manufacturing USA project secured under the Baker-Polito Administration

The $250 million biopharmaceutical innovation institute is a national public-private partnership, awarded through Manufacturing USA, a federally-authorized network of manufacturing innovation institutes. Federal matching funds for the manufacturing innovation institute will be provided by the US Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology. The University of Delaware convened this Manufacturing USA team.

Massachusetts will anchor the northeastern node for the biopharmaceutical manufacturing project, which will be known as the National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals (NIIMBL). The NIIMBL project will be led regionally by a consortium of small, medium, and large biopharmaceutical industry partners from across the supply chain, along with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Quincy College, UMass Lowell, UMass Medical School, and the Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI).

The Commonwealth is supporting NIIMBL’s collaborative research and development, and workforce training efforts, through a five-year, $20 million commitment from the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC). The Commonwealth’s matching contribution leverages $70 million in federal funds, awarded to the national project, and additional matching funds from private sector participants.

“Massachusetts leads the nation in the development and deployment of advanced manufacturing technologies, and this new biopharmaceutical manufacturing innovation institute will ensure that our globally competitive life sciences cluster continues to deliver cutting-edge therapies, while providing quality manufacturing jobs to the citizens of Massachusetts,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “NIIMBL continues our administration’s substantial investment in public-private research partnerships that open new advanced manufacturing pathways for workers across Massachusetts. We look forward to collaborating with our partners in the federal government, academia, and the private sector, as we continue to build a foundation for dynamic economic growth.”

“Our administration is harnessing advanced manufacturing and workforce development to build prosperity across Massachusetts, and NIIMBL advances these efforts in meaningful ways,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “By strengthening the ties between academic research institutions, commercial biopharmaceutical research and development efforts, and the manufacturing community, we will create new capacity to manufacture modern biopharmaceutical therapies in Massachusetts, and continue to broaden the reach of the life sciences cluster throughout the Commonwealth.”

A shift in the delivery of medical treatments, from powder-based medicines based on chemistry and manufactured in large batches, to biologics, cell therapies, and gene therapies, presents new challenges for the manufacturing of biopharmaceutical treatments at scale. The National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals is a public-private partnership that seeks to solve challenges related to the production, testing, and regulation of new treatments.

NIIMBL is a process innovation effort that aims to reduce the risks associated with manufacturing new therapies, improve efficiency in order to deliver new therapies to patients more quickly and at lower cost, and increase the quality and safety of new biopharmaceutical products.

The project will also train an advanced manufacturing workforce, capable of working in new biopharmaceutical manufacturing technologies.

“Being selected as the Northeast node for the National Institute for Innovation in Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing, and the federal funding that comes with it, will further strengthen Massachusetts’s position as the world’s leading ecosystem for drug development, from discovery, right through to commercialization and fabrication,” said Travis McCready, President and CEO of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center. “This Institute will build connections between our biomanufacturing innovators in industry and academia, and will connect the innovation going on in manufacturing with the innovation going on in the lab. This will translate into technical innovations to improve the biomanufacturing process, allowing for new drugs to reach and help patients more efficiently, and at lower cost.”

“Biopharmaceutical manufacturing innovation at MIT and in our region is reflected by the many small and large companies -- and talented faculty and students --- that have come out of such research,” said MIT Provost Martin Schmidt. “Those companies have settled in Massachusetts to be part of the growing innovation ecosystem anchored in Kendall Square but linked to vibrant regions across the entire Commonwealth. MIT looks forward to continuing to be a strong partner in NIIMBL's national efforts to de-risk manufacturing technologies for new biologic therapies, and to educate and train the future workforce of these companies.”

“The University of Massachusetts is proud to leverage the Massachusetts BioManufacturing Center (MBMC) at Lowell and MassBiologics in Boston and Fall River as part of the NIIMBL effort,” said UMass President Marty Meehan. “UMass has years of experience assisting biotechnology companies in developing cGMP compliant manufacturing processes and in producing FDA-licensed therapeutics, offering solutions that improve productivity, quality and cost. NIIMBL reflects our commitment to expand these public-private partnerships that contribute to the research, innovation, economic development and workforce development needs of the Commonwealth.”

“WPI was founded more than 150 years ago to support education and workforce development during the industrial revolution, and we look forward to driving innovation, career development, and other techniques to support 21st century biopharmaceutical manufacturing initiatives,” said WPI President Laurie Leshin. “For the past decade, WPI has been home to three bioscience facilities that are instrumental to education and innovation in biomanufacturing. We are committed to making those facilities -- the Life Science and Bioengineering Center, the Bioprocess Lab, and the Biomanufacturing Education and Training Center -- indispensable resources for organizations seeking competitive advantages in a global manufacturing economy.”

“Quincy College is proud to comprehensively teach the laboratory and critical thinking skills necessary to enter the growing biomanufacturing industry in Massachusetts and beyond,” said Bruce Van Dyke, Chair of the Biotechnology and Compliance Program at Quincy College. “Through lectures, seminars, and over 450 hours of hands-on laboratory experience, students earn an Associate of Science or Certificate in Biotechnology and Good Manufacturing Practice, and are fully trained to begin working in the biomanufacturing industry at entry-level positions. As a partner in the NIIMBL Project, our role would be to train individuals to fill biopharmaceutical manufacturing positions in the local workforce.”

Manufacturing USA, formerly known as the National Network for Manufacturing Institutes, is a network of competitively awarded public-private innovation institutes. Manufacturing USA seeks to spur research into cutting-edge technologies that can be applied to advanced manufacturing processes. Bidders frequently form teams of universities across different states, with regional nodes supporting the lead bidder. The federal awards are leveraged several times over through a series of state and industry matches.

Massachusetts is convening a national effort to develop revolutionary fibers and textiles, and the state is a participant in regional manufacturing innovation institute nodes in photonics, flexible hybrid electronics, smart manufacturing, and rapid process intensification.

新英格蘭台商會師法台灣 女人當家

新英格蘭台灣商會尾牙,波士頓華僑文教中心主任歐宏偉(中)主持新舊會長交接。許欽俊(左二)卸任,歐陽路(右二)上任會長,李苡惠(右一),林海倫(左二)上任副會長。(周菊子攝)
新英格蘭台商會前會長蔡坤喜主持大會。(周菊子攝)
                (Boston Orange 周菊子傅萊明罕鎮報導)新英格蘭台灣商會1217日晚在傅萊明罕鎮和荷花苑餐廳舉辦2016年終尾牙,慶祝創會20週年,掀開女人當家新頁,歡迎全是女性的三名新任正副會長,歐陽露,林海倫,李苡惠就職。
蔡坤喜(左一),許美惠(左三)等台商會前會長當然在座。(周菊子攝)
                  歐陽露21世紀地產公司工作。她表示未來將帶領該會朝四個方向發展,包括擴增會員,邀不同領域成功人士分享經驗,約廠商贊助辦聯誼來加強企業交流、切磋機會,以及完善商會網頁等。她強調自己將盡心盡力為會員服務,也竭誠歡迎各界給意見。
經文處經濟組組長石大玲(左)宣佈,明年一月將返國述職。(周菊子攝)
                  台商會前任會長蔡坤喜當晚再任主持。他表示,台商會既是企業與商機之間橋樑,也是關懷台灣,回饋社區的組織。該會自1996成立迄今20年,不但在2003年他任會長時率先送愛心,不到五星期就集資購得47,000個口罩,運回台灣防範非典(SARS)”疫情。台商會還因此獲得表揚。其後在台灣發生風災,高雄氣爆,台南地震等災難時,台商會也曾分別捐款2,8003,500美元,濟助災民。該會還以教育,健康,理財等三個和人生經營一生至關重要的三大議題,多次舉辦講座。
他並以中英雙語解釋,尾牙是台灣商人從國內帶到海外的習俗,本地每年一度的台商會尾牙都由歷任會長贊助,藉以在年終歲末之際,邀宴會員、會友餐敘,聯誼,感恩。
                   卸任會長許欽俊在會中歡迎兩名都是男性的新會員,才從台灣移民波士頓4個月的國際貿易商陳偉強,以及專利律師張宣業。
紐英崙中華公所主席陳家驊(右起),波士頓僑務委員蔣宗壬(中),波士
頓僑教中心主任夫人都是座上嘉賓。
許欽俊表示,過去這一年來,台商會舉辦過10屆台商盃保齡球賽,第九屆慈善高爾夫球賽,健康,理財講座,和麻州元極舞健康會合辦過台語班,也多次支持台灣電影在波士頓放映。今年底的川普當選美國總統,世界各地多起天災人禍,世界變化急遽,但希望台商們仍能彼此團結,為家鄉台灣盡力,並成為所有愛台人士的交流平台。
台商會前會長蔡坤喜(後左起),波士頓前任僑務委員馬滌凡,紐英崙
中華公所主席陳家驊和台商會副會長林海倫。
到會嘉賓中的波士頓華僑文教中心主任歐宏偉在致詞時表示,闊別波士頓11年,如今回鍋,重見舊友,格外親切。他特地感謝台商會的支持舉辦台語班,包括經文處副處長陳銘俊和他自己,共有不下43名學員。
經文處經濟組組長石大玲當晚在會中透露,將於明年一月奉調返國,到經濟部國際貿易組任職。他表示,經濟組的任務之一是調研在美台商概況。他很高興能夠告訴台商們,台灣和麻州的經濟往來,規模並不算小,將近85000萬元,為麻州創造了大約27000個工作機會。
紐英崙中華專業人員協會會長蔡明機夫婦(左起)和牙醫師李台,
鄭守夏教授,以及專協董事長王世輝同桌。
當天到會的其他嘉賓包括,波士頓僑務委員蔣宗壬,紐英崙中華公所主席陳家驊,波士頓前任僑務委員馬滌凡,紐英崙中華專業人員協會董事長王世輝,會長蔡明機,全美中文學校協會副祕書長陳式儀,紐英崙客家鄉親會副會長謝如鍵等。會場共有60多人歡聚。(部分圖片已於12/18日發表)


新英格蘭台灣商會新會員陳偉強(左)才來波士頓四個多月,和謝開明暢談
麻州、台灣種種。



台商會卸任副會長張耀熙(左二),前會長許美惠(前一)等人都出席盛會。


台商會前會長蔡坤喜(後右)主持大會。





台商會卸任會長許欽俊(左),前任副會長陳裕逢(右)主持抽獎。

台商會新舊任會長逐桌敬酒。
台商會新舊任會長逐桌敬酒。立者左起,歐陽露,臨海倫,許欽俊。


衛斯理豐田汽車代理商柯乃楠(右)和麻州牛頓元極舞健康會會長曾政
泉,鄭玉春兩夫婦都是台商會座上嘉賓。
台商會新會員張宣業律師(右起)和台商會的林展輝,創會會長王本仁
同桌暢敘。
左起,蔣宗壬,陳家驊,馬滌凡,謝如鍵。