波士頓元旦升中華民國國旗 近500人出席破紀錄

(Boston Orange 周菊子麻州牛頓市報導)2017年1月1日，400多名大波士頓地區僑胞齊聚麻州牛頓市海德社區，在國歌，國旗歌聲中，摀著心，敬著禮，仰望象徵世代傳承的升旗手把青天白日滿地紅國旗升起，祝禱新一年的和平，安定。

今年是中華民國106年，也是大波士頓僑社在波士頓華僑文教中心前廣場第8次舉行升旗典禮。經文處與波士頓華僑文教中心精心佈置的印有中美國旗兩幅超大布幕，好幾面撐開的青天白日滿地紅國旗，擠到連四週角落都站滿人的會場，和人數破紀錄出席者的互相拜年問好寒暄聲，都讓出席僑胞們心情激動，感過新年的興奮。

駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處處長賴銘琪今年第3次以處長身分參加升旗典禮。他以「審慎踏實、勇往直前」這8各字來形容台灣過去這一年的有成就，有挫折。

成就包括在民主上，中華民國選出史上第一位女總統。在外交上，拿台灣護照可免簽證或落地簽的國家從153至164個。此外，台美雙邊貿易金額增至660億，為美國創造了32000個工作機會。美台駕照互換協定簽署州已從14增至19，500多台灣駕照持有人已換得麻州駕照。有435議員的聯邦眾議院，加入台灣連線人數已從191增至216，有100議員的聯邦參議院，加入台灣連線者也從33增至35。12月2日，美國總統當選人川普和蔡英文總統通電話10分鐘，成為1979年以來雙方領導第一次的正通話記錄，也是台美關係最好的時刻。在經濟上，台灣有外匯存底4352億，排全球第5，是全球第27大經濟體，在世界經濟論壇的國家經濟競爭力排名中，位居第14，在經濟學人智庫的全球投資、經商環境評比中，排名第4。

令人擔憂的是，勞工薪資長期偏低，易形成勞資對立局面，少子化使勞動力供應走低，不加入區域經濟組織易被邊緣化，貧富、城鄉、南北的差距，嚴重社會穩定性及競爭力，再加上兩岸關係的不確定性等等，未來可能有越來越多挑戰。但是賴銘琪相信，在政府與人民攜手以成熟態度面對下，明天會更好。

升旗典禮的出席嘉賓包括今年將競選牛頓市市長的牛頓市現任市議長藍儂（Scott Lennon），牛頓市議員萊斯(John Rice)，波士頓僑務委員蔣宗壬，梅錫銳，紐英崙中華公所主席陳家驊等。

兼具波士頓華僑文教中心房東身分的約翰萊斯表示，和僑教中心合作，一幌10年，不但建成花園，可種花草蔬菜做沙拉，還闢出升旗台廣場，明年將增設一支旗桿，讓中美國旗能一同飄揚。

僑教中心主任歐宏偉透露，今年的升旗典禮，特地安排榮光會理事長石家孝、國民黨波士頓分部常委張韻蘭和台灣移民第二代的譚鼎翰、曾琦恩一起當升旗手，藉以鼓勵世代傳承。

會中，經文處處長賴銘琪還頒發紀念國父150歲誕辰活動有功團體獎狀給麻州元極舞聯誼會及僑教中心志工等社團，另頒發個人獎給石家孝，陳家驊。經文處處長賴銘琪還送給每名出席者一條有國旗及國民黨黨徽圖案的圍巾，僑教中心送出僑委會2017年月曆。

     這天的升旗典禮，由中華民俗藝術工作坊團長張昆以廣東話，國語雙聲帶主持，該團演出的鼓舞奔騰，"台灣上水ㄟ油桐花"，祥龍再添，繁花似錦，活鈴活現，歡樂歌等。慶祝活動最後在”台灣有你真好"的舞蹈表演中落幕。

奧巴馬告別白宮公開信

In 1796, as George Washington set the precedent for a peaceful, democratic transfer of power, he also set a precedent by penning a farewell address to the American people. And over the 220 years since, many American presidents have followed his lead.

On Tuesday, January 10, I'll go home to Chicago to say my grateful farewell to you, even if you can't be there in person.

I'm just beginning to write my remarks. But I'm thinking about them as a chance to say thank you for this amazing journey, to celebrate the ways you've changed this country for the better these past eight years, and to offer some thoughts on where we all go from here.

Since 2009, we've faced our fair share of challenges, and come through them stronger. That's because we have never let go of a belief that has guided us ever since our founding -- our conviction that, together, we can change this country for the better.

So I hope you'll join me one last time.

Because, for me, it's always been about you.

President Barack Obama

波士頓第一夜 (圖片)

Robert F. Rivers named Chairman and CEO of Eastern Bank

Robert F. Rivers named Chairman and CEO of Eastern Bank

Succeeds Richard E. Holbrook; Quincy Miller appointed Vice Chairman and President

BOSTON, Jan. 2, 2017 – Robert F. Rivers has been elected by the Eastern Bank Board of Directors to the position of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, the bank announced today.

Rivers joined Eastern Bank in 2006 as its Vice Chairman and Chief Banking Officer, becoming President in 2007, Chief Operating Officer in 2012, and an Eastern Bank Director in 2015.  The Board also elected Quincy Miller to succeed Rivers as bank President.  Both promotions were effective Jan. 1.

“In just 16 months, Eastern Bank will celebrate our 200th year in business as the United States’ oldest and largest mutual bank,” said Rivers. “While our leadership has changed over the years, our commitment to mutuality and the communities we serve remains the same. I look forward to building upon Rich Holbrook’s legacy and I’m grateful for the Board’s confidence in me as we lead Eastern into our third century of business.”

A native of Stoughton, Massachusetts, Rivers began his banking career in 1982 as a teller while in college, joining the former Old Stone Bank in Providence upon graduation in 1986.  From 1991 to 2005, he held a number of staff and line leadership positions at M&T Bank in Buffalo, N.Y.  Prior to joining Eastern, he was an Executive Vice President for Retail Banking at the former Commercial Federal Bank in Omaha, Nebraska.

Rivers earned his undergraduate degree at Stonehill College, and his MBA from the University of Rochester.  He lives in Needham with his wife and two children.

Miller, who joined Eastern last year as Vice Chairman and Chief Banking Officer, began his banking career in 1997 at M&T Bank in New York, N.Y.  He worked for M&T in a number of leadership roles until 2006 when he joined Citizens Bank in Cleveland, Ohio.  Prior to joining Eastern, he spent 10 years at Citizens, most recently as President of Citizens Bank, Massachusetts and President of its Business Banking division.

Miller, who lives in Milton with his wife and two children, earned his undergraduate degree from Lafayette College and is a graduate of the Consumer Bankers Association Graduate School of Retail Bank Management. 

大波士頓元旦升中華民國國旗

波士頓地區全僑各界於106年1月1日在波士頓僑教中心舉行中華民國106年元旦升旗典禮暨團拜活動，計有產官僑學各界人士500餘人到場參加，場面盛大。當天活動由駐波士頓辦事處處長賴銘琪主持，升旗典禮由臺裔第二代青年譚鼎翰先生及曾琦恩小姐，以及榮光會理事長石家孝、國民黨波士頓分部常委張韻蘭共同擔任升旗手，彰顯僑界青年世代傳承的精神; 現場並有波士頓安良工商會醒獅團舞獅表演以及紐英崙中華民俗藝術工作坊精彩的臺灣戰鼓、舞龍、扯鈴、舞蹈等民俗藝術表演，場面熱絡，獲得與會人士一致的讚賞。

當天出席的貴賓包括牛頓市議員Scott LennonJohn、Rice、僑務委員梅錫銳、僑務委員蔣宗壬、紐英崙中華公所主席陳家驊等人，也分別致詞祝賀僑胞鄉親新年快樂，賴銘琪也表揚僑界協助辦理慶祝105年國慶活動的團體，以及頒發紀念國父150歲誕辰活動有功團體獎狀。此外，今年會場特別布置具有波士頓及臺灣地標的舞臺布幕，並設置照相專區，也令僑胞鄉親大表讚賞。