Tri-Caucus Leadership Opposes Nomination of Senator Jeff Sessions for Attorney General

Tri-Caucus Leadership Opposes Nomination of Senator Jeff Sessions for Attorney General

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, the Congressional Tri-Caucus – which is composed of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) – sent a letter to the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee opposing the nomination of  Alabama Senator Jeff Sessions for Attorney General. The Chairs of the Congressional Tri-Caucus released the following statements:

“The Tri-Caucus is deeply concerned by the nomination and potential confirmation of Alabama Senator Jeff Sessions for Attorney General,” said CAPAC Chairwoman Judy Chu (CA-27). “The U.S. Attorney General plays a critical role in protecting the civil rights of all Americans. Unfortunately, Senator Sessions has consistently opposed issues that are important to the communities of color that we represent – from supporting anti-immigrant legislation to opposing voting rights, Senator Sessions has a disturbing record that makes him unfit to serve as our nation’s chief law enforcement officer. I join my Tri-Caucus colleagues in urging the Senate to oppose his nomination.”

“It is important for us to speak with one voice in our opposition to the nomination of Sen. Sessions,” said CBC Chairman Cedric Richmond (LA-02). “His comments and his record indicate that his enforcement of the law or lack thereof would have a negative impact on communities of color. The Tri-Caucus will always stand together to protect the people we represent.”

“Senator Sessions isn't qualified to lead the federal law enforcement agency charged with protecting the civil rights of all Americans, given his views about minorities and immigrant families," said CHC Chairwoman Michelle Lujan Grisham (NM-01). “More than 1,400 law school professors from across the nation have opposed his nomination because they believe Sessions ‘will not fairly enforce our nation’s laws and promote justice and equality in the United States.’ When you have fundamental disagreements with anti-discrimination laws, you are not qualified to uphold those laws that are intended to protect all people.”

The text of the letter is available below:

Dear Chairman Grassley and Ranking Member Leahy:

As the Chairs of the Congressional Tri-Caucus – composed of the Congressional Black Caucus, the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus – we write to express our deep concerns about the nomination and possible confirmation of Senator Jeff Sessions to serve as the 84thAttorney General of the United States. Senator Sessions has an alarming record that is of great concern to the communities of color we represent, from his views on race issues to his resistance towards improving our broken immigration system and restoring the right to vote. 

In 1986, President Reagan nominated Sessions, then a young U.S. attorney from Mobile, Alabama, as a U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of Alabama. Due to serious concerns regarding his insensitivity on issues of race, Sessions ultimately became only the second nominee in 50 years to be rejected by the Senate Judiciary Committee. Despite the fact that a Republican-controlled Judiciary Committee deemed Sessions too regressive on issues of race and civil rights to serve as a district court judge, President-elect Trump has nominated  Sessions to serve as Attorney General. The nomination of Sessions as the top law enforcement official in the country makes it clear that the concerns expressed by communities of color have not been heard.

Throughout his decades-long career in public service, Senator Sessions has found himself on the wrong side of countless issues that are vital to the well-being of the people and communities we represent. He has opposed essential components of the Voting Rights Act. He has served as an obstacle to criminal justice reform and a vocal proponent of the disastrous War on Drugs. He has also led the charge to deny equitable funding to public schools in Alabama, and demonstrated his resistance to advancing LGBTQ rights and women’s rights by opposing the repeal of “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” as well as efforts to ensure that women receive equal pay for equal work. He has opposed both our current legal immigration laws and efforts to reform our broken immigration system. On immigration, Senator Sessions does not only support a ban on Muslim immigrants, but opposes even our legal immigration system. He has implied that Syrian refugees fleeing war are “terrorists”, and has also attacked policies that support limited English proficient Americans. Even more concerning is the fact that Sessions does not even believe in upholding the concept of birthright citizenship, which is ingrained in our 14th Amendment. 

As Senator Sessions moves through the confirmation process, much will be made of his track record on issues of justice, equality, and civil rights. Many will debate the question of whether Sessions is or is not a racist.  While this is a very important question that warrants consideration, it is ultimately a question for which there will be no definitive answer.  What can be said definitively is that Senator Sessions, in a career spanning more than three decades in public service, has advocated for and in some cases implemented policies that are in direct conflict with the values of the Congressional Tri-Caucus, its members, and the people we represent. There is no doubt that Senator Jeff Sessions is unfit to lead a department he has long railed against, and that he will advance an agenda that will do great harm to citizens, immigrant communities, and people of color. We strongly urge the Senate Judiciary Committee to vote no on his nomination and instead advance an Attorney General who champions civil rights protections for all Americans.

Sincerely,

CEDRIC RICHMOND Member of Congress Chair, Congressional Black Caucus

JUDY CHU Member of Congress Chair, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus

MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM Member of Congress Chair, Congressional Hispanic Caucus

CITY OF BOSTON ACHIEVES ENERGY EFFICIENCY GAINS WITH CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS TO ITS ICONIC BUILDINGS

BOSTON - Tuesday, January 10, 2017 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced recent capital improvements to three of its iconic buildings completed by City of Boston Public Facilities Department will yield nearly $50,000 in annual utility savings for the lifetime of the installed improvements at the Central Library in Copley Square, City Hall and 26 Court Street. The project will also eliminate over 140 tons of greenhouse gas emissions each year, which is equivalent to removing more than 40 cars from the road for a year. "I am proud Boston is leading by example in pursuing environmentally-friendly, sustainable and cost-saving options for our improvement projects," said Mayor Walsh. "These improvements are a win-win effort, and I look forward to continuing our collaborative efforts with utility partners to continue making progress towards becoming a more energy efficient city." Boston's Public Facilities Department partnered with Eversource on the comprehensive building infrastructure and energy efficiency upgrade projects, with Eversource providing technical expertise and helping the City secure Mass Save program incentives to offset the overall cost of the upgrades to the three buildings. "Eversource has been working closely with the City of Boston on innovative projects to make the City more energy efficient for many years," said Tilak Subrahmanian, Vice President of Energy Efficiency at Eversource. "We commend Mayor Walsh and city leaders for demonstrating Boston's commitment to energy efficiency, and providing cities and towns across the country with a model they can follow." Last year, Mayor Walsh and the City's Public Facilities Department unveiled new high-efficiency LED exterior lighting on Boston's City Hall. The new fixtures wash the building in a warm white light, and also have the capability of projecting a wide-range of color options, which allows the City to light the building to acknowledge a variety of civic and celebratory events. The Public Facilities Department saved $30,000 on the installation through a Mass Save utility efficiency incentive, and expects to achieve $12,000 in energy savings annually. During 2016, the Walsh Administration and Eversource also completed energy efficiency projects at the Central Library's Johnson Building, and additional projects at 26 Court Street. The energy efficiency upgrades installed in the Central Library's Johnson Building qualified to receive a $57,000 Mass Save incentive. Those improvements to the building's interior lighting and HVAC controls are expected to save the City $22,000 annually in reduced energy costs. The installation of five high-efficiency condensing boilers at 26 Court Street received a $50,000 Mass Save energy efficiency incentive. The five boilers are expected to reduce the cost of heating the building by $13,000 annually. "Continuing to make this building more energy efficient through the Central Library Renovation Project was a major priority, and Mayor Walsh's continued commitment to the library and energy efficiency in the Capital Plan enables all of our buildings to offer great spaces on a sustainable basis now and into the future," said David Leonard, President of the Boston Public Library. Boston's large buildings and institutions contribute approximately 50 percent of the City's greenhouse gas emissions. The City's updated Climate Action Plan provides the framework for reducing greenhouse gas emissions 25 percent by 2020 and 80 percent by 2050. As a key means of reaching the greenhouse gas reduction goals stated in the Climate Action Plan, the City is leading by example by reducing the energy intensity of its own municipal buildings and working with its utilities to incentivize energy efficiency upgrades.

波士頓計畫發展局訂1/19 進華埠討論 P12地段

Parcel P-12 Disposition

Public Workshop

Description: The Boston Planning & Development Agency will explain the Request for Proposals (RFP) process for Parcel P-12 with the community. P-12, located on Tremont Street between the Doubletree Hotel and a Tufts New England Medical Center parking garage, is in the Mid-Town Cultural Zoning District and South Cove Urban Renewal Area. This site offers the potential for a mixed-use development that can create synergy with the neighboring uses and communities that are present in the area. BPDA will discuss P-12’s characteristics in detail and engage the community to discuss potential development guidelines to be included in the RFP.
[more]

Time: 01/19/2017 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Location: Josiah Quincy Elementary School, Cafeteria, 885 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02111

Contact

Reay Pannesi
Reay.L.Pannesi@Boston.gov
617.918.6239

Mary Knasas
Mary.Knasas@Boston.gov 
617.918.4489

Joe Biden, Chicago one last time

Over the past eight years, I’ve been proud to stand by President Obama's side through every step of this journey.

And tonight, I'll be proud to stand by him one last time in Chicago with the First Lady and with Jill as he makes his farewell address to the nation.

Heading back to Chicago, I can’t help thinking about that night when the four of us were together in Grant Park. November 4, 2008.

We’d received the call conceding the race from our friend and patriot, John McCain. Barack had just finished addressing the nation for the first time as President-elect. The park was just filled with hundreds of thousands of people from all around the city and the country, of every age and background. And then, after Barack’s speech, our families joined us on stage -- two families from different parts of the country, from different walks of life, but with the same values, that had grown so close over the past several months and have stayed so close over the last eight years.

And I saw my mother, Catherine Eugenia Finnegan Biden, who was 91 years old at the time, walking over to us. She really liked Barack. Always had.

And my mom reached out, grabbed Barack's hand, and said, "It's going to be okay, honey, come with me." And holding both of our hands, she walks us up to the front of the stage. Barack and I look at each other. Here we go.

November 4, 2008, Grant Park, Chicago

Together, we took that first step in our journey that has continued until today -- a journey to restore our economy, rebuild the middle class, and treat everyone with dignity.

It was a feeling I'll never forget -- standing out on that stage together for the first time since the overwhelming majority of the American people placed their trust in us. I remember how the tough days on the campaign trail were nothing compared to the tough days millions of families were going through as the economy was crashing and they were losing their jobs, their homes, and their savings. I remember seeing the hope in their eyes, and being reminded that there is no quit in America.

And even though we'd go to bed exhausted every night, we'd wake up in the morning inspired by the millions of people who volunteered, organized, voted, and put every ounce of heart and hustle into something bigger than themselves. It was electric -- something that this country had never seen before. At its core, it was truly a campaign about our conviction that ordinary people can do extraordinary things. That's the history of the journey of our country.

Being asked to be part of this journey was a great honor. Barack and I and our families have formed a real and lasting bond over this incredible experience. During long hours in the Oval Office and Situation Room, during private lunches and quiet moments, I've seen Barack lead this country from economic crisis to recovery to resurgence. I've seen him lead the world not just by the example of our power, but by the power of our example.

I've seen a president who never forgot the core that makes us who we are as Americans -- tough, resilient, but always full of hope and optimism. Just give people a fair chance and they will do extraordinary things.

Eight years later, I hope you’ll join me in Chicago as the President speaks about all we've accomplished on our journey as a country over the last eight years and the work that's still ahead.

Tune in at 9pm ET to stand with President Obama, the First Lady, Jill, and me in Chicago one last time.

Joe

Vice President Joe Biden

Malden among 4 Cities to Receive Grant for Elderly Public Housing Rehabilitation

Tuesday, January 10, 2017

(From left) State Representative Steve Ultrino, State Senator Jason Lewis, State Representative Paul Brodeur, MHA Executive Director Steve Finn, Lt. Governor Karyn Polito, DHCD Undersecretary Chrystal Kornegay, MVES Director of Client Services Joanne Solazzo, Executive Officer of Elder Affairs Secretary Alice Bonner, Mayor Gary Christenson, City Councillors Barbara Murphy and Neil Kinnon (behind Councillor Murphy) and CHA Elder Service Plan PACE Program Director Jed Geyerhahn

At an event held last Thursday at the Forestdale Housing Community Room, Lt. Governor Karyn Polito on behalf of Governor Baker, and Undersecretary of Housing and Community Development Chrystal Kornegay announced $17.8 Million in funding to be provided for the rehabilitation of public elderly housing units in the cities of Malden, Chelsea, Ipswich and Gloucester. Malden Housing Authority Executive Director Steve Finn applied for the grant last September through the Department of Housing and Community Development’s (DHCD) Modernizing Public Housing and Supporting Elders (ModPHASE) Program, which works in collaboration with the Executive Office of Elder Affairs. ModPHASE seeks to preserve and modernize public housing communities with high capital needs and facilitate stronger relationships between local housing authorities and local elder service agencies. The program also supports the capacity for current and future public housing residents to age in their communities.

MHA Director Steve Finn was moved upon hearing the announcement of the Malden Housing Authority’s $6,695,000 award for the rehabilitation of 103 units at the Forestdale development. “These funds will enable us to construct a number of long-overdue capital improvements that will extend the life of this critically important public housing asset,” said Director Finn. “This award would not have been possible without Mayor Christenson’s commitment and the support of the Malden City Council to assume the unleveraged portion of the costs of these services. On behalf of our resident families, we thank the Mayor and the Council for this significant opportunity.” The buildings will be upgraded, newly accessible units will be created, renovations of kitchens and bathrooms will take place, along with various other site improvements. Additionally, Mystic Valley Elder Services and the Cambridge Health Alliance’s Elder Service Plan will provide services to the residents.

Mayor Gary Christenson, State Senator Jason Lewis, and State Representatives Steve Ultrino, who sits on the Committee on Elder Affairs and Paul Brodeur attended the event and each spoke of their gratitude to the Baker Administration for providing the funding for these much needed improvements. Lt. Governor Polito reiterated the Baker/Polito’s commitment to the importance of our elderly remaining connected to their communities while having access to services that are essential to their comfort and safety.

美國國務卿克里回波士頓強調氣候變化議題談中美合作

美國國務卿克里(John Kerry)到MIT譚氣候變化。(州橘子攝)

 (Boston Orange 周菊子麻州劍橋市綜合報導) 即將於10日後卸任的美國國務卿克里(John Kerry)，1月9日早上在麻省理工學院張忠謀大樓(Morris and Sophie Chang Buildin)發表有關氣候變化的演講，強調這是確實存在的議題，謀求因應之道應該不分黨派。

波士頓市長馬丁華殊(Martin Walsh)(前右三)應邀出席美國國務卿克里
(John Kerry)(前右一)的氣候變化演講。(州菊子攝)

            克里指出，氣候變化議題不但真實存在，其實還已經落實到了地方城市層級。2016年6月他和波士頓市市長馬丁華殊(Martin Walsh)一起出席，在中國北京舉行的第二屆中美氣候智慧型/低碳城市論壇，就是這樣一個從城市角度出發，針對氣候變化舉辦的會議。

            該會議第一屆在洛杉磯，第二屆在北京，第三屆將由波士頓承辦，預定有來自中美兩國60個城市的2000多名政府官員，企業高管，市區領袖參加。

            克里也提及，美國總統奧巴馬和中國國家主席習近平今年三月底發表了”中美元首氣候變化聯合聲明”，其後簽署巴黎協定，都彰顯了這議題的重要性。

            由於原本是房地產發展商，無從政經驗的川普曾把氣候變化形容為哄騙人的玩藝兒，還誓言要把美國從2015年在巴黎簽署的減少全球溫室瓦斯協議中撤出來。克里特地指出，一個人在野或在位，往往會因位置不同，看法有異，他希望美國新政府能夠正視氣候變化不應該是黨派議題。

            克里在侃談氣候變化議題時，克里還引用麻州清潔能源業2015年成長12%，聘用10萬人等數據，鼓勵麻省理工學院及相關學者，學生，繼續致力研究可更新能源，清潔能源，從各種角度來改善未來的氣候變化。他也以用煤做能源來源為例，指不少國家或企業以預算有限為由，解釋自己的不得不用煤來取得所需能源，但是如果把空氣汙染等所造成的環境問題，健康問題等社會成本都算進支出裏，恐怕就不會覺得煤便宜了。

克里的演講主題是”全球過渡進清潔能源未來”。他表示自己不會去猜測美國候任總統川普，以及他所任命的國務卿，埃克森美孚(Exxon Mobil )石油執行長Rex Tillerson就任後會怎麼做，但他提醒的指出，有些問題在競選時和就任後，看起來會很不一樣。氣候變化不應該是個黨派議題。

克里在演講時並未透露自己卸任後的計畫，只說打算搬回波士頓，進私人企業工作，還笑說10天後，他將是全美最出名的失業者。

WXNC joins AbbVie and GMI in Landmark Ireland Genomics Alliance

NORTH CHICAGO, Ill., DUBLIN and CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Jan. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV), a global biopharmaceutical company, life-sciences startup Genomics Medicine Ireland Limited (GMI), and WuXi NextCODE, the global contract genomics organization, today announced the launch of a long-term strategic alliance to conduct population genomics research in Ireland aimed at advancing the discovery and development of novel therapeutic approaches to a range of serious diseases. The 15-year collaboration will focus on major chronic diseases within oncology, neuroscience and immunology that affect hundreds of thousands of people in Ireland and hundreds of millions worldwide.  Financial terms were not disclosed.

The alliance will result in the sequencing of 45,000 genomes from volunteer participants across Ireland to seek novel insights into the biological processes that underlie complex disease. AbbVie will use the research database developed by GMI to identify new molecular approaches for therapeutic drug discovery and development as well as to develop companion diagnostics. The alliance builds on AbbVie's substantial existing presence in Ireland, which includes more than 600 employees and investments of more than $130 million since 2013.  

WORCESTER GUN DEALER AGREES TO END ILLEGAL FIREARM SALES

WORCESTER GUN DEALER AGREES TO END ILLEGAL FIREARM SALES

‘The Gun Parlor’ Will No Longer Sell Handguns that are Prohibited Under Massachusetts Law

            BOSTON – A gun dealer in Worcester has agreed to bring its policies into compliance with state law and to pay up to $35,000 for selling handguns that are not listed on the state’s approved roster, and Glocks that do not meet Massachusetts safety regulations, Attorney General Maura Healey announced today.

“In Massachusetts, we rely on gun dealers to help ensure responsible gun ownership and use by following the law,” AG Healey said. “Today’s agreement requires this Worcester gun dealer to come into compliance with our firearm safety laws and regulations, and do its part to prevent access to unsafe and illegal weapons in our communities.”

During an investigation by the AG’s Office into the business practices of The Gun Parlor, Inc., various violations of state law were uncovered, including the sale of handguns manufactured by Glock that do not have a load indicator or magazine safety disconnect as required by handgun safety regulations, and the sale of firearms that have not met the statutory safety testing requirements to be listed on the state’s approved handgun roster.

The AG’s investigation also found that The Gun Parlor failed to provide legally mandated safety warnings to customers, did not properly verify that handguns sold to law enforcement and military personnel were being purchased for official duties, and sold handguns with a barrel length shorter than three inches to consumers without first providing disclosures required under state regulations about the potentially limited accuracy of such weapons.

Under the terms of today’s settlement, The Gun Parlor is required to pay $10,000 in attorney’s fees and costs associated with the investigation, along with an additional $25,000 in penalties for the illegal sale of Glock handguns, which will not be collected if The Gun Parlor complies with the settlement for two years. Moving forward, The Gun Parlor has agreed to end sales of handguns that are not permitted to be sold in Massachusetts, to accurately advertise its inventory online in order to avoid implying that illegal handguns are available, and to provide proper disclosures and safety warnings to customers before purchasing and operating a legal firearm.

Today’s settlement is one more step in AG Healey’s efforts to enhance gun safety and to assure compliance with Massachusetts gun laws and regulations. In December 2015, AG Healey sent a letter to all 350 state gun dealers reminding them of their obligations under state law. Last year, she led a multi-state efforturging Congress to lift the ban on gun-violence research by the Centers for Disease Control and is working with medical professionals to help develop resources for physicians to aid conversations with their patients about guns in the home.

Last July, AG Healey issued a notice to gun manufacturers and licensed dealers in Massachusetts, warning that her office is stepping up enforcement of the state’s assault weapons ban, including a crackdown on new sales of copycat weapons. Since then, illegal sales of assault weapons have stopped in the state.

The Gun Parlor matter was handled by Assistant Attorney General Gary Klein of AG Healey’s Public Protection and Advocacy Bureau and Assistant Attorney General Samantha Shusterman of AG Healey’s Consumer Protection Division, with the assistance of David Bolcome and Colleen Frost of AG Healey’s Civil Investigations Division.

中華民俗藝術工作坊鱈魚角Chatham第一夜演出受矚目

          (Boston Orange)  中華民俗藝術工作坊在麻州鱈魚角Chatham「第一夜」中大出風頭，2場演出都爆滿，掌聲不斷。

          中華民俗藝術工作坊是在三年前第一次參加鱈魚角"Chatham第一夜"表演，無論是台灣戰鼓，舞龍，舞獅，扯鈴，或是民俗及原住民歌舞表演，都大受歡迎。主辦單位欣喜非常，此後連年邀請該團演出。

      中華民俗藝術工作坊團長張昆表示，後來Chatham還出現粉絲團，讓團員們表演得更起勁。張昆透露，演出團員雖然都是中學在學生，做的是業餘表演，但團員們每週練習，還辦集訓的認真，嚴謹，讓他們得以表現的一點也不亞於專業團體。

            鱈魚角"Chatham第一夜今年在Monomoy Regional 初中演藝廳舉行。中華民俗藝術工作坊安排了臺灣戰鼓-「鼓舞奔騰」、舞龍-「祥龍在天」、舞獅-「祥獅獻瑞」、扯鈴-「活鈴活現」，以及「百鶴齊翔」、「五行」、「圓月踏燈」、「繁花似錦」等民俗舞蹈，以及原住民歌舞「歡樂歌」等節目。出席觀眾紛紛稱讚不僅服飾多采多姿，聲色燈光俱全，還感受到濃濃的中華文化氣息。

             在這新春伊始之際，中華民俗藝術工作坊的表演邀約很多。接下來的表演安排，包括1月14日(週六)的下午4點在波士頓市區維多利亞藝術中心(Villa Victoria Art Center)，1月28日(週六)下1點，在皮博迪博物館(Peabody Essex Museum)演出。

陳偉雄、鄺國添就任波士頓洪門致公堂主席

波士頓洪門致公堂新屆職員及嘉賓。前排左起，經文處處長賴銘琪，中華公所主席陳家驊，洪門新主席陳偉雄，元老伍伯和，監堂阮振強，卸任主席李厚鵬，資深主席鄺國添，僑教中心主任歐宏偉。後排左起，梅少華，余培鋒，林文健，阮偉昌，司徒月華，陳國漢，以及黎益置(後右三)，余麗媖(厚右一)，(周菊子攝)

              (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導) 波士頓洪門致公堂1月7日晚在瑞雪紛飛中舉行新屆職員就職典禮，迎來歷年最年輕的主席陳偉雄，以及在眾望所歸中第五度出馬的主席鄺國添，為洪門傳承邁開步伐。

波士頓洪門主席交接。前排右起，鄺國添，李厚鵬，阮振強，伍伯和，

陳偉雄。(周菊子攝)

              1月7日這晚正好遇上波士頓今年的第一場大風雪，麻州有不少地區降雪量高達16英吋，人們出門不易。包括主持見證交接的洪門元老伍伯和，監堂阮振強，應邀到賀的嘉賓，駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處處長賴銘琪。波士頓華僑文教中心主任歐宏偉，紐英崙中華公所主席陳家驊等，仍有數十人出席。

元老伍伯和(中)恭喜兩名主席就任，鄺國添(左)，陳偉雄(右)。

(周菊子攝)

              當晚的就職儀式，簡單隆重，由司儀陳國漢主禮，鳴鑼後，請嘉賓就座，元老出面監交印信，新舊任主席及嘉賓致詞，禮成，拍照，移步”摩摩喳喳”餐敘。

              在致詞中，洪門元老伍伯和指出，今年洪門特地請資歷深的鄺國添與年輕的陳偉雄搭檔，為洪門傳承建立更好基礎。他指出，陳偉雄在波士頓出生，往年較少參與僑社事務，希望他將來在中華公所主席帶領下，鼓勵年輕一代都來出力為僑社服務，繁榮地方。

經文處處長賴銘琪(左起)，中華公所主席陳家驊，僑教中心主任

歐宏偉。(周菊子攝)

              新主席陳偉雄以英語致詞，謙虛表示希望自己的上任，能有打開大門的鋪路作用，帶動年輕一代出來一起服務，讓社區，洪門都更加繁榮。陳偉雄本人原本是系統工程師，為傳承家業才於2009年回到社區，與兄長及家人一起經營”摩摩喳喳”，以及去年新開張的”為食堂”，”包包亭”。

資深主席鄺國添表示，希望新一代多和老一輩多溝通，齊心協力的為社區繁榮而努力。他也特地藉機會感謝義姊余麗媖，以及和他相伴，彼此扶持多年的妻子。

卸任主席李厚鵬也感謝義兄、義弟支持，讓波士頓洪門去年順利舉辦了懇親大會。

右起，鄺元傑，鄺炎彬，雷展灝，陳文棟等人都來道賀。(周菊子攝)

              針對出席就職典禮中的年輕人，中華公所主席陳家驊以英語致詞。他說身為中國人，每次經過華埠牌樓，都會看到牌匾上一面寫著”天下為公”，另一面寫著”禮義廉恥”。他詮釋的指出這幾個字意義深重，是要人秉性良好做對的事，還要行為正當，維持公義。他直言要做到這些，需要勇氣。但要幫助社區繁榮，就必須有這樣的承擔。他期許洪門兄弟能以這樣的精神支持中華公所一起為社區服務。

右起，鄺元傑，雷國徽，鄺炎彬，雷展灝等人恭喜宗親鄺國添(右二)

就任洪門主席。(周菊子攝)

              經文處處長賴銘琪全程以廣東話致詞。他指出，洪門與中華民國的淵源甚至可以回溯到1904年，雙方關係一直良好，所以無論風雪有多大，他當然都要來做代表出席，向洪門兄弟致意，表達感謝之心。賴銘琪也說明，經文處已組成一支壘球隊，希望洪門，尤其是洪清，也能組織球隊，大家一起打球，以球會友的培養感情。

              波士頓華僑文教中心主任歐宏偉代表僑委會委員長吳新興向洪門致意。他笑說11年前自己還很年輕，和洪清差不多，那時派駐波士頓，曾有幸獲贈一件洪清T恤。如今再回波士頓服務，希望洪門及洪清兄弟們能繼續支持。

              今年的洪門致公堂主席就職典禮，還有姓氏公所到賀。兩名主席的本家公所，包括雷方鄺三姓的遡源公所，包括陳胡袁等姓氏的至孝篤親公所，依序有主席鄺炎彬，雷展灝，以及鄺元傑，雷國會，主席鄺陳珮珊，陳文棟等人親自出席。

              波士頓洪門致公堂的2017年職員包括總顧問伍煥鵬，總監堂李柱桑，總理白杰雄，李偉強，盟長伍煥鵬，副盟長謝仲安，監堂阮振強，主席陳偉雄，鄺國添，元老阮全義，伍伯和，秘書陳國漢，財政葉偉綱，外交黎益置，司徒月華，理財余麗媖，核數梅少華，康樂譚偉明，幹事鄧安。洪青會長譚偉明，李永強。曾任主席的監督12人，司徒松璋，司徒彥鏗，余共才，鄺國添，黃子聰，駱漢源，黃國威，黃夢彪，余培鋒，司徒宗達，阮偉昌，李厚鵬。

摩頓市宣佈 1/7早上10點起暴風雪警報 停車限制生效

As of 10AM on Saturday, January 7th, the City of Malden will declare a snow emergency.  After the snow emergency begins at 10AM tomorrow morning, winter parking restrictions will be strictly enforced.

To avoid being ticketed or towed, you must seek off-street parking. For residents without access to off-street parking, there are 7 locations for to park free of charge and these lots are immediately available to be parked in this evening.  These locations are the Early Learning Center, Beebe, Forestdale, Ferryway, Linden and Salemwood Schools and downtown at the CBD Garage located at 170 Centre St.  Vehicles can remain in these lots until the snow emergency is lifted.  

For more information about parking and other winter weather procedures, please visit our Winter Weather Central page at www.cityofmalden.org/snow

賴銘琪祝賀新罕布夏州新任州長史努努就職

駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處處長賴銘琪(左)出席新罕普夏州州長
就職典禮。(經文處提供)

為代表中華民國政府及人民對新罕布夏州新任州長史努努(Chris Sununu)表達祝賀之意，駐波士頓臺北經濟文化辦事處賴處長銘琪偕林副組長美呈於本(元)月5日應邀出席史努努州長在州議會大廈舉行之宣誓就職典禮，並與英國駐波士頓總領事Harriet Cross接受唱名歡迎。典禮結束後，賴處長親向史州長及第一夫人道賀，並期盼與新州加強經貿、教育等各方面之合作，深化實質關係。

經文處處長賴銘琪(前左)恭喜新罕普夏州新任州長史努努(Chris Sununu)
就職。(經文處提供)

儀式於上午10時開始，由新州眾議會議長Shawn Jasper主持，參議會議長Chuck Morse陪同，其他到場貴賓計有前州長、史州長之父John H. Sununu、前州長Craig Menson，前麻州聯邦參議員Scott Brown及甫卸任之新州聯邦參議員Kelly Ayotte等。史州長在就職演說中特別強調，渠將以企業經營之長期規畫方式推行未來各項政策，並著重振興經濟，重視勞工議題，再三強調教育之重要性，並剴切要求摒棄選舉時之各項成見，不分黨派，共同為新州未來努力。

臺灣與新州實質關係密切，臺灣是新州第9大出口市場，出口總值約3千5百萬美元，主要出口產品為機械設備、電腦與電機產品、電子設備與零件等，第一大城曼徹斯特市與臺中市為姊妹市，臺灣亦有近百位留學生於新州就讀，主要集中於南新罕布夏州大學。(經文處提供)

Governor Baker Signs Bill Enabling Worcester Biomanufacturing Site

Governor Baker Signs Bill Enabling Worcester Biomanufacturing Site

BOSTON – Governor Charlie Baker today signed legislation to facilitate the transformation of unused state-owned land in Worcester into a site for biomanufacturing. An Act Authorizing the Transfer of Certain Parcels of Land in the City of Worcester to Promote Economic Development (H. 4774) authorizes the Commissioner of the Department of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM) to sell 44 acres of land at the Worcester State Hospital campus to the Worcester Business Development Corporation (WBDC) for the purpose of developing the site into a biomanufacturing industrial park.

“When we first developed the Open for Business initiative, projects that could transform unused state property into revitalized centers for business and economic activity is exactly what we had in mind,” said Governor Baker. “Allowing DCAMM to work with the WBDC so that they can bring biomanufacturing jobs to Worcester is a tremendous opportunity for the Commonwealth and I want to thank Representative O’Day and Senator Chandler for their help making this possible.”

“Massachusetts is a national leader in the life sciences and advanced manufacturing technologies and the redevelopment of this site ensures a Central Massachusetts hub for a continually expanding industry,” said Lieutenant Governor Polito. “We look forward to collaborating on this important project with the City of Worcester, the legislative delegation, the WBDC, and all other stakeholders involved throughout the process.”

The redevelopment of the land is part of the Commonwealth’s ongoing Open for Business Initiative that seeks to redevelop underutilized state assets into productive pieces of our state economy. At full capacity the new site will have the potential to create over 500+ well-paying jobs in Central Massachusetts.

“This bill is critical to the continued growth and prosperity of my district,” said MA Senate Majority Leader Harriette L. Chandler.  “The statutory changes would provide the framework for a new biotechnology park, bringing jobs and opportunity to our community.  Worcester is on the cusp of becoming a destination for this burgeoning industry and this legislation is the next step towards a very bright future.”

“This parcel of land had been looked at for a long time as a potential economic development engine and now, thanks to Governor Baker’s Open for Business initiative, we were able to set a great example of how local government can take advantage of underutilized spaces to generate revenue and economic development.  This will bring initially 150 jobs to the city and the arrival of LakePharma can only mean good things for the city of Worcester moving forward. I’d also like to thank my colleagues in the legislature for such a swift passage of the bill,” said Representative James O’Day. “The Worcester Business Development Corporation has extensive local development experience and has successfully completed notable projects like the Massachusetts Biotechnology Research Park, Gateway Park, and Centech Park.

The legislation also authorizes DCAMM to transfer to the University of Massachusetts Medical School for no cost an attached parcel where the Brudnick Neuropsychiatric Research Institute was built and paid for by the school.”

The administration announced the “Open for Business” Real Estate Asset Leveraging (REAL) Strategy in October, 2015 which identifies unused or underutilized Commonwealth properties for redevelopment for affordable or market-rate housing, job creation, reduction in government expenses, increased revenue for the Commonwealth as well as local communities, capital investment in state properties, and open recreational space. Over 40 near-term opportunities throughout Massachusetts and across state agencies and authorities were first highlighted for public-private partnerships, of which 7 are currently under agreement.

昆士市宣佈 1/7 暴風雪停車禁令

昆士市政府宣佈，1月7日(週六)中午至1月8日(週日)中午，實施暴風雪停車禁令。巷弄街道的路邊停車，只准停在非緊急道路或偶數邊街道。如需援助，可打公共工程部熱線617-376-1927。申報停電，可打1-800-465-1212。

Snow Emergency Parking Rules In Effect On Saturday

Friday, January 06, 2017

Parking allowed on EVEN side of neighborhood streets

Snow emergency parking rules will be in place beginning at noon on Saturday, January 7, through Sunday at noon.  

Residents may park on the EVEN numbered side of non-emergency neighborhood streets, but should always park in driveways if available.

Parking is prohibited on all designated emergency arteries. Click here for a complete list of emergency arteries.

Residents on side-streets posted permanently as one-side parking should park on the side always allowed.

Cars parked in violation of emergency rules or impede snow plowing operations pose a public safety risk, and WILL BE TOWED.  For this storm, parking in business districts will be allowed under normal rules until the overnight hours.

For assistance, residents can use the City’s snow request application at snowhotline@quincyma.gov \ or call the DPW's snow operation hotline at 617-376-1927.

The forecast calls for high winds, which creates the potential for downed tree limbs and power lines. To report a power loss, call National Grid at 1-800-465-1212 or visit their Outage Central page at https://www.nationalgridus.com/MA-Home/Storms-Outages/

For updates and emergency notices, please tune to Quincy Access Television; follow the City of Quincy’s Facebook page or via Twitter @CityofQuincy.

Residents are encouraged to sign-up for e-mail and text alerts via CityLink on the City’s website, www.quincyma.gov.