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星期五, 2月 03, 2017

HBO® 隆重宣布HBO亞太裔願景達人

HBO® 隆重宣布HBO亞太裔願景達人
HBO ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN VISIONARIES】短片比賽優勝者名單

獲獎電影將於洛杉磯亞太裔電影節【Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival】向全世界首映


紐約州紐約市 –  2017131 – HBO 今天隆重宣布HBO亞太裔願景達人【HBO Asian Pacific American Visionaries優勝者名單,該短片比賽致力展示嶄露頭角的亞太裔導演和探討亞太裔的經歷。名列第一名、第二名和第三名的Dinh ThaiTiffanie Hsu、和Jingyi Shao ( 邵竫)的傑作將於四月在洛杉磯亞太裔電影節(Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival) 向全世界首映。該等短片涵蓋一系列不同的片種和主題,包括家庭問題、種族歧視和濫用藥物。獲勝影片亦將會在HBO 平台上首映。

亞太裔願景達人(APA Visionaries ) 創辦於20168月,成立目的旨在協助推廣在好萊塢有關種族、多元和代表性的對話之際,提供對亞太裔社區獨特和別具創意的描述。比賽評審包括HBO 行政人員和業界專家,以及來自Visual Communications (洛杉磯亞太裔電影節製作人) 與亞裔娛樂同盟 (CAPE) 的代表。

HBO 對表揚與支持多元化媒體領域,令每個人的異同亦可以成為他們最強大的力量,引以為傲,」HBO 多元文化營銷副總裁Jackie Gagne表示。「這三部電影及其背後的願景,正是在亞太裔社區眾裡尋它千百度的豐富故事和有待被發掘的千里馬之 典範。」

優勝者簡介
·       第一名 - Dinh Thai 【星期一 (Monday)】故事是關於一個年輕販毒者在其非法勾當與涉及道德方面的掙扎。
·       第二名 - Tiffanie Hsu的【仙境(Wonderland)】探討一個母親嗜賭如命(由陳沖Joan Chen 飾演) 的十二歲女童的孤獨世界和超現實世界。
第三名 - Jingyi Shao(邵竫) 的【腳甲(Toenail)】講述一個事業心極強的嬉皮士在職場晉升高位前夕需要照顧患病父親的故事

麻州參眾兩會推翻州長否決令 將加薪45%

            (Boston Orange)麻州眾議會以11643票,參議會以319票,通過了推翻麻州州長否決案,將即起生效的為他們自己加薪約45%,州政府預算將須為此增加撥款約1800萬元。
            麻州議員的加薪案經歷3星期爭議,麻州州長查理貝克(Charlie Baker)發表聲明,指議員們的加薪決定是對麻州財政的不負責任,而且也沒和州民大眾做過充分討論。雖然他本人和副州長白莉朵都是加薪案的受益人,但他和白莉朵都將拒絕這加薪。查理貝克還拒絕接受大約65,000元的房屋津貼。
            麻州眾議會在通過推翻州長否決案時,議會內幾乎沒有討論,只有3名持反對立場的議員發表了講話。在160名麻州眾議員中,所有35名共和黨籍議員,以及8名民主黨籍議員投票支持麻州州長查理貝克的否決。贊成推翻否決的眾議員人數,超過了法定的3分之2要求。
            麻州議會通過了的加薪案,將不單只給議員加薪,法官,以及依憲聘用的政府官員包括州長,副州長,總檢察官,財政長,稽核長,以及州務卿,都將獲得不同幅度的加薪。
            麻州眾議會議長狄樂歐(Robert DeLeo),麻州參議會議長羅森伯(XXX Rosenberg)的薪資將依序增為102,500,以及142,500元,若再加上可領的其他津貼,總額將超過15萬元。這將使他倆擠進全美議會議長中收入排名最高之列。
由於1998年時選民通過的憲法修正案,規定議員可每兩年根據州內中位收入做薪資調整,但禁止議員給自己加薪。額外津貼則不包括在內。
麻州議會這次的加薪案,就主要加的是津貼。大部分議員會在本薪62,5000元之外,得到更多津貼補助,年薪總額將增至93,400元左右。
參議會多數黨黨鞭Harriette Chandler,眾議會領袖Ronald Mariano將因擔任領導人,看到津貼爺22,500增至60,000元。
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              麻州總檢察長奚莉(Maura Healey)和麻州財政長高柏珂(Deborah Goldberg)在參議會有投票結果後,也宣布將不接受加薪。

            該加薪案將把奚莉的年薪,將從130,582元增加至175,000元,把高柏珂的年薪從128,000增至175,000元。

波士頓新續聘9名僑務榮譽職人員 籌組關懷救助協會

前排右起,鄭增壽,梅錫銳,雲雯蓁,經文處處長賴銘琪,蔣宗壬,
王競芳。後排右起,波士頓僑教中心主任歐宏偉,王志維,陳燕貞,
李奇舜,謝如鍵,舒其馨,康麗雪等人。(圖由僑教中心提供)
(Boston Orange)  駐波士頓臺北經濟文化辦事處21日在「僑務工作座談會」中宣佈刻正籌組「波士頓地區僑界關懷救助協會」。頒發的9份僑務榮譽職人員聘書,在彰顯年輕化之際,兼顧傳承。
這是波士頓2017年的第一次僑務工作座談會,由經文處出面主辦,經文處處長賴銘琪,波士頓華僑文教中心主任歐宏偉,波士頓僑務委員蔣宗壬,梅錫銳在會中和僑團首長就當前僑社情勢、僑團動態及未來僑務工作重點等各項議題交換意見。
賴銘琪致詞時,先拜年,再期許各界支持經文處,並協助推動各項僑務與公眾外交工作。
            賴銘琪也在會中代表僑務委員會,頒發聘書給獲得續聘或新聘的僑務榮譽職人員,包括紐英崙中華總會會長陳毓禮獲續聘為僑務諮詢委員,王競芳及鄭增壽獲續聘為僑務促進委員。
            新聘的僑務促進委員有6人,包括李氏公所主席李奇舜,昭倫公所主席謝如鍵,新英格蘭中文學校協會會長陳燕貞,台美專業協會波士頓分會會長舒其馨,竹蜻蜓俱樂部負責人王志維,紐英崙玉山科技協會前會長康麗雪。他們的任期都從201711日起至20181231日止,為期兩年。
            賴銘琪表示,這次的新聘僑務促進委員有資深僑領,也有青年世代,有傳統僑社,也有新成立僑團的負責人,涵蓋的範圍更廣,希望資深僑領們能帶動,支持年輕人的發揮創意,團結,融合僑社。
            波士頓華僑文教中心主任歐宏偉在會中籲請僑團加入並支持刻正籌備中的「波士頓地區僑界關懷救助協會」。他指出,成立這協會旨在整合僑社各界資源,適時提供旅外國人、留學生和僑胞各項關懷與急難救助;歐宏偉也鼓勵僑胞自費返國接受臺灣優質醫療健檢服務,相關事宜均可由僑教中心協助聯繫,安排。

惠文訪品貴 台灣高中生遊學麻州做國際交流

(左至右):品貴高中呂圣筑老師、駐波士頓教育組黃薳玉組長
、惠文高中吳彥慶老師與劉可倫老師。
(Boston Orange) 14名台灣惠文高中師生日前到訪麻州的姊妹校品貴(Pingree)高中,做為期兩週的國際交流與文化學習。經文處教育組盡地主之誼,與故鄉來客同慶新春,並介紹大波士頓地區教育界概況。
            經文處教育組組長黃薳玉指出,麻州有全美最優秀的中小學系統,整個新英格蘭地區是全球學術重鎮,共有5所大學擠身世界百大之列,有13所大學排進全美前一百名。
            黃薳玉也藉機介紹教育部的許多獎勵計畫,包括短期研習、實習,以及各項留學獎學金。她鼓勵這些來自台灣的青年學子將來到海外學習,提升國際競爭力,並指美國新英格蘭是個不錯的留學,遊學地區。
            品貴高中為14明惠文高中學生安排了寄宿家庭,讓她們白天在品貴高中體驗美國的高中課堂生涯,晚上在寄宿家庭中領略美國人的生活文化。
            在迎新春聚會中,惠文高中學生紛紛表示,能住在美國人家裡,實際體會美國人家裡的地道美國食物,周末還能遊覽名勝,滑雪,欣賞美式足球超級杯大賽,從一起看愛國者隊比賽,感受美國人對運動的熱愛,收穫豐富。
            惠文高中帶隊老師吳彥慶表示,惠文和品貴這兩所高中的互訪交流,已經舉辦了5年,台灣學生們藉著進學校上課,到美國人家住,對美國的學習及生活,都有更真切的體會與了解。這一次參訪,品貴高中還規定學生們每晚查電子郵件,以獲悉學校是否放雪價,有哪些閱讀功課,或作業要交等,讓台灣學生們對美國學校的電子化運作有了更深體會。

            惠文高中與品貴高中的國際交流計畫幕後推手是品貴高中的呂圣筑老師。她透露,兩校在2012年底結為姊妹校,此後每兩年互訪一次。20132015年是品貴高中帶學生到台灣訪問惠文高中,參訪過台北,台中,台南等地的名勝古蹟,也借宿在台灣家庭中,實地體會台灣生活。她表示這樣的實地交流,才能讓學生對不同文化有更深刻的了解。(圖由教育組提供)



Governor Baker Issues Statement Regarding Legislative Pay Increase Veto Override

Governor Baker Issues Statement Regarding Legislative Pay Increase Veto Override

BOSTON – Today, Governor Charlie Baker released the following statement in response to the Legislature’s vote to override his veto and pass H. 58, ‘An Act Further Regulating the Compensation of Public Officials’ into law, which provides pay increases for legislators, constitutional officers and the judiciary:

“While Lt. Governor Polito and I are thankful for our collaborative relationship with the Legislature, we are disappointed in their decision to override this veto and believe it is fiscally irresponsible to increase compensation for elected officials given the current fiscal outlook for the state. One of the key roles of elected officials is to protect the people’s hard earned tax dollars. Authorizing this drastic salary increase with limited debate defies this obligation and places an undue financial burden on the people of Massachusetts. Lt. Governor Polito and I will reject this pay increase and any stipends associated with the law.” 

星期四, 2月 02, 2017

貝爾蒙華人協會盛大迎雞年 500餘人同歡



(Boston Orange周菊子麻州報導) 麻州貝爾蒙華人協會 (Belmont Chinese American Association)128日在Chenery中學以豐盛的18個節目,與500多觀眾盛大迎春,慶祝丁酉雞年來到,展現華人眾志成城力量。
            麻州貝爾蒙鎮是個人口僅25,337,其中亞裔3,194,佔總人口12.6%,華裔1,930,佔7.6%的小鎮。貝爾蒙華人協會也只是個2016年才成立的組織。但是128日的這場春晚,卻讓麻州華人社區與貝爾蒙鎮主流社會一樣驚嘆,這真是個臥虎藏龍的小鎮。
            貝爾蒙鎮華人以往忙碌於彼此各自的生活,但微信群的興起,鎮上學區教育面對經費不足挑戰,紐約梁彼得警官案引發的華裔在美處境議論等,讓他們開始接觸,聚攏,組成了有15名理事的協會,也漸次發覺鎮上華裔人才濟濟。
            先是2015年葉迎春組織的小鐵人隊伍,讓華人出現在貝爾蒙鎮主流社會眼前,接著20162月,王瑾,星晨,陳大鵬,馬寧,郭曉燕,黃蕾,楊琳等人在鎮上Beech街社區中心成功舉辦有300多人參加的春節晚會,促成13名熱心人士於213日召開籌備會,貝爾蒙華人協會才於7月正式註冊成立,推選出王瑾、趙剛擔任共同主席,有15名理事。
            128日晚的這場迎接丁酉雞年春節晚會,於是在鎮上華人大動員中更有規模。
            兩名節目總導演,都很有來頭。彭雅嵐是中國的資深唱片監製,明星經紀,有著和中央電視,湖南衛視等許多大機構合作大型綜藝節目的經驗,馬寧則是有著北大學士,普林斯頓博士學位,在塔芙茨大學執教,出版過英文著作白銀時代:東西方小說的興起的學者。
            18個節目,由10名主持人及司儀一一介紹,從天使舞蹈團克可編舞的兒童舞歡天喜地開場,接著高中生跳小萍果,中國民樂演奏好一朵茉莉花,彭雅嵐、馬寧策畫的雞寶寶迎新春,彭雅嵐特約來的群星祝福錄像,楊信宜指導的古箏演奏將軍令,改編自侯耀華相聲的兒童雞年說雞,章幼琴指導的少兒功夫,祝紅莉等5人負責兒童穿漢服,念詩經,林湛濤指導二胡伴奏,由陳惠芳負責的老人合唱奔馳在千里草原踏浪,勁舞團Belmont表演隊的西藏情歌,吴懿铖詞曲的兒童合唱家路,廉艷、陸琪二重唱家和萬事興,陳望菊指導的空竹表演,張婉哲指導的音樂劇獅子王片段,謝眺編劇,彭雅嵐策畫的歌舞喜劇大老爺們兒上春晚,曾燕琴指導的青花瓷旗袍秀,各有亮點,直到彭雅嵐,周媛領頭合唱難忘今宵的為晚會拉下帷幕,觀眾們情緒都很高昂。
            貝爾蒙鎮議員Jim Williams,鎮社區辦公室副主任Ara Yogertian,鎮學校委員會主席Lisa Fiore,鎮教育基金主任Elizabeth DustinJamie Shea當晚都出席與盛。
            Elizabeth Dustin感謝貝爾蒙華協對鎮上教育基金的支持,稱許表演節目令人印象深刻,Jim Williams也肯定華人對貝爾蒙鎮的貢獻,還說明鎮上正在籌建新的高中,希望華人社區一起努力。
            該鎮華人在中國的家人同步收看後也盛讚這場表演有央視的味道,居然從籌劃到演出,全由鎮上居民群策群力完成,可真不容易。(圖由貝爾蒙華協提供)







Governor Baker Signs Commonwealth Procurement Resolve for Conflict-Free Congolese Minerals

Governor Baker Signs Commonwealth Procurement Resolve for Conflict-Free Congolese Minerals

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BOSTON – Today, Governor Charlie Baker ceremoniously signed a Resolve examining commonwealth procurement policies relative to Congo conflict minerals (S. 2463), requiring the Executive Office of Administration and Finance in consultation with the Office of the Inspector General to review state procurement policies and examine best practices ensuring that the Commonwealth’s electronics and information technology suppliers provide products that do not directly or indirectly finance armed conflict or result in labor or human rights violations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo or an adjoining country, use minerals that the origin and exporter can be identified and contain raw materials that appropriate tax payments have been made on.

“I was pleased to sign legislation upholding Massachusetts’ reputation as being a global leader in ensuring both the human rights and protections of all those that participate in supplying goods and services in Massachusetts, said Governor Charlie Baker.

The Executive Office of Administration and Finance will issue a report by July 1, 2017 on products in the Commonwealth’s supply chain that may contain extracted mineral resources from the Democratic Republic of Congo and its adjoining countries. The report will also contain the recommended best practices for the implementation of processes supporting conflict-free procurement from Congo.

“This legislation sets the stage for Massachusetts to review how we do business with companies and what their social, economic, and worldwide impact is,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “I am glad that Massachusetts can continue to be a safe and welcoming global economy.”  

"I am proud that this important bill, which I sponsored when I was a
member of the House of Representatives, is being signed today," said Mayor Martin J. Walsh. "For far too long, millions of people in the Congo have suffered due to greed for mineral wealth. Through its purchasing power, this bill will allow Massachusetts to do its part in combating the labor and human rights violations associated with the mineral industry in the Congo, with the goal of deterring such
behavior in the future."

“This is a step the Commonwealth can take to be better stewards of our world,” said the resolve’s lead Senate sponsor, Senator Thomas M. McGee. “The actions of our State have a ripple effect even as far as the Democratic Republic of Congo, and this resolve is a tool we can use to continue Massachusetts’ tradition of protecting human rights.” 

“I am so proud that Massachusetts is committed to defending human rights, not only here but around the world,” said lead House sponsor Representative Ruth B. Balser.

Massachusetts joins Maryland and California, as well as 25 schools and six cities around the world in implementing policies supporting conflict-free minerals trade and peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo, complying with federal laws on conflict minerals as a provision of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform Act.

WESTERN UNION TO PAY NEARLY $600 MILLION, REFUND CONSUMERS NATIONWIDE OVER CLAIMS OF WIRE TRANSFER SCAMS

WESTERN UNION TO PAY NEARLY $600 MILLION, REFUND CONSUMERS NATIONWIDE OVER CLAIMS OF WIRE TRANSFER SCAMS
AG Healey Offers Tips for Consumers

BOSTON – A national wire transfer provider has agreed to pay $5 million, a portion of which will go to Massachusetts, to resolve a multistate investigation into use of its services to facilitate fraudulent money transfer scamsAttorney General Maura Healey announced today. In a related federal settlement, the company has also agreed to pay $586 million, which includes refunds to Massachusetts victims.

AG Healey’s Office, along with 48 other states and the District of Columbia, participated in the multistate settlement with Colorado-basedThe Western Union Company (Western Union). The settlement resolves a multistate investigation into complaints from consumers that Western Union’s wire transfer services were used to advance schemes to defraud consumers.
“In these scams, fraudsters using Western Union’s services convinced consumers to wire money to remote locations, often outside the country,” said AG Healey. “Western Union took insufficient steps to identify and block these fraudulent transfers. While scam artists use creative and convincing tactics, consumers should always be cautious of any requests for immediate transfers of money, even if they appear to come from people they know.”

Under the terms of the multistate settlement, Western Union has agreed to pay a total of $5 million, of which Massachusetts will receive more than $200,000.

Under a related federal settlement two weeks ago with the Federal Trade Commission and U.S. Department of Justice, Western Union agreed to pay $586 million to provide refunds to victims of fraud-induced wire transfers nationwide, including Massachusetts victims. 
The settlements require Western Union to take additional steps to help detect and prevent incidents of fraud. The settlement with AG Healey’s Office gives the office the authority to enforce certain portions of the federal agreement including:
·         Prohibiting the processing of money transfers when Western Union knows or reasonably should know that the transfers are induced by fraud or through a telemarketing scheme;
·         Requiring the company take steps to protect consumers, including interdiction, fraud warnings, and reimbursement of funds in certain circumstances; and 
·         Requiring the company to perform due diligence, monitor agents (including background checks and mandatory training), and investigate and discipline agents regarding their fraud prevention performance.
In Feb. 2016, AG Healey’s Office was part of a similar multistate settlement with MoneyGram, in which they agreed to pay $13 million to resolve a multistate investigation into fraudulent money transfer scamsand provide restitution to eligible consumers. 

            AG Healey warns consumers to be extremely suspicious if they receive a telephone call, voice message, email or text message from someone asking for money or personal information, including when:
·         The person making the request is a stranger — in this country or anywhere else;
·         The person claims to be a friend or relative in a crisis;
·         The person claims to be in another country or a far-away location;
·         The person claims to be in trouble and urgently needs money;
·         The person requests secrecy;
·         The person asks for the funds to be sent by wire transfer.
Always verify that the person making the request, particularly if it comes in written form, is who he or she claims to be.
Additional information and resources pertaining to consumer scams are available on the Attorney General’s website. Consumers with concerns can call Attorney General Healey’s Consumer Hotline at (617) 727-8400. The FTC also provides information about money wire scams on their website, www.ftc.gov

This matter is being handled and the settlement will be implemented by staff from AG Healey’s Insurance and Financial Services Division, including Emily Garvey, Erica Harmon, Glenn Kaplan, and Jenna Snow. Consumers with questions about the settlement should contact Attorney General Healey’s Financial Services Hotline at 888-830-6277.

REPRESENTATIVE ULTRINO ANNOUNCES $332,540 GREEN COMMUNITIES GRANT FOR MALDEN

REPRESENTATIVE ULTRINO ANNOUNCES $332,540 GREEN COMMUNITIES GRANT FOR MALDENMalden receives second-highest grant award out of 30 cities

BOSTON – State Representative Steve Ultrino (D – Malden) announced today that Malden has been designated a Green Community and has received a $332,540 grant from the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER). Malden is one of thirty new Green Communities, a designation earned by municipalities committing to an ambitious renewable energy agenda to reduce energy consumption and emissions. The 30 new Green Communities are now eligible for grants totaling $6,460,385 to complete renewable energy and energy efficiency projects in their communities. Since the program began in 2010, DOER’s Green Communities division has awarded over $65 million in grant funding to the Commonwealth’s cities and town through designation and competitive grant rounds. In this year’s round of new cities, Malden received the second highest amount awarded to any of the 30 cities.

“Becoming a Green Community represents a major achievement in Malden’s energy and environmental objectives. This money will help Malden expand efforts to conserve energy, cut costs, and protect our environment,” saidRepresentative Ultrino. “This grant award will benefit all of Malden’s residents for years to come, and the Green Communities designation will allow Malden to compete for future grants as well.”

The Commonwealth’s 185 Green Communities range from the Berkshires to Cape Cod and are home to 64 percent of Massachusetts’ population in municipalities as large as Boston and as small as Rowe. Under the Green Communities Act, cities and towns must meet five criteria to be designated a Green Community and receive funding, including reducing municipal energy consumption by 20 percent over five years. The newly designated Green Communities have committed to reducing their energy consumption amounting to savings of $6,241,862 of energy costs and 2,234,090 MMBtu in five years, energy use equivalent to heating and powering nearly 2,718 homes, and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 27,641 metric tons, equivalent to taking 5,819 cars off the roads.

Under the Green Communities Act, DOER’s Green Communities Designation and Grant Program can provide up to $20 million annually to qualified cities and towns.  The goal of the Designation Grant Program is support communities’ investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy projects that further the clean energy goals determined by the designated communities. 

星期三, 2月 01, 2017

麻省理工學院早期中國留學生展 2/10 起


China Comes to “Tech”: 1877-1931/麻省理工学院早期中国留学生1877-1931
Feb. 10 - Nov. 15, 2017
MIT Libraries’ Maihaugen Gallery exhibit commemorates 140th anniversary of Chinese students at MIT
In 1877, the first student from China matriculated at MIT. By 1910, China was sending more students to MIT than any other foreign country. From these beginnings, the Institute became one of the most popular destinations for Chinese overseas students, many seeking to contribute to their country’s modernization through engineering, science, and commerce. Between 1877 and 1930, nearly 400 students from China attended MIT. These students played a key role in bringing new technology and science back to China during an era of rapid modernization, while also promoting American understanding of China and its people. Early Chinese graduates of MIT produced numerous inventions, from the world's first Chinese typewriter to the Model C training seaplane, and pioneered work in fields from microwave spectroscopy to nonlinear control theory. Many today stereotypically associate Chinese with STEM, but the early students had to fight skeptics who thought Chinese incapable of first-rate science and engineering. An upcoming exhibit at the Maihaugen Gallery, "China Comes to ‘Tech': 1877-1931," tells their story. Inspired by the MIT Chinese Students’ Directory: For the Past 50 Years, published by the Chinese Students’ Club in 1931, the exhibit will open Feb. 10,  2017 to commemorate the 140th anniversary of Chinese students at MIT.


麻省理工學院 Maihaugen藝廊位誌記中國留學生進該校就讀140週年,將從210日起至1115日,舉辦中國來科技 – 1877-1931”的麻省理工學院早期中國留學生展覽。
1877年時,第一個來自中國的留學生進入MIT就讀。1910年時,中國送到MIT的留學生比送到任何一個其他國家都多。麻省理工學院從一開始就是最受中國海外留學生喜歡的一所學校,有許多人希望經由工程,科學及商務來為它們國家的現代化做貢獻。在1877年到1930年間,將近有400名來自中國的學生到麻省理工學院就讀。在中國快速現代化,同時推廣美國瞭解中國及其人民的時期,這些學生的把新科技,科學帶回中國,扮演著極重要角色。從麻省理工學院畢業的早年中國留學生有許多發明,從世界上的第一個中文打字機到C模型水上訓練飛機,到微光譜及非線性控制理論等領域的先驅性研究。時至今日,許多人仍然有著華人和STEM相關聯的刻板印象。但早期的中國學生卻必須對抗那些認為華人沒有能力做出第一流科學及工程研究成果的懷疑者。麻省理工學院將在Maihaugen藝廊展出的這展覽,就將述說他們的故事。這一展覽源起於1931年時,中國學生俱樂部所發行的麻省理工學院學生名錄:過去50年來,將從2017210日開展,以紀念中國留學生到麻省理工學院就讀140週年。
詳情可參考展覽網站: chinacomestomit.org。

CAPAC and Community Leaders Denounce Trump’s Anti-Muslim Executive Order

CAPAC and Community Leaders Denounce Trump’s Anti-Muslim Executive Order

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) and leaders from the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) and Muslim communities held a press conference opposing President Donald Trump’s Executive Order banning Muslims and refugees from entering the United States. CAPAC Chair Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-27) was joined by Congresswoman Grace Meng (NY-06), Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), and Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13).

“These actions signal to the rest of the world that America is no longer the symbol of the Statue of Liberty, holding her torch high for the huddled masses of the world. And for the refugees fleeing violence and terror, this policy is a death sentence,” said Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-27), CAPAC Chair. “We have been resettling refugees in America safely for decades – and Trump’s claim that refugees will hurt American communities is simply not true. Welcoming immigrants and refugees – and welcoming people of all backgrounds and faiths – is at the core of who we are as a nation. And this diversity has strengthened, not weakened our country.”

Congressional members discussed rushing to airports over the weekend to help individuals who were detained and at risk of being deported due to the Executive Order. Speakers also discussed the parallels behind this action and incidents like the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 and the internment of over 120,000 Japanese Americans during World War II.

“What do I tell my children, the grandchildren of Chinese and Korean immigrants, about what is happening in our country? First, I tell them that it’s wrong. And in this case, I tell them we have been here before, and we have overcome it,” said Congresswoman Grace Meng (NY-06), referring to the Chinese Exclusion Act. “But I tell my children: America has made mistakes. History has not always shown our leaders to be right or just. But those who dissent in these critical moments do so because they can imagine a greater and stronger America… And today we say [President Trump’s] policies don’t make us safer. They don’t reflect our values.”

“The Asian Pacific American community has seen the devastating effects of discrimination codified into law,” said Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (WA-07). “In my home state, Japanese-American families were rounded up and interned. In my own district, my own city of Seattle, rioters once targeted people of Chinese descent and expelled them. We're not going to let that shameful history repeat itself. We're not going backward. These executive orders are deeply un-American and we're going to fight them with everything we have.”

“President Trump’s morally reprehensible executive order is unconstitutional and un-American,” said Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13). “Closing the gates to some of the most vulnerable people in the world will only serve to make the U.S. less safe. We are a nation of immigrants, and this ban flies in the face of our fundamental values as Americans. I will forcefully resist the anti-immigrant, anti-refugee, anti-Muslim policies of this administration.”

Leaders from community organizations, including the National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA), the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT), and Southeast Asia Resource Action Center (SEARAC), also discussed the impact of the Executive Order on Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) and Muslim communities.

"The Asian American and Pacific Islander community has the responsibility to remind our nation 'never again,' and we have that privilege to speak on behalf of our ancestors who could not come to this country, to our ancestors who were discriminated against, who were interned and who were profiled, and who may not have the opportunity to tell their own story. We have to remind people of what refugees bring to this country and why the entire world demands that refugees who are fleeing violence and persecution be accepted and given safe haven,” said Christopher Kang, National Director, National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA). We need a government that will stand up to this president when he seeks any policy that goes beyond the law and beyond the constitution. These are only the first, and probably not the last, of these executive orders we will see, and I'm so proud to have the leadership of these members of Congress to speak for us and to fight for us."

“I, my organization and American Muslims, believe and support all necessary measures to secure our nation and its citizens,” said Nihad Awad, National Executive Director, Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR). “However, Donald Trump’s executive order is not based on evidence, national security or on hard facts. It is based on islamophobia, fearmongering and anti-Muslim prejudice.”

“The anti-Muslim rhetoric that President Trump campaigned on is now being borne out in destructive policy and leaves our communities increasingly vulnerable to violence,” said Suman Raghunathan, Executive Director, South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT). “SAALT will continue to partner with our communities to ensure we have an equal place and equal rights in the US, and that our voices ring clear as we fight for equality, protection, and dignity for all. SAALT's vision for dignity and inclusion for all has never been more important.”

“Today I stand proud as a daughter of refugees from Vietnam, whose parents risked their lives so that I could be free.  Free from terror, starvation, and incessant bombings of our homes. Free from political and religious oppression,” said Quyen Dinh, Executive Director, Southeast Asia Resource Action Center (SEARAC). “40 years ago, our nation welcomed over 1.3 million refugees from Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, like my parents, despite the vocal opposition of more than 60% of this nation – from civilians to elected officials who refused to accept responsibility for a war that was created by our own forces. I am a product of America's humanitarian legacy. Together with my community of 3 million strong, we will exercise our responsibility, voice, and power to uphold and protect democracy for all future generations of Americans."

紐英崙中華公所雞年春宴 冠蓋雲集

紐英崙中華公所於129日大年初二晚間在華埠喜臨門大酒樓舉辦金雞年春宴,近400人參加,除了享受美食之外,也欣賞精彩的舞獅和文藝活動表演,各界嘉賓雲集,齊向與會產官僑學各界人士賀歲拜年。
駐波士頓臺北經濟文化辦事處處長賴銘琪、副處長陳銘俊及僑教中心主任歐宏偉均應邀出席,賴銘琪特別肯定中華公所服務僑社的卓越績效,也感謝波士頓傳統僑社在主席陳家驊的領導下,堅定支持自由、民主、和平、人權與法治的核心價值理念,持續擁護中華民國政府。

此外,麻州眾議員陳德基、黃子安,以及波士頓市市長華殊、市議長吳弭及昆西市長代表等人也出席此一盛會,向與會人士拜年。(圖與文:僑教中心提供)
波士頓臺北經濟文化辦事處處長賴銘琪致詞,感謝中華公所對中華民國的支持

紐英崙中華公所主席陳家驊(前排右六)與駐波士頓臺北經濟文化辦事處處長賴銘琪(前排左五)、波士頓市市長華殊(前排左六)等嘉賓一同向與會人士賀年

紐英崙中華公所主席陳家驊(右二)率領職員向與會來賓敬酒拜年

美副總統 Pence 歡迎趙小蘭上任交通部長

REMARKS OF VICE PRESIDENT PENCE – AS DELIVERED
 
SWEARING-IN CEREMONY FOR TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY ELAINE CHAO
 
TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2017
 
WASHINGTON, D.C.
 
As Delivered –
 
Well, good afternoon, everyone.  Thank you for being here.  On behalf of the President of the United States, it is my great privilege to welcome America’s new Secretary of the Department of Transportation, Elaine Chao.  (Applause.) 
 
It’s also an honor to be joined today by her husband, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, as well as her father, Dr. James Chao, and by such an impressive and successful family.  We're honored that so many of you could be with us today to share this moment with this family and with this country.
 
Elaine, this day is a familiar one for you.  You've already served your country in many capacities, most notably as Secretary of Labor for eight years under President George W. Bush.  And your tenure at the department was widely lauded and continues to be celebrated as among the most significant in the history of that department.
 
Prior to that you were actually deputy secretary of the Department of Transportation and chairman of the Federal Maritime Commission.  And you bring a wealth of experience now to leading this department in the Trump administration.  Your significant experience in the private sector, ranging from business to nonprofits; your history of service and your accomplishments are lengthy.  And I know the President is grateful for your willingness to step forward and bring your extraordinary talents to bear serving the country once again. 
 
President Trump and I are appreciative that once again you have answered the call to serve America and advance the interests of the people of this country.  Your leadership and your experience will serve well as the Secretary of Transportation, overseeing what we anticipate will be historic investments in our nation’s roads, bridges, airports, and above all, in our future.  The President and I are confident that you will do more than your share as our new Secretary of the Department of Transportation to make America great again.  And we thank you.