REP. LIEU STATEMENT ON 4TH CIRCUIT UPHOLDING BLOCK OF TRUMP'S MUSLIM BAN

 REP. LIEU STATEMENT ON 4TH CIRCUIT UPHOLDING BLOCK OF TRUMP'S MUSLIM BAN

Washington – Today, Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D | Los Angeles County) issued the following statement after the US 4TH Circuit Court of Appeals decided not to reinstate President Trump’s revised travel ban.

“As an immigrant, I applaud the decision by the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals to uphold the block of President Trump’s Muslim ban.  The 4th Circuit is spot on when it writes that Trump’s ban ‘drips with intolerance, animus and discrimination.’  As a Veteran, I also stress the fact that Trump’s bigoted ban – couched within a misguided argument about our national security – does nothing to make America safer.  In fact, Trump’s Muslim ban hands our real enemies like ISIL and al-Qaeda a powerful recruiting tool and undermines our relationships with partners abroad.  There is nothing more un-American than undermining our fundamental value of accepting those who are fleeing tyranny, those who want to start a better life in the United States.  Thanks to the 4th Circuit, some of America’s fundamental values are safe from Trump’s desire to gut them.”

CAPAC Chair Rep. Judy Chu on 4th Circuit Upholding Block of Muslim Ban

CAPAC Chair Rep. Judy Chu on 4th Circuit Upholding Block of Muslim Ban

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a lower court’s injunction against President Donald Trump’s repackaged Muslim and refugee travel ban. Following the ruling, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) Chair Rep. Judy Chu (CA-27) issued the following statement:

“Today, the Fourth Circuit Court confirmed what we have been saying for months – President Trump’s Muslim travel ban is not only anti-Muslim and un-American, but fundamentally violates our constitutional right to freedom of religion. Both of the President’s failed attempts to discriminate on the basis of religion prove that his dangerous policies cannot be shrouded behind a false rhetoric of national security. In fact, neither the Muslim ban nor Trump’s other xenophobic Executive Orders have anything to do with national security. Instead, they are thinly veiled attempts to discriminate against entire communities and they run contrary to many core American values. I applaud the decision of the 4th Circuit today, whose ruling affirms that our fundamental values as a nation cannot be threatened.

Hubway bike share network expansion is a project of the Go Boston 2030 mobility plan

MAYOR MARTIN J. WALSH AND LEADERS OF BROOKLINE, CAMBRIDGE, AND SOMERVILLE ANNOUNCE MAJOR EXPANSION OF PUBLIC BIKE SHARE SYSTEM

Expansion of the Hubway bike share network is a project of the Go Boston 2030 mobility plan

BOSTON - Thursday, May 25, 2017 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced the largest single expansion of the public bike share system since its launch in Boston in 2011. The upcoming expansion delivers on one of the projects and policies of Go Boston 2030, the City of Boston's comprehensive mobility plan released in March of this year. Over the next two years, more than 70 new bike stations will be added to the 127 stations currently in existence in Boston, more than a 55 percent increase in bike stations located across the City of Boston. The expansion comes after the Boston Transportation Department negotiated a new long-term contract with Motivate, International to operate the publicly-owned Hubway system. "Bike share is low-cost, reliable transportation for Boston residents. I'm proud to bring new service to neighborhoods that have asked to be included in the program," said Mayor Walsh. "To further improve the system, the majority of Hubway stations will now operate in the City of Boston year round, continuing service to residents and other members throughout the winter months." "During the Go Boston 2030 planning process, residents told us they wanted more access to healthy transportation options," said Boston Transportation Commissioner Gina N. Fiandaca. "With this expansion of bike share service, more people can count on riding a bike year round for trips to work, to school, to libraries and more, or for recreational purposes." BTD will continue to seek additional funding opportunities to work toward the City of Boston's 2030 bike share goals. The expansion, as well as new service improvements that will also be introduced in the coming months, is the result of efforts made by BTD's Policy and Planning Division/Active Transportation Team. Additional service improvements include more valet services where users are guaranteed bikes and docks at high-demand locations, and innovative techniques to make sure bikes and empty docks are more available at every station. In addition, the system's dependability will be improved with the addition of new stations and docks where many people are already using bike share. The additional bike-share stations in Boston will be complemented by growth of the Hubway network in Cambridge, Somerville and Brookline as well. Together with Boston, these municipalities manage the regional bike share system and also approved long-term contracts with Motivate. "The region's highly successful bike share system is a result of the collaborative relationship that exists among the partnering cities," said Cambridge City Manager Louis A. DePasquale. "Hubway has been available to Cambridge residents and visitors year-round for the past four years, which reflects our commitment to sustainable and cost-effective transportation. We look forward to year-round service coming to Boston, and the system's expansion in the coming years." "For Brookline, near-term system expansion will more than double the number of stations in Town, and at full buildout there will be thirteen stations, making it easier than ever to make regional connections. We are excited to be joining our municipal partners in growing the system and reaching more neighborhoods and riders," said Brookline Board of Selectmen Chair Neil Wishinsky. Planning for Boston's bike share station expansion will begin in the early summer, with public meetings to be held in neighborhoods across the City. BTD expects to reach new neighborhoods with bike share, including Dorchester, Roslindale, and Mattapan. Dozens of new stations and docks will also be added in Boston's existing service area to better meet current demand. "We're excited to work with such great partners to help expand Hubway, and get more people riding than ever before," said Jay Walder, President and CEO of Motivate, the operator of Hubway. "As part of that effort we are talking to several companies potentially interested in becoming the new title sponsor of the program and look forward to finding the right fit to help continue to grow this dynamic, vital new part of Boston's regional transportation network." "Without a doubt bike sharing is having a profound impact on our region," said Marc Draisen, Executive Director of the Metropolitan Area Planning Council, whose agency helps to coordinate the regional Hubway system. "There is great demand to expand the system into more neighborhoods in Boston, Cambridge, Somerville, and Brookline, and into neighboring cities and towns. Getting more people onto bikes more often is our goal." The Hubway system is regional public transportation by bike, owned by the municipalities of Boston, Brookline, Cambridge and Somerville. System wide, there are more than 180 stations offering 1,600 bikes to more than 15,000 members. Since launching in July 2011, users have taken 5.3 million trips.  Find out more about the Hubway system at www.thehubway.com. ###

吳新興訪敘利亞難民中小學 見證慈濟大愛精神

僑務委員會委員長吳新興5月24日赴歐洲考察僑務，專程轉往敘利亞難民滿納海中小學及慈濟土耳其聯絡點義診服務中心等地，見證臺灣人在海外實踐人飢己飢、人溺已溺的奉獻精神。

吳新興當天在駐土耳其代表鄭泰祥、土耳其台商會會長林榮堂、土耳其慈濟聯絡點負責人胡光中以及土耳其伊斯坦堡當地各級官員等人陪同下抵達滿納海中小學，學生們以精彩的歌唱與舞蹈節目表演熱情迎接。

在師長引領下，吳新興進教室參觀上課情形。據悉，老師與學生同為難民，在物資缺乏、桌上的書本新舊不一的情形下，老師極力協助重返校園的難民幼童接受教育。

吳新興表示，敘利亞社會長期動盪不安，逃難的孩子流離失所，受教育的機會與時間是一種奢侈。他表示，他也是一名教育者，看見難民師生在刻苦的環境下教學與學習，令他心痛，同時對於台灣慈濟志工不分宗教、背景、膚色，一心服務人群的精神，與有榮焉。

參訪結束時，他感謝慈濟人以物資、人力協助受災者，並協同義診中心的志工醫護團隊為當地人免費診治，慈濟不僅在慈善、教育、人文上付出，醫療腳步也不停歇，值得大家尊敬與效法。

強森藥品標示不實 付麻州90餘萬元

MASSACHUSETTS TO RECEIVE MORE THAN $900,000 FROM JOHNSON & JOHNSON OVER ALLEGED MISREPRESENTATIONS OF QUALITY OF DRUGS 
Payment Part of $33 Million Settlement Resolving Multistate Investigation into Marketing and Promotion of Certain Over-the-Counter Drugs

BOSTON – Massachusetts will receive more than $900,000 in a settlement resolving a multistate investigation into Johnson & Johnson related to misrepresentations concerning the quality of certain over-the-counter drugs, Attorney General Maura Healey announced today.

The companies – Johnson & Johnson and Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc. – have agreed to pay a total of $33 million in the multistate settlement and update their practices around the marketing and promotion of over-the-counter drugs manufactured and distributed by McNeil Consumer Healthcare Division, a business unit of Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc.

“Massachusetts residents deserve over-the-counter drugs to be safe and marketed truthfully,” said AG Healey. “These companies will be held accountable for using deceptive marketing practices in promoting these drugs, including medications for infants and children.”

The investigation conducted by AG Healey and 42 other state attorneys general concluded that McNeil unlawfully promoted its over-the-counter drugs as complying with federally-mandated current Good Manufacturing Practices even though the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) found that some McNeil manufacturing facilities did not comply with those practices between 2009 and 2011. As a result, certain McNeil over-the-counter drugs were deemed adulterated as a matter of federal law.

The complaint, filed along with the consent judgment today in Suffolk Superior Court, alleges that the companies, acting through McNeil, violated state consumer protection laws by misrepresenting compliance with the current Good Manufacturing Practices and the quality of their over-the-counter drugs. They also allegedly represented that these drugs had sponsorship, approval, characteristics, ingredients, uses, benefits, quantities, or qualities that they did not have. 

According to the complaint, McNeil then delivered into the market certain batches of over-the-counter drugs that failed to comply with federal standards and were deemed adulterated. 

McNeil’s alleged quality control lapses resulted in recalls of drugs manufactured between 2009 to 2011 including Tylenol, Motrin, Benadryl, St. Joseph Aspirin, Sudafed, Pepcid, Mylanta, Rolaids, Zyrtec, and Zyrtec Eye Drops, several of which are indicated for pediatric use.

The settlement requires McNeil to ensure that its marketing and promotional practices do not unlawfully promote over-the-counter drug products. Among other measures, McNeil is specifically prohibited from representing on its websites that its drug product facilities meet current Good Manufacturing Practices if they have had a recall of their over-the-counter drug products within the prior 12 months. 

Massachusetts was part of the Executive Committee, which was led by Pennsylvania and Texas, and also includes Attorneys General from Arizona, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Montana, New Jersey, and Ohio. Also participating in the settlement are Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

            This matter was handled in Massachusetts by Assistant Attorney General Stephen Vogel of AG Healey’s Health Care Division.

摩頓市獲麻州政府綠色社區補助款31萬元

Baker-Polito Administration Presents Green Communities Designation Awards to North Shore Municipalities

Malden and Chelsea Receive $645,000 for Clean Energy Projects

MALDEN – May 24, 2017 – The Baker-Polito Administration today awarded Green Communities designation grants totaling $645,000 to Malden and Chelsea. The awards will fund clean energy projects and were presented by Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito at a ceremony at the Malden Senior Center.

Earlier this year, 30 Massachusetts cities and towns were designated by the Department of Energy Resources (DOER) as Green Communities, committing to an ambitious renewable energy agenda to reduce energy consumption and emissions. Over half of the Commonwealth’s municipalities have earned their Green Communities designation and 64 percent of residents live in a Green Community. 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 towns through designation and competitive grant rounds.

“The Green Communities program is an excellent example of how state and local governments can work together to save taxpayer money and promote responsible energy policies,” saidGovernor Charlie Baker. “The newest 30 Green Communities in the Commonwealth will have additional resources to invest in energy efficiency and renewable energy, securing energy savings for residents and reducing their carbon footprints.”

“Our municipal partners continue to help Massachusetts lead the way on renewable energy by adopting practices to reduce energy consumption, while saving money that can be directed to vital municipal functions, like public safety and education,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “We look forward to continuing to provide cities and towns across the Commonwealth the tools they need to reduce energy costs, usage and emissions.”

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 30 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. 

“When Massachusetts’ cities and towns invest in renewable energy and energy efficiency programs everyone wins, from taxpayers savings to a statewide reduction in emissions,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Beaton. “With these designations, DOER’s Green Communities program continues to prove an effective tool in building a clean, renewable energy future for the Commonwealth.”

“DOER is proud to work with cities and towns across Massachusetts as they take important steps in embracing renewable energy and energy efficiency at the local level,” said Department of Energy Resources Commissioner Judson. “These designations are simply the beginning of an important relationship between the Commonwealth and our municipal partners as we work towards our shared clean energy goals.”

DOER awarded funding for projects in these newly designated Green Communities include:

Municipality                        Award

Malden                                 $312,460

Chelsea                                $332,540

A full list of projects funded by the Green Communities program can be foundhere.

“I join my colleagues and the citizens of Malden in welcoming Lt. Governor Karyn Polito in celebration of Malden's recognition as a Green Community,” said Representative Paul Donato (D-Malden).

“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,” said State Representative Steven Ultrino (D-Malden). “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.”

“I want to thank the Baker-Polito administration for designating the City of Chelsea as a Green Community,” said State Representative RoseLee Vincent (D-Revere). “Through their generosity, the City of Chelsea will be able to collaborate with the DOER to find clean energy solutions that will reduce long-term energy costs and help the residents and businesses of the city.”

“I am very pleased that the City of Malden will receive this much deserved designation,” said State Representative Paul Brodeur (D-Melrose). “Creating a clean, environmentally friendly Malden has been a major priority for our community for a long time, and the Commonwealth’s partnership with local leaders will serve to further that goal.”

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.  Initial Designation Grants are based on a $125,000 base for each designated Green Community, plus additional amounts tied to per capita income and population, and for municipalities that provide as-of-right siting for renewable energy generation.

“The Green Communities Program is an outstanding example of the strong partnership that the Baker-Polito Administration and the Legislature have forged with cities and towns,” said Geoffrey C. Beckwith, the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Municipal Association. “Communities all across the state will use these grant funds for innovative programs to reduce energy usage and invest in renewable energy projects, and the benefits will flow to taxpayers and the environment.”

Funding for these grants is available through proceeds from carbon allowance auctions under the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) and Alternative Compliance Payments (ACP) paid by retail electric suppliers that do not meet their Renewable Portfolio Standard compliance obligations through the purchase of Renewable Energy Certificates. 

台灣美食廚藝巡迴講座飄香波士頓

周菊子攝

周菊子攝

            (Boston Orange 周菊子麻州報導) 僑委會與各地僑團合作辦理的 ”台灣美食廚藝巡迴講座”，波士頓地區今年由新英格蘭台灣商會和台灣青商會協辦。高雄餐旅大學教授李怡君，同德家事商職教師廖昱翔在5月22日，23日中，分兩個場地，教了六道菜，還特地強調”要做出台灣味，得用台灣貨”。

             兩名廚藝老師21日抵達波士頓，22，23兩日，早上分別為一品香，華漾小館，中華經典做個案諮詢，下午分別在波士頓民宅，牛頓市珠媽餐廳做現場示範。僑教中心主任歐宏偉特地在華森市木蘭餐廳設宴接風，約來中華經典，以即將開業的來來等本地餐飲業東主和老師們即席交流。

            根據新英格蘭台灣商會事前的選擇，兩名廚藝老師這趟來波士頓巡迴，共示範六道菜，包括五香油飯、台式胡椒餅、黃金泡菜、手工蔥抓餅、鹽酥雞、台式紅糟肉。前三道菜，在台青商會會長歐怡君借來的大樓社區室，現場烹調，後三道菜在牛頓市珠媽廚房的吧台前示範。

             講座主要由李怡君做解釋，說明，廖裕翔實際動手示範。李怡君強調，台灣菜要做出台灣味，就必須用台灣佐料。譬如台灣的醬油都加了糖，比較甜，工研醋沒有美國的那麼酸，台灣的紅標米酒，也有特定醇度與酒精度，不用來自台灣的這些佐料，做出來味道就是不一樣。好在無論是胡椒粉，醋，還是香油，波士頓的金門超市等，都可以買到台灣貨。

            在講解示範時，李怡君既講做菜訣竅，還提示台灣佐料特色，例如台灣味的特色之一是紅蔥頭，山耐粉，台灣的豆腐乳會回甘。台灣菜稍甜，主因早年有錢人才吃得起糖，做菜帶甜味，象徵富裕。做豬肉菜餚，最好選母豬肉，味道比較好，做泡菜，生的發酵速度比較快，台灣的鹽比美國的鹹，若用美國鹽做同樣味道，要用一比一點三的比例來調整等等。

            廖昱翔在示範時，也幾乎每個步驟都會解說。例如做鹽酥雞時，雞肉怎麼切塊，沾粉，做台式鹽酥餅時，怎麼做油酥，油皮，怎麼包餡，才能做出層次。

            波士頓僑教中心與主辦單位為了讓報名上課的人，都能清楚看到示範做菜時的每一個動作，很體貼的安排了大螢幕，在現場做直播。不少報名上課的台灣媽媽，本身就是做菜高手，私下討論時還是說，這些菜自己早就會做，但是聽老師講解，仍然學到不少小竅門。

           在鱈魚角開”美食之家”餐廳的徐小玲，洪榮倫夫婦，也不怕路遠，一連來參加了兩天的講座。

           新英格蘭台灣商會會長歐陽露，副會長李苡惠，台灣青商會會長歐怡君在活動後表示，這次能夠成功舉辦”台灣廚藝講座”，得感謝許炳煌，林海倫，張耀熙等台商會前輩，以及很多人的熱心幫忙。他們也聽到參加者認為舉辦規模可以更大的建議，希望將來能讓更多有心學習台灣廚藝的人滿載而歸。

           

紅糟肉。

鹽酥雞。

五香油飯。

台式鹽酥餅。

波士頓也買得到的台灣調料。