CITY OF BOSTON, MASSROBOTICS TO HOST A "ROBOT BLOCK PARTY"

CITY OF BOSTON, MASSROBOTICS TO HOST A "ROBOT BLOCK PARTY"

As part of HUBweek, City Hall Plaza will be home to the first "Robot Block Party" featuring an "autonomous vehicle petting zoo" and robot demonstrations

BOSTON - Thursday, October 12, 2017 - On Sunday, October 15, the City of Boston will partner with MassRobotics to host over two dozen robots on City Hall Plaza as part of HUBweek 2017 for a "Robot Block Party." The City of Boston's Mayor's Office of New Urban Mechanics, in collaboration with HUBweek and MassRobotics, will celebrate all things robotics by exhibiting the latest in robotics and inviting the public to engage with industry leading technologists throughout the day. The event is free and open to people of all ages. "Boston is home to some of the brightest minds solving some of the world's biggest challenges," said Mayor Martin J. Walsh. "This event gives all residents and visitors in Boston a chance to see Boston's inventions in person, and explore why Boston is a hub for innovation and technology." The Robot Block Party will feature a broad range of demonstrations from start-ups, local universities and industry leading companies all under one big dome. Participants will have the opportunity to visit an "autonomous vehicle petting zoo" featuring nuTonomy, Optimus Ride, Delphi, and a Toyota/MIT collaboration. Leading engineers and roboticists will be on hand to answer questions throughout the day and City staff will be on-hand to collect input on the current autonomous vehicle program. "The generous and engaged support of the City of Boston is integral to continued growth for both MassRobotics and the region's robotics/automation industry. Collaborating with the City to co-host the Robot Block Party as part of HUBweek is an opportunity to celebrate how much we've accomplished and to look forward to all that's still to come," said Tom Ryden, Executive Director at MassRobotics. In the fall of 2016, Mayor Walsh released an executive order to establish a testing program for autonomous vehicles in the City of Boston. Since last fall, the City's testing partners have driven over 600 miles autonomously on Boston roadways. The event will provide an opportunity to see autonomous vehicles up-close and take part in other on-site demonstrations -- such as a new personal home robot, demonstrations from Jibo, Pong Robotics, Vecna Technologies and a "design your own robot" technology featuring interactive CAD tools which guide users through the robot design process. Robot Block Party is a free event and open to the public with The HUB Pass. For more information or to register, visit www.boston.gov/calendar/robot-block-party  About the City of Boston's Autonomous Vehicle Efforts In the fall of 2016, Mayor Walsh launched an Autonomous Vehicle testing program led by the Boston Transportation Department and the Mayor's Office of New Urban Mechanics. The program is exploring the technology and policies that help unlock the immense promise of these vehicles to make our transportation system more reliable, more accessible, and safer for all users. Details on the program and the progress can be found at boston.gov. About MassRobotics MassRobotics is the result of the collective work of a group of engineers, rocket scientists and entrepreneurs with a shared vision to create an innovation hub and startup cluster focused on the needs of the robotics and IoT community. It has an extensive network of more than 400 companies, 10 academic institutions and 20 industry-focused associations and organizations. The organization drives international outreach and has active engagements with Ireland, UK, China, Singapore, Chile, France, Canada and UAE, and continues to engage with different countries. MassRobotics' mission is to help create and scale the next generation of successful robotics and connected devices companies by providing entrepreneurs and innovative robotics/automation startups with the workspace and resources they need to develop, prototype, test and commercialize their products and solutions. www.massrobotics.org

BOSTON POLICE OFFICER INDICTED IN CONNECTION WITH STEALING MONEY FROM EVIDENCE ROOM, ATTEMPTED MONEY LAUNDERING AT PLAINRIDGE CASINO

BOSTON POLICE OFFICER INDICTED IN CONNECTION WITH STEALING MONEY FROM EVIDENCE ROOM, ATTEMPTED MONEY LAUNDERING AT PLAINRIDGE CASINO

BOSTON – A Boston Police Officer has been indicted in connection with stealing money from the Boston Police Department’s evidence room and attempting to launder it at Plainridge Park Casino.

 A Suffolk County Grand Jury indicted Joseph Nee, age 44, today on the charges of Larceny over $250 and money laundering (one count each). He will be arraigned on the charges in Suffolk Superior Court on October 30.

Nee is a Boston Police Officer assigned to the Evidence Management Unit in Hyde Park. He has been with the Department since 1998.

The charges are the result of a joint investigation by the Massachusetts State Police Gaming Enforcement Unit assigned to the Investigations and Enforcement Bureau of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, the Boston Police Anti-Corruption Unit and the Attorney General’s Gaming Enforcement Division.

 Authorities allege that in January 2017, Nee stole approximately $2,000 from the file of a closed bank robbery case. The stolen money was identified by the traces of red dye left from an anti-theft dye pack that discharged during the bank robbery. Authorities identified the theft when Nee fed some of the stolen cash into slot machines at Plainridge Park Casino. He then allegedly redeemed the stolen money at a kiosk at Plainridge for cash that wasn’t tainted with red dye.

All of these charges are allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Pat Hanley, Chief of AG Healey’s Gaming Enforcement Division with assistance from Paralegal Zach Gregoric, also of the AG’s Gaming Enforcement Division. The case was investigated by the Massachusetts State Police Gaming Enforcement Unit assigned to the Investigations and Enforcement Bureau of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, the Boston Police Department Anti-Corruption Unit and the Attorney General’s Gaming Enforcement Division.  The Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office assisted with the investigation.  Plainridge Park Casino fully cooperated with the investigation.

新皮箱精神 記錄海外台商奮鬥歷程

為和海外僑胞及國人分享台商在海外的打拚事蹟，9月下旬出版「新皮箱精神－世總總會長的奮鬥歷程」專書。9月25日在高雄舉行的新書發表會，總統蔡英文親自出席，表達政府對歷任台商領袖的肯定與感謝。

    本書記錄世界台灣商會聯合總會自1994年成立迄今、已經卸任的23任總會長，如何於全球六大洲面對異國文化開疆闢土建立事業版圖，並長期運用豐富人脈及資源，積極為台商爭取在地權益並不忘為台灣發聲。僑務委員會希望透過台商在海外奮鬥的成功故事，以及支持台灣所做的努力，讓讀者瞭解台灣人勇於拚搏、不忘鄉梓的精神，並對有心到海外創業的年輕人有所啟發及鼓勵。

本書近日正式對外販售，如欲購買請洽政府出版品展售門市：

1.國家書店松江門市

地址：台北市中山區松江路209號1樓

電話：02-2518-0207

網址：http://www.govbooks.com.tw

2.五南文化廣場（發行中心）

地址：台中市北屯區軍福七路600號

電話：04-2437-8010

網址：http://www.wunanbooks.com.tw

AG HEALEY, ROBERT KRAFT, NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS FOUNDATION HOST GAME CHANGE STUDENT LEADERSHIP SUMMIT

AG HEALEY, ROBERT KRAFT, NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS FOUNDATION HOST GAME CHANGE STUDENT LEADERSHIP SUMMIT

First-of-its-kind program has trained more than 1,000 students, teachers, coaches and service providers; Will train additional 700 across Massachusetts this year

(From AG office)

FOXBOROUGH – Attorney General Maura Healey and Robert Kraft, Chairman and CEO of the New England Patriots, held a student leadership summit today for Massachusetts high school and middle school students participating in “Game Change: The Patriots Anti-Violence Partnership.”

“To break cycles of violence, the goal of Game Change is to educate students about healthy relationships and encourage them to treat one another with respect,” said AG Healey. “These student leaders are learning to engage their schools and communities to empower young people and help end relationship violence.”

“We are proud to see how far that this program has come in just over two years,” said Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft. “Game Change began as a result of a shared mission between the Attorney General’s office and our organization to help put a stop to acts of bullying and violence. Thanks to this partnership, we project 80,000 middle and high school students will have participated in Game Change programs by the end of this school year.”

Launched in 2015 by the New England Patriots Foundation and the Massachusetts AG’s Office, the goal of Game Change is to implement long-term anti-violence and healthy relationship education in Massachusetts schools with a focus on developing peer leaders at the high school level who can provide trainings to their middle school counterparts.

Game Change, through the Mentors in Violence Prevention (MVP) curriculum, is in its third year of training with students, teachers and coaches from 36 middle schools and 36 high schools, totaling 72 schools throughout Massachusetts.

 At today’s summit at Gillette Stadium, student leaders joining the program this year met and worked with Game Change captains – leaders who have implemented creative programming in their schools. Student leaders rotated through workshop sessions led by Game Change captains from Natick High School, Chicopee High School, South Shore Charter Public School and Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School.

Game Change captains shared how their teams work together, what they’ve learned as peer leaders, and their advice for students, teachers and coaches to engage high school and middle school students, families and community groups in healthy relationship programming.   

In May, AG Healey and Robert Kraft announced that Game Change would expand to middle schools and additional high schools across Massachusetts, training students and staff in strategies to prevent sexual assault and domestic violence. Those trainings began in September of this year. The third phase of the program will train an additional 700 students, teachers and coaches to prevent relationship and gender-based violence.

During the first phase of Game Change, which ran from January through May 2016, nearly 200 staff from 90 high schools and nine domestic violence organizations across the state were trained in the MVP curriculum. For the program’s second phase, which ran throughout the 2016-2017 school year, staff from MVP provided direct trainings on preventing relationship violence to students at each of the participating high schools across the state.

            In its first two years, Game Change trained more than 1,000 students, teachers, coaches and service providers in the MVP curriculum. Student leaders representing nearly 100 communities across Massachusetts are now equipped to intervene when they witness signs of violence and help other young people do the same.

Run by the Center for the Study of Sport in Society at Northeastern University, trainings in the MVP curriculum give participants the skills to recognize the dynamics of power and control that can lead to relationship and gender-based violence. Trained students, teachers, and coaches learn how to recognize the signs of an unhealthy relationship and when to intervene or reach out for help.

For more information about Game Change, please visit www.mass.gov/ago/gamechange or contact the Policy and Government Division at 617-963-2700.

TREASURER GOLDBERG AND MASSACHUSETTS NONPROFIT NETWORK LAUNCH NEW DEFINED CONTRIBUTION “CORE PLAN”

TREASURER GOLDBERG AND MASSACHUSETTS NONPROFIT NETWORK LAUNCH NEW DEFINED CONTRIBUTION “CORE PLAN”

BOSTON – Treasurer Goldberg, in collaboration with the Massachusetts Nonprofit Network, this month launched the Massachusetts Defined Contribution CORE Plan. The CORE Plan is a new statewide multiple employer 401(k) retirement plan available to Massachusetts nonprofit organizations with twenty or fewer employees.

“I am proud to launch the CORE Plan in partnership with the Massachusetts Nonprofit Network for organizations across the state,” said Treasurer Goldberg. “This innovative savings plan will help nonprofit employees save for retirement, while minimizing fees and charges that can significantly impact long-term savings.”

The CORE Plan incorporates best practices focused on the importance of saving and investing for retirement. Key features include administration and oversight provided by the Office of the State Treasurer on behalf of participating employers, fiduciary assistance to the state’s small nonprofits, professionally developed investment options, and automatic enrollment among others. These features allow participating nonprofit organizations the ability to focus on the primary duties of their organization while offering a comprehensive retirement benefit to their employees.

Treasurer Goldberg earlier this month received the Excellence and Innovation Award from Pensions & Investments for her work shepherding in the creation of the CORE Plan.

“The Massachusetts Nonprofit Network (MNN) congratulates Treasurer Goldberg and her team for receiving the Innovation Award at the Pensions & Investments West Coast Defined Contribution conference,” said Jim Klocke, CEO of MNN.  MNN represents nonprofits across the Commonwealth. “The Treasurer and her team have worked tirelessly over the past several years to develop the CORE plan, an exciting new retirement plan that will benefit thousands of nonprofit organizations and employees across the Commonwealth.”

The Massachusetts Defined Contribution CORE Plan was established under Chapter 29, Section 64E of the Massachusetts General Laws. To learn more, contact your local CORE Plan representative at (877) 630-4015 or visit us at www.ma-employer-core.com.

MAYOR WALSH JOINS COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO CELEBRATE PRESERVATION OF 52 UNITS OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN FENWAY

MAYOR WALSH JOINS COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO CELEBRATE PRESERVATION OF 52 UNITS OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN FENWAY

Redevelopment of Burbank Garden Apartments will preserve long-term affordability in the Fenway

BOSTON - Thursday, October 12, 2017 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today joined representatives from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the Fenway Community Development Corporation (CDC), the Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation (CEDAC), funders and residents of Burbank Garden Apartments to celebrate the preservation of 52 units of affordable housing at the Burbank Garden Apartments. The City of Boston's Department of Neighborhood Development (DND) worked with the  Fenway CDC to acquire the building in 2016 and renovate its 52 apartments, located on Burbank Street in the Fenway. The deed restrictions on the building's 52 units were expiring; with the help of the City, State, and funders, Fenway CDC was able to purchase the building from the owners, protecting existing tenants from displacement and preserving the long-term affordability of this mixed income development. "Preserving Boston's affordability is key to ensuring everyone who wants to live here can afford to do so, and I'm particularly pleased our commitment to Burbank Gardens will both preserve and renovate 52 units of our existing affordable housing stock," said Mayor Walsh. "I want to thank the Fenway CDC and our partners for working with us to make sure families can stay in their homes. Together, we're protecting long-time residents from displacement, and we're helping maintain the character of this community." Located next to Symphony Community Park in the Fenway neighborhood of Boston, the property consists of studio, one and two-bedroom apartments, as well as community space. It was one of many properties financed by MassHousing whose 40-year mortgage terms will reach maturity in March 2018. Similar to Burbank Garden Apartments, much of Boston's stock of affordable housing units was built in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. The low-income use restrictions on these projects now face elimination as owners pay off their subsidized mortgages, known as "13As", or opt out of their existing Section 8 rental subsidy contracts. "Fenway CDC has a long history of developing and preserving affordable housing while fighting displacement in the neighborhood, dating back to the organization's inception in 1973," said Leah Camhi, Executive Director of Fenway Community Development Corporation. "We want to thank the Mayor and all of our partners who have helped us restore the sense of stability to Burbank Street and the surrounding community. Preserving affordable apartments is especially important in the Fenway given the neighborhood's high rents and relative lack of affordable housing options." "It was terrifying to think that we all might have lost our housing. I am so grateful that the Fenway CDC, Mayor Walsh, City of Boston and the State of Massachusetts worked with the former owners to preserve our housing," said Burbank Gardens Resident Carly Caminiti.  "Preservation of affordable housing in Boston is such an important public health issue with major health impacts, especially for the elderly and disabled, many of whom are my neighbors. I'm so thankful that the Mayor and Fenway CDC recognized that, and I hope that other expiring leases can be preserved by the city. My husband and I are so appreciative that we can remain in our home in this neighborhood we love." The City's commitment includes $2.5 million for the acquisition of the building, plus $2.5 million in DND and Neighborhood Housing Trust funding for the rehabilitation of the property, which is expected to commence in 2018. In addition to the City's funds, MassHousing committed $5 million in soft debt; CEDAC provided both a predevelopment loan and, with participation by Eastern Bank, an $8.2 million acquisition loan. In August DHCD awarded $3 million in permanent soft financing so that Fenway CDC can rehabilitate Burbank Gardens and to ensure that the 52 apartments remain affordable for low- and moderate-income households. Building on his commitment to create preserve more affordable housing in the City of Boston, earlier this year Mayor Walsh announced nearly $22 million in funding for 10 affordable housing developments in neighborhoods across Boston including Burbank Garden Apartments. This funding will help preserve or produce 602 housing units, 77 units of which are reserved for homeless or extremely low-income households in Boston. To date, the Walsh administration has committed more than $100 million in funding to the creation and preservation of affordable housing. Today's announcement also contributes to the City's preservation and anti-displacement goals, outlined in Housing a Changing City: Boston 2030, Mayor Walsh's housing plan, and the housing goals laid out in Imagine Boston 2030, Boston's first citywide plan in 50 years.

波士頓僑界慶祝雙十國慶餐會盛大熱鬧

波士頓國民黨的旗隊進場。(周菊子攝)

            (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導)大波士頓僑界10月7日晚在重新開張的帝苑大酒樓中，以氣勢恢宏的旗隊，盛情感恩的致詞，歌舞不歇的歡樂，再度圓滿舉辦了一場慶祝中華民國生日僑界餐會。

            這場慶祝餐會由紐英崙中華總會主辦，陳文浩排定節目，首度由來自台灣僑胞，夫妻檔的楊哲修，吳萍萍任司儀。

駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處處長賴銘琪，雲雯蓁夫婦。(周菊子攝)

            駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處處長賴銘琪在會上頒發了雙十遊行最具特色隊伍獎給中國國民黨波士頓分部，紐英倫客家鄉親會，以及紐英倫養生舞協會。

            餐會的開場，氣勢恢宏，由八名健兒組成的中國國民黨波士頓分部旗隊，高舉巨幅中美國旗進場，接著陳余寶愛唱美國國歌，紐英崙中華公所主席陳家驊，波士頓僑務委員蔣宗壬，波士頓國民黨常委張韻蘭，以及王梵演唱中華民國國歌，再由紐英崙養生舞協會鼓隊以一曲＂男兒當自強＂，鼓勵中華兒女要堅韌不拔。

            晚會的嘉賓致詞部分，紐英崙中華總會由雷國輝代表致詞。

陳余寶愛在其對致敬中演唱美國國歌。(周菊子攝)

駐波士頓經文處處長賴銘琪在致詞時，特別感謝波士頓的僑團，公所，餐廳在雙十期間掛出青天白日滿地紅國旗，韓老太太晝夜趕工縫製遊行隊服，讓波士頓的雙十升旗，遊行及慶祝，一年比一年盛大，也越來越有特色。

出席餐會眾人在演唱國歌時撫心致意。(周菊子攝)

最近在活動中屢次表示，將是自己最後一次在波士頓主辦活動的賴銘琪，這晚也提前做總結。他說自己來到波士頓上任處長三年多以來，邀請了38位州參眾議員，114位學者專家及聯邦參眾議員及選區主任，19位州政府官員到台灣訪問，接待了174個團體，將近1000人從台灣到波士頓來訪問，參觀。去年三月，他和麻州監理處簽訂了一份駕照互換協議，截至9月底，共有大約900名從台灣來的僑胞，不用筆試，路考，就可以直接拿台灣駕照換一張麻州駕照。

波士頓國民黨分部旗隊八名健兒，個個人高馬大。

過去這三年多來，他參加了1120多場活動，體重從66 公斤增加到69公斤，血壓從120升到 126。他相信自己沒有辜負政府及僑胞們對他的期待。

賴銘琪接著頒發國慶遊行最有特色僑團獎。中國國民黨波士頓分部，紐英崙養生舞協會，紐英崙客家鄉親會分別以國旗Ｔ恤，國旗圍巾，客家斗笠及客家花布衫贏得大獎。

左起，王梵，陳家驊，蔣宗壬，張韻蘭演唱中華民國國歌。(周菊子攝)

慶祝餐會的節目表演，有紐英崙養生舞協會的＂慧海福源＂，波士頓國民黨的大合唱＂藍天白雲＂，紐英崙婦女新運會大合唱＂萬水千山總是情＂。

經文處長賴銘琪與波士頓僑教中心主任歐宏偉，前波士頓國民黨常委李伍綺蓮，現任常委張韻蘭，中華公所主席陳家驊，波士頓僑務委員蔣宗壬等人大合唱＂中華民國頌＂，＂梅花＂。

吳萍萍(左)，楊哲修這對夫妻檔今年當司儀。(周菊子攝)

接下來的卡拉ＯＫ，在大波士頓有歌王之稱的陳裕逢，張揚明，金杏賓，早年就有波士頓尤雅之稱的譚玉秀等人紛紛上場，和王梵，黎雯，曾兆漢，劉瑋珊，吳萍萍，楊哲修，陳余寶愛，單鳳琴等人輪番獻唱國台粵語及英語歌曲。經文處處長雲雯蓁也應邀上台獻唱了一曲＂都是你的錯＂。

波士頓國民黨旗隊。(周菊子攝)

在個人演唱之外，卡拉ＯＫ中也有好幾各團體合唱，包括至孝篤親公所的陳家驊、陳仕維、陳文浩、陳文棟合唱＂醉紅塵＂，單鳳琴和陳家驊合唱＂笑傲江湖＂。

今年慶祝餐會中最特別的是，由經文處教育組組長陳幗珍推薦，來自台灣的學生，愛默生學院的黃聖瑋和麻州醫藥及健康學院（MCPHS）的丁大祐，各持一把吉他，自彈自唱＂情非得已＂，＂思念是一種病＂，讓人感受了一下新鮮的台灣氣息。

紐英崙養生舞協會鼓隊演出"男兒當自強"。(周菊子攝)

經文處處長賴銘琪為過去三年多做總結，(周菊子攝)

經文處長賴銘琪頒獎給波士頓國民黨，由常委張韻蘭接受。(周菊子攝)

經文處長賴銘琪(右二)頒獎給紐英倫養生舞協會，由周麗桃(右一)，
周美桃(右三)等人代表接受。(周菊子攝)

經文處長賴銘琪(右起)頒獎給紐英崙客家鄉親會，由會長周一男
及鄭玉春代表領取。(周菊子攝)

波士頓國民黨大合唱"藍天白雲"。(周菊子攝)

慶祝雙十餐會出席者眾。(周菊子攝)

紐英崙婦女新運會演唱"萬水千山總是情"。(周菊子攝)

波士頓國民黨的王梵(右)，蘇麗萍(左)夫婦攜手起舞。(周菊子攝)

波士頓榮光會理事長石家孝，池元真夫婦(左)等人秀舞技。(周菊子攝)

左起，陳家驊，陳文棟，陳仕維，陳文浩合唱"醉紅塵"。(周菊子攝)

張明揚演唱 It's now or never"。(周菊子攝)

王梵演唱"我是一隻畫眉鳥"。(周菊子攝)

台上演唱，台下鼓掌。(周菊子攝)

慶祝雙十餐會出席者眾。(周菊子攝)

經文處處長賴銘琪，雲雯蓁夫婦(中)。(周菊子攝)

陳毓璇，黃景佩夫婦。(周菊子攝)

陳家驊與單鳳琴合唱。(周菊子攝)

波士頓僑教中心主任歐宏偉演唱"上海灘"。(周菊子攝)

左起，張韻蘭，王梵，王競芳，陳家驊，蔣宗壬，經文處長賴銘琪，
雲雯蓁夫婦，李伍綺蓮，僑教中心主任歐宏偉，吳萍萍，楊哲修等人
大合唱。(周菊子攝)

左起，台灣學生丁大祐，黃聖瑋演唱。(周菊子攝)

右起，歐宏偉，李伍綺蓮，陳家驊，余麗媖，雲雯蓁，賴銘琪，蔣宗壬，
陳毓禮，王競芳，王梵，張韻蘭等人敬酒。(周菊子攝)

波士頓尤雅潭玉秀演唱。(周菊子攝)

金杏濱演唱"外婆的澎湖灣"。(周菊子攝)

經文處副處長陳銘俊(左起)，和阮浩鑾，副處長夫人，波士頓
僑領陳毓璇，黃美晴，張昆等人合影。(周菊子攝)

波士頓京劇社社長劉瑋珊盛裝出席慶祝餐會。(周菊子攝)

House Passes Legislation Banning Bump Stocks

House Passes Legislation Banning Bump Stocks

Strengthens Massachusetts’ Nationally-Recognized Gun Safety Laws

BOSTON- The Massachusetts House of Representatives today passed an amendment sponsored by Representative David Linsky to the 2017 Supplemental Budget banning the sale, purchase, or ownership of a “bump stock” device.

The Amendment adopted by the House bans the possession, ownership, or sale of any device that attaches to a rifle, shotgun, or firearm, other than a magazine, which is designed to increase the rate of fire of said weapon. The legislation carries a punishment of imprisonment in the state prison by not less than three years nor more than twenty years, and goes into effect six months from the passage of the bill.

“This legislation will ensure that no one in Massachusetts can legally possess a ‘bump stock,’ a device designed to increase the deadliness of these already deadly weapons,” said Representative Linsky (D-Natick). “These devices were created by gun manufacturers as a work-around of the federal law banning the sale and possession of automatic weapons, and there is absolutely no place for them in a civilized society.”

“I am proud and encouraged that the House’s 2014 gun law has resulted in Massachusetts having the lowest rate of gun deaths per capita,” said House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo. “There’s no doubt about it: The stronger the gun laws, the safer the state. Today’s vote to ban bump stocks is a responsible, commonsense action to protect our citizens and make our laws even stronger. I thank Chairman Linsky for his initiative and I urge other states and Congress to take action on gun safety.”

“What we saw last week in Las Vegas was horrific,” said Representative Jeffrey Sánchez, House Chair of the Joint Committee on Ways & Means (D-Boston). “While we cannot bring those precious lives back, today’s bump stock ban prevents another tragedy from taking place in Massachusetts, and builds on our progress promoting sensible gun safety in the Commonwealth.”

A “bump stock” is a device that uses the recoil of a semiautomatic firearm to file several shots in succession, mimicking automatic gun fire. While the weapon still fires one bullet for every pull of the trigger, the “bump stock” automates the trigger-pull process, allowing shooters to fire at a rate of 400 to 800 rounds a minute. Twelve of the rifles the gunman in the Las Vegas mass shooting were modified with a “bump stock,” allowing him to increase the fire rate of his weapon.

“Congress has continued its failure to act in the wake of yet another gun violence tragedy, but I applaud Speaker DeLeo and the rest of my colleagues in the Massachusetts House for their willingness to take a stand on this issue of public safety,” said Representative Linsky. “We must continue to take the initiative at the state level to improve our state’s gun laws, and ultimately save lives.”

The Amendment, which passed 151-3, now goes to the Massachusetts Senate for debate.

City Council President Michelle Wu Hosts Fundraiser for Puerto Rico

City Council President Michelle Wu Hosts Fundraiser for Puerto Rico

The event will be a community conversation and will benefit the Massachusetts United for Puerto Rico Fund

Boston - On Saturday October 14th, Boston City Council President Michelle Wu is partnering with community leaders to host an event for concerned community members to discuss the Puerto Rico recovery effort and to raise funds. All donations will go to the Massachusetts United for Puerto Rico Fund, a collaborative effort between The Boston Foundation, Alliance for Puerto Rico, and the Puerto Rican community in Massachusetts. The Fund will invest in disaster relief, sustainable rebuilding, and capacity building for Massachusetts nonprofits that will serve the substantial migration of Puerto Ricans to Boston and throughout the Commonwealth that is expected in the months ahead.

The decimated infrastructure on Puerto Rico has made deliveries of supplies and aid nearly impossible, especially to the smaller towns. Local community leaders and elected officials continue to push the federal government to step in and rebuild infrastructure on the island so that supplies and aid can reach everyone. Until then, contributing funds to help get the island's economy up and running again is the best way to help Puerto Rico.

Members of the press are welcome and encouraged to attend.

WHEN: October 14th 4PM-6PM

WHERE: Jaime Rodriguez's "bunker" 93 Montebello Road, Jamaica Plain 02130

RSVP: sharon@michelleforboston.com