|
人生一定要有的八個朋友: 推手(Builder)、 支柱(Champion)、 同好(Collaborator)、 夥伴(Companion)、 中介(Connector)、 開心果(Energizer)、 開路者(Mind Opener)、 導師(Navigator)。 chutze@bostonorange.com ******************* All rights of articles and photos on this website are reserved.
網頁
- 大波士頓時事新聞
- 波士頓亞美電影節/ Boston International Kids Film Festival
- 波士頓華埠社區中心/華美福利會/華埠社區聯盟/ 華人醫務中心/ 亞美社區發展協會/ 華夏文化協會
- AAC TAP CACAB NAAAP AARW AAWPI ASPIRE AWH WANG YMCA QARI
- 音樂 - 中華表演藝術基金會 4/13 廖國偉
- 波士頓移民進步辦公室通訊/ Office of Women's Advancement/ Community Preservation Act
- 商會 - ACE Nextgen, 128 Cute, OCEAN, TCCNE, TCCYNE,波克萊台商會,波士頓華商會,波士頓亞裔房東會
- 創業 - Startup Boston now available on web
- Plays - Huntington, Boston Lyric, Company One
- 包氏文藝中心通訊 Nov.
- 博物館 - Guggenheim Presents Wu Tsang: Anthem, Opening July 23
- Mass Innovation Nights March 2024 / Innovation Women
- 生物醫藥 - BTBA Mentor/Mentee 招募 開跑
- Mass Life Science Center 10/4
- Greentown Labs newsletter /MIT ClimateTech
- BIOVision/ Boston MedTech / Mass Life Sciences
- Mass BIO / LaunchBIO
- 麻州州長動態 - Nominates Rachel Hershfang as Associate Justice of the Appeals Court and Asha White as Circuit Justice of the District Court
- 波士頓市、昆士市,摩頓市、羅爾市
- Elections
- Boston City Councilor's updates
- BCA - Erin Genia Curates Yušká: Uncoil — the 27th Drawing Show at Boston Center for the Arts
- MIPIM 2021 - International investors return to Cannes for MIPIM September Edition
- 大學沙龍 第204期 王寅麗——阿倫特和波考克關於美國革命的共和論論述
- 朱学渊 - 為中國史學的實證化而努力
星期一, 3月 19, 2018
加斯林糖尿病中心籌款 3/25素描一點薑,4/9 MFA 薑味
星期日, 3月 18, 2018
紐英崙昭倫公所春宴 謝開明圖片輯
謝開明專輯
紐英崙昭倫公所春宴
https://photos.app.goo.gl/ JRjwQrutljVKi7Vo1
紐英崙昭倫公所春宴
https://photos.app.goo.gl/
紐英崙昭倫公所幹部及嘉賓合影。前排右起,譚玉秀,經文處副處長陳銘俊,昭倫主席謝如鍵,謝仲安,譚達兒,譚達兒夫人,左一談繼欣。 |
昭倫公所主席謝如鍵(右起),談達兒,前主席許揚威,譚柏林。 |
波士頓市議員愛德華費林(Ed Flynn)(中)頒發表揚狀,昭倫主席 謝如鍵(右),譚達兒(左)代表接受。 |
駐波士頓經文處處長賴銘琪,雲雯蓁夫婦(左)和談繼欣。 |
昭倫主席譚達兒(左一)和謝如鍵(右二)和波士頓經文處處長賴銘琪(中), 僑教中心主任歐宏偉(右一)合影。 |
星期六, 3月 17, 2018
波士頓經文處與Brandies大學4/13辦會議探討台美經貿關係
駐波士頓辦事處與布蘭代斯大學合辦
「臺美經貿關係展望研討會暨攬才說明會」
為強化臺美學術交流,同時為招攬各界優秀人士赴臺工作,駐波士頓辦事處與布蘭代斯大學訂於本(107)年4月13日(週五)在布蘭代斯大學(Brandeis University,415 South
Street, Waltham, MA 02453) 舉辦「臺美經貿關係展望研討會暨攬才說明會」,歡迎各界人士踴躍參與。
該研討會訂於4月13日下午1時30分於布蘭代斯大學Shapiro Campus Center 二樓Multipurpose
Room舉行,由金融系教授Gary Jefferson擔任引言人,並特別邀請中華經濟研究院王副院長健全擔任主講人,闡述近年亞洲經濟發展趨勢及其對美國經濟之重要性,並剖析臺美經貿關係之現況及展望;第二場次聚焦於新興產業及重點攬才領域,邀請駐美投資貿易服務處孫主任良輔說明。透過三位講者對談,將提供聽眾亞洲經貿脈動之第一手觀察,精彩可期。
復鑒於波士頓地區學風鼎盛,人才濟濟,駐波士頓辦事處另協調經濟部籌組海外攬才團同時來波辦理攬才說明會。該攬才活動自同日下午1時30分至5時於布蘭代斯大學Shapiro Campus
Center 一樓舉行,將有來自臺灣、紐約及波士頓臺商參與攬才,包括資策會及北美祥茂等均將於現場設置一對一攬才說明攤位,另有廣達電腦股份有限公司、緯創軟體股份有限公司、建騰創達科技股份有限公司、凌巨科技股份有限公司、微星科技股份有限公司及臺新國際商業銀行股份有限公司將有服務攤位可代收履歷,歡迎畢業生及求職者參與。有意參加現場一對一攬才說明會者,請先至Contact
Taiwan 網站註冊登錄並預約。網址如下:https://www.contacttaiwan.tw/main/tourHumanIndex.aspx?tour_year=9&location_num=1# 。(經文處提供)
Three Decades Later, Guilty Verdict in Young Woman's Murder
Three Decades Later, Guilty Verdict in Young Woman's Murder
BOSTON, March 16, 2018—More than 30 years after 19-year-old Dora Jean Brimage was found beaten and strangled inside a Warren Street storefront, the man who killed her has been convicted of her murder, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.
A Suffolk Superior Court jury this afternoon found JAMES PAIGE, 51, guilty of first-degree murder under the theory of felony murder in Brimage’s 1987 slaying. He faces a mandatory term of life in prison without the possibility of parole when he is sentenced on Tuesday.
Assistant District Attorney Craig Iannini of the DA’s Homicide Unit presented evidence and testimony to prove that Brimage attended a birthday party for a relative of Paige on Sept. 6, 1987. The next morning, construction workers found Brimage’s body inside a Warren Street storefront that was under construction. She had been badly beaten, sexually assaulted, and strangled.
The first generation of investigators interviewed potential witnesses and collected physical evidence from the scene and biological evidence from Brimage’s body. However, DNA testing that could identify her killer was not available at the time.
In 2013, detectives assigned to the Boston Police Cold Case Squad re-interviewed witnesses and requested new testing of DNA evidence collected from Brimage’s body. Criminalists at the Boston Police Crime Lab were able to produce a DNA profile that was entered into the FBI’s Combined DNA Index System, or CODIS. The killer’s DNA profile was matched to Paige, who had been required to submit a DNA sample following a felony conviction. That "hit" led to a renewed investigation by cold case detectives and prosecutors assigned to the Suffolk DA's Homicide Unit, leading to Paige's indictment in 2016.
Assistant District Attorney Juliann Campbell of the DA’s Appellate Unit second-chaired at trial. Jennifer Sears is the DA’s victim-witness assistant. Paige was represented by Dan Solomon. Sentencing before Judge Christopher Muse is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Tuesday in courtroom 806 of Suffolk Superior Court.
U.S. ATTORNEY’S OFFICE HOSTS ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION ON SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN HOUSING
U.S. ATTORNEY’S OFFICE HOSTS ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION ON
SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN HOUSING
BOSTON – The U.S. Attorney’s Office hosted a roundtable discussion today on sexual harassment in housing, which brought together local legal services organizations, fair housing organizations, and domestic violence advocates.
The Department of Justice, through the U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Civil Rights Division, enforces the Fair Housing Act, which prohibits discrimination in housing on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, familial status, national origin, and disability. Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination prohibited by the Act. Sexual harassment by landlords, property managers, maintenance workers, and others with power over housing often affects the most vulnerable populations – single parents, individuals who have financial difficulties, and people who have suffered sexual violence in their past.
“There are landlords and property managers who abuse their positions to extort sexual favors from, or even sexually assault, vulnerable tenants, and that is unacceptable,” said U.S. Attorney Lelling said. “This conduct is an egregious violation of a person’s right to fair housing, and my Office’s Civil Rights Unit is dedicated to aggressively investigating such allegations and vigorously enforcing the law.”
In October 2017, the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division announced the Sexual Harassment Initiative, an effort to combat sexual harassment in housing. The Justice Department’s initiative seeks to identify barriers to reporting sexual harassment in housing, increase awareness of its enforcement efforts – both among survivors and those they may report to – and collaborate with federal, state, and local partners to increase reporting and help survivors quickly and easily connect with federal resources.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office is collaborating with the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division to raise awareness of the options that are available to help individuals experiencing sexual harassment. Community organizations, such as legal services offices, fair housing organizations, domestic violence advocates, shelters, and transitional housing providers, can identify the misconduct and recommend that individuals report sexual harassment to the Justice Department.
The Justice Department brings cases each year involving allegations that defendants have exposed themselves sexually to current or prospective tenants, requested sexual favors in exchange for reduced rents or making necessary repairs, made unrelenting and unwanted sexual advances to tenants, and evicted tenants who resisted their sexual overtures.
In 2017, the Justice Department recovered more than $1 million in damages for harassment victims. Many instances of sexual harassment in housing continue to go unreported. The Justice Department’s investigations frequently uncover sexual harassment that has been ongoing for years or decades and identify numerous victims who never reported the conduct to federal authorities.
The Justice Department encourages anyone who has experienced sexual harassment in housing, or knows someone who has, to contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Civil Rights Unit by calling (617) 275-8756 or emailing USAMA.CivilRights@usdoj.gov; or the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division by calling (844) 380-6178 or emailing fairhousing@usdoj.gov.
The Civil Rights Unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office was established in 2015 with the mission of enhancing federal civil rights enforcement. For more information on the Office’s civil rights efforts, please visit www.justice.gov/usao-ma/civil-rights.
紐英崙梅氏公所慶新春 表揚五名對公所卓有貢獻者
紐英崙梅氏公所表揚對公所卓有貢獻者,右起,主席梅少彬,梅麗梨, 元老梅錫銳,梅忠和,梅炳鈿,梅伍銀寬,梅國治,全美理事梅偉文, 梅犖彬等人。(梅氏公所提供) |
(Boston Orange 周菊子整理報導) 紐英崙梅氏公所3月11日晚在波士頓龍鳳酒樓舉辦春宴暨敬老晚會,不但有火樹銀花輝映新春之喜,嘉賓盈門,外州宗親到賀之樂,還頒獎學金,發敬老紅包,送利是支持公益,表揚對公所有貢獻人士,邀來紐英崙華人社區的第一個樂隊"馬仕威"獻唱,表演,一整晚會場高潮迭起。
駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處處長賴銘琪,雲雯蓁夫婦,馬滌凡, 波士頓僑務委員蔣宗壬,紐英崙中華公所主席陳家驊,經文處 副處長陳銘俊,僑教中心主任歐宏偉。(梅氏公所提供) |
梅氏公所當晚以”炮竹連聲送金風,鑼鼓喧天迎旺財”的對聯詞句,文雅的揭開慶祝戊戌狗年新春晚宴序幕。公所主席梅麗梨和紐英崙中華公所主席陳家驊,駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處處長賴銘琪,副處長陳銘俊,僑教中心主任歐宏偉,波士頓市議員愛德華費林(Ed
Flynn)等嘉賓,接著一一致詞。
當晚到會嘉賓,還包括波士頓洪門致公堂元老伍伯和,監堂阮振牆,波士頓僑務委員梅錫銳,蔣宗壬等人。
波士頓市議員愛德華費林(Ed Flynn)頒表揚狀給梅氏公所,主席 梅少彬(右),梅麗梨(左)代表領取。(梅氏公所提供) |
梅氏公所自己,也賀客眾多,有全美梅氏理事會理事長梅犖彬,元老梅錫銳,梅炳鈿,理事梅偉文,世界梅氏元老梅忠和,還有來自不同四州的芝加哥梅氏主席梅浩泉,理事梅國棟,梅維政,梅健添,主席梅藹明,Chloe Luo,德州梅氏顧問梅偉文,明尼蘇達州元老梅忠和,理事Ed Moy等人。
會上,紐英崙梅氏頒發獎學金給8年級的Kayley Moy,頒發貢獻獎表揚梅炳鈿,梅錫銳,梅國治,梅伍銀寬,梅忠和等五人從公所成立以來,無論是協助會務溝通,或促進會員團結,一應事務,不分大小,全都盡心盡力的卓有貢獻。
Kayley Moy(右三)獲頒獎學金。右起,梅氏主席梅少彬,元老梅錫銳, 梅炳鈿,梅伍銀寬,主席梅麗梨。(梅氏公所提供) |
每年春宴,也是姓氏公所敬老,向社會公益組織聊表心意的時候,梅氏公所當晚發給所有年滿八十歲的梅氏宗親,每人紅包一封,奉上利是一份給中華廣教學校,中華耆英會,中華頤養院等機構,聊表支持公益之心。
梅氏公所另一名主席梅少彬致答謝詞時,以"銀色早春鳳還巢,金犬獻瑞福至年,祝福出席眾人旺年購運,金錢夠用,身體夠壯,股票升勢夠猛"等祝語,兼顧傳統與現代。
他也週到的代表梅氏公所感謝商家贊助,包括龍鳳酒樓,溫莎餅屋,鴻運酒樓,肥仔燒臘,香港小食,翠苑九家,皇后養津堂,美東燒臘等。
紐英崙梅氏公所自己的職員,當晚悉數出動,有顧問銀寬,國治,宇國,主席梅麗梨,梅少彬,中文秘書梅翠怡,英文秘書梅子聰。財政梅伍銀寬,外交梅凱生,核數梅永生,康樂梅掌珠,婦女部主任梅艷玲。
星期五, 3月 16, 2018
中國深圳創新創業大賽第二屆國際賽波士頓分區賽訂3月21日在哈佛舉行
(Boston
Orange 周菊子波士頓整理報導) 中國深圳創新創業大賽第二屆國際賽將於3月21日在哈佛大學醫學院約瑟夫馬丁會議中心 (Joseph B.
Martin Conference Center Harvard Medical School, 77 Avenue Louis Pasteur
Boston, MA) 舉辦波士頓分場賽,由源創力離岸創新中心(CRI)與劍橋源創力創新中心(CRII)攜手承辦。
這場比賽,由中國科技部,外國專家局指導,深圳市人民政府主辦,深圳市坪山,龍崗,保安等區政府,以及市人力資源和社會保障局,市科技創新委員會合辦,分互聯網和移動互聯網,電子科技,生物與生命科技,先進製造和材料,能源(含節能環保)等5個類別,在全世界9個地區舉行分場賽,總獎金不下1091萬元人民幣。參賽者不限國籍,不但個別團隊最高可得140萬元人民幣,還有機會和東方富海,松禾資本,深創投,達晨創投等34家創投機構對接,爭取總額近209億元人民幣的投資基金。
從項目報名後獲評審選出的20個創業團隊,將在21日的波士頓分區賽做現場答辯,其中優勝的6個團隊將獲得一,二,三等獎,並依序獲得10萬,5萬(2名),3萬(3名)人民幣獎金。
每個領域的前2名,共10個優勝團隊,將獲得免費機票與住宿,到深圳參加訂4月10-12日舉辦的決賽,爭取100萬元人民幣大獎,以及各種人才激勵,產業獎勵,科技金融和項目孵化等政策支持。
根據深圳市政府資料,源創力離岸創新中心在承辦該市第一屆雙創大賽時,圓滿達成任務,今年獲指定為波士頓分區賽的唯一官方機構。
和源創力離岸創新中心(CRI)合作承辦深圳國際雙創賽的劍橋源創力創新中心(CRII),是一家位於劍橋市,主要做新創公司種子期和後期投資的風投和私募基金,共同創辦人許恒源獲有麻省理工學院計算機工程博士學位,管理學碩士學位,以及哈佛大學法律學位,在業界工作20多年,曾多次成功創業,也曾在麻省理工學院任教,為中文版”MIT科技評論”撰文。
波士頓分區賽預定有來自中國,波士頓和全美各地的投資者,策略夥伴,領域巨擘參加,著名學者Harvey Lodish發表演講。
中國深圳創新創業大賽第二屆國際賽的波士頓分區賽,歡迎各界觀賽,但須事先報名,https://www.eventbrite.com/e/boston-division-innovation-entrepreneurship-international-competition-tickets-42733996534。
舊金山寫竹名家徐賓遠贈畫波士頓僑教中心
歐宏偉主任(左)代表接受寫竹名家徐賓遠畫冊「徐賓遠墨竹」。 |
僑胞翻閱畫冊。 |
旅居美國舊金山灣區的臺灣寫竹名家徐賓遠女士春節期間出版新畫冊「徐賓遠墨竹」,特別捐給波士頓華僑文教服務中心乙冊,由主任歐宏偉代表接受,僑胞也深受吸引馬上翻閱,並表示畫冊畫風蒼勁有力,意境深遠,值得細細品味。
徐賓遠表示「竹畫」在國畫中乃獨具一門,亦是用筆用墨最難,意境高深之畫。茲將五十餘年之習竹心得和竹畫技法,以及百餘幅畫作付梓,盼望能對後學者有所助益。
自古以來的國畫中,墨竹是最易學難工的。所謂「易學」基本上就是竹竿竹枝竹葉而已;所謂「難工」就是將以上三者窮其殊相。旅居美國紐約的當代散文作家王鼎鈞當年參觀過徐賓遠墨竹展後撰文指出,見她把竹葉的十二姿態畫全了,頗符造物者的本意。
徐賓遠師承寫竹名家陳方(芷町),張大千稱譽芷町先生為「五百年來寫竹第一人」,並於1982年為徐賓遠女士第一本畫冊作序時開宗明義「老友陳芷町以畫竹名世,得其薪傳者,惟徐賓遠而已」。葉公超先生亦曾為徐賓遠墨竹集作序;黃君璧大師當年則稱譽「目前專寫墨竹之畫界人士中賓遠稱最卓絕」,並為畫冊封面題字。(圖與文:波士頓僑教中心提供)
徐賓遠1964年在台北市中山堂舉行首次個展,而後應邀在臺灣各地、香港、美國等地展出作品近20次。1996年母校國立台北教育大學百年校慶,評選為傑出校友之一,並受邀參與「百年世紀大展」。
星期四, 3月 15, 2018
TREASURER GOLDBERG PARTNERS WITH LEGISLATURE ON GUN DIVESTMENT BILL
TREASURER GOLDBERG PARTNERS WITH LEGISLATURE ON GUN DIVESTMENT BILL
Proposed Legislation Would Require the Public Pension Fund to Divest from Companies that Manufacture Guns and Ammunition
BOSTON – Treasurer Goldberg announced today a bill was filed with the Massachusetts Legislature that would require the state’s public pension fund to divest from companies that manufacture guns and ammunition. The legislation is sponsored by State Representative Lori Ehrlich and State Senator Cynthia Creem.
“In the aftermath of the horrific shooting in Parkland, Florida, I watched as those brave students from Stoneman Douglas High School stood in the balcony watching while the Florida Legislature did nothing,” said Treasurer Deb Goldberg. “It is clear that traditional approaches have not worked. Divesting our public pension funds from gun and ammunition manufacturers sends a clear message that we stand with the victims and survivors of gun violence everywhere.”
“As gun violence tears at the fabric of our nation and Congress is unable to act even in the face of overwhelming support, it is time for state stewards to ensure our retirement savings and pension funds are not profiting from that violence," said Representative Lori Ehrlich (D- Marblehead). "As a state, we decided to divest from Big Tobacco because of the harm it causes in our communities. It is time we do the same with guns and ammunition. I applaud Treasurer Deb Goldberg for her courageous leadership and I am pleased to join her in her call for change.”
“This bill asks our Massachusetts public pension fund managers to no longer invest in companies that manufacture guns and ammunition,” said Senator Cynthia Stone Creem (D-Newton). “By enacting this bill, Massachusetts will stand with thousands of individuals and entities exercising their right as consumers to send the message that we must do more to stop gun violence.”
The bill will ensure that the Pension Reserves Investment Management (PRIM) Board will sell, redeem, divest or withdraw all publicly-traded securities from any ammunition, firearm and firearm accessory manufacturing companies that derive 15% or more of their revenues from the sale or manufacture of ammunition, firearms or firearm accessories for civilian purposes. A summary of the bill is attached below.
The PRIM Board can divest only as a directive from the Massachusetts Legislature. In the past, PRIM has been directed to divest from companies that derived much of its revenue from tobacco and companies doing business with Sudan, Northern Ireland and Iran due to regional conflicts.
麻州眾議會議長兩度聲明 議會不知眾議員DiZoglio曾受騷擾
“The comments
of the two representatives that agreements were used by the House to cover up
wrongdoing are based on irresponsible speculation. The fact that the House
today enacted a provision that waives any non-disclosure or non-disparagement
provision of any agreement executed prior to today directly refutes their
irresponsible speculation. The rule adopted today specifically waives any
non-disclosure or non-disparagement provision of any existing agreement and
allows any current or former member, officer or employee of the House to report
or discuss a claim of sexual harassment or retaliation based on sexual
harassment.
“The
House along with outside legal counsel conducted a through independent review
of our entire human resources function. The review revealed deficiencies in our
current function and those deficiencies were rectified with today's vote. As
part of that review, counsel met with the Attorney General’s office to discuss
best practices. The review did not identify any reason to notify the Attorney
General, much less require the Attorney General to conduct a review, nor did
anyone raise a reason to do so today.”
Statement of Speaker
Robert A. DeLeo
Most importantly, as I informed the Boston
Globe yesterday, I would like to say that we believe Representative DiZoglio’s
statements regarding the harassment she experienced after the incident that
occurred in the House Chamber in April of 2011 and we are deeply troubled by
them. No member, officer or employee of the House of Representatives should be
subjected to the sort of treatment described by Representative DiZoglio.
That said, the Boston Globe has made a number
of unsubstantiated allegations some of which have no basis in fact.
·
To be clear, yesterday was the first time that
I or any member of my staff, House Counsel’s Office or House Human Resources
heard of the harassment Representative DiZoglio experienced after the incident
that occurred in the House Chamber in April of 2011.
·
Members of my staff, and Counsel’s Office met
with Representative DiZoglio three times in June of 2011 as part of the
investigation into the incident that occurred in the House Chamber that April.
At none of these meetings did Representative DiZoglio report that she was experiencing
harassment. She did repeatedly express concern for her job security and frustration
with the media’s coverage of the matter.
·
No member of my staff, House Counsel’s Office
or House Human Resources met with Representative DiZoglio on this matter after
the conclusion of the investigation June 14, 2011.
·
Despite being instructed to the contrary, Representative
DiZoglio’s then supervisor unilaterally terminated her employment on August 31,
2011. I reiterate, as I said yesterday, that Representative DiZoglio’s then
supervisor notified the House only after he had
unilaterally terminated her employment and that the termination was not consistent
with House procedures.
·
Within days of the House receiving
notification of Representative DiZoglio’s termination, House Counsel was
contacted by an attorney representing Representative DiZoglio. Her attorney similarly never raised the issue
of harassment with the House at any point in the course of representing and
negotiating for Representative DiZoglio.
·
While I cannot speak as to whether
Representative DiZoglio’s former supervisor instructed her not to talk about
the incident, I can say unequivocally that neither I nor any member of my
staff, House Counsel’s Office or House Human Resources instructed Representative
DiZoglio that she was prohibited from speaking about it while she was a House
employee. In fact, at the conclusion of the investigation in June of 2011, House
staff specifically informed her that she was free to speak to the media if she
wished to do so and, at her request, assisted Representative DiZoglio with the preparation
of a statement to the media.
Below is
the full statement provided to the Boston Globe on Wednesday March 14, 2018:
“At the outset, I would like to say that we
believe Representative DiZoglio’s statements regarding the harassment she
experienced after the incident that occurred in the House Chamber in April of
2011 and we are deeply troubled by them. No member, officer or employee of the
House of Representatives should be subjected to the sort of treatment described
by Representative DiZoglio.
“The incident that occurred in the House
Chamber in April of 2011 was investigated by the House. That investigation
determined that no member, officer or employee of the House had engaged in any
inappropriate conduct. This conclusion was based on interviews with several
witnesses, including Representative DiZoglio. Representative DiZoglio was
personally informed of the results of the investigation and expressed her
agreement with the conclusion. It was also our understanding at the time
that Representative DiZoglio appreciated and approved of the way in which the
House addressed the matter.
“At the conclusion of the investigation,
Representative DiZoglio did express concern about her job security as a
legislative aide. Because of her concern, and in light of the results of the
investigation, the House repeatedly notified her then supervisor that
Representative DiZoglio had not engaged in any inappropriate conduct and that no
disciplinary action was warranted or would be approved by the House.
“Regrettably, approximately two months after
the investigation was completed, and despite receiving numerous warnings that
disciplinary action was not appropriate, Representative DiZoglio’s then
supervisor unilaterally terminated her employment. It is important to note that
Representative DiZoglio’s then supervisor notified the House only after
he had unilaterally terminated her employment and that the termination was not
consistent with House procedures.
“Shortly after receiving the notification that
Representative DiZoglio’s supervisor had unilaterally terminated her
employment, the House was contacted by an attorney representing Representative
DiZoglio. House Counsel and Representative DiZoglio’s attorney then negotiated
a termination and severance agreement that we understood to be mutually
acceptable to both the House and Representative DiZoglio. At no time during
these negotiations did Representative DiZoglio’s attorney allege the harassment
you have detailed today on Representative DiZoglio’s behalf.
“It has been highlighted over the course of
the last several months that victims of sexual harassment are often reluctant
to come forward for a number of reasons. This matter appears to be an instance
where – unfortunately, but understandably – a victim has only recently become
comfortable reporting the harassment that she experienced. However, the fact
that this is the first that we have been informed of the harassment endured by
Representative DiZoglio does not diminish the House’s commitment to investigate
these allegations.
“As for your specific questions the answers
are as follows:
- Prior to today,
and specifically when she was interviewed as part of the investigation of
the April 2011 incident, Representative DiZoglio was adamant that no
inappropriate conduct occurred in the House Chamber. Moreover,
Representative DiZoglio was represented by legal counsel and to hear now
that she did not want to agree to the terms of the termination and
severance agreement is troubling. Her attorney competently negotiated the
agreement on her behalf and we presumed that his client was in agreement
with the terms.
- With respect to
the Representative’s contention that the nondisclosure and/or
non-disparagement provisions of the agreement were an attempt to silence
her and/or to cover up the harassment she was experiencing, we were only
made aware of her troubling allegations of harassment today by virtue of
your inquiry. Prior to today, and specifically when she was interviewed as
part of the investigation of the April 2011 incident, Representative
DiZoglio has been adamant that no inappropriate conduct occurred in the
House Chamber. Nor did she raise concerns of any other
inappropriate conduct at that time. Moreover, her attorney never
raised the issue of sexual harassment or inappropriate conduct/comments of
a sexual nature during the negotiations which led to the execution of the
termination and severance agreement. While we understand why a victim of
such harassment would fear disclosing it, we have to reject any assertion
that we were aware of it prior to today or that we sought to silence her
and/or to cover up any harassment with the 2011 agreement.
- Currently, the
House employs approximately 480 people (not including members). Since
January 1, 2010 more than 860 employees have concluded their employment
with the House of Representatives. Of those, approximately 150 had their
employment terminated by the House (or separated from employment in some
way other than a voluntary resignation). Of those 150 employees,
approximately 33 individuals (less than 4% of all those concluding their
employment with the House during this period) were offered a small severance
payment in exchange for executing a written agreement.
None of these agreements were to settle
complaints of sexual harassment, but rather a formalized process for providing
terminated employees with a modest severance benefit. Since Speaker DeLeo was
elected Speaker, the House of Representatives has not paid any money to settle
a complaint of sexual harassment/misconduct brought against or by any member,
officer, employee or third party.
- The Speaker
believes that the Rules amendments that will be debated tomorrow will
greatly strengthen the House’s ability to address the issue of sexual
harassment specifically as well as other general employment matters.
Additionally, the Speaker believes that the House has used these
agreements judiciously in the past. That said, the Speaker is working with
the Chairman of the House Committee on Rules to prepare an amendment that
would do the following:
- While
none of the 33 agreements previously executed by the House were to settle
claims of sexual harassment, the Speaker’s amendment will require House
Counsel to waive any non-disclosure or non-disparagement provision of any
such agreement executed by the House prior to 3/15/2018 to allow any
current or former member, officer or employee to report or discuss a claim
of sexual harassment or retaliation based on sexual harassment.
- In
an effort to maximize the resolution options available for victims while
minimizing any inappropriate use of these agreements, the amendment will
provide clear guidelines for any future House use of agreements to settle
a legal claim or a potential legal claim. Specifically, it would
ensure that no member, officer or employee of the House can execute any
agreement to settle a legal claim or a potential legal claim of sexual
harassment, or retaliation based on a legal claim or a potential legal
claim of sexual harassment unless the following conditions are met:
i.
the request to negotiate the agreement is
initiated, in writing, by the person filing or eligible to file the legal claim
or potential legal claim or a person legally authorized to represent that
person;
ii.
the person filing the legal claim or eligible
to file the legal claim is given 15 days to review and consider the agreement;
iii.
the duration of any non-disclosure or non-disparagement provision
of the agreement is for a
finite period of time as agreed to by the parties;
iv.
the agreement specifically provides that no provision of the agreement,
including any non-disclosure or non-disparagement
provision, shall preclude any party from participating in an internal House
investigation or an investigation by any law enforcement agency; and
v.
the agreement is approved in writing by House
Counsel, the HR Director and the (to be appointed) Equal Employment Opportunity
Officer.”
CAPAC Chair Calls on Secretary Zinke to Apologize for Racially Insensitive Comment
CAPAC Chair Calls on Secretary Zinke to Apologize for Racially Insensitive Comment
WASHINGTON, D.C. – During a House Natural Resources Committee hearing today on the Department of Interior’s Fiscal Year 2019 budget proposal, Secretary Ryan Zinke responded to Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa (HI-01) by making a racially insensitive comment in reference to her Japanese heritage. Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-27), Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), released the following statement:
“It is absolutely outrageous that Interior Secretary Zinke chose to racialize Congresswoman Hanabusa’s identity after she spoke about the importance of preserving funding for the Japanese American Confinement Sites where nearly 120,000 Japanese Americans were unjustly incarcerated during World War II. Rather than greet her like he would any other Member of Congress, he responded to her as if she did not speak any English.
“Whether intentional or not, his comments invoke the offensive stereotype that Asian Americans are perpetual foreigners regardless of how long their families have lived in the United States. What is even more alarming is that Secretary Zinke made this stereotype immediately after my colleague discussed the abhorrent racial prejudice that her grandparents and other Japanese Americans endured during World War II due to government-sanctioned profiling.
“Secretary Zinke owes Congresswoman Hanabusa an apology. Instead of perpetuating racial stereotypes, I hope the Secretary will work with Congress to prioritize funding for Japanese American Confinement Sites and ensure that we do not forget this dark chapter in American history.”
Rockland Trust-Peoples Federal Foundation Presents $25,000 Grant to Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center (BCNC)
Rockland Trust-Peoples Federal Foundation Presents $25,000 Grant to
Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center (BCNC)
From Left: Fred Taw, Rockland Trust Board member; Jennifer Marino, Rockland Trust Chief Marketing and Customer Officer; John Yu, Rockland Trust Vice President/ Branch Manager; Carmen Chan, BCNC Director of Development; Russell Chin, BCNC Board of Directors, Clemens Leung, Rockland Trust VP/Branch Manager. Photo credit: Bethany Versoy.
Quincy, MA - The Rockland Trust Peoples Federal Foundation presented a $25,000 grant to the Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center – BCNC Quincy division on Friday, February 9, 2018. Funding will be used to strengthen BCNC’s Youth Center and Family Services for the Asian community.
About Rockland Trust
Rockland Trust Company is a full-service commercial bank headquartered in Massachusetts and is the sole bank subsidiary of Independent Bank Corp. (NASDAQ: INDB). Rockland Trust offers a wide range of banking, investment, and insurance services to businesses and individuals through retail branches, commercial lending offices, investment management offices, and residential lending centers located in Eastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island, as well as through telephone banking, mobile banking, and the Internet. Rockland Trust, is an FDIC Member and an Equal Housing Lender.
About Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center (BCNC)
BCNC is the largest nonprofit social service provider for Asian families in the Greater Boston area, supporting over 2,600 children, youth, and adults each year at four locations in Boston and Quincy. The mission of BCNC is to ensure that the children, youth, and families we serve have the resources and supports they need to achieve greater economic success and social well-being. BCNC provides families access to resources and services, opportunities to learn and acquire skills, and a community of mutual support and encouragement. In May 2017, BCNC opened the Pao Arts Center, Chinatown’s first community-based arts center and Boston’s newly dedicated Asian American and Asian immigrant cultural space. www.bcnc.net.
訂閱:
文章 (Atom)