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星期二, 7月 03, 2018

Governor Baker Signs Bill Strengthening Commonwealth Gun Laws

Governor Baker Signs Bill Strengthening Commonwealth Gun Laws
Provides pathway to keep guns away from dangerous individuals

BOSTON – Today, Governor Charlie Baker signed H.4670, An Act Relative to Firearms, which will allow household members, or others in close relationships, and local law enforcement to file an extreme risk protection order (ERPO) petition with the court to remove firearms from dangerous individuals.

“Massachusetts’ gun laws are a model for the nation, and creating an additional pathway to keep guns away from people unfit to possess them will make our laws even stronger,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “This law creates a responsible way to help prevent gun deaths and suicides while protecting individuals’ second amendment rights.”

“Our administration is committed to keeping our communities safe, and this legislation will give people an additional way to raise concerns if they are worried about a loved one possessing a firearm,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “We appreciate the Legislature’s work to pass this bill and the collaboration from law enforcement and key stakeholders to build upon the Commonwealth’s strong laws.”

Once an ERPO petition is filed, a hearing must be held within ten days, and if the court finds that an individual poses a risk to themselves or others, the court can order the immediate surrender of all weapons and the individual’s firearm license. An ERPO can last up to one year.

The bill preserves the right of local police departments to continue to revoke or suspend firearm licenses based on a lack of suitability.

“With the passage of this legislation, Massachusetts once again leads the nation with the strongest and most effective gun laws in the country,” House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo (D-Winthrop) said. “This bill will prevent senseless tragedies and help keep Massachusetts’ children safe. I am sincerely grateful to Representative Decker, who tirelessly championed this bill, and would like to recognize the students who raised their voices on this life-saving measure.”

“This common-sense legislation gives family members the tools they need to help loved ones, and to prevent suicide and gun deaths,” said Senate President Harriette L. Chandler (D-Worcester). “Massachusetts’ nation-leading gun safety laws are made stronger by this bill. I appreciate the hard work of the advocates who fought for this, especially the thousands of young adults who spoke up about this issue.”

“This bill, by providing another tool to protect our residents and communities from gun violence, will save lives,” said Senate Majority Leader Cynthia Stone Creem (D- Newton). “By passing this law, we are answering the call of so many students, residents and advocates for a safer future.”

“We must do all that we can to keep our communities safe, and that includes keeping guns out of the hands of those who pose a risk of endangering themselves or others,”said Senator Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “I’m proud to join with my colleagues in the Legislature to stand up for public safety in the Commonwealth.”

“Securing due process and safeguarding rights are of critical importance in this public safety law,” said Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester). “At the same time, it facilitates access to mental health and crisis intervention services for those who need them.”

“Massachusetts continues to lead the nation with the lowest gun fatality rates and the most sensible gun laws. This is yet one more step in ensuring that people have an additional avenue to help protect themselves and their family members when harm is apparent and imminent. I continue to thank Speaker DeLeo, who has forged this path — starting in 2014 — and now stands with us today,” said Representative Marjorie C. Decker (D-Cambridge).

“This legislation provides a tool for families to protect loved ones from harming themselves or others by preventing them from accessing a firearm in a crisis. I believe we have managed to strike a critical balance between public safety and due process.  I am incredibly proud to have been able to play a small part in crafting a policy that I firmly believe will save lives.” said Representative Harold P. Naughton, Jr. (D-Clinton), chair of the Joint Committee on Public Safety & Homeland Security. “I would like to thank Speaker DeLeo for his incredible national leadership on this bill and for his commitment to firearm safety. Thank you also to my colleagues in the House for their support in passing this important measure.”

州長、市長,警察長聯袂預告七月四日國慶活動注意安全(圖片)










REPRESENTATIVE TYLER CALLS ON MAYOR WALSH TO TAKE ACTION ON ROXBURY DEVELOPMENT PLANS

REPRESENTATIVE TYLER CALLS ON MAYOR WALSH TO TAKE ACTION ON ROXBURY DEVELOPMENT PLANS
RSMPOC still votes 6-3 in favor of plans opposed by the community
“State Rep. Chynah Tyler looks on as the oversight committee votes to disperse public owned land in Roxbury.” (Property of the committee to elect Chynah Tyler)
BOSTON - July 3, 2018 - The 6-3 vote by the Roxbury Strategic Master Plan Oversight Committee (RSMPOC) in favor of the highly anticipated “Plan Dudley” Request for Proposals (RFPs) released by the Department of Neighborhood Development of the City of Boston was another blow to the housing crisis in the Roxbury neighborhood.
Last night, State Representative Chynah Tyler attended the RSMPOC meeting and shared a letter (available here) she recently penned to Mayor Marty Walsh regarding an overwhelming amount of constituent inquiries concerning future of public owned land in Roxbury. She also witnessed everyresident who attended the meeting provide input which clearly opposed the vote. At one point, some even pleaded with the RSMPOC to postpone the vote or to at least vote “no”.
Despite the shared opposition of the community, the RSMPOC still voted, “yes”. Both the outcome of the vote and the way the City of Boston, BPDA, and DND disposes of publicly owned land is deeply troubling as it reinforces the community’s distrust of the process. “In order to practice good government we must ensure that the community has a voice throughout process and I look forward to seeing how the city and its agencies work to address this alarming issue.”

星期一, 7月 02, 2018

MAYOR WALSH, SCHOOL COMMITTEE WELCOME LAURA PERILLE AS INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT OF BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

MAYOR WALSH, SCHOOL COMMITTEE WELCOME LAURA PERILLE AS INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT OF BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
 





BOSTON - Monday, July 2, 2018 - The Boston School Committee tonight unanimously voted to approve Laura Perille as Interim Superintendent of the Boston Public Schools (BPS).

Laura Perille previously served as the President & CEO of EdVestors, a school improvement nonprofit with the mission of increasing the number of schools in Boston delivering dramatically improved educational outcomes for all students. Since its launch in 2002 under Laura's leadership, EdVestors has raised and helped investors direct more than $26 million in funds for urban school improvement. With tonight's appointment, Laura has taken a leave of absence from this role.

"There is no higher priority for us than the education of our students, and that is why it is so important to find the right person to continue moving our schools and our students forward during this transition," said Mayor Walsh. "I am confident that we have found that person in Laura Perille. Laura has a proven record of being a strong partner and advocate for Boston's school system, has made significant gains in closing the opportunity and achievement gaps for students and is a proud BPS parent. I am proud to welcome her on board, and look forward to our work ahead to continue putting students on a pathway to success."

"The Boston School Committee has placed its trust and confidence in Laura Perille as Interim Superintendent of the Boston Public Schools, and we look forward to working closely with her to provide stability in the district, while engaging with our school communities and continuing key initiatives aimed at closing opportunity and achievement gaps in our schools," said Michael Loconto, Chair of Boston School Committee.

"As someone who has dedicated my life's work to closing opportunity and achievement gaps, and delivering improved outcomes for students, I am honored and humbled to be named Interim Superintendent of the Boston Public Schools," said Laura Perille. "The students of Boston deserve the very best education, and I am committed to doing all I can to support and strengthen both the operational functions of the school system and learning opportunities for students."

Laura has served on a number of civic committees appointed by the Mayor or School Committee in Boston, including the External Advisory Committee on School Choice (2012-13) charged with redesigning Boston's student assignment system; the Education Transition Team for Mayor Walsh (2013-14); and the Superintendent Search Committee (2014-15) for Boston Public Schools. In 2016, Laura was presented with the national Arts Education Award from Americans for the Arts (AFTA) and was recently named to the Wales Education Commission and as an Honorary Professor of Practice at the University of Wales-Trinity Saint David.

Laura's nonprofit management career has focused on meeting the needs of children and families in Boston. Prior to EdVestors, Laura led Perille Consulting Group, and previously served as Director of Education for Crittenton Hastings House, Policy Analyst for Community Catalyst/Families USA, and Director of Programs for the Greater Boston Food Bank. A graduate of Brown University, Laura and her family live in Boston, where her children attended and graduated from the Boston Public Schools.

Roche commences tender offer for all shares of Foundation Medicine, Inc. for US$ 137.00 per share in cash

Roche commences tender offer for all shares of Foundation Medicine, Inc. for US$ 137.00 per share in cash

Basel, 2 July 2018 - Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) today announced that it has commenced a cash tender offer for all of the outstanding shares of common stock of Foundation Medicine, Inc. (NASDAQ: FMI) at a price of US$ 137.00 per share. The tender offer is being made pursuant to the previously announced merger agreement dated as of 18 June 2018 among Foundation Medicine, Inc., Roche Holdings, Inc., an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Roche Holding Ltd, and 062018 Merger Subsidiary, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Roche Holdings, Inc. The tender offer period will expire at 12am midnight, Eastern Time, at the end of the day on 30 July 2018, unless the offer is extended.

Roche has filed a tender offer statement on Schedule TO with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). 062018 Merger Subsidiary, Inc. is the acquirer in the tender offer. The Offer to Purchase contained within the Schedule TO sets out the terms and conditions of the tender offer.

Foundation Medicine has also filed a Solicitation/Recommendation Statement with the SEC on Schedule 14D-9, which includes the unanimous recommendation of the Foundation Medicine board of directors (with all directors designated by Roche or its affiliates abstaining) that Foundation Medicine stockholders tender their shares in the tender offer. The closing of the tender offer is subject to a majority of Foundation Medicine's outstanding shares not already held by Roche being tendered in the tender offer. In addition, the transaction is subject to other customary closing conditions. The offer is not subject to any financing condition. Following completion of the tender offer, Roche will acquire all remaining shares at the same price of US$ 137.00 per share through a second step merger. The closing of the transaction is expected to take place in the second half of 2018.

The complete terms and conditions are set out in the Offer to Purchase, which was filed with the SEC today, 2 July 2018. Foundation Medicine stockholders may access copies of all of the offering documents, including the Offer to Purchase and the Solicitation/Recommendation Statement on Schedule 14D-9, free of charge on the SEC's website (
www.sec.gov). The Solicitation/Recommendation Statement on Schedule 14D-9 is also located on the SEC page of the Foundation Medicine Investor Relations website, and the Offer to Purchase and the other related materials are available directly from MacKenzie Partners, Inc., the Information Agent for the offer, toll free at (800) 322-2885 (please call +1 (212) 929-5500 (collect) if you are located outside the US or Canada) or via email at tenderoffer@mackenziepartners.com.

Citi is acting as financial advisor to Roche and Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP is acting as legal counsel to Roche. Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC is acting as financial advisor to the Foundation Medicine Special Committee and Goodwin Procter LLP is acting as legal counsel to the Foundation Medicine Special Committee.

CAPAC is Asking for Sec. Ross to Explain Contradictory Stories about Addition of Citizenship Question to the 2020 Census

CAPAC Members Chu, Maloney, Gomez lead 53 Members in Asking for Sec. Ross to Explain Contradictory Stories about Addition of Citizenship Question to the 2020 Census
WASHINGTON, D.C– Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus Members Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA), Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY), and Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D-CA), along with 53 of their colleagues, on Thursday requested that Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross explain the contradictory and misleading statements he and other Trump Administration staffers made regarding the decision to add a question on citizenship status to the 2020 Census.
In the letter the members ask the secretary to address the “glaring contradictions between Administration testimonies and recently released internal communications…for the purpose of clarifying the origination, intention, and justification of adding a citizenship question to the census.”
This request is made in light of the supplemental memorandum the Secretary filed on June 21 in the case of States of New York et al. v. United States Department of Commerce et al.. During a March 22 Ways and Means Committee hearing, Rep. Chu asked Secretary Ross about the process of adding the citizenship question to the census, whether it had been tested, and if cost had been factored in. Secretary Ross responded, “Department of Justice, as you know, initiated the request for inclusion of the citizenship question.” But in the June 21 memo, Sec. Ross admitted that Commerce Department staff asked the Department of Justice to make the request.
Congresswoman Maloney is co-chair of the House Census Caucus and author of the 2020 Census IDEA Act that would prevent last minute additions like the citizenship question from being added to the census.
Full text of the letter below and a PDF can be found here.

星期日, 7月 01, 2018

波士頓草根音樂祭要為演唱台灣歌曲建平台

左起,黃怡菁,中華專協惠長彭淑敏,中華藝術協會總監陳玉律,歐陽姍,新英格蘭台商會會長歐陽露,陳薇如,朱慧芹,黃崇校,鍾岳辰,波士頓經文處處長徐佑典,蔡呈御,波士頓僑教中心主任歐宏偉。(周菊子攝)

中華專協惠長彭淑敏,歐陽姍,新英格蘭台商會會長歐陽露,陳薇如,朱慧芹,
黃崇校等人。(周菊子攝)
(Boston Orange 周菊子麻州屋本市報導)”波士頓草根音樂祭是音樂會,更是一個美麗的故事,一群義工熱心奉獻,在630日這天,把200多觀眾帶到屋本市中華藝術協會活動廳,想讓大家知道,台灣有人才(Taiwan Got Talent)”,要讓台灣歌曲演唱在波士頓發芽,茁壯。
陳玫菁(左起)和蔡喬茵,蔡昕芸坐鎮接待台。(周菊子攝)
               鬍子醫生樂團的鍾岳辰,陳瀅璇,你和我(You & Me)”樂團的黃崇校,陳薇如,朱慧芹,蔡呈御,以及神秘嘉賓歐陽姍等人的歌聲,吉他聲,中提琴聲,從19792017等不同年代的台灣歌曲,這天就在紐英崙中華專業人士協會,新英格蘭台灣商會攜手主辦下,瀰漫在中華藝術協會活動大廳中,讓200多聽眾感到滿足,幸福,彷彿和那遠在千里之外的島國,有了更深聯繫。
波士頓經文處處長徐佑典(左三)全家人一起來欣賞"鬍子醫生"樂團演唱。右起,中華專協
會長彭淑敏,榮譽顧問蔣宗壬,中華藝術協會總監陳玉律。(周菊子攝)
               這個音樂祭故事,要從一群高中時認識的好友,2006年攜手創辦鬍子醫生樂團,長大後各自分飛,但幾乎總會至少一年回台灣一次,聚首,演唱說起。其中的陳瀅璇後來遠嫁波士頓,今年邀鬍子醫生來波士頓演出,沒想到幾場演出,都很受歡迎,票房很好。鬍子醫生樂團主唱之一,至今唯一的專業音樂人鍾岳辰還發現,大波士頓人對華語歌曲其實挺有興趣,很多台灣人也想聽家鄉聲音,但這兒卻還沒有一個台灣歌曲演出平台。
               "鬍子醫生的這發現,讓波士頓一群愛唱歌的台灣人深受觸動。
波士頓草根音樂祭由黃怡菁(右),歐陽姍(左)做主持人。(周菊子攝)
               當年和嬌妻歐陽姍在台灣闖過五度五關,斬獲五燈獎的黃崇校,儘管彈得一手好吉他,唱得一口好歌,在大波士頓仍以工程師為業,對自彈自唱其實一直沒有忘情,在慈濟當義工時,經常和陳薇如搭檔。直到大約半年前,兒子要高中畢業了,他可以有更多時間後,才組成了你和我(You & Me)”樂團,打算在演唱,錄製歌曲上嚐試發展。
               黃崇校的朋友們深感鬍子醫生的來到波士頓,是個讓更多人感受台灣歌曲的機會,於是傾全力合作,打造出一場歌好聽,主持幽默有趣,會後美食可口的絕佳音樂會。
鬍子醫生的鍾岳辰(右),陳瀅璇(左)演唱。(周菊子攝)
               630日這天,黃怡菁和歐陽姍攜手當主持人,做了不少功課,簡述台灣校園民歌興起源於年輕人要唱自己的歌,提及葉佳修的一曲鄉間小路,當年幾乎無人不曉,再以向前走做音樂會首支演唱曲之外,還猜謎的問,台灣除了金門,馬祖,綠島之外,還有什麼島,帶出葉佳修另一首膾炙人口民歌外婆的澎湖灣
               如果明天醒來十七歲,則是鬍子醫生”樂團的自創曲,鍾岳辰編,唱,風格和早年台灣民歌,明顯不同。
鬍子醫生樂團的鍾岳辰唱該團自創曲。(周菊子攝)
               接著演唱的歌曲,依序為1979年的鄧麗君名曲甜蜜蜜,由古詩改編的但願人長久,據說蔡琴演唱後就離婚了的最後的一夜,江蕙演唱,2003年以後紅遍台灣,描述婦女撐起家中一片天的台語歌家後,被黃怡菁用來形容金髮碧眼的歐陽姍竟可以用中文寫下所有歌名,主持稿,讓林俊杰從台灣紅回他來自的馬來西亞的崇拜,然後是2017年得到最佳作曲獎的你啊,你啊
陳瀅璇是住在波士頓的"鬍子醫生"團員。(周菊子攝)
               音樂會嘉賓其實是目前長年在台灣教英文,拍廣告片,上電視節目”WTO姊妹會的歐陽姍。在她演唱河堤上的傻瓜前,會場還播放了一段她和黃崇校當年上五燈獎節目,闖五關的影片。
               目前在社區護理中心工作的陳薇如和珠媽廚房媳婦,有著包的小籠包最好吃美譽的朱慧芹,接著還來上一段PK賽,依序演唱好膽你就來傷心酒店
黃崇校(左),歐陽姍(右)兩夫婦當年攜手闖五關,奪五燈獎。(周菊子攝)
               音樂會在小幸運歌聲中落幕後,所有聽眾都被邀到餐廳,享用被好友稱為素食廚神的蕭惠菁等人準備的各種佳餚美食。其中蕭惠菁贊助提供的台式點心包括茶葉蛋100多個,洋蔥玉米胖100多個,糯米腸100各,生煎包150個,三杯智慧糕2大盤,素掛包50各,蜜芋頭2大盤,炒米粉等。
鬍子醫生和You & Me同台演唱台灣歌曲。右起,蔡呈御,鍾岳辰,朱慧芹,黃崇校,
陳薇如。(周菊子攝)
               熟悉大波士頓的人都知道,從1980年代開始,波士頓華人圈內就有梅偉文等人創辦的馬仕威樂隊,後來1990年代有陳秀華、曹勇等人創辦,一度歇止,如今恢復的新節奏樂隊,以及幾年前才由甄若茅,趙寶玲等人創辦的星樂隊,但這些都是主要由廣東人創辦的樂團,由台灣人創辦的樂團,”You & Me”,大概是第一個。





朱慧芹。(周菊子攝)




陳薇如。(周菊子攝)




蔡呈御拉中提琴。(周菊子攝)


演唱中途,朱慧芹邀觀眾一起唱。(周菊子攝)

會場播放歐陽姍,黃崇校夫婦當年闖五關影片。(周菊子攝)

歐陽姍唱"河堤上的傻瓜",笑黃崇校如今沒有頭髮。(周菊子攝)


左起,蔣宗壬,蔡明機夫婦,李台、陳翠伶夫婦都是音樂會嘉賓。(周菊子攝)
波士頓草根音樂祭會場坐滿觀眾。(周菊子攝)

主辦單位在會上點名感謝康麗雪(前)協助宣傳。(周菊子攝)


麻州州長查理貝克競選連任 波士頓華埠有支持者 (圖片)


麻州州長查理貝克(Charlie Baker)(左二)和波士頓華埠支持者,左起,陳余寶愛,陳毓禮,黃健國。(圖片由陳文浩提供)

麻州長查理貝克和陳毓禮。



波士頓僑務委員說明會 談台灣問題

波士頓經文處處長徐佑典(左二)和僑教中心主任歐宏偉(右起),
兩名僑務委員,梅錫銳,蔣宗壬主持會議。
波士頓僑教中心新聞稿:

(波士頓訊)駐波士頓臺北經濟文化辦事處為使本地區梅錫銳及蔣宗壬等兩位僑務委員向僑界簡報出席本年僑務委員會議情形,於630日在波士頓僑教中心大廳舉行僑務座談會,由處長徐佑典主持,僑教中心主任歐宏偉擔任司儀,共計僑務榮譽職人員、僑團負責人、青年代表及華文媒體人士等30餘人參加。
波士頓僑教中心主任歐宏偉說明僑胞卡國際化。
                   兩位僑務委員於會中分別報告今年出席僑務委員會議經過,與會人士發言踴躍,並提出相關建言。僑務委員蔣宗壬建議僑委會發送的帽子能鏽上「中華民國僑務委員會」,而非僅有「僑務委員會」;另外,為考量部分國家地區之新聘僑務委員對臺灣及桃園機場並不熟悉,建議可視個別僑務委員之需求提供接送機服務,或於僑務委員會議前3日能由僑委會派專人在機場提供指引及協助搭乘大眾運輪工具之服務。
此外,與會的僑務促進委員蘇鴻昌、華文作家協會張鳳女士等人也提出,近年來中共加大統戰力度,故建議明年僑務委員會議專案討論海外因應作法;僑務委員梅錫銳特別感謝吳新興委員長在會議中親自說明「華僑」及「僑民」的議題,並尊重海外僑社維持使用「華僑」之用語,有助於減少僑社議論及避免被有心人士藉以炒作。會中許多位僑領也提出,不要拘泥於使用「中華民國」或「臺灣」的用語,而應保持彈性,更務實的靈活運用,才能避免陷入統獨或藍綠之爭。 
三、四十名僑領出席僑務說明會。 
徐佑典處長表示,本次會議與會人士雖然對某些議題有不同意見,但十分肯定彼此都能相互尊重及包容不同的聲音,充分展現民主風度及精神;另,歐宏偉主任也在會中鼓勵僑胞組團返國參加本年十月慶典活動、推動海外僑胞返國自費體驗優質安心醫療服務、僑胞卡國際化等重要僑務工作,並宣介目前行政院提出「壯大臺灣 無畏挑戰」之策略作為。(所有圖片: 僑教中心提供)



年輕僑胞有不同意見。





許炳煌提問。

草根音樂祭 - 謝開明圖片專輯

波士頓草根音樂祭 - 謝開明圖片專輯


左起,黃怡菁,彭淑敏,陳玉律,歐陽姍,歐陽露,陳薇如,朱慧芹,黃崇校,鍾岳辰,波士頓經文處處長徐佑典,蔡呈御,波士頓僑教中心主任歐宏偉。
陳玫菁(左起)和蔡喬茵,蔡昕芸負責接待。

陳薇如(中)演唱。