波士頓市推出新版波士頓311軟體 民眾語市府互動今後更容易

            (Boston Orange 編譯) 波士頓市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu) 今 (4)日在南端的堡壘村 (Castle Square)宣佈推出新版「波士頓311」手機應用程式，擴大為有11種語言版本，讓民眾更容易使用。

波市府的這新版311是由市府創新及科技局，市長辦公室的新市區機械 (New Urban Mechanics)辦公室合作修訂的，將容許市民24小時的和市府各個部門，就非緊急事故互動，例如道路坑洞，公園維修，垃圾，執行停車法規等。

波士頓311最早在2009年時由波士頓市政府推出，當年名稱為市民連接 (Citizens Connect)，讓市民使用311熱線電話，手機應用程式，或者網站來要求某些市府服務。過去13年來，波士頓居民用這應用程式總共提出110萬次服務要求。時至今日，約50%的市民服務要求都是經由波市頓311手機應用程式提交的。

            波士頓市府數位長Julia Cutierrez表示，藉由以波士頓市內最常使用的11種語言來提供波市頓311服務，將可使波士頓社區民眾更容易地和市府互動。

           這11種語言為英文，西班牙文，海地克里奧爾文，正體中文，簡體中文，越南文，俄文，佛得角克里奧爾語，阿拉伯文，巴西葡萄牙文，法文。

                     新版波士頓311還根據市長辦公室新市區機械所做，為期6週，共有來自7個社區的31名居民參加使用者調查研究，做了功能及設計上的更新。

                  民眾可免費下載這軟體，安卓版或蘋果板手機都可安裝。

MAYOR MICHELLE WU ANNOUNCES LAUNCH OF NEW VERSION OF BOSTON 311 APP  Users can now submit service requests in ten additional languages.

BOSTON - Tuesday, October  4, 2022 - Today, Mayor Michelle Wu announced the launch of a new version of the Boston 311 mobile app, aimed at improving user experience with expanded language access and redesigned features. The City of Boston 311, in partnership with the Department of Innovation and Technology and the Mayor’s Office of New Urban Mechanics, updated the app to offer increased language access capabilities and a user experience that is easier to navigate. Boston 311 is a 24-hour service that works with various City departments to fulfill non-emergency service requests across the city including potholes, park maintenance, litter, and parking enforcement. Launched in 2009 as Citizens Connect, constituents can use the 311 hotline, mobile app, or online website to make a service request. Over the past 13 years, residents have submitted 1.1 million requests through the app. More than 50 percent of all the requests that constituents report today are through the Boston 311 mobile app. “Tackling the big challenges our city faces starts with addressing the daily constituent issues that our residents experience across Boston’s neighborhoods,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “The 311 app helps instantly alert City teams to neighborhood issues, and now that it is available in 11 languages, the app is more accessible and easy to use than ever before. I want to thank all the City departments who worked on this upgrade, and encourage all residents to use it where needed.”   “Our goal at the City of Boston is to put our residents’ needs at the forefront of our work, and to use their feedback and input to continually improve how we’re delivering services online,” said Julia Gutierrez, Chief Digital Officer for the City of Boston. "By providing our 311 app in the City's top 11 languages, we hope to empower members of our communities who may not have otherwise interacted with the City.”  The new Boston 311 app, which is now available for download, enables users to submit service requests in 11 languages — English, Spanish, Haitian Creole, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Vietnamese, Russian, Cape Verdean Creole, Arabic, Brazilian Portuguese, and French. These are the top 11 most common languages in Boston. The old version of the app only included an English language option. The updated app also incorporates design recommendations based on a six-week user research study, conducted by the Mayor's Office of New Urban Mechanics. Interviewees gave feedback on the new design and features of Boston 311. Thirty-one residents from seven neighborhoods were interviewed; they represented seniors, immigrants, people with disabilities, youth, City employees, and native speakers of Boston's most-spoken languages. By listening to resident feedback, the City was able to identify key usability concerns and create a more accessible app with app developer Connected Bits. Additionally, users can now view the Status of City Services, a section that was previously only available on the Boston.gov homepage, in the above 11 languages. This upgrade builds on the City’s commitment to ensuring that all residents have equitable access to City services and information. Constituents can also now submit multiple photos as part of their service request. The City’s Community Engagement Cabinet will host a 311 app training session on Friday, October 7 to help constituents learn how to use the app and what kinds of service requests it should be used for. At the training, which will be 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. at the Bruce Bolling Building, residents will be able to view 311 employees navigating the application on a projector and ask any questions they may have. Neighborhood liaisons in the Office of Neighborhood Services have already been testing the new 311 app while out in the community. Interpretation will be available in Spanish, Haitian Creole, Cape Verdean Creole, Vietnamese, and Cantonese. “The 311 app is a crucial tool for connecting with our constituents, but it only works if residents know how to properly use it,” said Chief of Community Engagement Brianna Millor. “The expansion of language options in the app and the upcoming City-run training are critical to ensuring residents can effectively use City services. Together we can use the experiences of our constituents to fix problems and create a Boston for everyone.” “The new update to the 311 app is wonderful and more user friendly,” said Annie Le, President of the board of Boston Little Saigon. “It also has resources that are available in one place with direct links. The language additions open the City’s resources and lines of communication to ALL of Boston’s residents, making it easier for residents to access information and communicate their needs. The app makes it faster and easier to communicate than calling 311, which may not have a translator available.”   The new version of the Boston 311 app is free to download and is available for both iPhone and Android or can be accessed by visiting boston.gov/311. Those with the automatic update feature enabled on their mobile device would have received the new version of the Boston 311 app. Those without automatic updates will have to manually update the app in the App Store.    Please note, the app should not be used to report emergencies, such as medical emergencies or criminal activities. To report an emergency please call 9-1-1.    For questions and more information visit boston.gov/311 or call 3-1-1. Residents are encouraged to share feedback about their experience with the app via the Boston 311 Feedback Survey

百人會發聲明譴責川普反亞裔言論

 Committee of 100 Condemns The Recent Anti-Asian Slurs Used By

Former President Donald Trump

 
New York, NY (October 3, 2022) — The following statement was issued today by Zhengyu Huang, President of Committee of 100:

“The racist slurs and hate that former U.S. President Donald Trump directed against former U.S. Secretary of Labor and U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao was deplorable, disgusting, and inexcusable. This type of language only contributes to the vicious cycle of hatred, bigotry and violence directed at Chinese Americans and the AAPI community. An attack on Asian Americans, be it verbal or physical, is an attack on all Americans. We cannot sit idly by and allow racially charged language to go unchecked. Words have meaning, and racially charged words have consequences. We strongly condemn the language used by former President Donald Trump and urge groups and organizations across all communities to join with Committee of 100 in making such behaviors unacceptable in American life.”

波士頓市府撥款690萬元擴大戒毒相關服務

MAYOR WU, BOSTON PUBLIC HEALTH COMMISSION ANNOUNCE NEW DAY SPACES AND EXPANDED SUBSTANCE USE SERVICES $6.9 million provided to organizations providing substance use services

BOSTON - Monday, October 3, 2022 - Mayor Wu and the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) today announced a number of investments and initiatives expanding access to substance use services and recovery supports throughout the City of Boston. The new investments, supported by $6.9 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, will increase street outreach, expand work opportunities to individuals experiencing substance use, and make recovery and harm reduction services available to more residents throughout Boston’s neighborhoods. This expanded access includes the establishment of two new low-threshold, daytime spaces offering harm reduction services and medical and treatment referrals, while maintaining reduced barriers to entry. The facilities will provide access to food, water, and bathrooms. Additionally, they will offer support groups and wellness activities. The new spaces will be managed by Whittier Street Community Health Center at their Tremont Street location in Roxbury and Victory Programs Inc., which will add harm reduction services to the Boston Living Center located in Back Bay.  “These steps move us closer to ensuring that every person impacted by substance use is connected to city services and has a path to a safe, stable recovery," said Mayor Michelle Wu. "These two new low-threshold daytime spaces will expand our comprehensive approach to supporting unsheltered individuals with substance use disorder and fill critical gaps in the continuum of care. I’m grateful to Whittier Street Community Health Center and Victory Programs for partnering with us to lower barriers and connect more residents with the care they need, where they are." In May, Mayor Wu announced the city would open two new daytime centers to bring more services to more communities. These new sites will support the City’s continued public health driven response to supporting unsheltered individuals experiencing substance use disorder.  “Whittier Street Community Health Center and Victory Programs have exceptional track records providing equity-focused care and a broad continuum of health care services, and their partnership is crucial to achieving our goal of providing a person-centered and compassionate response to substance use disorder,” said Dr. Bisola Ojikutu, Executive Director of the Boston Public Health Commission and Commissioner of Public Health. “Recovery cannot happen without comprehensive support systems and a strong community. The low-threshold day spaces and other investments announced today will make services accessible to more communities, allow us to be creative in our approaches and tailor our responses to truly meet the needs of the people of Boston.” “We’re thrilled to be partnering with the City of Boston and the Boston Public Health Commission to launch a day center at Whittier that will support members of our community. This Center is an extension of our mission, and we are uniquely positioned within the city to respond to the unyielding epidemic of untreated addiction and mental health among transient populations, as well as reach individuals needing any medical and social services to help improve their overall well-being, said Frederica M. Williams, President & CEO of Whittier Street Health Center. “This is an incredibly important initiative for the city of Boston to undertake, and we are proud to partner with them on this.” “Thanks to BPHC and the City of Boston, we’re able to expand our low-threshold program offerings. Victory Programs has long been committed to helping the most vulnerable citizens of our city,” said Sarah Porter, Executive Director of Victory Programs. “By offering judgment-free services in a safe and welcoming setting, we continue the Boston Living Center's proud tradition of making community for those who need it most."  Another initiative that expands services to neighborhoods across the city is the creation of Neighborhood Engagement Teams, which will engage individuals experiencing substance use and housing issues and refer them to services. The teams will also distribute education to businesses and collaborate to identify local needs and solutions. These teams will be led by Torchlight Recovery Group in Nubian Square and East Boston Community Health Center. Through the request for proposals, the Boston Public Health Commission sought organizations to support community engagement teams for up to three neighborhoods identified as high need. Eligible neighborhoods include Roxbury, Dorchester, Mattapan, and East Boston as determined by three indicators, the CDC’s social vulnerability index, the number of Boston EMS responses to opioid overdoses, and the number of 311 requests related to unsheltered individuals.  "Torchlight has deep roots in the Nubian community and our engagement staff bring perspective and nuance to the work they do supporting businesses and connecting with individuals in need of services,” said Minister Randy Muhammad, Director of Torchlight Recovery Group. “We are grateful to receive funding and work towards the goal of ensuring that everyone in Nubian Square can access resources and achieve wellness." Additionally, funding will be provided to the following initiatives and organizations: Low-threshold work programs, giving individuals experiencing substance use disorder the means of earning income and fostering a sense of self-efficacy. Addiction Recovery Resources, to stipend peers in return for collecting improperly discarded syringes off the ground and pre-employment opportunities and wellness referrals.  Newmarket Business Association, to offer a holistic program including pay per day work program with opportunity for employment, case management, and wellness referrals.  Recovery Community Organizations The Phoenix, to run wellness and community programming free of charge to anyone with 48 hours of abstinence from substances. Gavin Foundation, to fund the opening of a new residential program for women.   NamaStay Sober, to provide wellness and meditation programming to people in recovery, as well as gym memberships. Resources for Recovery, to establish a referral site in the Hyde Park area, offering support groups and education to care givers of people experiencing SUD. “The most urgent issues in this City are the opioid crisis and homelessness. I have seen firsthand how detrimental the COVID-19 pandemic has been to such individuals, and I knew that I needed to allocate the ARPA federal funding to help combat such issues,” said Councilor Erin Murphy. “As the Council Chair of Public Health, Homelessness, and Recovery, I strongly advocated to bring much-needed funding to public health nonprofits and recovery programs. These organizations build a pipeline to a community rooted in inclusivity and connection for those in recovery. They are a massive part of the solution but are limited by their funding.” “We know that the COVID-19 pandemic has also deepened our behavioral health pandemic, and I’m very proud that the Boston City Council authorized these funds in July to support a wide variety of organizations helping to meet that crisis in every corner of our city,” said Councilor Kenzie Bok. The American Rescue Plan Act provides emergency funding to states and municipalities for the purpose of building a strong public health foundation and assisting the economy in bouncing back from COVID-19. The investments announced today come at a time of great need for the City of Boston and its residents. The COVID-19 pandemic caused the discontinuation of treatment services and a rise in behavioral health conditions that resulted in greater incidence of substance use disorders. From 2020 to 2021, fatal opioid-related overdoses increased by 8.8% in Massachusetts. Similarly, Boston EMS responded to 9% more narcotics related incidents in 2021 compared to 2020. State data shows that through the early part of 2021 Black non-Hispanic men made up the largest increase in opioid overdose death rates, emphasizing the need for an equitable approach

FORMER INSURANCE ADJUSTER INDICTED IN CONNECTION WITH STEALING IDENTITIES OF FOUR VICTIMS OF MERRIMACK VALLEY GAS EXPLOSIONS

 FORMER INSURANCE ADJUSTER INDICTED IN CONNECTION WITH STEALING IDENTITIES OF FOUR VICTIMS OF MERRIMACK VALLEY GAS EXPLOSIONS

Defendant Also Allegedly Stole More Than $28,000

 

            BOSTON – A Jackson, Mississippi woman has been indicted in connection with stealing more than $28,000 and the identities of four victims of the 2018 Merrimack Valley gas explosions, while she worked as an insurance adjuster, Attorney General Maura Healey announced today.

 

            Lashaunda Studaway was arraigned Thursday in Essex Superior Court on the charges of Identity Fraud (4 counts) and Larceny over $1,200 (2 counts). She is due back in court on December 16 for a pre-trial hearing.

 

            Between October 2018 and December 2018, Studaway worked as an insurance adjuster on behalf of Columbia Gas. In that role she was responsible for handling the financial claims from residents impacted by the September 2018 gas explosions in the Merrimack Valley that devastated the region, resulting in thousands of dollars in property damage and leaving thousands of residents and businesses without heat and hot water in the cold winter months.  

 

The AG’s Office alleges that Studaway stole $28,971 and the identities of four claimants impacted by the explosion by dispersing pre-paid debit cards – that were supposed to go to claimants – to herself. Studaway would either submit false claims under a real claimant’s file or create a file using a fictitious person’s name.

 

            AG Healey’s Insurance and Unemployment Fraud Division works to protect consumers and the integrity of the insurance system by investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against all types of insurers.

 

To report insurance fraud, call the EOLWD/DUA’s Fraud Hotline at 1-800-354-9927 or visit: www.mass.gov/lwd/ui-fraud anytime, 24 hours a day. Callers may remain anonymous.

 

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General William Aiello of AG Healey’s Insurance and Unemployment Fraud Division with assistance from Director of Financial Investigations Sallyann Nelligan of the AG’s Financial Investigations Division and Victim Witness Advocate Amber Cary of the AG’s Victim Witness Services Division, Massachusetts State Police assigned to the AG’s Office, and from investigators at the Massachusetts Insurance Fraud Bureau.  

國會議員Ayanna Pressley與同僚聯袂拜會第七區選民

Ayanna Pressley (右一) 和同僚，左起， Ilhan Omar, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, 及
Rashida Tlaib等人在志工出發敲門拜票前，發表講話。 (競選陣營提供)

           (Boston Orange) 國會議員普斯莉 (Ayanna Pressley) 9月24日時歡迎她的國會同僚Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez、Ilhan Omar、Rashida Tlaib，以及Cori Bush等人，在麻州聯邦議員第7選區巡迴拜會。

                     Ayanna Pressley說這樣的聚會、交流，分享，對他們為所有人爭取公平、正義，通知大家相關進展，非常重要。

國會議員Ayanna Pressley 在尚末維爾劇院向支持者致詞。 (周橘子攝)

                     9月24日早上，Ayanna Pressley和Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez、Ilhan Omar、Rashida Tlaib等人，一起到洛士百利的Marcella遊樂場，和志工們展開逐戶敲門的拜票活動，為Ayanna Pressley和其他的民主黨候選人爭取選民支持。

                       幾名國會議員隨後拜會了多徹斯特的”新開始重新進入服務 (New Beginnings Re-Entry Services)”，和員工及顧客討論以前被監禁過的婦女所面對的挑戰，重要的支持及活動，以及政策制定者可以如何從”新開始”的創新，合作的體整工作，學到些什麼。Ayanna Pressley還從來自他的領導政治行動委員會 – 我們的力量超級政治委員會 (The Power of Us PAC)的款項，捐款支持”新開始”的工作。

尚末維爾劇院擠滿了Ayanna Pressley的支持者。(周菊子攝)

            當天下午，他們一行人再到Davis廣場的尚末維爾 (Somerville) 劇院，出席由勝利小隊基金 ( Squad Victory Fund) 主辦的社區慶祝會。包括Danny Rivera，地方藝術家組成的福音合唱團，以及Luz Villar等口語藝人和Capoeira Angola group Kilombo Novo 一起表演。然後她們在Ibram X. Kendi博士的主持下，座談生命經驗可以讓政策制定者更為了解，以及擁護支持，組織和推展行動，以形成療癒、正義及公平的支持性政策。

                  主辦單位提供的活動視頻網址為:   Our Squad is Big | Community Celebration and Panel Conversation in Somerville | By Ayanna Pressley | Facebook。

波士頓經文處與哈佛政府學院首次合辦台灣貿易前景講座 美學者稱台美勢必加深關係

          (

波士頓經文處處長孫儉元致詞，粽樹台灣貿易狀況背景。 (視頻截圖)

Boston Orange) 駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處 (TECO Boston) 和哈佛大學甘迺迪政府學院艾什中心（Ash Center）合作，9月28日舉辦研討會，申論「台美經貿關係的下一步（What’s Next for US-Taiwan Trade Relations? ）」。

曾任白宮國安會中台蒙事務主任的布魯金斯研究院資深研究員何瑞恩（Ryan Hass）

 會議由哈佛政府學院Rajawali基金會亞洲研究院主任康義德 (Edward Cunningham)主持，講者包括曾任白宮國安會中台蒙事務主任的布魯金斯研究院資深研究員何瑞恩（Ryan Hass），國立臺灣大學政治系教授徐斯勤，以及友達光電美國子公司達擎公司總裁聶禮和（Simon Nip）。

   波士頓經文處處長孫儉元先就台美經貿關係現狀，做背景說明。他指出，台美經貿關係是個很及時並重要的議題，就在不久前的9月14日，美國眾議院財政委員會才以同樣主題，做過討論。 

左起，聶禮和、徐斯勤和康義德體出席會議。

孫儉元表示，台美經貿關係刻正加強中。在2021年，台灣是美國第8大貿易夥伴，美國則是台灣的第2大貿易夥伴，雙邊貿易金額達到1411億元，和2020年相比，增加25%。以人均消費量來看，台灣也是美國農產品的第四大消費國。前幾天，台灣的農業親善貿易團才和美國簽署了3封意向書，要在2023到2024年間，向美國買價值32億美元的玉米，大豆及麥。 

會議現場。 (經文處提供)

由於COVID-19疫情更加凸顯具彈性貿易的重要性，台灣希望能藉由新簽訂的台美關係倡議，推動簽署多邊、雙邊，以及自由貿易等協定，加入「跨太平洋夥伴全面進步協定（CPTPP）」等經濟框架。 

孫儉元指出，台灣一直都在努力加強台美的雙邊貿易關係，除了每年組織陣容龐大代表團到華府出席「選擇美國（SelectUSA）」高峰會，今年還首次將於10月12日至14日在華府的雷根國際貿易中心 (Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center) 舉辦「美國台灣形象展（Taiwan Expo USA）」，邀請美國企業擴大與台灣的商務交流。 

會議現場 2。 (經文處提供)

                    康義德指出，這天的這場會議，是要從業界，以及美國政策、台灣政策等3個角度來探討美國所採行雙邊關係和多邊貿易關係之間日漸加劇的緊張關係，萬一這樣的雙邊或多邊關係對於多元化台灣經濟並沒有太大意義時，情況又會如何。正如哈佛費正清中心新主任伍人英到國會作證時說的，台灣的經濟有2面，一方面台灣在半導體，晶片設計等行業是全球領袖。2019年世界經濟論壇還把台灣列為全球第12大經濟體，若以創新力而言，則排名第4。不過伍人英認為，台灣經濟有結構上弱點。在台灣並未能夠多元化其經濟結構體質的現狀下，與關稅無關的人口，薪資，安全，智慧財產權，人才短缺等等，都是台灣不太可能建立有意義多邊或雙邊貿易關係的原因，無論是從政治或經濟角度來看，這些非傳統關稅議題，對台美的雙邊或多邊關係或有更大影響。 

何瑞恩認為在加強台美關係上，未來2年內，貿易會最有影響力，也最可見到效果。他提出三點觀察，一是中國要孤立台灣，以逼使台灣在未來的安全與繁榮上更加仰賴中國。在某種程度上，中國大陸這點做得算成功，台灣出口有40%流進中國大陸，比出口到美日加，歐盟及澳洲等地的總和還多。中國大陸也限制了台灣和世界上其他國家的貿易往來機會，包括台灣在亞洲，只和新加坡、紐西蘭有重要的自由貿易協定，但是台灣和世界上最頂端的30個經濟體，沒有任何的自由貿易協定。台灣也被屏閉於區域經濟合作之外，而台灣的投資環境沒有大到只靠內部市場就足以支持其新興科技發展，所以除非台灣能找到新管道來擴大貿易及投資金流，台灣將越來越容易遭受中國的掠奪與脅迫。二是如果美國不帶頭表態，台灣很難在與其他國家建立雙邊關係上有進展，和諸如韓國等的其他競爭對手相比，將永久處於不利地位。三是台美加深關係其實是互惠的。和台灣有貿易往來對美國的科技競爭力及全球價值鏈都很重要。台灣是美國第十大出口國，沒有一個供應鏈韌性政策是不涉及台灣的。如果台灣不生產先進晶片，世界將很難有進一步的新興科技。與此同時，美國的支持對台灣的長期自治，以及抵擋中國拉扯的能力很重要，基於這種種現實，在未來18個月內討論印太經濟框架的同時，美國加強與台灣的貿易關係很關鍵。 

                     根據這3點觀察，何瑞恩提出了四項戰術（tactical）建議。第一項為對台灣來說，直接與拜登政府協商很重要。拜登政府已經展現了在需要時，抵抗來自國會壓力的意志。台灣要記得推動200名眾議員和52名參議員簽名聯署，催白宮把台灣放進某一協議，卻毫無進展，並引以為鑑。 

                      第二項是要讓拜登政府把貿易看做可以和台灣取得重大進展，同時對其他要務所形成風險會在可管控範圍之內的事。他認為貿易問題在中美關係或兩岸關係上，不大可能成為一個重大刺激因素。 

                     第三項是白宮很可能插入各項美國和台灣的貿易對話，並扮演「交通警察」的角色，以確保互相加強各種聯繫努力，提升進展。以前美國和台灣之間沒有任何的活躍管道，現在卻有4個，包括21世紀計畫，由美國貿易代表辦公室主導的TIFA談話，由國務院領導的美國台灣經濟繁榮夥伴對話，以及由商務部領導的科技貿易投資合作框架等。另外還在持續討論推出包括美國、南韓、日本及台灣的任何晶片聯盟，是否能夠互利。 

                   最後的一項戰術建議是他希望美國政府在來年中，把和台灣的貿易關係列為優先要務。他認為那是台美在加深關係上可以有重大進展的領域。 

                   台大教授徐斯勤分享了他對台灣貿易的3點觀察，包括台灣出口偏重中國大陸，佔總額30%到40%，從2016年起，蔡政府雖力圖降低對中國大陸市場的倚重程度，但在各種因素影響下，台灣出口到中國大陸的成長率迄未大幅減緩。最近這一年，因為有許多台灣投資從中國大陸撤了出來，台灣出口到中國大陸的數量也因此逐漸減少了些。 

                 至於大家都知道的，台灣在高科技上的國際競爭力，主要靠諸如台積電等公司，而台灣高科技產業的競爭優勢之一，在於上下游產業鏈齊全，而台積電最近大規模進美國市場投資，雖然盈利可能不多，仍然要去，一大原因是為降低政治風險。 

                 他的第三個觀察是台灣和中國大陸的貿易及投資關係，對政治的影響。徐斯勤覺得儘管許多學者認為台灣試圖獨立，才導致中國大陸展示武力，暗示武統，但他覺得中國大陸和台灣之間的關係，其實50%以上的台灣人民都贊成不統不獨的維持現狀，北京政府也在很積極的要帶動人們抱持等得越久，就更有可能經由和平統一。           

                 聶禮和出身金融界，曾在波士頓的Eink工作12年，現為友達光電美國子公司達擎公司總裁。他從自身經驗指出，當年的香港是最自由的貿易地區，從企業經營者角度來看，貨物自由流通，沒有關稅，銷售稅等障礙及限制，才是最理想的貿易環境。美國當年有某些物品採配額制，但由於法規明確，流通仍然十分迅速。在他看來，人們必須要注意的一點是貿易並不限於實體產品，在講究知識經濟的今日，諸如智慧財產權，各種產業服務都是貿易中的交易品項。 

               波士頓經文處表示，這場會議採取實體和線上同步轉播的方式舉行。現場部分礙於哈佛大學校方規定，70餘名出席實體會議者全是哈佛師生。網上出席的有200餘人。參加講座者提問十分踴躍，連波士頓環球報都出席提問。           

                 這場研討會的影音檔已上載至哈佛大學政府學院的艾什中心Youtube頻道：https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lI5JDaORidg&t=50s。

大波士頓僑學界席開48桌 慶中華人民共和國73歲

嘉賓和瑞獅合影。 (華人前進會提供)

開場前瑞獅舞動。 (華人前進會提供)

               (Boston Orange) 大波士頓僑學界聯合會10月1日晚在帝苑大酒樓席開48桌，和來自紐約的中領館副總領事吳曉明、麻州眾議員陳德基、波士頓市議會議長Ed Flynn，波士頓市議員Julia Meija等嘉賓一起，慶祝中華人民共和國73歲生日。

左起，黃國威，劉紅，何遠光，陶凱，陳德基，Ed Flynn，吳曉明，李素影，梁添光，
梁利堂，胡運炤，陳軍超。 (出席者提供)

               今年的波士頓僑界慶祝中華人民共和國生日，由大波士頓僑學界聯合會，以及中美文化協會、波士頓和統會攜手籌辦，雖然沒去市政府廣場升旗，但在帝苑大酒樓舉行了節目豐富，一桌500元的隆重晚宴。

               在司儀靳雷、丁玉玲的司禮中，慶祝會先請全體出席者起立唱中美國歌，彰顯盛大的慶祝氣氛，再由中美文化協會會長梁添光代表主辦單位致詞。

華人前進會的李素影(右起)、湯建華、鄺寶蓮等人和波士頓市議元Julia Mejia。
(華人前進會提供)

               中國駐紐約總領館副總領事吳曉明這天率同僑務領事陳軍超、劉愛明到會，與僑胞同慶，向僑胞表達祖國對僑胞的關愛與鼓舞，並舉杯同祝祖國繁榮昌盛，國泰民安，中美友好，世界和平。

               在開幕儀式中，波士頓市議會議長Ed Flynn，麻州眾議員陳德基，前進會榮譽主席李素影，學生代表方书田致詞，何遠光介紹嘉賓，並以英語致詞。

               李素影代表前進會發言，呼籲座中個人在11月8日的大選投票時，支持選票問題1。

          和統會會長胡運炤致答謝詞，也藉機慷慨激昂的揚言要促進和平統一。

               這晚的文娛節目由許惠儀、王文雅安排，十分豐盛，不但有台山聯誼會，廣州聯誼會，劍橋中國文化中心，中美人民友好協會，僑聲音樂社，僑立中文學校，金聲樂韻等團體表演舞蹈、歌唱，樂器演奏，還有吳皓醫師，男高音黃顥、歌唱家萬兵傅，以及黃靖懿等人依序獨唱「我和我的祖國」，「我的太陽」，「鄉音鄉情」，「祖國慈祥的母親」，「我愛你中國」等歌曲。他們的宏亮、專業歌聲，提升了整個表演氛圍。黃國威和雷玉霞的演唱粵曲「鐵血丹心」，讓人見到傳統文化在海外的綿延。

中美人民友好協會的丁藝獨奏古箏。

              整個慶祝會最後在全體大合唱「歌唱祖國」、「難忘今宵」聲中，以及前進會義工派發籲請支持選票問題1的傳單中結束。

華人前進會的義工們在會場派發支持選票問題1號傳單。

波士頓急難救助協會開講座 教人防範憂鬱症

               (Boston Orange 周菊子麻州綜合報導) 「今晚我們來談” 心” 」。美國波士頓急難救助協會9月27日晚在網上舉辦講座，從心理諮商角度申論憂鬱症，以幫助人們把可能發生的急難狀況化解於無形。

               波士頓急難救助協會會長翁逸虹這天是邀請諮商心理師李文倫，來分享她的專業知識及經驗。

               畢業於國立東華大學諮商與臨床心理系研究所，持有諮商心理師執照的李文倫，在台灣時曾經營謚時光心理諮商所，作為張老師、生命線等的合作心理師，在美國鉅微管理顧問公司當特約諮商心理師，專長伴侶、親子、人際關係，情緒壓力及身心症等。

               李文倫以10月10日是世界心理健康日為引地指出，全世界有將近3.5億人患有憂鬱、焦慮等常見的身心症，在15到29歲之間的人群中，自殺竟是第二大死因，估計到2030年時，憂鬱症會成為全球疾病主因。

新冠病毒疫情爆發後，人們的生活作息大受影響，無論改為居家上班的工作模式變化，和其他人接觸、互動機會的大幅降低，都讓人們生活得更有壓力，甚至逐漸引發身心病症狀。人們該如何更敏感的辨識憂鬱症，了解使用心理諮商的時機和議題，於是變得更為重要。

波士頓急難救助協會會長翁逸虹。 (檔案照片)

               李文倫說，「憂鬱心情」和「憂鬱症」不同。如果是一連2週，持續地在生理上出現失眠，注意力減退，思考變慢，失去活力，容易疲累等狀況，情緒變得容易焦慮、感到無助，覺得自己沒價值，一整天都很悲傷，甚至有傷害自己的念頭，而且做什麼都提不起興趣了，以前喜歡的活動也變得很無所謂了，那就很可能是得了憂鬱症。

              要確認自己是否得了憂鬱症，可以定期幫自己的「情緒」量血壓，又稱為「心情溫度」。以有沒覺得緊張不安，容易苦惱或動怒，感到憂鬱及心情低落，覺得比不上別人，或者難以入睡，容易醒的甚至想自殺等5個類別題目，來問問自己在過去一個星期中的感覺，並以0到4分來標記這些感覺是否嚴重，如果分數加起來有10分以上，大概已有中度情緒困擾，李文倫建議這時就應該找諮商師談談了。

李文倫。 (主辦單位提供)

               由於每個人對憂鬱的認知不同，李文倫建議大家如果遭遇伴侶，·人際、原生家庭及親子關係問題，感到焦慮、憂鬱，沮喪或罪惡，在人生不同階段中遭遇適應問題，在學習或工作上遭遇變動，或是經歷了創傷事件時，都可以找心理諮商師談。

               當天出席講座者，還有人提供了998這個美國的防止自殺熱線電話，有些人則指出，有的企業位員工提供EAP (Employee Assistance Program)的緊急心理諮商服務，讓不想和家人、朋友述說的人，有個說話對象。有心理諮商需求者可以查看自己的保險提不提供TeleDoc，這一網路心理諮商服務很能是免費的。

               今年4月才接任急難救助協會會長的翁逸虹表示，上任以後，她主動和大波士頓地區其他社團聯繫，鞏固互助關係，期間處理過有人車禍受傷，該會協助尋找，聯絡及安排資源，天氣過熱時，為沒有冷氣的中文學校送冰塊，給學生降溫等，還參加過台灣夜市活動，希望讓更多人知道該組織的存在，遭遇困難時，多一個求助對象。

               波士頓急難救助協會的後續活動，將探討急難和財務規劃之間的相互關係。 (部分內容轉載自僑務電子報:   https://ocacnews.net/article/321474?cid=2 )