SSRI and the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council Announce 2018 RI Cherry Blossom Princess

January 31, 2018

2018 RI Cherry Blossom Princess Michelle Moreno-Silva

The State Society of Rhode Island and the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council are excited to announce Rhode Island native Michelle Moreno-Silva has been chosen as the 2018 Rhode Island Cherry Blossom Princess.

Chris Simeone, the Chairman of the State Society of Rhode Island stated, “Our organizations are excited to have Michelle represent the Ocean State in Washington, D.C., for the National Cherry Blossom Festival. The Princess Program celebrates young women who give back to their community, which Michelle has shown through her volunteer work while in Rhode Island teaching English to native Spanish speakers and helping native Spanish speakers become literate. We also appreciate her continuing to give back to the State through her work with the RI Delegation.

“We are again pleased with the selection committee's choice to choose Michelle as the 2018 Cherry Blossom Representative from Rhode Island.  We look forward to Michelle's crowning ceremony and her representing us in Washington this April,” said Robert Billington, President, Blackstone Valley Tourism Council.

ABOUT THE 2018 CHERRY BLOSSOM PRINCESS:

Michelle Moreno-Silva, a Central Falls native, is currently a legislative correspondent for Rhode Island’s Senior U.S. Senator Jack Reed. She is also on track to graduate in May 2018 with her Master’s in Public Relations and Corporate Communications from Georgetown University.

Moreno-Silva started giving back to her community when she was in middle school. Bilingual in Spanish and English, she volunteered in her community with Progresso Latino and taught English to native Spanish speakers and illiterate Spanish speakers how to read and write in Spanish. She developed a passion for serving her state through an internship with former Congressman Patrick Kennedy while in high school, which helped lead her to other internships on Capitol Hill, including Congressman David Cicilline, and to her current role with Senator Reed.

Moreno-Silva is also a member of multiple professional organizations in Washington. She serves as the Treasurer of the D.C. Women’s Council at the League of United Latin American Citizens; sits on the Placement Committee for the Congressional Hispanic Staff Association; and is an alumnus of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute.

“I am overjoyed to represent my home state during this year’s National Cherry Blossom Festival. Growing up in Rhode Island fueled my passion for getting involved in our community and it fills me with excitement that I can share the things that make our state remarkable on a national platform,” Moreno-Silva said of her selection.

ABOUT THE CHERRY BLOSSOM PRINCESS PROGRAM

Each year a new representative is crowned to represent Rhode Island and join other Princesses representing other States in the National Conference of State Societies’ Cherry Blossom Princess Program during the annual National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C. The 2018 Cherry Blossom Princess Program will run April 7 - April 14, 2018.

The Rhode Island Cherry Blossom Princess is a young woman 19-24 years old that is annually selected to represent Rhode Island at the National Cherry Blossom Festival, held in April, in Washington, D.C. The winners are chosen based upon their background, academics, leadership, community service and future ambitions.  The Princess represents Rhode Island at Congressional receptions, visits with international dignitaries, attend the Cherry Blossom Ball, engage in cultural and educational activities and participate in the National Cherry Blossom Parade. During the Cherry Blossom Ball, one Princess is chosen at random to become the U.S. Cherry Blossom Queen and has the opportunity to travel to Japan in May.

“The State Society of Rhode Island is eager to continue to host the RI Cherry Blossom Princess again in our nation’s capital. It is a great opportunity to showcase Rhode Island’s impressive young women who have become leaders in their community,” stated Society Chairman Chris Simeone.

克蘭斯頓市今晚午夜起實施暴風雪禁令直至5日清晨7點

CRANSTON, RI—Cranston Mayor Allan W. Fung is urging all residents to prepare for a significant winter storm that will create dangerous travel conditions on Thursday, followed by bitter cold on Friday.

The City’s Highway Department is fully stocked with sand and salt and ready for full plowing and road-treating operations as soon as the storm arrives. Crews are expected to begin sanding roads around 3 a.m. and the city is prepared to call-in our outside contractors to join the plowing effort as soon as they’re needed.

A parking ban will go into effect at midnight tonight and will remain in effect until 7 a.m. Friday.

Trash pickup will be delayed by an additional day for the remainder of the week with no pickups occurring on Thursday. Trash pickup was already on a one-day delay this week due to the New Years Day holiday on Monday, which means residents who normally are served on Wednesday should put their bins out on Friday, Thursday customers will be serviced on Saturday and Friday customers will be serviced on Monday. Because of the delays this week, next week will continue on a one-day delay schedule with residents who normally have trash picked up on Monday being serviced on Tuesday, and so on.

Mayor Fung is asking residents to complete their storm preparations on Wednesday and avoid driving on Thursday during the storm unless it’s absolutely necessary.

“The safety of all Cranston residents is my top priority,” commented Mayor Fung. “Our crews will be working around the clock to keep the main roads clear during the entirety of the storm and the best way residents can help them get the job done is to stay off the roads.”

Mayor Fung is also urging residents to check on neighbors, particularly the elderly and disabled, to ensure everyone is properly equipped to ride out the storm.

Mayor Fung is available for call-in interviews during the storm as he oversees snow removal operations. Contact Mark Schieldrop to coordinate call-in times.

羅德島功夫團恭祝新春快樂

Governor Raimondo Deserves No Credit for Lower Utility Rates

Governor Raimondo Deserves No Credit for Lower Utility Rates
 

(Cranston) - The Governor’s partisan and cynical approach to her job knows no bounds. Less than a month from saying that she couldn’t think of a single thing she supported in the tax reform bill, she is trying to take credit for its positive impact on Rhode Island families.

She must be realizing that the tax plan is having a significant positive impact to the lives of lower and middle class Rhode Islanders, despite her assurances to us all that it wouldn't.  From companies raising their minimum wages, to widespread employee bonuses, and significant job creation, the idea of fundamentally lowering the cost of business is working across the country. 

These results only shine a brighter light on the fact that her strategy of corporate welfare rather than tax relief doesn't work.  Under my administration, we'll expand upon common sense strategies of removing regulations and lowering the cost of business to improve Rhode Island's stagnant economy.

羅德島華人基督教會音樂會為圖書館，中國學生交換項目籌款(圖片)

羅德島華人基督教會12月16日晚，再度邀得Wakefield音樂會樂隊演奏，在教會禮拜堂舉辦假日音樂會，為羅州中央瀑布市的亞當紀念圖書館，以及羅州普塔基市學區中國學生交換項目籌款，華洋社區有400多人出席共襄盛舉。

               路加(Luke)慈善基金會合夥人，也是羅德島華人基督教會執事的吳子平，代表路加基金，當晚給前述圖書館及中國學生交換項目各捐了5000元，依序由Janice Argentieri，以及Erin Papa 博士代表接受。

               羅德島華人基督教會牧師艾偉信在音樂會末介紹的手工精製薄被拍賣，每套20元，買二送一，也籌得至少1500元。

               今年是羅德島華人基督教會建堂40週年，教堂入門處外觀經過大幅整修，二樓一整片玻璃牆，入夜後散發著亮光，讓路過的人都覺得格外溫暖。

               吳子平指出，2016年時，因為教堂翻修，這音樂會停辦一年，今年他們很高興能夠繼續舉辦這活動，向大家展示教堂新外貌，新地毯，新辦公室，以及新增的教學課程。該會舉辦這活動，主要是為回饋社區，讓每個人都能感受到聖誕假日氣氛，能夠同聲高唱”喜樂滿世間”。

               Wakefield音樂會樂隊主任Steve Toro當晚率30 餘人組成的大樂隊，演奏”光明節之音(Festive Sound of Hanukah)”，”聖誕節”，”給你自己一個快樂的小聖誕”，”聖誕歌”，”乘雪撬”，”白色聖誕”，”假日鍾愛”等歌曲，現場還安排了3名聲樂家演唱。

               普塔基學校部門的Michael Connolly表示，由於路加基金會的慷愾支持，已有100多名該市高中生得以遠赴中國，和衡水高中學生交流，親自體驗中國的學術，文化，社會。

               亞當圖書館的Janice表示，該館建於1910年。2011年7月時，因為中央瀑布市出現財政危機，亞當圖書館被迫關門，後來經過一批熱心人士努力，該館重新開門，儘管一週只開門三天，許多無力負擔上網費用的居民，或是沒錢為小孩買學校指定讀物的家長們，卻都因此得以喘口氣。2011年9月底，更多熱心人士組成了”拯救這圖書館”團，義賣籌款，才終於讓該館得以重新加入羅德島州圖書館系統(Ocean State Libraries)。路加基金會的捐款，對該館的得以繼續開門經營，幫助很大。

宋建人醫師為出席者拍照。

羅德島華人基督教會牧師 Nelson。

羅德島華人基督教會執事葉超(右一)，吳子平(右3)。

羅德島華人基督教會執事葉超

Wakefield 音樂會樂隊指揮。

Wakefield Concert Band。

羅德島普塔基學區中國學生交換項目代表。

新增說明文字

羅德島華人基督教會執事吳子坪。

教會執事暨路加基金會合夥人吳子平(右)代表路加基金會捐5000元給
亞當圖書館。

教會牧師艾偉信籲請支持善舉，購買薄被。

三名演唱者。

Wakefield Concert Band 謝幕。

胡少娟(左)等人都來參加音樂會。

羅德島大學孔子學院院長何文潮(左)也來參加音樂會，和教會執事
吳子平敘舊。

葉桂珍(右)回應出席者提問。

ILF全球實習生項目1/8截止報名

國際領袖基金會

International Leadership Foundation

全球實習生項目即起接受申請

2018 Global Internship Program

美國國際領袖基金會今年(2018)首度推出全球實習生項目 (2018 ILF Global Internship Program)，將選拔20 名大學學生，給予培訓。獲選者將得到全球認證與肯定，並得以與歷届全美傑出人士同台並列，學習其經驗與成就，成為未來的國際領袖接班人。

培訓主旨：

為中國的優秀學生拓展學習，參與機會，培養其創造力、執行力、競爭力，進而幫助他們開闊眼界，體驗國際文化異同，深耕人脈，獲取豐富經驗，融入美國主流社會，開啟理想事業發展機會 ，成為未來的國際青年領袖。

美國国際領袖基金會 (International Leadership Foundation)是全美最著名的訓練青年領袖人才非營利組織，以提升美國亞裔地位，培育未來國際青年領袖，結合美國政經資源，促進美國及亞太地區國際交流為宗旨。

ILF長期支持優秀亞裔青年學生到美國聯邦政府及行政部門實習，每年表揚在政治、經濟、科學、文化、藝術方面有傑出貢獻的亞裔人士，以茲為所有青年領袖的學習楷模。歷年獲表揚者包括：美國聯邦交通運輸部部長趙小蘭，參議院議長麥康諾，國會議員暨亞太裔國會黨團主席趙美心，國會議員暨民主黨全國副主席孟眧文，美國聯邦原商務部暨交通運輸部部長峰田，國會議員劉雲平，國際名探李昌鈺博士等。

符合條件者須於2018年1月10日前，備妥英文簡歷及其他相關文件，寄交該會執行主任Soo Kyung Koo。收件電子郵件為skoo@ileader.org。

申请條件：

·        目前在亞洲國家大學就讀（目前在美國大學就讀，持有F1簽證的學生不符合申請資格要求）

·        平均成績(GPA)在3.5以上（滿分4.3）(需提交一份英文版官方成績單)

·        在700字以內，用英文回答以下問題：How would this global internship help your future career and life goals?

·        英文應對水平需能勝任日常工作（提供托福或IELTS成績將有助評估）。英文能力最後將透過Skype面試評定。

·        英文簡歷包括：英文姓名（和護照上的一樣），國際通話的電話號碼，Skype ID ，教育背景（專業、副修、GPA成績、學校及科系名稱），工作經驗，技能（例如：微軟辦公室組件，擅長的語言等等）。

·        獲選的20名學生會收到關於本項目的更多訊息，包括實習職位、簽證、住宿和保險等。

项目费用：$10,000

·        實習工作保證、領袖訓練、簽證、保險，以及本項目的管理費用。

·        全球商業及領袖高峰會

·        ILF將為學生安排住宿，但費用須由學生另外支付，不包括在項目費用內。

·        學生需自行負擔往返美國的機票費用

项目日程安排：

·        首輪面試：1月15日至1月20日（學生將會收到ILF通知）

·        職位面試和安排簽證、住房、保險：2月1日到6月15日

·        抵達美國：7月4日

·        概況介紹(Orientation)：7月6日

·        實習：7月9日至8月30日

·        畢業典禮：8月31日

·        ILF全球商業及領袖高峰會: 7月19日

·        ILF 新興領袖政策論壇: 7月19日

·        實習期間，ILF將安排實習生與政府高級官員，商業界高層次領袖會面

·        實習結束時，學生需繳交一份實習經驗報告

實習機構一覽

NASPAA (Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration)

International Economic Development Council

World Learning

SSG Advisors

National Security Archives

National Cybersecurity Institute

International Center for Journalists

Sister Cities International

Mansfield Foundation

The Reischauer Center

              联系人：Soo Kyung Koo | skoo@ileader.org

Cranston Ready for Season’s First Snow Storm

Cranston Ready for Season’s First Snow Storm

CRANSTON, RI—Mayor Fung today announced that the city of Cranston is prepared for the first winter snowstorm of the season this weekend.

The Cranston Department of Public Works has been in preparations for the storm well ahead of its arrival on Saturday. The city’s fleet of 50 snow removal vehicles stand ready. Plows have been sharpened and installed on all eligible trucks and the city’s stockpile of salt and sand mix currently stands at 7,000 tons.

Pre-treatment of city roads should begin tomorrow sometime after noon based on the forecast of the storm arriving in the late afternoon.

If the storm proves to be a plowable event, the city’s snow removal efforts may be supplemented by more than 100 outside vendors. All dispatch vehicles used to supervise vendors have been gassed up.

Mayor Fung is monitoring the forecast and urges all Cranston residents to complete their storm preparations before snowflakes arrive on Saturday and stay off the road while it’s snowing unless absolutely necessary.

“Cranston is ready to tackle whatever Mother Nature brings us this weekend,” Mayor Fung said. “I urge everyone to be careful out on the roads and give our crews the room they need to keep our roads safe and clear.”

ILF 暑期公共事務實習計畫 12/15 截止報名

國際領袖基金(International_Leadership_Foundation，簡稱ILF)2018年度「暑期公共事務實習計劃」12月15日前接受報名，預定錄取30名傑出亞太裔大學生，送往華府，進美國白宮，國會山莊等聯邦政府機構實習10週。

該計畫為亞太裔大學生提供進入聯邦機構實習，親自了解美國政府系統最有價值知識的機會，週末還安排有在國會山莊的領袖才能研討會，以及發展人際關係等重要人生技能的課程。

獲選加入2018年暑期公共事務實習計畫的學生，只需自行負擔旅費及食宿費用，國際領袖基金會將承擔實習費用，並發給每名入選學生2000元資助。

凡具有美國公民身分，GPA成績3.0以上的亞太裔大學生，都可申請。查詢詳情或提交申請，可上網www.ILFnational.org。

國際領袖基金會創辦人董繼玲表示，該會致力培育年輕亞裔成為各領域中的成功領袖，進而提升整體亞太裔社區在美國社會的能見度與發言份量。暑期公共事務實習計畫是為達成這目標的活動之一。

國際領袖基金會承辦這暑期公共事務實習計畫已有多年，成績卓越，入選學生不但可進入十數個不同的聯邦政府機構實習，甚至有機會獲得位置極為有限的白宮實習機會。

2017年，國際領袖基金會的暑期公共事務實習生，獲安排進入了美國聯邦政府的10個部門，16個辦公室實習8週，其中包括國務院，國防部，商務部。該會迄今已為逾千名美國亞太裔，尤其是華裔大學生提供了獎學金及領袖訓練。2017年內就有200多名傑出大學生參加了國際領袖基金會舉辦的各項活動，另有150多名傑出的美國亞太裔學生參加了該會與「美國亞裔領袖訓練會」合辦的「美國華府領導人才研討會」培訓項目。

國際領袖基金會理事會董事長徐紹欽博士表示，該會以輔導亞裔未來領袖順利進入美國主流社會，促進美國亞裔參與公共服務為宗旨，更期許接受培訓的學生們能藉以了解如何為亞裔社區爭取最大權益。

國際領袖基金會創辦人兼執行長董繼玲表示，亞裔是美國近十數年間增長最快的移民族裔，最重視教育，經濟實力也最強，一向被視為模範少數族裔，但亞裔從政，參政的比率太低，亞裔權益也因乏人代言，一直未受美國主流社會重視。該會因此致力培訓年輕一代亞裔，鼓勵他們深入了解美國政府運作，以及聯邦政府公共政策對亞裔社區發展的重要性，學會善用各種資源，擴大亞裔在國際社會間的影響力。

該會每年一度的頒發「全球傑出人士楷模獎」，也是為了要給年輕亞裔提供政治，經濟，科學，文化或藝術方面的楷模，歷年獲獎者包括美國聯邦交通運輸部部長，曾任勞工部部長的趙小蘭，美國聯邦商務部暨交通運輸部前部長峰田，美國參議院多數黨領袖Mitch McConnel，國會參議員Hirono，國會外交委員會主席 Ed_Royce，以及華裔國會議員趙美心，孟昭文，劉雲平，國際名探李昌鈺博士等。

國際領袖基金會在全美及亞太地區，共有15個分會，成員悉數為傑出企業家，社會領袖，僑界翹楚，或是在各自專業領域有傑出成就，服務績效卓著者，各地分會會長包括舊金山林美蓮，紐約黃亞村，洛杉磯劉馨儀，底特律孔慶超，芝加哥傅惠芬，華府黃國清，奧蘭多嚴培達，邁阿密鄭漢城，新英格蘭葉超及吳子平，西雅圖吳小燕，橙縣安妮拉安利，亞特蘭大簡衛等。其他的榮譽會長和委員會主委有孫陳小鳴，吳來蘇，董殿會，陳鈞亞，沈郭逸媛等。貝秀慶為執行主任。