社評1221 告別市長 情誼永固

告別市長 情誼永固

昨天下午在休斯敦市政府大廳和美國國會眾議員格西亞.芙萊徹、市議員湯姆斯共同舉行記者會招待會， 宣佈聯邦政府將撥款在休斯敦北區及國際區修建安全走道， 也同時向特納市長告別。

我在會上報告了國際区的發展近況， 並且特別感謝特納市長八年來對我們之大力關心和協助， 二十多年來我們把一片荒蕪之地變成了一個耀眼的經濟區， 迎千家之中小企業蓬勃發展。 

我們和特納市長之情誼早在八年前當選時就已經開始。 在一次亞裔社區領袖之餐會上， 我們向他提出諸多社區關心之事， 包括治安、 經濟及文化基礎建設， 多年來我們所有主辦過的大活動， 他從未缺席， 包括每年農曆新年園游會、 國際貿易中心年會及代表奧巴馬總統為我頒發社會服務獎章及獎狀， 在他任內並且完成在國際區艾里夫社區服務中心之大工程 。

演說完畢， 我緊緊握住特納市長的手， 告訴他我們對你的照顧永銘心中， 並且希望不久要你為正在興建中的環球第一銀行大樓剪綵 。

多年來， 我和特納市長親如弟兄， 我們面臨的市政問題一通短信就有回覆， 我也多次邀他到家中做客， 一杯好茶和便餐， 歡聚一堂 。

如今他卸任市長必會得到白宮之任命其他要職， 我們祝福他萬事順遂。

We Say Goodbye To Mayor Turner And The Friendship Will Last Forever

Yesterday afternoon at Houston    City Hall in the Legacy Room,  Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia, Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher and City Councilwoman Tiffany Thomas jointly held a news conference and announced that the federal government will allocate funds to build a safe walkway in Houston’s North side and in the International District. At the same time, we also said goodbye to Mayor Turner. 

In my remarks, I reported on the recent developments in our district, and especially extended our appreciation to Mayor Turner for his great help and assistance over the past eight years. Over the past twenty years we have turned raw prairie land into a bright economic zone and have welcome hundreds of new small businesses that continue to flourish.

Our friendship with the mayor began many years ago at a party where we had invited many Asian community leaders to meet him and talk to him about our concerns such as public safety, the economy, culture and infrastructure. Over the years, we have hosted many big events and the mayor was never absent, including the Lunar New Year celebrations, the International Trade Center Gala and the ceremony on behalf of President Obama where I was presented with the community service award and medal. Just earlier this year, the city completed construction on the Alief Community Center in our district.

After the meeting, I held the mayor’s hand and told him that we are good friends forever as true brothers. I have also invited him to my home many times.

Now that he is leaving office he will definitely be appointed to another important position, but where to we do not know yet. But we will always send our blessings to him and hope that everything goes well.