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國際區新地標 好夢成真

今午我座在國際百利大道的越法咖啡座，從窗外凝視即將完工使用的國際區艾利芙民政社區中心 ，這座佔地三十八英畝拔地而起的現代化大樓， 建築面積是七萬英尺， 除了社區活動中心之外， 將把休斯敦市政府衛生、 公園及圖書館部門設立辦事處 ，將加強對市民在健康娛樂之服務。

這座美崙美奐的現代玻璃建築， 將追求全面和社區結合， 推廣文化藝文體育活動 ，為國際區套上艷麗之新裝。

早在八十年代末期 美南新聞第一楝兩層樓就建在它的右側， 十七年風雨歲月， 我每天都要途経這個大公園前往上班 那個簡陋的足球塲，上充斥著孩童們踢球的喧天叫聲， 夏天之大太陽， 真令人難予消受。

多少年來， 我們一再向市長反應這個佔地廣闊之土地上之建築物已經破舊不堪， 體育塲上的跑道己凹凸不平， 而國際區之人口確迅速激增， 尤其是來自世界各地的新移民， 让我們成為真正的族群大熔爐， 各國方言此起彼落 ，各國美食超市及宗教寺廟， 到處可見。

今天這座代表族群共容的社區民政中心終於建成， 必然成為國際區之地標 ，它代表了我們移民在此奮鬥的旅程碑。

我在這家咖啡小店口啜香醇的法式咖啡， 遠眺對街的華麗社區大樓， 凝視許久， 忘了離去 ，几十年在這塊土地上的汗水和淚水， 使我再次溼了眼眶， 即便要我重新再次開始， 也決不後悔， 它是我生命中最重要的旅程 ，人生還有何求?

New Landmark For The City of Houston

The new Alief Neighborhood Center in the Houston International District will be open soon. Combining three city departments under one roof, the new Alief Neighborhood Center with 70,000 square feet is located in a 38-acre urban sports park. The new center will house the Houston Health Parks and Library Department for the benefit of local residents with a special focus on community engagement to identity and improve overall well-being.

Rising above the floodplain, the building is modeled with a resilient design in a post- hurricane Harvey environment.

As early as the late 1980’s, we built the first two-story Southern Daily News building next to the park. After over seventeen years. I passed by the park and went to the office. The laughter of youngsters is always on the playground, but in the hot summer time, it really is very hot and uncomfortable.

Over the years we have welcomed so many newcomers and immigrants who have moved into the International District. We really have become the melting pot of ethnic groups. Restaurants, food markets and religious temples can be seen everywhere.

Today we have spent 58 million dollars to build this modern building which will inevitably become a great landmark for our city, and which also represents a monument to the journey of our many immigrants living here.

This morning I was sitting in a Vietnamese cafe overlooking the gorgeous, new community building. Looking across the street, I recalled the sweat and tears of the many people who worked on this land for decades and it really wet my eyes.

For us, this is the most important journey of our life. What else can we ask for?