美國新冠疫情日記5/8/2020

      服務基層 民間疾苦

這是我擔任十二年美國德州休斯敦國際區區長以來，首次以視訊方式主持區議會，正值疫情繼續擴散時期，大家心情十分凝重。

國際區位於休城西南區，約十三哩面積，人口約二十七萬人，面積相當於半個香港島，近年來由於全球移民不斷湧入，和鄰近的華埠已經成為德州經濟發展的示範區，沿著百利大道以往是荒蕪農地，如今商家林立，尤其是超市、餐廳及宗教祠廟已成為亞裔文化經濟之走廊。

不幸的是，兩個月來新冠病毒之攻擊，大部分商家都在停業狀況，大半商場業主都收不到租金，這是有史以來全國遭受最慘重的危機。

國際區會議上，我們達成多項決議，再撥款十萬元，主要是向本地區之商家采購嬰兒生活用品，贈送給居住在公寓之單親媽媽，並且購買一百二十台平板電腦，由學區老師分發給貧窮學生使用， 可以讓他們在網上上課。

為了幫助二千多個區內商家向聯邦政府申請補助，我們也成立了小商業貸款專線，協助他們整理財務資料及填寫申請表。

網上出席會議的議員們大家都神色凝重，我在會上再度呼籲大家要保持鎮定，尤其是曾經經過多少驚駭大浪，無數追求美國夢的新移民，我們一定能克服萬難，再次重建美國，值此艱難時刻，我們能洞察民間疾苦，服務社區當盡全力，期盼早日脫離困境，願天佑大家。

Serve People For The People

Today we are holding the monthly International District meeting online through the visual internet because the coronavirus pandemic has caused most businesses to shut down in the last two months.

The International District was created more than twelve years ago. In this thirteen square mile area along with the Southwest District, we helped create hundreds of new businesses and most of them are new immigrants. These districts have become one of the most successful business models of the city and represents the international community’s culture and hard-working spirit.

In the meeting we decided to set aside tens of thousands of additional fund to help the many single moms and those students who need computers to get on the virtual computer classes offered by the Alief School District. We also are trying to help the many businesses that want to apply for federal grants.

All of us are suffering unprecedented economic distress. I told my colleagues we came to America looking for a new life. Most of us have experienced the hardships of being a refugee and war. We will hold our hands together to overcome and to rebuild America again.