每日评论 0306 追念故友特纳市长

                                                                                图片来源： 路透社

                                                                      追念故友特纳市长

十年前的一个仲夏，我邀集了包括兆琼兄在内的十二宾客及社区领袖在我家红厅的长桌上，為当时之州议员特纳参选市长举办了一场温馨而感人之募款餐会。当时聆听了他的政见和出身，深深感人，一个从休斯敦贫民区出身最后获得哈佛法学博士之艰辛人生，他终於要出人头地挑战市长宝座。

就如预期，他以民主党籍非裔候选人当选為市长，在他任内对於华亚裔社区及许多小型企业给予许多机会，并大量提拔少数族裔进入市政高层,一直到八年任期届满之后并成功选上美国国会议员，不幸只有三个月时间，即因病撒手人间。

十年前之募款餐会后，我们就记下了他的私人手机号码,有了直通电话管道，在他八年任内每年由美南新闻主办的春节大会他从未缺席,其中一次就在市政府广场举行,在我们主办的世界大战结束七十週年大会上，面对二万五千位羣眾他也慷慨激昂為世界和平加油。

这位杰出之非裔政治家走完了精彩之一生，身為华亚裔族羣他始终和我们站在一起，我在此感谢他,在天堂之路平安前行。

一别泉台成永隔,今朝叶落人何在?

Reminiscing About Our Friend Mayor Turner

One midsummer ten years ago, I invited twelve good friends and community leaders, including C.C. Lee, to hold a warm and touching fundraising party for the then State Representative Sylvester Turner in my house, who wanted to run for Houston City Mayor. We listened to his political views and learned about his background, which was all very deeply touching. He grew up in Houston's Third Ward in a poor family and finally got his law degree from Harvard.

As expected, he was elected Mayor of Houston as a democrat of African descents. During his tenure he help many minority businesses and promoted a large number of minorities to join the city government. After he served his 8-year term, he was successfully elected to become a U.S. Congressman. Unfortunately. he only served three months of his term. 

During his eight-year tenure, he never missed our Lunar New Year Festival, including one time in front of City Hall.

Mayor Turner as a. outstanding politician, has completed a wonderful life. As a

friend of Chinese Americans, he has always stood with us. I just want to say, Mayor, please walk safely on the road to heaven.