传播菁英奖得奖感言

------ 李蔚华（Wea H. Lee）

各位晚上好，

今天能站在这裡，获得「传播菁英奖」，我感到无比荣幸与感动。这份肯定，不仅属於我个人，更属於所有坚持传播真相、服务社区的媒体人与公眾领袖。

四十多年前，我创办《美南新闻》，怀抱着一个简单而坚定的信念：" 每一个声音都应该被听见，每一个故事，特别是来自移民、劳工与少数族裔的故事，都应该被记录与传颂。” 在那个亚裔声音经常被忽视的年代，我们搭起了一个平台，不仅為休士顿，也為全美华人、亚裔社区发声。

创业初期，我们什麼都不多，只有一台印刷机、一群同心协力的伙伴，以及一份使命感。但多年来，凭着坚持、努力与对新闻专业的信仰，我们一步步成长為全美最大的亚裔媒体机构之一。

我始终相信，**传播的价值，不只是在报导新闻，更在於记录歷史、唤起共鸣、激发行动。**在危机时刻，媒体是稳定人心的力量；在变革之际，媒体是推动社会前行的勇气。

这份荣誉，属於所有曾与我并肩作战的编辑、记者、摄影师与社区伙伴；属於我的家人，是你们的爱与牺牲成就了我今天的成长；更属於我们这座伟大的城市——休士顿，它接纳了我这个从异乡来的移民，给了我实现梦想的舞台。

在场的年轻传播人，我想对你们说：千万不要低估你们言语的力量。请勇敢说真话、搭建桥樑、用笔与话语，继续书写那些值得被世界听见的故事。

感谢休士顿市长办公室传播部的肯定，感谢市议员Twila Carter為我颁奖，更感谢所有相信传播可以改变世界的人。

谢谢大家！

Communications Champion Award Acceptance Speech

By Wea H. Lee

Good evening, everyone -

I am deeply honored and humbled to receive the Communications Champion Award tonight. Standing here among such dedicated public servants, community leaders, and tireless advocates reminds me that this recognition is not just about one person — it is about the collective power of communication to bridge communities, share truths, and build a better society.

When I founded the Southern News Group more than four decades ago, I carried with me a simple belief: that every voice deserves to be heard, and every story — especially those of immigrants, working families, and minority communities — deserves to be told. At a time when Asian American voices were often overlooked or silenced, we built a platform to amplify them — not only in Houston, but across the nation.

We did not start with much — just a small team, a printing press, and a deep sense of mission. But through years of hard work, perseverance, and a steadfast commitment to truth and service, we grew into one of the largest Asian American media organizations in the country.

I have always believed that communication is not just about reporting the news — it is about preserving history, inspiring action, and reminding people that they belong. In times of crisis, it’s about calm and clarity. In times of change, it’s about courage and conviction.

This award belongs to the many editors, reporters, photographers, and community members who stood with us through it all. It belongs to my family, whose love and sacrifice have been my greatest strength. And it belongs to the City of Houston — a city that welcomed me as an immigrant and gave me the chance to build something meaningful.

To the young communicators in this room: never underestimate the impact your words can have. Speak truth. Build bridges. And never stop telling the stories that matter.

Thank you to the Houston Mayor’s Office of Communications, thank you to Council member Twila Carter for presenting this honor, and thank you all for believing in the power of communication to make a difference.

Thank you.