Director-General Scott Lai of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Boston, hosted a reception for the 103rd National Day of the Republic of China (Taiwan) at the Fairmont Copley Plaza in Boston on the evening of October 8, 2014.
This marks Mr. Lai’s first time hosting the National Day reception since he began serving as Director-General of TECO-Boston on September 24, 2014. Over 700 guests filled the Grand Ball Room, including prominent members of the various State Senates and Houses of Representatives, city and local governments, business, and academic communities from across the New England area.
It was an honor to share in the joyous occasion marking the ROC’s National Day with distinguished guests that included Ms. Stephanie Noguera, Director of Constituency Outreach, on behalf of the Honorable Joseph P. Kennedy III, U.S. Representative, and the Honorable Ronald Mariano, Majority Leader, Massachusetts House of Representatives, who presented a joint resolution by the State Senate and House “Reaffirming the Friendship between the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and Taiwan.” The Majority Leader was joined by Massachusetts State Representatives James O’Day, Kevin Honan, and Tackey Chan.
We were especially honored to have the Honorable Elizabeth Crowley, State Senator, Rhode Island, present a joint resolution “Reaffirming the Friendship between the State of Rhode Island and Taiwan, Commending Taiwan’s Role as Peacemaker in the East China Sea, and Supporting Bilateral Trade Relations and Taiwan’s Participation in International Organizations.”
Guest speakers from the Chinese community included long-time friends of Taiwan and TECO-Boston, Mr. Hung Goon, President of the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association of New England and Uncle Frank Chin, President, Chinese Community of New England.
It was a pleasure to have Boston City Councillor At Large Michelle Wu in attendance. The Councillor expressed her congratulations on the 103 National Day and reiterated the close friendship shared between the City of Boston and Taiwan. Following the speakers and presentations of resolutions, guests joined on stage in a cake-cutting ceremony led by Director-General Lai.