Sokhary Chau

Officials tout state, region’s potential as tourism destination

June 13, 2023 by pkzadmin

LOWELL — State officials touted the Massachusetts tourism economy Tuesday at the Greater Merrimack Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau’s annual Tourism Conference, where a focus was rekindling the tourism industry in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

A ballroom of the UMass Lowell Inn & Conference Center was packed with state officials and professionals in the Massachusetts tourism industry Tuesday morning, where they heard from local and state officials, including Lowell Mayor Sokhary Chau and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll, about how the industry is faring in a “post-COVID” world.

Chau touted Lowell as a tourism destination of its own. He said Lowell should continue working to become a “destination city.”

“The city of Lowell is working hard to expand on our strengths, and expand our work to make Lowell a destination city, a place where the rich history, cultural experience, world class events and food and culture make people want to visit again, and again,” said Chau. “Where else can you eat around the world in one day?”

Driscoll delivered the opening keynote remarks, where she said that Merrimack Valley as a whole “has a lot to offer” as a tourism destination.

“The beauty of an authentic place tied to the history of so many things that are so great about the founding of our country, a lot of it started in this region, or the great age of the Industrial Revolution,” said Driscoll. “It makes for a livable city, it makes for a great destination and it makes for a great place to generate tourism dollars for our commonwealth.”

Even beyond the Merrimack Valley, Driscoll said, Massachusetts has several regions that are worth a visit on their own, which is a benefit to the state as a whole.

“Tourism is not about competition. I know we have all of our unique regions, but how lucky are we to live in a commonwealth that goes from the coastline to the beauty of the Berkshires, and you could do it in one day if you had to,” said Driscoll. “That is a collaborative opportunity, not a competition.”

Driscoll and others noted the extreme difficulty the tourism and hospitality industries faced as a result of the pandemic, from which the industry is still working to fully recover.

“It feels like we are still in a messy transition stage post-pandemic. What is going to happen with workforce needs? How are we going to think about remote work? What happens with respect to people’s travel habits?” said Driscoll. “We have seen a lot of people feeling that pent up demand to get out of where they were, which has been good. How can we take advantage of that moving forward and think about how we can bring innovation and technology into this space?”

Driscoll also noted that Massachusetts is not one of the many states passing anti-LGBTQ or anti-abortion legislation, which she said could push people to travel here instead of states that are passing such laws.

“When I think about what is happening nationally, the level of divisiveness tied to reproductive freedoms or how people identify, that is not happening here. We are a beacon for everyone, we are a place that welcomes and works for all, and tourism and art and culture are key pieces of that,” said Driscoll.

The conference later transitioned to a panel discussion between state Sens. Ed Kennedy and Paul Mark, state Rep. Mindy Domb and moderator Charles Stefanini of CS Consulting LLC. The panel of elected officials spanning from Lowell to the furthest points of Western Massachusetts centered on state investment in tourism.

During the panel, Kennedy remarked that the tourism and hospitality industries were impacted by the pandemic “harder than any other sector,” and said that the state put in measures to support it during that period.

“One of the things we were able to do is to do away with the requirement for matching funds for regional tourism councils, so that during those years they didn’t have to come up with matching funds, which was going to be impossible for them,” said Kennedy. “We were also able to argue successfully for [American Rescue Plan Act] funds for the industry.”

All three of the elected officials in the panel currently serve in the state Legislature’s Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development. Mark said that 2023 is going to be a test of where the industry truly stands in a post-COVID environment.

“What we are going to find out is if behaviors have changed forever, or was it just a condition of, ‘this is where we were and how people felt safe,’” said Mark. “Are there people that have decided they just want to sit home and watch Netflix?”

Domb said that the pandemic decline of the tourism industry should make people realize how important it is to Massachusetts.

“Now we recognize, if we didn’t before, how important it is to the economy,” said Domb. “I am looking forward to building upon the successes. I think that the Legislature has done a good job on that in other aspects.”

Lori Trahan named co-chair of Congressional Cambodia Caucus

January 26, 2023 by pkzadmin

LOWELL — In an exciting development for the 3rd Congressional District, U.S. Rep. Lori Trahan was named co-chair of the Congressional Cambodia Caucus.

Trahan, who was re-elected to her third term in November, has been a member of the bipartisan caucus since she was first sworn in as a representative in 2019.

“Growing up in Lowell, I’ve seen firsthand just how much Cambodian families have contributed to our city and our region,” Trahan said in a statement. “Lowell is a better place because of their cultural, educational, electoral, and economic successes.”

Lowell is home to the second largest Cambodian community, and the largest Cambodian population per capita of any city or town in the nation. It is a place of many firsts for Cambodian Americans.

Rithy Uong made history in 1999 when he became the first Cambodian American to win a City Council seat anywhere in the United States. In 2014, state Rep. Rady Mom became the first Cambodian American elected to the state Legislature. In 2020, state Rep. Vanna Howard became the first Cambodian-American woman elected to the state Legislature. And Lowell Mayor Sokhary Chau is the city’s and the country’s first Cambodian-American mayor.

“I welcome such good news for the Cambodian-American residents of Lowell,” Chau said in a written statement. “Congresswoman Trahan works tirelessly for the district and our concerns. She is fair and supportive for all our Khmer Diaspora in America. Her new position will give her a deeper perspective between the US and Cambodia.”

Trahan said she would use her position to continue to honor the Cambodian-American culture and recognize residents’ contributions to the Greater Lowell community.

“As their representative, I have always made it a top priority to ensure their voices are heard in the halls of Congress, and I’m honored to take on this new role as Co-Chair of the Congressional Cambodia Caucus to continue those efforts,” she said.

Those efforts will include following up on a letter the caucus sent to President and Chief Executive Officer Daniel Weiss on Nov. 18, holding New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art to a public accounting of their internal investigation into the allegations of looted Cambodian artifacts in the collection.

The Cambodian government started focusing on looted art in the past two years, a story that was reported in a New York Times article published in August. The museum says it launched an internal investigation, but to date has not shared its findings related to Cambodia’s claims.

The caucus letter requested that the Met provide an update on its ongoing internal investigation, a deadline for a determination about the pieces in question, whether the Met will commit to working with the Department of Justice to determine where the priceless artifacts belong and if the Met determines the treasures were originally looted, to returning them to the people of Cambodia.

Weiss’s December response flatly ignored the caucus’s specific demands, offering only that, “the Met will continue its discussion of these works with Cambodia and US authorities.”

Apparently, those authorities do not include the new co-chair of the caucus, who said that she expected better from the leadership of one of the largest and most prestigious art museums in the world.

“I am deeply disappointed in the Met’s response to our letter,” Trahan said. “Not only did the museum fail to address almost all of our questions, but it also declined to provide an update on when Cambodian Americans can expect the uncertainties surrounding the Met’s Cambodia collection to be resolved.”

Both Chau and Howard have previously said that the artifacts have spiritual and cultural significance to Cambodia, and if determined to have been looted, should be returned.

Weiss did not address the items in dispute, which include 13 items in the Met’s Southeast Asian Art Gallery 249 such as the Standing Female Deity. Chau called it Cambodia’s version of the “Mona Lisa.”

In his letter, Weiss acknowledged that past museum practices had included acquisitions of questionable origin, but wrote that “the norms of collecting have changed significantly over the past 20 years, and The Met’s procedures in this regard have been regularly updated in responses to new developments.”

Trahan pushed back against the narrative that congressional oversight isn’t required because the museum is conducting its own internal review of disputed practices.

“As stated in Mr. Weiss’s letter, the Met has returned stolen objects to Cambodia in the past following requests from the country’s cultural officials,” she said. “As the new co-chair of the Congressional Cambodia Caucus, I believe it’s time for the Met to follow their own precedent and move expeditiously to solve this situation and ensure these artifacts are returned to their rightful home.”

Local leaders react as Maura Healey celebrates historic inauguration

January 6, 2023 by pkzadmin

The story of Gov. Maura Healey’s administration is yet to be written.

But if the energetic crowd at the TD Garden on Thursday night is any indication, there’s a lot of people excited for the stories to be told and the work that lies ahead. Under a sports theme, a nod to Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll’s days on the basketball court, was history.

For the first time in state history, women occupy the governor and lieutenant governor positions. Additionally, Healey is now the first woman elected governor and first lesbian woman to hold the office in Massachusetts — the first state to legalize same-sex marriage in 2004.

Healey’s election is also a step forward for LGBTQ representation in state houses across the country, following the election of Oregon Gov. Kate Brown, a bisexual woman elected in 2016, and Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, a gay man, elected in 2019. A second lesbian woman, Gov. Tina Kotek of Oregon, was also elected in 2022.

The energy inside the TD Garden in Boston at the Jan. 5 inauguration ball for Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll was absolutely electric as thousands gathered to celebrate history in the making. The festive basketball themed fete featured speeches from the dynamic female duo, musical acts and performances from the Boston Gay Men's Chorus, Grammy award winning artist Brandi Carlile, who brought her wife up on stage for a duet, and many more. (DANIELLE RAY/SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE) — The Boston Gay Men’s Chorus performs at the TD Garden in Boston on Thursday as part of the inauguration celebration for Gov. Maura Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll. (DANIELLE RAY/SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE)

Sitting in the front row of the TD Garden, Judy Maruca of Charlton said she thought Healey did a tremendous job as attorney general and was excited to be a part of the historic event. She added that she enjoyed seeing the peaceful transition of power with now-former Gov. Charlie Baker.

“I think she’s a strong negotiator and a passionate advocate for housing,” Maruca said of Healey.

The history of Healey’s inauguration was not lost on Maruca.

“It bothers me that [gender] is even still an issue that that should be a factor in how somebody performs a job. There’s reason to celebrate and there’s reason for us to continue to ask why it’s still relevant,” Maruca said.

Supporter Sue Smith-Scott of Charlton said she liked that Healey wasn’t afraid to stand up to the administration of former President Donald Trump.

“The first time I heard her speak was at the [Boston] Women’s March, right after Trump was elected,” Scott-Smith said. “And she gave me hope.”

Speaking from centerstage, Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll said, “For all the little girls out there, we may be the first all-female team leading the state, but we will not be the last.”

As Driscoll’s “teammate” Healey took the stage, she pledged both she and Driscoll were committed to having Massachusetts be “truly a commonwealth.”

“We know like any great team, and I will always be a point guard, it’s about the assist,” Healey said to cheers. “That’s the statistic that matters — the assist — and I know I can count on you people, all across the great state of Massachusetts to do just that.”

On the floor of the event, a number of local dignitaries shared reflections of the historic affair.

State Rep. Michael Kushmerek, D-Fitchburg, said the moment was about the “peaceful and democratic transfer of power from one administration to another.”

“Everybody’s working together seamlessly to make sure that from governor to governor, from Legislature Legislature, that everybody is set up for success to ensure that businesses and residents are going to prosper,” Kushmerek added.

Leominster School Committee member and Executive Director of Ginny’s Helping Hand Brandon Robbins expressed optimism about the state’s future under Healey and Driscoll’s leadership.

“As a School Committee member, education is a top priority for me,” Robbins said. “The administration’s track record for support of public education is strong, and the commitment to funding mechanisms such as the Student Opportunity Act was clear in the governor’s inaugural remarks.”

Robbins added, “Their victory and administration provides an opportunity for everyone of us to see themselves in our leaders. I am excited as they ‘move the ball forward’ and bring our commonwealth forward.”

Lowell Mayor Sokhary Chau said, “There is a new paradigm of openness and inclusion in Massachusetts. Gov. Healey and Lt. Gov. Driscoll are true leaders making history, putting our commonwealth on a new and successful path. Tonight demonstrates the America we love.”

Like Kushmerek, Lowell’s newest Democratic state Rep. Rodney Elliott was in attendance for the swearing-in ceremony and the nighttime celebration. Elliott said both events marked a significant moment in the state’s history.

“At both events you could feel enthusiasm, energy and electricity in the air. We face a lot of challenges but I feel the governor and Legislature are ready and prepared to tackle issues of mental health, affordable housing, infrastructure, and I am very enthusiastic to be part of the House to play a role,” Elliott said after the ceremony.

For state Rep. Natalie Higgins, D-Leominster, it is an incredible moment to have two women leading the commonwealth with the first LGBTQ governor in the state.

“While Massachusetts continues to bring equity to the forefront of our legislation, we don’t always see that equity play out in our reality. While over 20,000 men have been elected to the Massachusetts Legislature, only 232 women have been elected in that same time,” Higgins said. “Further, while Massachusetts has long been a leader on LGBTQ+ rights, we continue to face increased discrimination of our LGBTQ+ neighbors and legislation targeting LGTBQ+ people in schools, libraries, healthcare and more. This week fills me with so much hope as a queer woman in this Commonwealth, and I know it will pave the way for many more firsts.”

Although Democrat Margaret Scarsdale, the 1st Middlesex District state representative-elect, was unable to be seated this week with the rest of her colleagues, she too paused to reflect on the historic moment. She was in attendance as Healey took the oath at the State House.

“What more powerful and meaningful way to once again demonstrate that Massachusetts is a leader than by our inauguration of Maura Healey, our first woman governor and first openly gay governor,” Scarsdale said Friday. “These are not just symbolic firsts: They are a forceful reaffirmation that we understand the importance and power of diversity, of welcoming all voices to the table. Diversity empowers everyone, and is the path towards a better future for all our residents. Gov. Healey is a dedicated and proven leader, and I look forward to working with her administration.”

Headlining the evening’s festivities was six-time Grammy Award winner and Americana extraordinaire Brandi Carlile. Healey said that if she was allowed to have one performer at inauguration, Carlile was her choice.

“I really admire how much she’s put herself out there,” Healey said. “I admire her voice — not just her singing voice of course — but also the voice she gives to so many, so many women, young LGBTQ people. So many people, from whatever walk of life, may have felt vulnerable, may have felt marginalized, may have been made to feel less than.”

In between songs during her set, Carlile said Massachusetts had chosen a “hellraiser” in Healey and shared her own story as a lesbian woman. When she wanted to marry her wife, Catherine Shepherd, she said they did so in Massachusetts, a place they could feel “legitimized.” Throughout the performance, people from the audience could be heard encouraging to Carlile to move to the state permanently.

Sentinel & Enterprise Reporter Danielle Ray contributed to this report.

Sokhary Chau

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