For Immediate Release
Washington, D.C. – July 8, 2024
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FAPA TELLS STORIES OF TAIWANESE AMERICAN ADVOCACY AT THE 53RD ANNUAL TACEC IN WEST CHESTER UNIVERSITY, PENNSYLVANIA
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On July 6, 2024, the Formosan Association for Public Affairs (FAPA) delivered a keynote presentation at the Taiwanese American Conference – East Coast (TACEC).
TACEC is an annual conference with a rich history of over 50 years, organized by the Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Delaware, and South Jersey Taiwanese American communities this year, including Mengchun Chiang, Wang-Ping Lee, and James Jii Hsieh. The conference is an opportunity for Taiwanese Americans to connect with their heritage and foster meaningful discussions. Notable speakers this year include Former Vice President of Taiwan Chien-Jen Chen and Taiwanese politician, musician and activist Freddy Lim.
FAPA was honored to present at TACEC and contribute to this year’s theme— Collective Memory: Shared History and Community Action for Diverse Taiwanese and Taiwanese Americans. In her keynote speech, Executive Director Chiao-Yun Anny Hsiao alluded to the theme with stories of grassroots Taiwanese American activism and FAPA’s continued advocacy efforts.
Hsiao shared an image of a historic 1980 letter from then-Senator Joseph Biden to Taiwanese American advocate Mr. Chung-Chin Chen (陳仲欽) affirming the severity of the Kaohsiung Incident. In a remarkable moment, the audience gave Mr. Chen, who was recognized, a heartfelt round of applause.
During her presentation, Hsiao also mobilized the audience to sign the FAPA petition urging the Senate to pass the Taiwan International Solidarity Act (S.2995). That immediately resulted in over 50 clicks and over 100 letters sent to various Senators.
The day concluded with the Taiwan Night Event, where TACEC attendees, including FAPA President Su-Mei Kao, VP Chia-Chun Chung, ED Anny Hsiao, and other team members from headquarters and local chapters sang the song “晚安台灣” (Good Night Taiwan) by Fire EX.
FAPA’s former intern Sophia Chang, is also instrumental in making the screening of the movie “Invisible Nation” possible at TACEC and TANG possible.
FAPA is humbled by the overwhelmingly positive feedback from the Taiwanese American community and remains committed to carrying on our work to be a champion of Taiwan on Capitol Hill.
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FAPA 在第53屆美東夏令會（TACEC）上講述台美人的倡議故事
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FAPA於上週末7月6日受邀參加美東夏令會，分享台美人多年來在草根倡議上的經驗。
美東夏令會是一個擁有超過50年歷史的活動，全程由台美人社群籌辦。今年的講者包括台灣前副總統陳建仁，以及台灣政治家、音樂家和社會運動家林昶佐。
FAPA很榮幸能在美東夏令會上發表演講，並為今年的主題《集體記憶》做出貢獻。執行長蕭喬勻（Anny Hsiao）在演講中，透過講述台美人的草根運動故事和FAPA長年的努力，詮釋了這一主題。
我們分享了一張1980年時任參議員拜登給台美人陳仲欽前輩的歷史信件照片，證實了美國政界對美麗島事件的高度關心。令人矚目的是，陳仲欽前輩也在觀眾席中，所有人給了他熱烈的掌聲。
Anny 也邀請觀眾們加入FAPA的請願行動，共同敦促美國參議院儘速通過《台灣國際團結法案》（S.2995）。活動當下有超過100封請願書發送給各州參議員。
當天以「台灣之夜」活動作為結束，其中FAPA總會長林素梅、副會長鍾佳君、執行長蕭喬勻以及總部和地方分會的其他團隊人員一同演唱了滅火器的歌曲《晚安台灣》。
FAPA 的前實習生Sophia Chang是紀錄片「看不見的國家」（Invisible Nation）能夠於七月四日晚上放映欣賞會的幕後功臣！
FAPA對來自台美人社區的正面迴響與高度肯定感到謙卑，並將繼續致力於在美國國會為台灣發聲。
