Governor Cuomo and Vice President Biden Declare Rochester NY to Lead Prestigious National Integrated Photonics Manufacturing Institute

Alain Kaloyeros, Ph.D., Founding President and Chief Executive Officer, SUNY Polytechnic Institute; Professor of Nanoscience and Mary Ho, China Millennium Council President rejoice Vice President Joe Biden's declaration of Rochester New York named as the National Integrative Photonics Institute Hub. SUNY Poly CNSE utilizes a pioneering model integrating unique interdisciplinary study, world-class intellectual capital and unparalleled physical resources with unwavering support from New York's elected officials and groundbreaking corporate investment by the world's leading nanoelectronics companies-including placement of their research centers and programs on site at SUNY Poly CNSE's Albany NanoTech Complex.

$110 Million Federal Grant – Among Largest Ever Given to a Public University – To Support High-Tech Business and Academic Consortium Headquartered in Rochester and Utilizing SUNY Polytechnic Albany Nanotech Campus

Total Investment to Exceed $600 Million – Including More Than $250 Million by New York State – To Create and Support Thousands of Advanced Research and Manufacturing Jobs across State and Nation

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo was joined today by Vice President Joe Biden to announce New York State has been selected by the Department of Defense to lead a prestigious, multi-state Integrated Photonics Institute for Manufacturing Innovation. The selection is part of a White House initiative to secure the United States’ global leadership in emerging technology research, development, and manufacturing. Photonics harnesses the power of light to move data at great speeds, and the research completed at the new Institute will integrate photonics components to revolutionize computer chips, making them more efficient smaller, and more reliable with a wide range of applications, including medical technology, defense, telecommunications, the Internet, and information technology.

A $110 million federal grant awarded to the SUNY Polytechnic-led “American Institute for Manufacturing Integrated Photonics” will support a high-tech consortium with business operations, a company incubator and accelerator, workforce training, and board of directors headquartered in Rochester. Total public and private investment in the Photonic Institute will exceed $600 million, including more than $250 million by New York State to equip, install, and make operational a state-of-the-art photonics prototyping hub. The institute’s work will create and support thousands of advanced research and manufacturing jobs including Upstate New York and the United States and lead to major advances within a wide range of practical applications.

“New York has always been a leader when it comes to thinking big about what tomorrow holds – and today in Rochester, we’re seeing an even brighter vision for what the future will be,” remarked Governor Cuomo. “This announcement is proof that the best is yet to come for New York’s high-tech industries. We’ve turned our economy around, we’re making the investments to keep it going, and this new Institute is another example of how Rochester is the vision for the economy of the future. I thank President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and Defense Secretary Ash Carter for recognizing New York’s potential and joining us to make this announcement possible.”

Establishing this first-ever photonics consortium will create a New York-led national infrastructure that is widely accessible and financially self-sustaining. It is designed to scale into the future; ensuring innovation is based on new technology developed in the United States. ýAdditional operations will be headquartered at the SUNY Polytechnic Albany NanoTech Campus in addition to the business headquarters in Rochester, leading to the attraction of thousands of high tech jobs to the Rochester area and across Upstate.

SUNY Polytechnic Institute President and CEO Dr. Alain E. Kaloyeros stated, “Under the pioneering vision of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the targeted investments in high-tech he continues to make across Upstate, when companies and governments look for leadership on innovation – they look to New York. Only Rochester and Albany have the talent and expertise to lead such a complex and promising national research consortium. With our partners across the country and with the support and guidance of Governor Cuomo and the Department of Defense, SUNY Poly will help usher in a new era of American dominance in the research, development, and manufacturing of advanced technologies.”

The Photonics Institute consists of more than 50 companies, 20 universities, 33 community colleges, and 16 non-profit organizations across 20 states including California and Massachusetts. Advanced photonics research will be centered at the SUNY Poly nanotechnology megaplex in Albany, SUNY Poly’s Canal Ponds and Smart Technology and Commercialization facilities in Rochester and Canandaigua, the University of Rochester, and the Rochester Institute of Technology. In addition to the Department of Defense, the Institute will work closely with government partners, including the Departments of Energy and Commerce, NASA, and the National Science Foundation.

Dr. Michael Liehr, AIM CEO and SUNY Poly Executive Vice President of Innovation and Technology and Vice President of Research said, “Today’s announcement is a testament to the outstanding team of industrial and academic leaders assembled by AIM Photonics and its plan to establish the U.S. as a global leader in this emerging technology. Being awarded the Integrated Photonics Institute for Manufacturing Innovation would not have been possible without the critical support of Governor Andrew Cuomo, whose pioneering leadership in establishing New York State’s globally recognized, high-tech R&D ecosystem has enabled historic economic growth. SUNY Poly is excited to be working with our partners on this initiative which will be truly transformational for both the industry and the nation.”

State University of New York Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher said, “Headquartering a multi-state photonics center in the city of Rochester is a once-in-a-generation win for New York State and a testament to SUNY’s capacity to advance cutting-edge technologies and foster innovation. We look forward to partnering with our colleagues in higher education, government, and the private sector on this initiative, which will ensure that our students and faculty remain at the forefront of innovation in New York and across the country.”

Senator Charles E. Schumer said, “A new tech era officially begins in Rochester today. By combining the academic and research resources of the University of Rochester, Rochester Institute of Technology, and SUNY Polytechnic Institute, with the hundreds of New York photonics companies; Rochester is now well-positioned to lead the way in this cutting-edge industry.”

Congresswoman Louise Slaughter reiterated, “I’ve never fought harder and couldn’t be more proud to bring this manufacturing institute to Rochester. The innovations and jobs this institute will create will be a game changer for Rochester and the entire state. I’d like to thank the University of Rochester, RIT, Majority Leader Joe Morelle, Governor Cuomo, and industry leaders that partnered with me for more than three years to make this day a reality. This is a huge win that will shape our region’s economy for decades to come.”

Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren stated, “I was sitting in Vice President Biden’s office a year ago when he told me he would do everything possible to work with the President to help Rochester. Since then he has fully honored that commitment as evidenced by today’s photonics announcement. An announcement that would not have been possible without significant support from Governor Cuomo, who is also fully committed to seeing Rochester succeed. I am truly thankful to serve with people that are passionate about making Rochester a city with ample job opportunities, safe neighborhoods and quality schools for every one of its residents.”

Joel Seligman, President and CEO of the University of Rochester commented, “I want to thank Governor Cuomo for his extraordinary leadership, support and for helping convene the winning consortium. Today’s announcement is the culmination of several years of effort and advocacy, but would not have been possible without the Governor’s commitment. By establishing the headquarters in Rochester, we will be the global epicenter of photonics, ensure U.S. competitiveness and security, and help rebuild our region’s economy by building on our historic strengths and assets in optics and imaging.”

Rochester Institute of Technology President Dr. Bill Destler stated,“We applaud President Obama and Vice President Biden for recognizing the strategic importance of this industry, and choosing the New York state proposal to advance it. The Rochester region, with one of the largest photonics manufacturing hubs in the nation, plus academic centers with renowned work in microsystems, imaging science and packaging, is uniquely positioned to make great contributions in this field. We thank Senators Schumer and Gillibrand and Congresswoman Slaughter for their advocacy and leadership on behalf of our application, and we thank Gov. Cuomo for the very significant commitment of state funding that no doubt played a key role in helping us win this proposal.”

Adapted from NYS State of Opportunity Jul 27, 2015

2015 Lexus Design Award International Honorees Debut at STORY Gallery Soho NYC

Steve Jett, Lexus USA National Engagement Marketing Manager Makes Tribute to the 2015 Lexus Design Award International Honorees Sebastian Scherer from Germany, Haley Newman from USA and Benjamin Xue from Singapore with Andrea Lim, Lexus Engagement Marketing Manager at STORY Gallery in Soho, NYC.

2015 Lexus Design Award International Honoree Haley Newman USA Introduces her Design Concept and Inspiration with Steven Kolb, CEO of CFDA, Council of Fashion Designers of America, representing a group of over 450 American womenswear, menswear, jewelry and acccessories designers.

2015 Lexus Design Award International Honoree Haley Newman representing the USA, Discusses her Design Concept of Sustainability Utilizing Bamboo Fibers in her #PIXELATEME Couture Textile Collection with Takafumi Sato, Japan Representative from Hakuhodo Inc., leading Lexus Design Global Brand Advertising.

 

National ACE Business Leaders Advocate for U.S. Congressional and Senate Passage of TPP and TPA Legislation

Shau-Wai Lam, Chairman Emeritus of DCH Auto Group, Robert Gardner, U.S. Senator Charles Schumer Legislative Office, Chiling Tong, CEO ILF Foundation, Betty Lo, Vice President, Nielsen Community Alliances & Consumer Engagement and Mary Ho, China Millennium Council President meet with Congressional and Senate Leaders in Washington, D.C. to advocate for House & Senate passing of the Trans-Pacific Partnership TPP and renewal of the Trade Promotion Authority TPA legislation, representing the National ACE Asian/Pacific Islander Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneurship New York State, New Jersey National Business Interests.

Rochester New York Heralds the Joint Origins of National Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Hon. Ruby Moy, First Asian American Pacific Islander professional working in the White House, as former Chief of Staff to Congressman Frank Horton from Rochester NY, Hon. Norman Mineta, former U.S. Secretary of Transportation and founder of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus CAPAC and Mary Ho, China Millennium Council President at the Capitol in Washington, D.C. recount their historical efforts to proudly establish legislation and Presidential proclamation designating the month of May as Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month.

May 26, 2015 Washington DC – Thirty eight years ago, Representatives Frank Horton from Rochester NY (R-NY) and Norman Mineta (D-CA) introduced House Resolution 540 (Pacific/Asian Heritage Week) in Congress to proclaim the first ten days of May as Pacific/Asian Heritage Week now known as Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month. May was denoted to commemorate the first Japanese immigrant to the U.S., and also to mark the anniversary of the completion of the trans-continental railroad, the majority of the tracks laid by Chinese workers. Subsequently President Jimmy Carter signed the Joint Resolution on October 5, 1978. In 1992, President Bush signed legislation into law designating the month of May as we know now as Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Law HR-5572 originally introduced by Horton and Mineta, was unanimously approved by both the House of Representatives and Senate during the 102nd Congress.

During the first ever White House Summit on AAPIs, U.S. Surgeon Vice Admiral Vivek Murthy M.D. was installed as the new co-chair of WHIAAPI. President Obama proclaims, “The rich heritage of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders spans the world and the depths of America’s history. Generation after generation, Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders have forged a proud legacy that reflects the spirit of our Nation. During AAPI Heritage Month, we honor the perseverance of those who courageously reached for their hopes and dreams in a new land, and we celebrate the important impact the AAPI community has made to our Nation’s progress…As we commemorate Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we pay tribute to all those in the AAPI community who have striven for a brighter future for the next generation. Together, let us recommit to embracing the diversity that enriches our Nation and to ensuring all our people have an equal chance to succeed in the country we love.”

Kenda Gee International Award Winning Documentary of LOST YEARS: A PEOPLE’S STRUGGLE FOR JUSTICE Discourses on Social Equity

 

China Millennium Council President Mary Ho and International Award Winning Documentary Lost Years Fillmmaker Kenda Gee Discuss the Vast and Diverse Diaspora of Chinese Extending to U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand including Europe and the African continent.

LOST YEARS: A PEOPLE’S STRUGGLE FOR JUSTICE is an international award winning epic documentary tracing back over 150 years of the Chinese diaspora covering four generations of racism as revealed through the journey and family story of Chinese Canadian filmmaker Kenda Gee. Traveling with his father Took Gee, they return to China and retrace the path of his grandfather, who sailed to Canada in the summer of 1921, and even earlier over a century ago, his great grandfather. A journey of hope for a myriad of Chinese who quickly encountered discriminatory laws including the head tax levied on new Chinese immigrants to Canada which ultimately deprived them of their rights as citizens. The story begins with the fall of the Qing Dynasty in 20th century China circa 1911 towards the end of World War II, recounting painful decades of anti-Chinese racial prejudice in North America. Extending from Vancouver Island and Angel Island, Gee’s journey takes him across Canada and America, retracing the footsteps and experiences of the Chinese immigrants and their modern day descendants. A moving account of their personal stories capture the enormous hardships and obstacles they overcame in order to obtain citizenship in their own new countries of birth and acceptance in a modern diverse global society. www.lostyears.ca

NYS LT Governor Kathy Hochul Reports Updates on 2015 Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council Program Initiatives

China Millennium Council President Mary Ho and New York State Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul Discuss the White House Initiative on Asian American Pacific Islanders WHI-AAPI Vital Business Presence and Issues Concerning AAPI involvement with the Upstate New York Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council and Governor Andrew Cuomo's 2015 New York Opportunity Agenda. AAPIs are the fastest growing minority group in America with enormous consumer impact, yet under-represented and overlooked in areas of leadership and governance.

City of Rochester Office of the Mayor, Del Smith, Commissioner of Neighborhood & Business Development, Mary Ho, China Millennium Council President and Ken Sato, City Design Lab CEO Review Submission Proposal for Urban Revitalization to boost Upstate New York's economic opportunity to foster innovation and entrepreneurship, strengthen communities and enhance tourism and quality of life. Sato is a city resident and operates an urban fermentory business.

BHG Beijing Hualian Group Investment Holding Co., LTD. Chairman Ji Xiao An Visits Wegmans Food Market USA Headquarters

Beijing Hualian Group BHG Chairman Ji Xiao An and China Millennium Council President Mary Ho Discuss the Importance of Global Innovation in the Ever-Evolving Consumer Retail Marketplace and Business Enterprise Development at the Wegmans Food Market Flagship Store in Pittsford, New York, USA

Wegmans Food Market flagship store in Pittsford New York recently launched a series of healthy home-style Chinese foods in collaboration with China’s leading hypermarket retail enterprise, the Beijing Hualian Group Investment Holding Co., LTD. BHG Chairman Ji Xiao An and his innovation team led by Frank Ji oversaw the development and training of Chinese culinary dishes for the chefs at Wegmans. Ready to eat foods emphasize authentic, nutritious and tasty dishes including Shiitake Mushroom Congée, Sichuan Style Dandan Noodles and Chinese Barbequed Pork. Catering to the ever-growing international palate of Wegman’s customers, their newly renovated Asian foods pantry now stock a wide variety of fresh Chinese youchoy and bokchoy greens, Daikon icicle radishes and select varieties of bulk long-grain and short grain rice.

BHG Beijing Hualian Group Investment Holding Co.,Ltd. is a leading multinational global enterprise as one of the 15 largest retail enterprises supported by the China Ministry of Commerce including primary membership in the International Association of Department Stores (IADS), and two publicly listed companies and several holding companies. BHG Group’s business is focused on hypermarkets, supermarkets, department stores and commercial properties. BHG is established in more than 80 hypermarkets in 35 key cities and 23 provinces across China and the Pacific Rim countries. The Beijing Hualian Group values customers first and foremost. Their core business principles include integrity in all relationships — with employees, customers, suppliers and cooperating partners. “We seek to maintain and grow our company’s high recognition and reputation, and made “Beijing Hualian” a prestigious brand in the country” and now earmarked as a prestige global brand.

China is now the fastest growing global economy, ranked second only to the U.S. as the world’s largest economy. The new visa accord established between U.S and China will enhance trade, investment, and business ties by facilitating travel and ease access to both economies.  Extended validity visas for students and exchange visitors will foster the bonds between U.S. and China and facilitate travel for outstanding students from around the world who attend U.S. institutions of higher education.  As a result of this arrangement, the U.S. hopes to welcome a growing share of eligible Chinese travelers, inject billions in the U.S. economy and create demand to support hundreds of thousands of additional U.S. jobs. Global growth of outbound travel from China represents an unprecedented opportunity to foster job creation across the country. China is the fastest growing outbound tourism market in the world, and Chinese visitors have accounted for 20 percent of the growth in overseas travel to the U.S. As incomes in China continue to rise, the number of Chinese citizens able to afford international travel and tourism is projected to more than double over the next few years, reaching the hundreds of millions.  Close to 7.3 million Chinese are projected to travel to the U.S. by 2021, contributing nearly $85 billion a year to the economy and supporting 440,000 jobs.

 

U.S. and China Establish Reciprocal Visa Validity Agreements to Strengthen Economic, Educational and Cultural Collaborations

China's leading retail business conglomerate the BHG Beijing Hualian Hypermarket Delegation Visits Wegman's Iconic American Flagship Pittsford Store and are welcomed by Mary Ho, President of the China Millennium Council, H. Oliver Hamlin IV, Greater Rochester Asian American Pacific Islander Leadership Delegate and Larry Damore, Senior Vice President of Wegmans Food Markets headquartered in Upstate Rochester, New York.

U.S. President Obama traveled to China and met with China President Xi Jinping to effect a reciprocal visa validity arrangement to broaden and fortify economic and people-to-people ties. Both countries mutually agreed to increase the validity of short-term tourist and business visas issued to each other’s citizens from one to ten years – the longest validity possible under U.S. law – and increase the validity of student and exchange visas from one to five years.  The U.S began issuing visas in accordance with the new reciprocal agreement on November 12, 2014. The visa accord will enhance trade, investment, and business ties by facilitating travel and ease access to both economies.  Extended validity visas for students and exchange visitors will foster the bonds between U.S. and China and facilitate travel for outstanding students from around the world who attend U.S. institutions of higher education.  As a result of this arrangement, the U.S. hopes to welcome a growing share of eligible Chinese travelers, inject billions in the U.S. economy and create demand to support hundreds of thousands of additional U.S. jobs.

Welcoming a Growing Share of Chinese Travelers

  • China is the fastest-growing outbound tourism market in the world, and in 2013, 1.8 million Chinese travelers visited the U.S., contributing $21.1 billion to the U.S. economy and supporting more than 109,000 American jobs
  • Chinese travelers consistently rank the United States as their most-desired travel destination, yet less than 2 percent of total Chinese travelers come to the U.S.
  • Chinese travelers cite ease of visa policies as the second most important factor in deciding where to travel, behind only cost
  • A competitive visa policy will help U.S. meet projections that suggest as many as 7.3 million Chinese travelers will come to the U.S. by 2021, contributing nearly $85 billion a year to the economy and supporting up to 440,000 U.S. jobs

Strengthening Bonds Between Chinese and American Students

  • 28 percent of all foreign students and exchange visitors in the U.S. originate from China
  • Chinese students in the U.S. spent $8 billion in 2013, an increase of nearly 24 percent over the previous year
  • Visa accord will allow American and Chinese students to more easily travel back and forth, making foreign study a more attractive option, increasing opportunities for people-to-people ties, and boosting mutual understanding

Extending Visa Validity to Increase the Number of Chinese Travelers Coming to the U.S. and Support American Jobs. In order to support America’s most important and largest services export – tourism.  Chinese travelers persistently rank the U.S. as their top desired travel destination, but only slightly more than 1.8 percent of total outbound travelers go to the U.S.  Chinese travelers cite ease of visa policies as the second most important factor in deciding where to travel, behind only cost.  A competitive visa policy is needed to secure the U.S. as the chosen destination for millions of Chinese travelers

Global growth of outbound travel from China represents an unprecedented opportunity to foster job creation across the country.  China is the fastest growing outbound tourism market in the world, and Chinese visitors have accounted for 20 percent of the growth in overseas travel to the U.S. since 2008.  In 2013, 1.8 million Chinese travelers visited the U.S., contributing $21.1 billion to the American economy and supporting more than 109,000 U.S. jobs.  As incomes in China continue to rise, the number of Chinese citizens able to afford international travel and tourism is projected to more than double over the next few years, reaching the hundreds of millions.  Close to 7.3 million Chinese are projected to travel to the U.S. by 2021, contributing nearly $85 billion a year to the economy and supporting 440,000 jobs.

Increasing business travel will support the U.S. President’s goal of increasing exports. Increasing visa validity for U.S. citizens traveling to China makes it easier to respond to market and commercial opportunities in China, helping to boost U.S. exports, foster increased trade ties, and improve commercial linkages between U.S. and Chinese firms.  In the near term, extending visa validity for Chinese business travelers will also help meet the President’s Select USA goal of boosting inward investment into the United States as the U.S. travel and tourism industry commits to making upfront investments in new hotels and other infrastructure in anticipation of a rise in Chinese inbound travel.

Dr. Deana Porterfield Innovates Modern Leadership as the 11th President of Roberts Wesleyan College

Roberts Wesleyan College 11th President Dr. Deana Porterfield and Mary Ho, China Millennium Council President Discuss the Role of Multicultural Education in Higher Learning Institutions by Developing Global Cultural Competencies and Bringing Together Minds, Hearts and Hands to Serve and Transform Our Modern Society.

NBCUniversal Chief Diversity Officer Craig Robinson Advocates AAJA Leadership for Mainstream Media Platforms

NBCUniversal Executive Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer Craig Robinson and AAJA Media Institute W.K. Kellogg Foundation Fellow Mary Ho Discuss the Emergence of the Fast Growing Asian American Pacific Islander Consumer Media Population in America, Emphasizing His Own Cultural Heritage as a Chinese Asian American.