Mayor Sarno states, “I want to thank Representative Puppolo for his continued support and making the introductions with Director-General Jonathan Sun of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Boston. I am proud to say that this ‘Springfield Taiwan Day’ flag raising ceremony is another first for the City of Springfield as we share the same values of freedom and democracy! Also, the traditional performances they put on, from the musical and dancing acts, were truly wonderful. Additionally, I want to thank Mr. Sun for his continued support and friendship. At the height of the pandemic Mr. Sun and his team at TECO-Boston came forward to assist the City of Springfield in our fight against this COVID-19 pandemic by donating 10,500 much-needed and lifesaving PPE’s for our residents and city frontline workers. They truly showcased that ‘Taiwan can help and Taiwan is helping’.”
Director-General Sun presented Mayor Sarno and Representative Puppolo with a certification of appreciation for their continued support and friendship. Additionally, Director-General Sun presented two monetary donations to John Doleva, President and CEO of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, and to Therese Ross, Executive Director of Rick’s Place, a social service agency in Wilbraham.
The Springfield Taiwan Day came to be after a series of meetings Mayor Sarno has had with Director-General Sun and Representative Puppolo, Chairman of the House Export Development Committee, over the past two years to discuss possible economic development and cultural aspect opportunities in the City of Springfield.
“My Administration is always ready and open to discuss potential cultural and economic development opportunities that will create a good four letter word – JOBS!” Mayor Sarno said. “We have had some good introductions and initial meetings and are looking forward to continuing to enhance our relationship and friendship. It was also good to hear from Mr. Chung Liu, President of the Western Massachusetts Taiwanese Association, that a Taiwanese company opened a microchip manufacturing facility in Arizona, and that according to Representative Puppolo, Taiwan serves as the Commonwealth’s 11th largest trading partner. This is all good news and my Administration is looking forward to any future potential meetings as we continue to build upon our Springfield’s renaissance, especially as we look to recover and move our Springfield forward out of this COVID-19 pandemic.”
