傳播菁英獎得獎感言

------ 李蔚華（Wea H. Lee）

各位晚上好，

今天能站在這裡，獲得「傳播菁英獎」，我感到無比榮幸與感動。這份肯定，不僅屬於我個人，更屬於所有堅持傳播真相、服務社區的媒體人與公眾領袖。

四十多年前，我創辦《美南新聞》，懷抱著一個簡單而堅定的信念：" 每一個聲音都應該被聽見，每一個故事，特別是來自移民、勞工與少數族裔的故事，都應該被記錄與傳頌。” 在那個亞裔聲音經常被忽視的年代，我們搭起了一個平台，不僅為休士頓，也為全美華人、亞裔社區發聲。

創業初期，我們什麼都不多，只有一台印刷機、一群同心協力的夥伴，以及一份使命感。但多年來，憑著堅持、努力與對新聞專業的信仰，我們一步步成長為全美最大的亞裔媒體機構之一。

我始終相信，**傳播的價值，不只是在報導新聞，更在於記錄歷史、喚起共鳴、激發行動。**在危機時刻，媒體是穩定人心的力量；在變革之際，媒體是推動社會前行的勇氣。

這份榮譽，屬於所有曾與我並肩作戰的編輯、記者、攝影師與社區夥伴；屬於我的家人，是你們的愛與犧牲成就了我今天的成長；更屬於我們這座偉大的城市——休士頓，它接納了我這個從異鄉來的移民，給了我實現夢想的舞台。

在場的年輕傳播人，我想對你們說：千萬不要低估你們言語的力量。請勇敢說真話、搭建橋樑、用筆與話語，繼續書寫那些值得被世界聽見的故事。

感謝休士頓市長辦公室傳播部的肯定，感謝市議員Twila Carter為我頒獎，更感謝所有相信傳播可以改變世界的人。

謝謝大家！

Communications Champion Award Acceptance Speech

By Wea H. Lee

Good evening, everyone -

I am deeply honored and humbled to receive the Communications Champion Award tonight. Standing here among such dedicated public servants, community leaders, and tireless advocates reminds me that this recognition is not just about one person — it is about the collective power of communication to bridge communities, share truths, and build a better society.

When I founded the Southern News Group more than four decades ago, I carried with me a simple belief: that every voice deserves to be heard, and every story — especially those of immigrants, working families, and minority communities — deserves to be told. At a time when Asian American voices were often overlooked or silenced, we built a platform to amplify them — not only in Houston, but across the nation.

We did not start with much — just a small team, a printing press, and a deep sense of mission. But through years of hard work, perseverance, and a steadfast commitment to truth and service, we grew into one of the largest Asian American media organizations in the country.

I have always believed that communication is not just about reporting the news — it is about preserving history, inspiring action, and reminding people that they belong. In times of crisis, it’s about calm and clarity. In times of change, it’s about courage and conviction.

This award belongs to the many editors, reporters, photographers, and community members who stood with us through it all. It belongs to my family, whose love and sacrifice have been my greatest strength. And it belongs to the City of Houston — a city that welcomed me as an immigrant and gave me the chance to build something meaningful.

To the young communicators in this room: never underestimate the impact your words can have. Speak truth. Build bridges. And never stop telling the stories that matter.

Thank you to the Houston Mayor’s Office of Communications, thank you to Council member Twila Carter for presenting this honor, and thank you all for believing in the power of communication to make a difference.

Thank you.