北美发布 特约 王菡 报道
4月12日，北卡前州长、现任联邦参议员候选人 罗伊·库珀（Roy Cooper）在华人州议员Ya Liu （刘广亚）等发起和主持的筹款会上，面对亚裔支持者，围绕医疗、教育、多元包容、移民贡献以及本次选举的挑战，阐述了自己的主要关切和参选理由。
共同发起组织这场筹款会的凯瑞市议员Bella Huang（徐双双）、Apex 市议员Sue Mu（穆淑云）, Chapel Hill 前议员顾泓彬，携北卡唯一的华人政治组织MOVE NC PAC和全国最有影响力的华人组织UCA PAC，携手多位社区领袖李百炼、谢立安、黄海晖、李新兰、杨堃、侯顺红、Tony Lin、Tony & Amy Wang 等邀请华人社区选民参与这场重要的活动。
当天下午3时许，库珀意气风发来到会场，与支持者握手寒暄。刘广亚简单开场后，库珀由两位小主持人铺垫发表讲话——
在谈到政策重点时，库珀表示，美国作为世界上最富有的国家之一，应该让更多人享有“负担得起且有质量的医疗服务”。他说，如果自己进入华盛顿，将继续推动这一方向，希望让普通家庭在医疗问题上减轻负担。
除了医疗议题，他也多次强调“多元”对美国和北卡的重要性。他表示，北卡拥有一个强大而多元的人口结构，而这种多样性本身就是力量。他提到他在担任州长期间，任命了该州历史上最具多元性的内阁和团队之一，因为政府应当更像它所服务和保护的人民。
在谈到移民群体时，库珀表示，许多来到美国的人，不只是为了给自己和家人创造更好的生活，也在为这个国家的发展作出贡献。他特别引用一项数据说，美国《财富》500强企业中，大约47%的公司最高负责人是移民或第一代移民，这从一个侧面说明了移民和第一代家庭对美国社会与经济的重要作用。
在教育方面，库珀也表达了清晰立场。他说，社会应继续投资教育，并为每一个人创造机会。他提到自己的母亲曾是公立学校教师，直到自己担任州长时，仍常有人对他说：“你母亲是我遇到过最好的老师。”他认为，这正说明了教育的力量，也构成了他长期重视教育议题的原因之一。
谈到个人经历时，库珀回顾了自己在北卡东部长大的背景。他说，父亲在农场里教会了自己什么是辛勤工作和责任感；后来他做过律师，在私营部门工作18年，也曾担任律所管理合伙人，亲自承担发薪等现实责任。此后，他又在州议会、总检察长和州长等岗位上任职，逐步积累了从法律、立法到行政管理的经验。
“如果现在就投票，我肯定能赢得选举，但是大选在11月……”谈到此次参选，库珀表示，这将是一场艰难的竞选。他指出，自2008年以来，北卡尚未再选出民主党联邦参议员，因此本次选举竞争将十分激烈。他也提到，未来竞选过程中将会出现大量针对自己的攻击性广告和不实信息，因此希望支持者继续在资源和行动上提供帮助。
库珀说，自己原本一度认为不会再回到选举政治，但在看到当前美国所面临的局势后，他重新决定参选。他在讲话中引用《路加福音》“多给谁，就向谁多取”的经文，表示自己感到，既然生命中已经领受了许多，就应当承担更多责任。他认为，自己有机会赢下这个席位，因此也有责任站出来。
在讲话最后，库珀表达了对国家前景的希望。他说，虽然当前美国处在一个充满挑战和不稳定的时刻，但他仍然相信“最好的日子还在前面”。他把自己描述成一个“被盼望俘虏的人”，并表示，希望能与支持者一起，为下一代创造一个更好的国家与未来。
讲话后，主办方安排了几位小朋友表演。首先出场的10岁小女孩Alice L iu演唱歌曲《Empire State of Mind》。库珀自始至终微笑着、专注地欣赏，并在她表演后走上前倾身和她交谈。
Bella Huang认为，库珀的讲话特别真诚、很接地气，他本人也很亲切，也让支持者更加感受到，竞选真的不容易，不仅需要一个拼尽全力的团队，自己也要有很强的体力和精力。
谢立安教授透露，这次为库珀筹款的金额突破15万美元，创下三角地区华人社区政治筹款的历史新高。筹款金额的增长折射出华人社区不断壮大的力量。
社区资深志愿者刘弘彦感言：要感谢深耕社区多年的李百炼、曾昭邦、谢立安、刘康教授们及到场的所有出钱出力出时间的每一位，看到华人社区的凝聚力和托举力。
Roy Cooper Addresses Community Supporters, Focuses on Healthcare, Education, Diversity, and Opportunity
Recently, former North Carolina governor and current U.S. Senate candidate Roy Cooper delivered remarks at a community event, outlining his key concerns and reasons for running. His speech centered on healthcare, education, diversity and inclusion, the contributions of immigrants, and the challenges of the upcoming election.
Discussing policy priorities, Cooper said that as one of the wealthiest countries in the world, the United States should ensure that more people have access to “affordable, high-quality healthcare.” He noted that if elected to Washington, he would continue to push in that direction, aiming to ease the burden of medical costs on ordinary families.
Beyond healthcare, Cooper repeatedly emphasized the importance of diversity to both the nation and North Carolina. He said the state’s strong and diverse population is a source of strength in itself. During his time as governor, he appointed one of the most diverse cabinets and leadership teams in state history, reflecting his belief that government should look more like the people it serves and protects.
Addressing immigration, Cooper said many people who come to the United States are not only seeking better lives for themselves and their families, but are also contributing to the country’s development. He cited a statistic that approximately 47% of Fortune 500 companies are led by immigrants or first-generation Americans, highlighting the significant role immigrant communities play in the nation’s society and economy.
On education, Cooper expressed a clear position that continued investment is essential to creating opportunities for everyone. He shared that his mother was a public school teacher, and even when he was governor, people would tell him, “Your mother was the best teacher I ever had.” He said this reflects the power of education and is one of the reasons he has long prioritized the issue.
Reflecting on his personal background, Cooper recalled growing up in eastern North Carolina, where his father taught him the values of hard work and responsibility on the family farm. He later worked as a lawyer in the private sector for 18 years, including as a managing partner responsible for practical matters such as payroll. He then served in the state legislature, as attorney general, and as governor, gaining experience across legal, legislative, and executive roles.
Regarding his candidacy, Cooper acknowledged that this will be a difficult race. He pointed out that North Carolina has not elected a Democratic U.S. senator since 2008, making the competition especially intense. He also warned that the campaign will likely involve a large number of attack ads and misinformation, and called on supporters to continue providing resources and taking action.
Cooper said he once believed he would not return to electoral politics, but decided to run again after seeing the challenges facing the country today. Quoting the Gospel of Luke—“To whom much is given, much will be required”—he said he feels a responsibility to give back, having received so much in life. He believes he has a real chance to win the seat, and therefore a duty to step forward.
In closing, Cooper expressed optimism about the nation’s future. He said that although the United States is currently going through a period of challenge and uncertainty, he still believes “the best days are ahead.” Describing himself as “a prisoner of hope,” he said he hopes to work together with supporters to build a better country and future for the next generation.