RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Sister Cities International is a nonpartisan national membership organization for cities around the world that unites tens of thousands of citizen diplomats and volunteers to promote world peace through programs and projects focusing on arts and culture, youth and education, economic and sustainable development, and humanitarian assistance; and
WHEREAS, Founded in 1956 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, Sister Cities International seeks to promote global peace and prosperity by providing private citizens from communities around the world, and the leaders of the cities in which they live, with an opportunity to meet face-to-face to celebrate their respective cultures, to appreciate their differences, and to develop mutual understanding, friendships, and long term partnerships to reduce international conflict and secure global prosperity; and
WHEREAS, Since 1960, when the City of Chicago signed its first Sister Cities agreement, Chicago Sister Cities International has established official relationships with 28 Sister Cities in almost every region ofthe world. Today, Chicago Sister Cities International is the most active Sister Cities Organization in the world; and
WHEREAS, The people-to-people and community relationships formed through the Sister Cities network have produced mutually beneficial city-to-city ties resulting in increased international trade, economic development, tourism, cultural exchanges, and educational opportunities; and
WHEREAS, This year marks the twenty-fifth anniversary of Chicago's Sister City relationship with Mexico City in Mexico; and
WHEREAS, Chicago is proud of the Sister City partnership it has formed with Mexico City, and its long history of friendship and cooperation with the people of Mexico; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago Metropolitan Area is home to one of the largest and most active Mexican populations in the United States; and
WHEREAS, Throughout its history Chicago has benefited from the many vital contributions the Mexican community has made to the cultural, civic, and economic life of our City. The rich and vibrant cultural heritage of Mexico continues to enliven Chicago's diverse neighborhoods; and
WHEREAS, The National Museum of Mexican Art is located in Chicago, home to one of the largest collections of Mexican art in the United States; and
WHEREAS, Chicagoans have always been cognizant ofthe similarities between Chicago and Mexico City, two cities which are known as economic engines in their respective countries. Chicago and Mexico City are signatories to the Global Cities Economic Partnership Memorandum of Understanding to foster trade, investment, innovation, and learning between the two cities; and
WHEREAS, Chicago looks forward to its own continued participation in Sister Cities International, and to renewing and strengthening Chicago's relationship with Mexico City and its people; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and Members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, assembled this tenth day of February, 2016, do hereby commemorate the twenty-fifth anniversary of Chicago's Sister City relationship with Mexico City, Mexico; acknowledge the many benefits that this productive relationship has realized for the people of Chicago; express our desire to continue this relationship; and extend to Mexico City, and to its people, our best wishes for a peaceful and prosperous future; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to The Honorable Carlos Martin Jimenez Macias, Consul General, Consulate General ofthe United Mexican States, and The Honorable Mayor of Mexico City Miguel Angel Mancera Espinosa.