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 ofthe 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 thirtieth anniversary of Chicago's Sister Cities relationship with the City of Shanghai in China; and
WHEREAS, Chicago is proud ofthe Sister City partnership it has formed with Shanghai, and of its long history of friendship and cooperation with the people of China; and
WHEREAS, Chicago and Shanghai shared the 2014 Award for Best Overall U.S.-China Sister City conferred by Sister Cities International; and
WHEREAS, Throughout its history, Chicago has benefitted from the many vital contributions that the Chinese community has made to the cultural, civic and economic life of our City. Chicago's vibrant Chinatown neighborhood is a testament to the strong relationship that exists between the people of Chicago and Shanghai; and
WHEREAS, Chicago hosts one ofthe most popular Chinese New Year celebrations in the world; and
WHEREAS, Chicagoans have always been cognizant of the similarities between Chicago and Shanghai, two cities which are known as economic engines in their respective countries. Chicago and Shanghai are both signatories to the Gateway Cities Agreement signed by Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, China's Vice Minister of Commerce Wang Chao and the leadership representatives of Shanghai establishing the "U.S. Chicago and China Gateway Cities Joint Working Group on Trade and Investment Cooperation" to facilitate economic collaboration and growth; and
WHEREAS, Chicago looks forward to its own continued participation in Sister Cities International, and to renewing and strengthening Chicago's relationship with Shanghai and its people; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and Members ofthe City Council ofthe City of Chicago, assembled this tenth day of February, 2016, do hereby commemorate the thirtieth anniversary of Chicago's Sister City relationship with Shanghai, China; acknowledge the many benefits that this productive relationship has reaped for the people of Chicago; express our desire to continue this relationship; and extend to Shanghai, 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 Weiping Zhao, Consul General, Consulate General of China, and The Honorable Mayor of Shanghai Yang Xiong.