OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
CITY OF CHICAGO
RAHM EMANUEL
MAYOR
January 21, 2015
TO THE HONORABLE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I transmit herewith a congratulatory resolution concerning our Sister City Shenyang. Your favorable consideration of this resolution will be appreciated.
Mayor
Very truly yours,
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 Chicago signed its first Sister Cities agreement, Chicago Sister Cities International has established official relationships with 28 Sister Cities in almost every region of the 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 Shenyang in China; and
WHEREAS, The City of Chicago is proud of the Sister City partnership it has formed with the City of Shenyang, and of its long history of friendship and cooperation with the people of China; 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 Shenyang; and
WHEREAS, Chicago hosts one of the most popular Chinese New Year celebrations in the world; and
WHEREAS, Chicagoans have always been cognizant ofthe similarities between Chicago and Shenyang, two cities which serve as major industrial centers in their respective countries, and which are known for their ethnically and culturally diverse urban populations. Chicago and Shenyang 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 Shenyang 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, The City of Chicago looks forward to its own continued participation in Sister Cities International, and to renewing and strengthening Chicago's relationship with the City of Shenyang and its people; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and Members ofthe City Council ofthe City of Chicago, assembled this twenty-first day of January, 2015, do hereby commemorate the thirtieth anniversary of Chicago's Sister City relationship with the City of Shenyang, 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 the City of Shenyang, 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, for transmittal to The Honorable Mayor of Shenyang Chen Haibo.