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 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 tenth anniversary of Chicago's Sister Cities relationship with the City of Belgrade in Serbia; and
WHEREAS, Chicago is proud ofthe Sister City partnership it has formed with Belgrade, and of its long history of friendship and cooperation with the people of Serbia; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago Metropolitan Area is home to the largest Serbian population in the United States; and
WHEREAS, Throughout its history, Chicago has benefitted from the many vital contributions the Serbian community has made to the cultural, civic and economic life of our City. To this day, Chicagoans remain in awe of Nikola Tesla, the son of a Serbian orthodox priest, whose award-winning inventions were used to light the site ofthe historic World's Columbian Exposition held in Chicago in 1893; and
WHEREAS, Chicagoans have always been cognizant of the similarities between Chicago and Belgrade, two cities which are known worldwide for their elegant and varied architecture, for their vibrant nightlife, and for their warm and friendly people; and
WHEREAS, Chicago looks forward to its own continued participation in Sister Cities International, and to renewing and strengthening Chicago's relationship with Belgrade 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 tenth anniversary of Chicago's Sister City relationship with Belgrade, Serbia; 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 Belgrade, 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 Dejan Radulovic, Acting Consul General, Consulate General of Serbia, and The Honorable Mayor of Prague Sinisa Mali.