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 twenty-fifth anniversary of Chicago's Sister City relationship with the City of Toronto, Canada; and
WHEREAS, Chicago is proud ofthe Sister City partnership it has formed with Toronto, and its long history of friendship and cooperation with the people of Canada; and
WHEREAS, Chicago and Toronto are both known as cities of vibrant neighborhoods and diverse populations; and
WHEREAS, Chicago and Toronto are economic engines in their countries and centers of innovation on technology and water; and
WHEREAS, Chicagoans have always been cognizant of the similarities between Chicago and Toronto, the two largest cities standing tall on the Great Lakes of North America; and
WHEREAS, Chicago looks forward to its own continued participation in Sister Cities International, and to renewing and strengthening Chicago's relationship with Toronto 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 Toronto, Canada; 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 the Toronto, and to its people, our best wishes for a peaceful and prosperous future; and