RESOLUTION NO. RS2002-1207

A resolution approving a Sister City relationship with Magdeburg, Germany and authorizing the Mayor to execute a Sister City Chapter.

WHEREAS, the Sister city concept was inaugurated by President Eisenhower in 1956 to establish greater friendship and understanding among the people of the United States and other nations through person-to-person exchange; and

WHEREAS, Sister Cities of Nashville, Inc., was organized as a private, not-for-profit corporation in 1991 for the express purpose of promoting economic development and global understanding by assisting and encouraging the citizens of Nashville to form friendships and contacts with cities throughout the world; and

WHEREAS, Sister Cities of Nashville, Inc., has been officially authorized by the Metropolitan Council to administer Nashville’s Sister Cities programs; and

WHEREAS, since its founding, Sister Cities of Nashville, Inc., with the support of the Metropolitan Government, has established official Sister City relationships with Caen, France; Belfast, Northern Ireland; and Edmonton, Alberta, all of which relationships have been recognized officially by the Metropolitan Government; and

WHEREAS, as a result of these relationships, hundreds of Nashville citizens have become involved in educational and cultural exchanges, training programs, professional and teacher alliances, and other programs, allowing Nashville’s citizens to experience and learn from other cultures, ethnic and religious backgrounds, and to develop lasting friendships; and

WHEREAS, for a number of years a committee of Sister Cities of Nashville has been exploring the creation of a sister city relationship with a German city, receiving support from high school and college teachers of German, first generation German-American citizens living in Nashville, the Nashville Bar Association, professional and business groups, and diverse other citizens with business and personal ties to Germany; and

WHEREAS, since 1998, a growing number of official and unofficial ties have developed with the City of Magdeburg, Germany, the capital of Saxony-Anhalt, with exchanges of official delegations, contacts among schools, universities, non-profit organizations, museums, and other cultural institutions, as well as numerous personal friendships; and

WHEREAS, in November of 2001, the City Parliament of Magdeburg passed a resolution authorizing their Lord Mayor, Dr. Lutz Trümper, to conduct official negotiations with the City of Nashville with the goal of establishing an official sister city relationship; and

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of Sister Cities of Nashville, Inc., has formally recommended the nomination of Magdeburg, Germany, to be Nashville’s German sister city and the Metropolitan Government, through this Council, does hereby approve this recommendation, finding that the proposed relationship will be of great benefit to the citizens of Nashville.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:

SECTION 1. That the Metropolitan County Council hereby goes on record as approving a Sister City relationship with Magdeburg, Germany, and authorizing the Mayor to execute a Sister City Charter.

SECTION 2. The Metropolitan Clerk is directed to send a certified copy of this Resolution to Mayor Bill Purcell.

SECTION 3. This Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.

Sponsored by: Bob Bogen, David Briley, Leo Waters

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY
Referred to:	Rules & Confirmations Committee
Introduced:	October 15 , 2002
Adopted:	October 15, 2002
Approved:	October 16, 2002
By: