A resolution approving a Sister City relationship with Taiyuan, People's Republic of China and authorizing the Mayor to execute a Sister City Charter.

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; Edmonton, Canada; and Magdeburg, Germany, 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 over a year a committee of Sister Cities of Nashville has been exploring the creation of a sister city relationship with a Chinese city, receiving support from area professional and business groups, entrepreneurs, Chinese-American citizens living in Nashville, high school and college teachers and students of Chinese, and diverse other citizens with business and personal ties to China; and

WHEREAS, since the early 1980s, a growing number of official and unofficial ties have developed with both Taiyuan, the capital of Shanxi Province, and the Provincial government of Shanxi, the sister state of Tennessee since 1985, with exchange of official delegations, contacts among schools, universities, local businesses, and non-profit organizations, museums, and other cultural institutions, as well as numerous personal friendships; and

WHEREAS, in October of 2006, the City of Taiyuan signed a letter of intent 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 Taiyuan, People's Republic of China, to be Nashville's Chinese 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 Taiyuan, People's Republic of China, 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: Greg Adkins

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY
Referred:	Rules Committee
Introduced:	March 20, 2007
Adopted:	March 20, 2007
Approved:	March 21, 2007
By: