RESOLUTION NO. RS2009-650

A resolution approving a Sister City relationship with Mendoza, Republic of Argentina, 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; Magdeburg, Germany and Taiyuan, China, 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 five years a committee of Sister Cities of Nashville has been exploring the creation of a sister city relationship with an Argentine city, receiving support from area professional and business groups, entrepreneurs, Argentine-American citizens living in Nashville, high school and college teachers and students of Spanish, and diverse other citizens with business and personal ties to Argentina and, specifically, to Mendoza; and

WHEREAS, since the year 2000, a growing number of official and unofficial ties have developed with Mendoza, the capital of the Province of the same name, Mendoza, with visits of official delegations, contacts among schools, universities, local businesses, and non-profit organizations, and other cultural institutions, as well as numerous personal friendships; and

WHEREAS, in October of 2008, the City of Mendoza signed a letter of intent as a “Friendship City”, to conduct official negotiations with the City of Nashville with the goal of establishing an official sister city relationship; and

WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Council desires that the cities of Nashville and Mendoza continue to work together to grow mutual understanding and insure a future of peace and freedom by creating a world of friendship; and

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of Sister Cities of Nashville, Inc., has formally recommended the nomination of Mendoza, Republic of Argentina, to be Nashville’s Argentine 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 Mendoza, Republic of Argentina, 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 Karl Dean.

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: Frank Harrison

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY
Referred to:	Rules Committee
Introduced:	February 17, 2009
Adopted:	February 17, 2009
Approved:	February 20, 2009
By: