RESOLUTION NO. RS2013-688

A resolution approving a Sister City relationship with Tamworth, NSW, Australia 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 an d 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; Mendoza, Argentina 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 background, and to develop lasting friendships; and

WHEREAS, Nashville, “Music City” and Tamworth, “The Country Music Capital of Australia”, share the common bond of music as the foundation of each city’s cultural, business and social fabric, including the common heritage of hosting annual music festivals attracting thousands of visitors to the respective cities for over forty years; and

WHEREAS both cities are recognized regional centers, Nashville as the capital of the state of Tennessee and located at a critical crossroads of the Southeastern United States and Tamworth as the regional hub of the New England area of New South Wales; and

WHEREAS the medical, educational and equine achievements made by the citizens of the two cities are both well established and nationally known; and
WHEREAS numerous residents of Tamworth and Nashville have visited these respective cities; and

WHEREAS a dialogue between the official Sister City groups in each city has been ongoing for several years; and

WHEREAS the Mayors of the two cities have exchanged official letters expressing interest in such a relationship; and

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of Sister Cities of Nashville, Inc. has formally recommended the nomination of Tamworth, New South Wales, to be Nashville’s Australian 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 Tamworth, New South Wales, Australia 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: Burkley Allen, Frank Harrison, Anthony Davis, Tim Garrett, Tony Tenpenny, Josh Stites, Charlie Tygard, Phil Claiborne, Steve Glover, Buddy Baker, Doug Pardue, Ronnie Stein, Duane Dominy, Chris Harmon], Scott Davis, Emily Evans, Jacobia Dowell, Megan Barry, Carter Todd, Sandra Moore, Jason Potts, Karen Johnson, Lonnell Matthews, Erica Gilmore, Darren Jernigan, Brady Banks, Bo Mitchell, Karen Bennett, Sean McGuire, Jason Holleman

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY
Referred to:	Rules & Confirmations Committee
Introduced:	May 7, 2013
Adopted:	May 7, 2013
Approved:	May 9, 2013
By: