SUBSTITUTE RESOLUTION NO. RS2014-1213

A resolution approving a Friendship City relationship with Kamakura, Japan and authorizing the Mayor to execute a Friendship 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; Mendoza, Argentina; Taiyuan, China; and Tamworth, Australia, 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, The City of Nashville, Tennessee and the City of Kamakura, Japan are equally rich in natural beauty and are among the most desired tourist destinations in the United States and Japan, both cities have a focus on the arts and music; and

WHEREAS, Nashville and Kamakura desire to encourage both city’s citizens to enjoy friendship with one another and to extend activities and exchanges in education, culture, and the arts that will lead to closer cooperation and even deeper friendship between the two cities in the months and years to come; and

WHEREAS, residents of Kamakura and Nashville have visited these respective cities including a visit during Nashville’s Cherry Blossom festival where one member of the Kamakura delegation performed music on the Biwa; and

WHEREAS, a dialogue between official 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 Kamakura, to be Nashville’s Japanese Friendship City under the auspices of Sister Cities of Nashville, Inc. 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 Friendship City relationship with Kamakura, Japan and authorizing the Mayor to execute a Charter confirming the relationship.

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

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY
Referred to:	Rules & Confirmations Committee
Introduced:	September 9, 2014
Substitute Introduced:	September 9, 2014
Adopted:	September 9, 2014
Approved:	September 10, 2014
By: