By Romo H.R. No. 824 74R12561 PAN-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The sister city concept was inaugurated by President 1-2 Dwight Eisenhower in 1956 to establish greater friendship and 1-3 understanding between the people of the United States and other 1-4 nations through the medium of direct personal contact; and 1-5 WHEREAS, Since that time, the State of Texas has heartily 1-6 endorsed the formation of cooperative and mutually beneficial 1-7 relationships between Texas' cities and those in other nations that 1-8 possess similar attributes; and 1-9 WHEREAS, To this end, the picturesque city of Leon Valley in 1-10 Bexar County has formed a special bond with the lovely coastal 1-11 community of Agropoli, Italy, and this unique tie is proving to be 1-12 a positive experience for both parties concerned; and 1-13 WHEREAS, Like its sister city, Agropoli is a charming 1-14 community of some 10,000 residents that draws much of its income 1-15 from a booming tourist industry; an early Greek settlement, 1-16 Agropoli attracts 60,000 visitors each summer who are drawn to the 1-17 community by its rich archeological finds, beautiful coastline, 1-18 inviting climate, and warm and friendly residents; and 1-19 WHEREAS, Agropoli is located in Salerno, a province of nearly 1-20 900,000 residents; the province's capital city of Salerno is known 1-21 for its many historic attractions, including San Matteo Cathedral, 1-22 which was founded in 845 and is the site of the tomb of St. 1-23 Matthew, and the earliest medical school in Europe, which had 1-24 already become renowned for its physicians as early as the 10th 2-1 century; and 2-2 WHEREAS, In May 1995, a delegation of civic leaders from Leon 2-3 Valley, led by the city's mayor pro tem, Mary Green, and former 2-4 mayor Irene Baldridge, will travel to Agropoli, where they will 2-5 meet with local dignitaries to bring the citizens of their two 2-6 communities closer together and further strengthen the 2-7 international understanding and goodwill they have established to 2-8 date; now, therefore, be it 2-9 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas 2-10 Legislature hereby honor the city of Agropoli, Italy, and its 2-11 outstanding citizens for their hospitality in welcoming the Leon 2-12 Valley delegation to their community and extend to them sincere 2-13 best wishes for an educational and rewarding visit with their 2-14 counterparts from Texas; and, be it further 2-15 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-16 prepared for the citizens of Agropoli, Italy, as an expression of 2-17 high regard by the Texas House of Representatives.