R E S O L U T I O N
 1-1           WHEREAS, Founded in 1956 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower,
 1-2     Sister Cities International (SCI) is a nonprofit diplomacy network
 1-3     committed to creating and strengthening partnerships and cultural
 1-4     understanding between the United States and international
 1-5     communities; and
 1-6           WHEREAS, Throughout the nation and across the world, SCI has
 1-7     been invaluable to fostering cooperation between approximately
 1-8     3,500 cities in 156 countries; moreover, it has led local community
 1-9     development and volunteer action by motivating and empowering
1-10     private citizens, municipal officials, and business leaders to
1-11     conduct long-term programs of mutual benefit; and
1-12           WHEREAS, Adroitly led by chair Mary Palko and vice chair Gary
1-13     Fickes, the Texas Sister Cities International program and its many
1-14     dedicated volunteers have contributed greatly to establishing these
1-15     global relationships; currently there are 72 cities in the Lone
1-16     Star State linked to 32 foreign countries and 113 foreign cities;
1-17     and
1-18           WHEREAS, All those associated with the Sister Cities
1-19     International initiative have shown an impressive commitment to
1-20     strengthening international understanding and goodwill, and it is a
1-21     privilege to commend them at this time; now, therefore, be it
1-22           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas
1-23     Legislature hereby commend the significant efforts of the Sister
1-24     Cities International program and applaud all those associated with
 2-1     the Texas Sister Cities International program for establishing and
 2-2     furthering rewarding relationships between cities in the Lone Star
 2-3     State and foreign communities.
                                                                      Hunter
                                             _______________________________
                                                   Speaker of the House
               I certify that H.R. No. 789 was adopted by the House on April
         25, 2001, by a non-record vote.
                                             _______________________________
                                                 Chief Clerk of the House