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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The city of Austin celebrated the 50th anniversary |
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of its sister city relationship with Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico, in |
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November 2018, and is further commemorating the cities' partnership |
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with "Saltillo Day in Austin" on April 6, 2019; and |
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WHEREAS, Promoting mutually advantageous connections, the |
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sister city alliance stems from the Sister Cities International |
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initiative created in 1956 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower; the |
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program advances peace and prosperity through cultural, |
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educational, humanitarian, and economic development efforts; and |
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WHEREAS, Saltillo, the capital of the state of Coahuila, in |
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northeastern Mexico, was one of the first of Austin's sister |
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cities; the pair's status as sister cities was established in 1968 |
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as an outgrowth of policies enacted by the Texas Good Neighbor |
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Commission, and over the past five decades, the cities have |
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exemplified the spirit of friendship, cooperation, and reciprocity |
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that is at the core of the program's mission; and |
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WHEREAS, Since the 1980s, delegations from both cities have |
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made annual exchange visits to discuss such issues as education, |
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culture, economic development, and municipal services, with an |
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emphasis on sharing resources and working mutually to meet one |
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another's needs; these visits have evolved into the cross-border |
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observances of "Austin Day in Saltillo" and "Saltillo Day in |
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Austin," occasions that have helped generate more opportunities for |
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residents in each community to learn about the culture, businesses, |
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food, customs, and people of their sister city; and |
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WHEREAS, For half a century, the special bond enjoyed by the |
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cities of Austin and Saltillo has provided myriad benefits to their |
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citizens, and it is a pleasure to join in celebrating the longevity |
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of this unique and vibrant partnership; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 86th Texas |
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Legislature hereby commemorate the 50th anniversary of the sister |
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city relationship between Austin and Saltillo and extend to all |
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those associated with the program best wishes for a memorable |
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"Saltillo Day in Austin." |