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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-26-05 Community Relations Committee Community Relations Committee 2005 South Bend Common Council The September 26, 2005 meeting of the Community Relations Committee was called to order by its Chairperson, Council Member Karen L. White at 5:25 p.m. in the Council Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included Council Members Dieter, Puzzello, Varner, Kuspa, Kirsits, Rouse and White; Citizen Member Martha Lewis, City Clerk John Voorde, Executive Director of the Department of Community and Economic Development Sharon Kendall, Gabrielle Robinson, Jamie Loo of the &X, 5-,A,C,A ,,e,, and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Council Attorney. Council Member White noted that the Committee Members include Council Members Varner, Puzzello, Kelly and herself. She stated that the meeting was called to review Bill No. 05-118 which would establish a Sister City Relationship between South Bend and Arzberg,Germany. Gabrielle Robinson, Director of the International Program at IU South Bend made the presentation. She noted that in March of this year she and others addressed the Council about this community-driven initiative to create a sister city relationship with South Bend and Arzberg, Germany. She recalled the delegation from Arzberg who visited the city a few years earlier and noted that there are many residents in South Bend who have direct ancestral roots back to Arzberg. The Council Attorney inquired whether there would be a formal agreement which the Council would be approving at a later date similar to our first Sister City Relationship. Ms. Robinson noted that she would check with Miki Dobski Schidler. She also noted that there would be ongoing cultural and educational exchanges between he cities. Dr. Varner made a motion, seconded by Council Member Puzzello that Bill No. 05-118 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed. Council Member White thanked Gabrielle Robinson for her presentation. She then adjourned the Committee meeting at 5:27 p.m. Respectfully submitted, C uncil Member Karen L. ite,Chairperson Community Relations Committee KCF:kmf Attachment Community Relations Committee meeting of September 26,2005 -Page 1- _ d - - Resolution No. + eP/ A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND,INDIANA, ESTABLISHING THE SISTER CITY RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SOUTH BEND,INDIANA AND ARZBERG,GERMANY Wrzexeczo,in 1956,U.S.President Dwight D.Eisenhower called for"massive exchanges between Americans and the peoples of other lands"which culminated in the creation of Sister Cities International,which is dedicated to"promoting peace through mutual respect,understanding and cooperation—one individual,one community at a time";and C u1 /exarb,on July 21,1992,the South Bend Common Council formally ratified the Sister City Agreement between the City of South Bend and the City of Czestochowa,Poland,when it adopted Resolution No. 1960-62 resulting in the development an enduring and solid relationship which has contributed to the enhancement of educational,cultural and tourism opportunities linking these two great communities culturally,spiritually and civically;and ON;rea4,on June 23,2003,the South Bend Common Council formally welcomed the 2003 Delegation from Arzberg, Germany,to our community and pledged its support to uphold and strengthen the ties between our cities acknowledging that at the Arzberg City Fest in June of 2002,a three-sided memorial was dedicated which included the following insignia: "There were citizens from Arzberg who,in the middle of the 19th century,left their home in search of anew existence. In South Bend in Indiana they found a new home,which enabled them to live a life in peace and freedom. There were citizens of South Bend,who in the year 2002 came to Arzberg from Indiana in search of their historic roots. In Arzberg they found citizens who welcomed them in friendship,and thereby expressed their thanks to the American people. The citizens of Arzberg and the citizens of South Bend established here a symbol offriendship and solidarity between the German and the American people" with the American Delegation presenting to the Mayor and official representatives of Arzberg, Germany, a commemorative medal,designed by local sculptor Tuck Langland, which depicted images of Arzberg and South Bend and I showed that our two cities are united by a boat traveling through the middle of the medallion being representative of the many immigrants who crossed the Atlantic before settling in northern Indiana 150 years ago. ��!/zexeaG,the South Bend Common Council is indeed honored and privileged to be a part of the establishment of furthering the formal relations between two these great cities,Arzberg and South Bend,as it moves forward in officially establishing this relationship as the second Sister City with the City South Bend;and 0kr6,in view of the importance and the many potential cultural&economic benefits resulting from Sister City relationships,the Council further recommends that it pursue other community-driven relationships with other sister cities in parts of the world where our citizens are already linked by their cultures and heritage,especially in Africa and Mexico. PAlau` elm/iv/we,(e e s'eao/sea,by the Common Council of the City of South Bend,Indiana,as follows: Section I. On behalf of all of the citizens of the City of South Bend,Indiana,the Common Council hereby officially establishes the Sister City relationship between the City of Arzberg,Germany and the City of South Bend,Indiana. Section II. The South Bend Common Council pledges its support to work in partnership with the South Bend City Administration,to continue to encourage the development of understanding,trust and friendship between the residents of Arzberg,Germany and South Bend,Indiana, by enhancing educational,cultural and economic opportunities. The Council is proud to acknowledge that much of this great history is captured in the growing collections located at the Northern Indiana Center for History which historically trace ties of South Bend to this rich Bavarian city whose German ancestors became prominent business leaders in South Bend and helped shape a growing community during the 19th century. Section III. This Resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after its adoption by the Council and approval by the Mayor. Der Di ter,lit DistrAct Dist Ervin Kuspa,6th District Charlotte D.Pfeifer,2„d District Al`Buddy”Kirsits,At Large Roland Kelly,3`d District Timothy A.Rouse,At Large Ann Puzzello,4th District Karen L.White,At Large Dr.David Varner,5th District Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand,Council Attorney ,�rreeed by me,Stephen J.Luecke,the Mayor of the City of South Bend,Indiana,United States of America,on this day of ,2005. ..PSd7/xraG• . John Voorde,City Clerk Stephen J.Luecke,Mayor of South Bend,Indiana