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WHEREAS, the City of Pittsburgh was built by immigrants from around the world and these immigrants provided a foundation for our neighborhoods and communities so that home land traditions can continue and be handed down from generation to generation; and,
WHEREAS , in order to continue our ethnic heritages as well adopt new traditions from more recent immigrants, the City of Pittsburgh, through the cooperation of the Greater Pittsburgh Sister Cities Association, endorses the twinning of cities from around the world to bring to the people of Pittsburgh a mutual understanding of this ever changing world; and,
WHEREAS, a 10 year relationship has been built between the City of Pittsburgh's Jewish community and Karmiel and Misgav, Israel through the efforts of the United Jewish Federation of Pittsburgh and their vast volunteer base who through programs like Partnership 2000 have been able to enhance Jewish life and continuity both here and in Israel by promoting tolerance and mutual understanding; and,
WHEREAS, the United Jewish Federation through Partnership 2000 has helped to embody the goal of the Greater Pittsburgh Sister Cities Association by developing cultural, social, educational and economic ties with Karmiel and Misgav, Israel; and,
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NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh supports this twinning agreement with Karmiel and the Misgav Region of Israel to become Pittsburgh 15th Sister City; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh recognizes the signing of the Sister City Agreement between Pittsburgh's representatives, Pittsburgh Mayor Bob O'Connor and Pittsburgh City Council President Luke Ravenstahl, and Israel's representatives, Mayor Adi Eldar of Karmiel, Israel and Mayor Erez Kriezler and Deputy Mayor Baruch Rosen of the Misgav Region and declare May 23, 2006, to be Karmiel/Misgav Day in the City of Pittsburgh.