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WHEREAS, Cuba is a small island nation of 12 million citizens, and the U.S. blockade has had over these past 60 years a profound and tremendously negative impact on the people of Cuba, and its development as a nation; and,
WHEREAS, in October 2015 the United Nations General Assembly for the 24th year in a row voted to end the blockade of Cuba; and,
WHEREAS, in 1998, Pittsburgh City Council and Mayor signed an official twinning agreement with the people of Cuba and recognized Matanzas, Cuba as our official Sister City encouraging mutual engagement efforts between our local government officials, the University of Pittsburgh, Semester-at-Sea, Global Links, B'nai B'rith, IFCO Pastors for Peace, Thomas Merton Center and many other community organizations promoting friendship and camaraderie based in citizen diplomacy; and,
WHEREAS, on December 17, 2014, President Barack Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro announced a new era of relations which would reengage Cuba with respect for Cuba's sovereignty and establishment of diplomatic relations and eliminate all travel restrictions on U.S. residents, and open exchange of ideas, fair trade business opportunities, responsible investment, energy innovation, disaster cooperation, environmental management and innovative medical advances; and,
WHEREAS, the Pittsburgh-Matanzas Sister Cities Partnership sponsored a "Citizen Diplomacy" delegation to Cuba in November 2015 together with individuals representing community, cultural, academic, scientific, energy innovation, environmental sustainability, direct flights, sports and commerce, and reaffirmed Pittsburgh's dedication and continued commitment to build bridges of mutual benefit between our two countries; and,
WHEREAS, the City recently welcomed the Cuban Minister of Sports (INDER), Dr. Antonio Bacali; Lic. Marta Lidia Ruiz, INDER's Director of International Relations; Heriberto Suarez Pereda, Cuba's Boxing Commissioner and Head of Cuba's Federation of Boxing; and L...
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