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WHEREAS, the City of Pittsburgh has long been a recognized leader in pursuing respectful and supportive relationships with the people and government of Cuba through City Council Resolution, delegation visits and actions of previous Administrations including the establishment of an official sister city relationship with Matanzas, Cuba, also celebrated as a "Three Rivers City" and "City of Bridges" in a formal twinning agreement ceremony signed in Matanzas, Cuba on February 20, 1998; and,
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WHEREAS, Mayor William Peduto additionally traveled to Cuba to explore and promote mutual interests and understanding, and over the years thousands of Pittsburgh area residents have travelled to Cuba despite official U.S. government policy and roadblocks; and,
WHEREAS, the Pittsburgh-Matanzas Sister Cities Partnership has promoted countless rewarding relationships through meaningful, albeit limited opportunities for academic, business, humanitarian, cultural, sporting, environmental, medical and other exchanges as witnessed by several Cuban Ministers visiting our City together with congregate events involving the participation of hundreds of Pittsburghers including the July 30, 2016 youth boxing match on the Roberto Clemente Bridge, the first U S sporting event to be viewed live by more than three million Cubans via satellite; and,
WHEREAS, in 2015 a Western Pennsylvania trade delegation organized by the Pittsburgh-Matanzas Sister Cities Partnership and the Hibernian Celtic Athletic Fund, visited Havana and Matanzas and included Congressman Michael Doyle, County Executive Rich Fitzgerald, Councilwoman Natalia Rudiak, PA. Senate Majority Leader Joe Scarnati, and other elected and appointed officials as well representatives of the State Liquor Control Board, PPG Industries, Pittsburgh International Airport, Penn State, among others; and,
WHEREAS, the Pittsburgh-Matanzas delegation witnessed the signing of a formal Memorandum of Understanding between Penn State...
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