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WHEREAS, the City of Pittsburgh, known for its rich international heritage and current standing as a globally dynamic city, has long benefited from the flow of immigrants from every corner of Europe throughout its history, which continue to shape the fabric of this city and region through the continuing excellence of national traditions and touring of Pittsburgh cultural treasures; and,
WHEREAS, Pittsburgh played an important role in the shaping of Europe, including culmination of the 1918 Pittsburgh Agreement, which established the post-World War I democratic republic of Czechoslovakia, and-more recently-the work of organizations such as the Ireland Institute of Pittsburgh in helping lay the foundations for the 1998 Good Friday Agreement in Northern Ireland; and,
WHEREAS, the Pittsburgh region is host to 231 European companies, representing 14 countries, and maintaining 467 separate operations, and 71 Southwestern Pennsylvanian companies maintaining 472 operations in 28 different European countries with exports to Europe increasing by over 56 percent between 2005 and 2007, reflecting sustained growth and prosperity in mutual commerce; and,
WHEREAS, Pittsburgh partners with organizations to enhance and solidify international relationships by bringing artists, business leaders, educators, and government officials from around the globe to Pittsburgh promoting cultural relatedness and relationships through mutual respect, understanding & cooperation in cultural, business, community and government; and,
WHEREAS, the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh has been recognized by the European Commission's Delegation to the United States to be a partner in a year-long series of community and school programs to promote, on a non-partisan basis, greater awareness of important international issues and an understanding of Europe and its importance to this nation and this region; and,
WHEREAS, Pittsburgh is home to a Consular Association, whose 15 active Honorary Consuls, 13 of whom represent European countries, facilitate the development of economic, cultural, and educational contacts within the framework of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations; and,
WHEREAS, these Honorary Consuls, in concert with organizations such as the British-American Business Council, the German-American Business Circle, and the American Council on Germany and countless other national, cultural and commercial associations actively promote stronger partnerships between Pittsburgh and Europe; and,
WHEREAS, the Pittsburgh Regional Alliance conducts business development missions with many European and international cities including Pittsburgh's Sister Cities based on opportunities for mutual collaboration and economic diversification for each other's cities and bi-lateral business development, and,
WHEREAS, Pittsburgh enjoys Sister City relationships with 9 European cities, including Sheffield, England, which became a Sister City to Pittsburgh in 1981 and shares a similar Steel Industry history as Andrew Carnegie brought the Bessemer process from Sheffield to Pittsburgh and both economies have undergone massive transformations with each continuing to do well in theses current economic challenges as a result of economic diversification across significant growth sectors in Life Sciences, IT and manufacturing;
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THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby declare the week of May 4, 2009, to be "EUROPE WEEK" in the City of Pittsburgh, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby declare Tuesday, May 5, 2009 to be "SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND SISTER CITY DAY" in the City of Pittsburgh.