[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 55 (Monday, May 8, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S3604]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    SISTER CITIES OF NORTH ADAMS, MASSACHUSETTS AND NOISIEL, FRANCE

 Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, it's a privilege for me to commend 
the new sister cities of North Adams, Massachusetts and Noisiel, 
France. They will officially establish a sister-city relationship on 
May 20. I extend my warmest congratulations to both cities as they 
embark on this excellent opportunity.
  North Adams and Noisiel have a great deal in common. They have 
similar population sizes, and they are communities that worked 
effectively to overcome economic difficulties during the 1980's. Both 
cities have revitalized former manufacturing plants to create 
contemporary arts facilities that will attract visitors from many other 
nations. These two cities have shared remarkably similar experiences, 
and I commend them both for their impressive success.
  Last year, the City of North Adams welcomed Deputy Mayor Daniel 
Vachez of Noisiel. He visited the many cultural and historic treasures 
that make North Adams a wonderful example of New England's history and 
heritage. Mayor John Barrett III has done an outstanding job of 
supporting impressive development initiatives for the city, and I 
commend him for his leadership.
  I'm sure that the new sister city relationship will be a successful 
initiative. The relationship is a tribute to the vision and dedication 
of Mayor Barrett, Deputy Mayor Vachez and the many others in both 
cities whose enthusiasm and energy have made this project possible. I'm 
confident that both North Adams and Noisiel will benefit significantly 
from this relationship, and that their program will be an outstanding 
example to cities worldwide. I congratulate them for their achievement, 
and I look forward to a very productive sister city 
relationship.

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