[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 114 (Wednesday, September 5, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1573]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 IN RECOGNITION OF THE SISTER CITY PROJECT BETWEEN BLUE ASH, OHIO and 
                            ILMENAU, GERMANY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ROB PORTMAN

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 5, 2001

  Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the outstanding 
Sister City relationship between the City of Blue Ash, Ohio and 
Ilmenau, Germany.
  The first Sister Cities began in 1956 at the behest of former 
President Eisenhower as a way to strengthen our nation's relations with 
the international community. The Sister Cities initiative proved to be 
a great success, and, to this day, it continues to be a success. 
Presently, more than 2,500 U.S. cities have forged Sister City 
relationships in over 130 foreign countries.
  Blue Ash's relationship with Ilmenau, Germany began last year under 
Mayor Jim Sumner's direction. Mayor Sumner began this exchange with 
three primary goals in mind: fostering economic development; nurturing 
exchange programs between the University of Cincinnati's Raymond 
Walters College and the Technical University of Ilmenau, and between 
Sycamore Community Schools and their counterparts in Ilmenau; and to 
forge other significant social and cultural exchanges that will come 
from the emerging relationship.
  A delegation from Blue Ash first visited Ilmenau in February 2000. In 
February 2001, at the request of Ilmenau officials, a small delegation 
of Blue Ash's public safety officials traveled there to share ideas and 
methods related to police and fire department issues and training. 
Another delegation of Sycamore High School students also enjoyed their 
first visit to Ilmenau this year. Recently, in August, a delegation of 
police and fire officials from Ilmenau visited Blue Ash. And, next 
month, from October 1 to October 7, Mayor Sumner will lead another 
delegation to Ilmenau to participate in the Oktoberfest celebration, 
among other activities.
  Mr. Speaker, the Blue Ash-Ilmenau Sister City project has been a 
great economic, cultural and educational success. All of us in the 
Cincinnati area wish Mayor Sumner and his delegation the very best on 
their upcoming visit, and we hope that the relationship between Blue 
Ash and Ilmenau will continue to prosper.

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