[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 106 (Friday, July 15, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1341]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        RECOGNIZING THE NEW YORK STATE SISTER CITIES CONFERENCE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. BRIAN HIGGINS---

                              of new york-

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 15, 2011

  Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the New York 
State Sister Cities Conference being held today in Cheektowaga, New 
York.
   For the first time in over a decade, New York State Sister Cities 
will be holding a conference to connect all interested parties to share 
their mutual visions and plans to continue to bring together community 
leaders and motivated citizens in an effort to improve their community 
and the world.
   President Dwight D. Eisenhower created the organization in 1956 to 
develop international bonds between communities in the United States 
and abroad while working with ordinary citizens to build relationships 
that transcend politics and promote world peace. Sister Cities now 
represents more than 700 US communities and nearly 2,500 partnerships 
with sister communities in 134 nations.
   Sister Cities International is a leader for local community 
development and volunteer action. It fosters the development of 
partnerships between municipalities in the United States and similar 
jurisdictions in other nations. These long-term friendships allow 
citizens to experience and explore other cultures, implement and 
strengthen economic and community development, and stimulate 
environments through which communities collaboratively solve problems 
through reciprocal cultural, educational, municipal, business, 
professional, and technical exchanges.
   This conference will give citizens the opportunity to network, share 
proven practices, and discuss recent trends in diplomacy leaving 
everyone prepared to connect communities and strengthen partnerships 
worldwide.
   The mission of this program is to promote peace through mutual 
respect, understanding and cooperation--one individual, one community 
at a time. And never has there been a time when organizations like 
Sister Cities have been more vital to promoting peace, cooperation, and 
the ideal of the United States than there has been now.
   My district benefits tremendously through Sister Cities' 
partnerships with communities in nations such as Ghana, China, Germany, 
Israel, and Poland. I fully support the efforts of this beneficial 
program to continue to promote transparency between communities and 
cultures.
   Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride I stand today to recognize the 
2011 New York State Sister Cities Conference. I also call upon my 
colleagues to join me in applauding the great work that it is doing 
every day.

                          ____________________