WHEREAS, Sister Cities International was started in 1956 by Dwight D. Eisenhower; and
     WHEREAS, Sister Cities International represents communities in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and five United States territories including 714 communities in the United States with 1,987 partnerships; and
     WHEREAS, Sister Cities International represents communities in Africa, Latin America, Asia/Oceania, the Caribbean, Eurasia, Europe, the Middle East, and Canada, including 1,790 international communities in 137 countries; and
     WHEREAS, The Walla Walla Sister City Committee is celebrating 35 years of goodwill and friendship with their sister city, Sasayama, Japan; and
     WHEREAS, The sister city relationship between Walla Walla and Sasayama has allowed citizens of those two cities to develop lifetime friendships by opening up their homes for others to stay in; and
     WHEREAS, Walla Wallans of all ages have been personally and culturally enriched through sharing their homes, families, music, education, and cultures with the citizens of Sasayama; and
     WHEREAS, A special delegation from Walla Walla will travel to Sasayama this October to commemorate the 35th year of friendship; and
     WHEREAS, The Blue Mountain Troublemakers, a middle school and high school bluegrass band, will help the cities celebrate this event by performing in Sasayama;
     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate acknowledge and honor the Walla Walla Sister City Committee for their contribution to the cultural enrichment of Walla Walla and the state of Washington; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to the Walla Walla Sister City Committee and the City of Walla Walla.