City of Seattle Establishes Seattle-Tashkent Sister City Day

WHEREAS, Tashkent is the largest city in Central Asia and the capital of the Republic of Uzbekistan, with a multi-ethnic population of 2.3 million and is a regional leader in business, education, and the arts; and

WHEREAS, Seattle is the hub of a metropolitan area of 3.5 million people in the Northwest of the United States of America and is a recognized progressive leader in business, culture, and education; and

WHEREAS, the sister city relationship with Tashkent is the third oldest of all of Seattle’s twenty-one sister city relationships; and

WHEREAS, the relationship between Seattle and Tashkent was formalized in 1973, through discussions between the mayors of our two great cities–Mayor Uhlman of Seattle, and both Mayors Asamov and Kazimov of Tashkent–whose courage, leadership, and foresight we celebrate; and

WHEREAS, the relationship between Seattle and Tashkent has resulted in almost one hundred delegations, tours and meetings to establish cultural, educational, professional, and business exchanges and opportunities between our two cities; and

WHEREAS, both cities have developed parks in their respective cities to commemorate in earth, trees, and stone our lasting friendship; and

WHEREAS, over the 40 years of our affiliation, the friendship has never been interrupted by world events, and our visionary leaders continue to be open and willing to share information and resources for a thriving relationship; and

WHEREAS, we look forward to many future exchanges that will enrich the lives of citizens of our cities, and many decades of friendship between our communities;

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT PROCLAIMED BY THE SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL, THE MAYOR CONCURRING, THAT June 24, 2013 IS SEATTLE-TASHKENT SISTER CITY DAY IN SEATTLE, WASHINGTON