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Accepting the donation of travel expenses, lodging, and meals from Project Interchange, an institute of The American Jewish Committee, for Mayor Chris Coleman to attend an educational seminar in Israel for Mayors of major U.S. Cities, from November 13 to 20, 2011.
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WHEREAS, Project Interchange, an institute of the American Jewish Committee, has invited Mayor Christopher B. Coleman to participate an upcoming educational Seminar in Israel for Mayors of Major U.S. Cities; and
WHEREAS, this seminar is being chaired by Mayor Annise Parker of Houston, and the conference dates are November 13th to the 20th , 2011; and
WHEREAS, Project Interchange, a duly authorized 501(c)(3) non-political and non-profit institute of The American Jewish Committee has offered to pay for all of the travel costs, meals and accommodations; and
WHEREAS, since 1982, Project Interchange has provided educational experiences in Israel for over 5,500 American and international leaders, including elected officials, senior policy makers, scholars, journalists, and other thought leaders and continues to do so to foster learning and exchange of ideas and good public policy and governance experience, and
WHEREAS, the seminar will also focus on Israel's approaches to education, multi-racial cooperation, city administration and high-tech sector development, and will offer insights into how cities like Jerusalem balance the preservation of their heritage with modern municipal management, and
WHEREAS, as economic development receives top priority across US policy circles, Israel's resilience and vibrancy throughout a world recession provides an excellent model for American city leaders to study, and an opportunity to establish close relations with counterparts in Israel. Similarly, Israel's unique challenges and great successes in high-tech, natural resource management and alternative energy would serve to benefit policymakers with interest in these critical, job-producing areas, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Saint Paul hereby accepts the gift of travel expenses, lodging, and meals for Mayor Chris Coleman to attend an educational seminar in Israel for Mayors of major US Cities, and thanks Project Interchange for its generous gift.