Title
Amending RES 19-800 formalizing a Sister City agreement between the City of Mogadishu and City of Saint Paul to include the Somali American Peace Council.
Body
Whereas, Saint Paul has one of the largest East African communities (predominantly Somali) in the United States, contributing to the vibrant economy of the City of Saint Paul; and
Whereas, there are hundreds of Somali / East African-owned and operated commercial ventures contributing to the socio-economic development of the City of Saint Paul; and
Whereas, Somalis / East African-Americans have established educational, cultural, and non-profit institutions in Saint Paul; and
Whereas, many in Saint Paul and throughout Minnesota have familial, linguistic, and entrepreneurial connections with Somalia; and
Whereas, Mogadishu is strategically located near the world's busiest shipping lanes, controlling access to the Red Sea and Indian Ocean and the Arabian Peninsula, and serves as a key refueling and trans-shipment center; and
Whereas, Mogadishu is the base of many various foreign Diplomats, African Union, European Union and American military efforts; and
Whereas, a sister city relationship with the City of Mogadishu would formalize the existing informal connections between our cities; and
Whereas, building a sister city relationship between Minnesota's state capitol of Saint Paul and Mogadishu, the capitol of Somalia, promises opportunity to explore and cement a cultural and educational learning relationship; and
Whereas, Mayor Abdirahman Omar Osman and the Saint Paul City Council have provided support and encouragement for a formal Sister City relationship; and
Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved by the Saint Paul City Council, on behalf of the people of Saint Paul, hereby approve the efforts of Voice of East African Women (VEAW) of USA, the Somali American Peace Council, and Somali American Resource to formalize a Sister City Agreement between the cities of Saint Paul and Mogadishu, for the purposes of promoting cultural understanding and stimulating economic development between our two cities and nations.