Amended
IN
Senate
March 24, 2008
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CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE—
2007–2008 REGULAR SESSION
Senate Concurrent Resolution
No. 74
Introduced by
Senator
Alquist
(Coauthor(s):
Senator
Ducheny, Kuehl, Romero, Torlakson)
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February 06, 2008 |
Relative to the Prefecture of Athens.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
SCR 74, as amended, Alquist.
Prefecture of Athens: sister-state sister state relationship.
This measure would accept extend, on behalf of the people of the state, the an invitation of to the people of the Prefecture of Athens, Greece, to join Athens in a sister-state
sister state relationship.
Digest Key
Fiscal Committee:
NO WHEREAS, The sister city-state concept was inaugurated by the President of the United States in 1956 to establish greater friendship and understanding between the people of the United States and other nations through the medium of direct personal contact; and
WHEREAS, All succeeding Presidents have endorsed this program conducted for the broad purpose of exchanging ideas between the citizens of the United States, including this state, and the peoples of other nations; and
WHEREAS, The Prefecture of Athens, Greece, and this state WHEREAS, The Greek Prefecture of Athens, including the Greek capital and its surrounding region, and the State of California share many geographic, agricultural, academic, artistic, and economic similarities, such as moderate climates, beautiful landscapes, active seismic belts, extensive forests, important agricultural sectors, strong levels of tourism, and world-class winemaking; and
WHEREAS, California and the Greek Prefecture of Athens share a keen interest in educational excellence and a history of academic excellence dating back to the ancient Greek philosophers of Athens who have inspired centuries of academic inquiry that continues today at the University of Athens and in the California State University and the University of California systems, two of the largest and most renowned public higher education systems in the United States; and
WHEREAS, A sister state relationship between California and the Greek Prefecture of Athens would facilitate the exchange of environmental protection information and other scientific and technical knowledge, especially in the field of earthquake preparedness, and would provide a forum for sharing legislative solutions; and
WHEREAS, The people of California have a longstanding admiration with for the grand history of Greek culture and mythology, having selected in 1849 the Goddess Athena to be included on the California State Seal as a representation of California’s strength, independence, and wisdom; and
WHEREAS, The Greeks pioneered the first means for the transport of water, dating back to the first known aqueduct, the Eupalinian Aqueduct; this technology has evolved over the ages and the California aqueduct system allows for California’s vast agricultural network and civilization; and
WHEREAS, Athens, is widely considered the cradle of western civilization and fostered the ideals of democratic citizenship embraced by the people of California; and
WHEREAS, The Greeks pioneered the first means for the transport of water dating back to the first known aqueduct, the Eupalinian aqueduct in the sixth century B.C.E. This technology has evolved over the ages, and today the California aqueduct system allows for California’s vast agricultural network and civilization; and
WHEREAS, The ancient philosophers of Athens inspired centuries of academic inquiry that continue today in the California State University and the University of California systems, two of the largest and most renowned higher education systems in the United States; and
WHEREAS, Strong commercial ties now exist between the citizens of the Prefecture of Athens and the residents of this state; and
WHEREAS, The people-to-people program initiated by President Eisenhower in 1956 and endorsed by all succeeding Presidents President Kennedy in 1961, was designed to bring the people of the world closer together in the interest of peace and prosperity; and
WHEREAS, A sister-state sister state relationship between Athens and California is in the best interest of a cooperative relationship between the two states involved; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly thereof concurring, That the Legislature of the State of California, on behalf of the people of the state, accepts the invitation of extends an invitation to the people of the Prefecture of Athens through the Prefecture Council of Athens to join Athens in a sister-state relationship and to conduct mutually beneficial social, economic, educational, and cultural programs in order to bring our citizens closer together and strengthen international understanding and good will; and be it
to join in a sister state relationship in order to encourage and facilitate mutually beneficial educational, economic, and cultural exchanges and programs to lead to a more indelible and lasting friendship; and be it further
Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to Ioannis Sgouros, Prefect of Athens, to Kefalidou Haroula, Subprefect of Athens, to the Governor of California, to each member of Congress from the State of California, and to the presiding officers of the legislative houses of the other states of the United States.