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 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, 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 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, 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, Strong commercial ties now exist between the citizens of the Greek 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 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 relationship between Athens and California is in the best interest of a cooperative relationship between the two states involved; now, therefore, be it