WHEREAS, California has been a refuge and home for Ukrainian immigrants for decades; and

WHEREAS, Notable numbers of Ukrainians began arriving in California in the late 19th century and now California has one of the largest Ukrainian communities in the country, with about one in six Ukrainian immigrants in the United States residing in California; and

WHEREAS, There are more than 100,000 Ukrainian Americans in California, with most Ukrainian Americans living in the metropolitan areas of Sacramento, the bay area, and Los Angeles. Sacramento ranks first in the nation in the share of its population that are Ukrainian immigrants; and

WHEREAS, The Lviv region is located in western Ukraine and shares borders to the north and northeast with the Volyn and Rivne regions; and

WHEREAS, The Lviv region attracts various ethnic groups with different cultural and religious traditions, and is home to Orthodox, Armenian, and Catholic churches, a synagogue, a mosque, and other coexisting religious traditions; and

WHEREAS, The Lviv region has a rich tradition of education and scholarship, which makes it an ideal partner for academic exchanges with California universities. Collaborations in research, technology, and innovation can flourish given the region’s and California’s historical ties and shared commitment to progress; and

WHEREAS, The Lviv region is an outstanding example of the fusion of architectural and artistic traditions from eastern Europe, Italy, and Germany, which creates opportunities for joint projects in the field of culture and art projects; and

WHEREAS, The Lviv region has a strategic location and economic potential, which offer avenues for trade, investment, and business partnerships. Joint initiatives can promote economic growth, job creation, and sustainable development; and

WHEREAS, The Lviv region received hundreds of thousands of temporarily displaced persons from the east of Ukraine who left their homes due to the brutal war unleashed by Russia; and

WHEREAS, California was among the first to recognize the tragedy of the Holodomor of 1932–1933 in Ukraine, including a memorial that was erected in 1986 in the Gloria Molina Grand Park in memory of the millions of dead Ukrainians, which today tells the world about the crimes of the Stalinist regime; and

WHEREAS, The California–Ukraine National Guard Partnership was initiated in 1993 and is one of the outcomes of, and progressive partnerships within, the United States European Command State Partnership Program. In 2014, the California State Senate approved a resolution on cooperation between the California National Guard and Ukraine. Over the years, this partnership with the California National Guard and Ukraine has made humanitarian support a constant aspect of every deployment, including helping with school repairs in the Lviv region; and

WHEREAS, California and the Lviv region of Ukraine share many mutual values, aspirations, and interests, including economic cooperation, education, arts and culture, agriculture, energy, governance, health, biotechnology, humanitarian assistance, environmental sustainability, science, and technology; and

WHEREAS, The California Legislature cherishes its longstanding commitment to fostering and nurturing international relationships that promote global cooperation, peace, prosperity, and cultural understanding; and

WHEREAS, California recognizes the unwavering resilience and strength of the Lviv region, which has undergone challenges as a result of military aggression and yet remains a beacon of cultural richness, diversity, and economic potential; and

WHEREAS, California acknowledges the significant contributions of the Ukrainian community residing within its borders, which has brought forth an array of talents, entrepreneurial spirit, culture, and traditions that have deeply enriched the Californian tapestry and played an invaluable role in building bridges of friendship and understanding between California and Ukraine; and

WHEREAS, The establishment of a sister state relationship symbolizes a mutual commitment to forging stronger bonds, enhancing bilateral ties, and promoting shared ideals and goals for the betterment of both regions and their people; now, therefore, be it