Proclamation

Whereas the Sister City program was inaugurated by the President of the United States of America in 1950 to establish, maintain and foster greater friendship and understanding between the people of the United States and other nations through the medium of direct personal contact, and

Whereas the twinning concept was established in Europe to maintain and foster the same goals and aspirations, and

Whereas the citizens of the Town of Kasterlee, Belgium, and the Town of Fountain Hills, Arizona, USA have expressed the willingness and desire, through their own respective Councils, to twin and become Sister Cities and to share ideas and encourage exchanges and communication of our citizens that will lead to a lasting friendship between our people.

Now therefore, be it forever known and proclaimed that on this historic occasion being the sisteenth day of September, 2000 at the Town Hall of Kasterlee that this honor The Mayor of Kasterlee, Belgium, Walter Otten, and the honorable Mayor Sharon Morgan of Fountain Hills, Arizona, USA, have hereby subscribed their signatures and do hereby formally declare the official twinning of the Town of Kasterlee, Belgium, and Fountain Hills, Arizona, USA, thereby recognizing and enshrining the various and divergent community interests of our citizens by building a better climate for world understanding.

Duly signed, declared and proclaimed by the representative parties this 16th day of September, 2000.