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7/7/08
City International Relations: Mayor and Delegation Visit Japan
Mayor Rick Baker, Council Member James Kennedy, and members of
the St. Petersburg delegation are visiting the city’s sister city, Takamatsu, Japan, July 1-8, 2008.
St. Petersburg is one of 780 U.S. cities participating across the
nation, and the U.S. is one of 86 foreign countries in the program. This
international program was created in 1956 by President Dwight D.
Eisenhower, to enhance relationships between cities in the United States and the rest of the world.
On July 1st, city officials visited Hiroshima, Japan. As a welcome gesture, dozens of paper cranes, symbolizing peace,
were presented to the Children’s Peace Monument. The paper cranes
were made by local elementary students from Campbell Park, Douglas L.
Jamerson, and North Shore schools.
On July 2nd, city officials were greeted by Takamatsu city officials, Masahiro Nagao and Akihiko Kato, upon arrival at the Takamatsu train station. The group toured Ritsurin Park and National Scenic Area,
representing significance to Japan heritage dating back to 1570s.
“As St. Petersburg continues to emerge on the
international spectrum as a center for business and tourism, I express my
gratitude to the members of the International Relations Committee who
proudly represent our city as ambassadors to audiences around the
globe,” expressed Mayor Rick Baker.
Recently, Mayor Rick Baker was honored by the National League
of Cities by being asked to join twelve national mayors for a tour of China on an environmental awareness mission. The mission is scheduled to take place in
August 2008.
Click here, to learn more about the City of St. Petersburg’s International Relations Committee.
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