Fiscal Note
No appropriation is required.
Title
Celebrating Madison's 25-year sister city relationship with Arcatao, El Salvador and recommitting to the work of the Madison Arcatao Sister City Project for the benefit of people in both communities.
Body
WHEREAS, the Madison-Arcatao sister city relationship was originally established in the context of a scorched earth policy carried out by the Salvadoran government and supported by the United States government with the purpose of depopulating the peasant communities of Chalatenango, the northern department where Arcatao is located; and
WHEREAS, the decision by the Madison Common Council in 1986 to acknowledge and accompany the people of Arcatao saved lives, gave them courage and hope and helped make it possible for the people of Arcatao to survive and live in their community during the 12-year civil war and political struggle in El Salvador; and
WHEREAS, the people of Arcatao have inspired the people of Madison with their courage and resolve in the face of political and economic adversities and with their internationally acclaimed model of community organizing; and
WHEREAS, the 25-year sister city relationship has contributed to rectifying past harms and injustices inflicted by the United States on El Salvador and has been a positive force for mutual friendship, solidarity and understanding; and
WHEREAS, many delegations from Madison have visited Arcatao over the years, nurturing meaningful friendships and leading to understanding of inequality, injustice, and the importance of continual community organizing; and
WHEREAS, visits to Madison from our brothers and sisters in Arcatao have helped us realize the positive and negative effects that the governments and economies of the United States and El Salvador have on each other and the ways that sister city relationships transcend international boundaries and how we, ordinary people, can work together by encouraging higher education, universal health care, appropriate economic development and transparent democratic governments in both our communities; and
WHEREAS, the Madison Arcatao Sister City Project (MASCP) not only keeps the sistering relationship alive in Madison but also plays an active role in the United States El Salvador Sister City Network (USESSC), which encourages people in Madison to be better informed and involved in issues that affect both countries; and
WHEREAS, the sister city relationship between Madison and Arcatao embodies the powerful way that people-to-people relationships across international borders lead to increased understanding, compassion, solidarity, and working together for peace and social justice;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that in celebration of the 25-year friendship between Madison, Wisconsin, USA and Arcatao, Chalatenango, El Salvador, the City of Madison recommits itself to this rich sister city relationship and encourages MASCP to continue organizing delegations to and from Arcatao, creating opportunities for youth and community leadership development and appropriate economic development, and working with the people of Arcatao and El Salvador in order to help bring about mutual understanding, peace and social justice across the hemisphere.