2014 -- H 8340

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2014

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

HONORING THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF INTERNATIONAL UNDERSTANDING

BETWEEN THE SISTER CITIES OF COVENTRY, RHODE ISLAND AND VANNES,

FRANCE

     Introduced By: Representatives Guthrie, Tomasso, Serpa, and Nunes

     Date Introduced: June 17, 2014

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, After the devastation of World War II, some European cities began sister-

city organizations with the hope of healing and repairing some of the personal damage created by

the war. One such city was Coventry, England. The city of Coventry had been virtually destroyed

and reduced to rubble during the war; and

     WHEREAS, In the summer of 1970, the Lord Mayor of Coventry visited Coventry,

Connecticut and Coventry, Rhode Island, to initiate a cultural relationship between his city and

these two towns. Thus was born the "Coventry Friendship Link." This first visit helped to build

friendships and relationships that have lasted through the years and led to cross-cultural exchange

visits between the citizens of Coventry, England and Coventry, Rhode Island, with the exchanges

taking place in the United States in 1975 and the United Kingdom in 1976; and

     WHEREAS, In the spirit of the initial Sister-City relationship between Coventry, Rhode

Island and Coventry, England, other such relationships were established including the Coventry,

Rhode Island and Vannes, France, Sister-City relationship that was created in 1984. This

relationship was established through the French cultural organization Amité et Rencontres entre

les Peuples; and

     WHEREAS, The first visitors from Vannes, France, arrived in Coventry, Rhode Island,

in 1991 and in 1992 a group of Americans, including folks from Coventry, Rhode Island, visited

Vannes, France. It is hoped that these kinds of exchanges between Coventry and Vannes can soon

be renewed; and

     WHEREAS, Sister-City relationships are created in the hope that greater international

understanding can be forged through cultural exchanges, outreach, and the fostering of new

friendships; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby honors the 30th Anniversary of International Understanding

between the Sister Cities of Coventry, Rhode Island, and Vannes, France; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Ms. Norma Smith.

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