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SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, Bodo Gsedl, born in Taufkirchen (Vils), Germany,
3attended West Chicago Community High School as an AFS exchange
4student and is a proud graduate; during one of his visits to
5West Chicago, he brought his twin brother, Uwe, who fell in
6love with a woman, married her, and settled in West Chicago;
7and
 
8    WHEREAS, When Taufkirchen (Vils) was exploring a sister
9city relationship, Bodo Gsedl suggested West Chicago; an
10exploratory visit was made, and the two cities made a
11proclamation declaring the relationship in 1999; and
 
12    WHEREAS, A sister city or a twin town relationship is a
13form of legal or social agreement between two geographically
14and politically distinct localities for the purpose of
15promoting cultural and commercial ties; and
 
16    WHEREAS, In 1999, a group of West Chicagoans traveled to
17Taufkirchen, Germany to sign the official partnership papers
18to become sister cities; Nancy Smith, City Clerk of West
19Chicago, signed on behalf of the City of West Chicago, and
20Franz Hofstetter, Burgermeister of Taufkirchen, signed on
21behalf of the municipality of Taufkirchen; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, Over the past 25 years, there have been over 20
2exchanges of visitors between the two cities, introducing
3participants to the customs of each country and exploring
4German and American cultures, including musical and dance
5groups that have performed in the other country; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Visitors are hosted in family homes in each
7community, honoring the social agreement set forth in 1999;
8the families participate in welcome dinners, tourist
9attractions, and unique opportunities to visit facilities that
10are not open to the public; and
 
11    WHEREAS, In 2019, the West Chicago sister cities group
12celebrated the partnership's 20th anniversary with a visit to
13Taufkirchen, Germany, which included the 20th anniversary
14celebration dinner with the signing of a proclamation and an
15exchange of gifts; and
 
16    WHEREAS, West Chicago and Taufkirchen share a similar
17focus on enriching regional goods and businesses through
18annual festivals and markets; Blooming Fest is DuPage County's
19official welcoming committee of spring; it is held in West
20Chicago's downtown and features one of the region's largest
21plant sales, live music, and a variety of craft and food
22vendors; in Taufkirchen, the Adlberger Market transforms the
23town center into a merchant and entertainment mile with

 

 

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1open-air concerts, and all kinds of delicacies are offered by
2local hosts and butchers; therefore, be it
 
3    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL
4ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we declare May 15, 2024
5as Sister City Partnership Day in the State of Illinois in
6honor of the 25th anniversary of the West Chicago and
7Taufkirchen sister city relationship; and be it further
 
8    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of the resolution be
9presented to the mayor of West Chicago as a symbol of our
10respect and esteem.