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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
IN RECOGNITION OF THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE COOK COUNTY INTERNATIONAL TRADE PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM’S SISTER COUNTY PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS AND COUNTY CORK, IRELAND
WHEREAS, in 1995 Cook County launched the International Trade Partnership Program to promote trade and investment between Cook County and strategic partner regions around the world, to foster bi-lateral trade and provide linkages between businesses locally and overseas; and
WHEREAS, in March 1998 a delegation from County Cork, Ireland made their first visit to Cook County, Illinois to participate in a series of government, business and cultural events; and
WHEREAS, in July 1999 a delegation of government and business leaders from Cook County, Illinois traveled to Cork County, Ireland for an economic, educational, and cultural exchange; and
WHEREAS, on July 16, 1999, at a Cork County Council meeting, the Cook County, Illinois - County Cork, Ireland, Sister County Partnership Agreement was signed; and
WHEREAS, in October 2000 the Partners with Ireland Committee was established to facilitate the International Trade Partnership Program with regions in Ireland; and
WHEREAS, Cook County and County Cork have worked together over the past 25 years to develop and strengthen relations between companies, institutions, organizations, and individual entrepreneurs; and
WHEREAS, government officials representing Cook County and Cork County, along with business leaders from both regions have since been working to promote bi-lateral trade in the areas of bio-technology, information technology, small business enterprises and tourism; and
WHEREAS, this Sister County Partnership has been responsible for numerous successful ventures over the past 25 years including:
• the establishment of a PhD level student exchange program between the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) and the Cork Institute of Technology (CIT),
• a cooperative agreement between leading technology associations in both regions to provide pro-bono office space to entrepreneurs seeking to establish a presence in Cook County or County Cork,
• the sponsorship a cultural, outdoor adventure and team building program in Ireland for residents of Cook County’s Mercy Home for Boys and Girls.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the President and the Cook County Board of Commissioners, on behalf of the more than five million residents of Cook County, do hereby recognize the 25th Anniversary of the Sister County Partnership between Cook County, Illinois and County Cork, Ireland; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this Resolution be presented to Councillor Frank O'Flynn, Mayor of the County of Cork and the Cork County Council in recognition of our continued partnership.
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