Jacek Anuszewski

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• Jacek Anuszewski

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Dwight D. Eisenhower

• In an effort to promote international
  person-to-person citizen diplomacy following
  World War II, President Dwight D. Eisenhower
  proposed creation of the Sister Cities Program
  during a White House conference in 1956. 
• There are now 675 Sister Cities across the United
  States, building bridges of understanding with
  1,454 communities in 121 countries around the
  world.

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Laceys Sister City Program

• Established in early 2003
• Resolution 870 supporting the City of Lacey
  establishing a Sister City Program
• Citizens living within the City of Lacey and the
  Lacey Urban Growth Area, and an appointed elected
  official. 
• The Committee meets monthly since Fall 2003
• Meetings at the Lacey City Hall on first
  Wednesdays of each month at 600 p.m.
• Annual meeting at the Lacy Fire Department

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OBJECTIVES OF SISTER CITY RELATIONSHIP

• The development of people-to-people relationships
  between the citizens of the sister city
• Educational opportunities for our citizens and
  the citizens of the affiliated cities
• Mutual enhancement of our citizens cultural
  awareness and sensitivity
• Development of international trade and tourism,
  and exchange of business practices.
• (Resolution 870)

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CRITERIA FOR SELECTION OF A SISTER CITY

• 30,000-75,000 population
• Complementary industry
• Within two hours of a major city
• The proposed sister city should have community
  support showing willingness to participate in the
  program.
• History of diplomatic relations between the
  United States and foreign country
• (Resolution 870)

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Sister City Selection

• 40 cities under consideration
• Strong interest on all continents
• 4 cities presented to the Lacey City Council
• Ecuador
• Mexico
• Korea
• Poland
• Minsk Mazowiecki, Poland, selected

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Minsk Mazowiecki

• Poland

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Poland
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Poland

• Christianity since 966
• May 3, 1791 constitution
• Solidarity founded in 1980
• Democracy since 1989
• Russian troops left in 1993
• NATO member since 1999
• European Union member since May 1, 2004
• Copernicus, Chopin, Kosciusko, Pulaski, Pope John
  Paul II, Walesa, Marie Curie

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Minsk Mazowiecki

• City since 1421
• City Council Mayor elected every 4 years
• Population 37,000 (Poland 38 million)
• Average temperature (high/low)
• July (75/57ºF), January (32/22ºF)Minsk
• July (76/50ºF), January (44/32ºF)Lacey
• Annual precipitation (20 inches)
• 100 meters above sea level

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Education

• Schools ES K-6, MS 7-9, HS 10-12
• Vocational schools
• 2-year colleges economy, pharmacy, civil
  engineering, computer science, business
  administration, school of foreign languages
• Major universities in Warsaw

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Industry

• 23rd NATO Air Base
• Palmoliv chemical industry
• Sure Schot production of sporting goods
• PEKAO SA international bank
• Stolbud production of windows and doors
• FUD one of the Europe's leading crane producers
• ZNTK maintenance and repairs of passenger
  trains
• Sanitec production of sanitation appliances and
  fixtures

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International Exchange

• Strong support from Mayor and community
• 5 sister cities in European Union
• Festivals, concerts, sport events
• Summer camps for teens
• Educational and cultural exchange
• Important environment, truism, trade
  industry cooperation
• Annual Minsk festival

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Poland

• No visas
• No shots
• Safe and American welcoming society
• USA ally
• Growing economy, affordable
• Chamber of Commerce (Warsaw25 miles)
• 53 Rotary 37 Kiwanis clubs

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Lacey-Minsk Mazowiecki

• Lacey-Minsk Mazowiecki since March 2005
• 2005 delegations
• 584th anniversary (2 in May)
• 4th International Youth Camp (12 in August)
• 2006 delegations
• 585th anniversary (33 in May)
• 5th International Youth Camp (26 in July)
• Student exchange (1 in October)

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2007 Plan

• 586th anniversary (3 in May)
• 5th International Youth Camp (15 in July)
• First USA-Polish camp in Lacey (15 in August)

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Your Involvement

• Become a member
• Volunteer for the LSCA Board position
• Elections in September
• Come to the LSCA meetings
• Your contributions and membership dues are
  tax-deductible

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How to Contact LSCA

• http//home.comcast.net/laceysistercity
• laceysistercity_at_comcast.net
• Individuals, groups, and organizations interested
  in participating on the Committee can call Lacey
  City Hall at [phone] for more information.

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Questions?