PROCLAMATION OF FRIENDSHIP
BETWEEN
CHARLOTTESVILLE (United States of America)
AND
BESANÇON (France)

WHEREAS, during the past 15 years, numerous citizens of Charlottesville, Virginia and Besançon, Franche-Comté have developed and maintained relationships cemented by reciprocal hospitality, including four meetings between officials of both cities; and

WHEREAS the organization, Franche-Comté - Virginie was created in Besançon to initiate and encourage exchanges between the two cities and their surrounding regions, and a chapter of the Alliance Française was established in Charlottesville, also to encourage exchanges and to facilitate the study of French language and culture by Americans; and

WHEREAS, a large number and wide variety of exchanges between Charlottesville and Besançon have already occurred and plans exist for future cultural, economic, educational and university exchanges; and

WHEREAS, Charlottesville was home to Thomas Jefferson - author, statesman, champion of democratic ideals and Francophile; and Besançon is the birthplace of Victor Hugo - author, statesman and champion of human rights; and

WHEREAS, both cities strongly promote democracy, tolerance, solidarity, international diplomacy and world peace; and

WHEREAS, the bonds of friendship and frequent encounters between cities and citizens of the world are the sole means of establishing peace and understanding among all people and forging a bright future for subsequent generations.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT PROCLAIMED, that the Mayors of Charlottesville and Besançon pledge to develop permanent ties of friendship in view of encouraging and energizing exchanges between Charlottesville and Besançon in all domains within our respective abilities with a permanent desire to broaden exchanges to include economic, cultural, educational and university partners in our two cities.

BE IT FURTHER PROCLAIMED, that the Mayors of Charlottesville and Besançon do enthusiastically execute suitably prepared copies of this joint proclamation and seek to advise appropriate officials of the cities of Charlottesville and Besançon of our mutual desire to execute official documents to establish a permanent sister city relationship between our two cities.

Signed and sealed in Besançon this 8th day of September 2004, in English and in French.