H.J.R. 3 Enrolled
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9 LONG TITLE
10 General Description:
11 This joint resolution of the Legislature expresses support for the Magna-Yuzawa Sister
12 City Program on the 10th anniversary of the educational and cultural exchanges
13 between Magna, Utah, and Yuzawa, Niigata, Japan.
14 Highlighted Provisions:
15 This resolution:
16 . recognizes the 10th anniversary of the student exchange between Magna, Utah, and
17 Yuzawa, Niigata, Japan, which created a framework for the relationship between the
18 two communities; and
19 . recognizes the benefits of the sister city relationship between Magna and Yuzawa.
20 Special Clauses:
21 None
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23 Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
24 WHEREAS, in early August 2003, the Magna Township, assisted by Salt Lake County,
25 hosted a sister city search committee from Yuzawa, Niigata, Japan, which came to the United
26 States to find an American community with which to begin a short-stay educational and
27 cultural exchange;
28 WHEREAS, during its time in the United States, the Yuzawa Committee also visited
29 cities in Washington and California as a part of its sister city search;
30 WHEREAS, after returning to Japan, the Yuzawa Committee reported its findings and
31 recommendation to local government officials;
32 WHEREAS, on September 25, 2003, based on the Yuzawa Committee's report and
33 recommendation, the Yuzawa Mayor and Town Council chose Magna, Utah, to be the
34 community with which to begin the journey of conducting an annual educational and cultural
35 exchange;
36 WHEREAS, in July 2004, Yuzawa's Mayor, Takayuki Murayama, came to Magna with
37 the first group of students and their adult escorts to see Magna, observe the programs and
38 activities Magna had prepared for the exchange, and formally invite Magna to annually send
39 students to Yuzawa;
40 WHEREAS, in July 2005, Magna sent its first group of students to Yuzawa to learn
41 about Japanese culture and life;
42 WHEREAS, over the years, Magna has sent 60 students to visit and learn more about
43 Yuzawa and Japan;
44 WHEREAS, these students were housed in Yuzawa by volunteer host families;
45 WHEREAS, the 96 students Yuzawa sent to Magna since 2005 were housed by
46 volunteer host families while learning about Magna, the state of Utah, and the United States;
47 WHEREAS, in July 2010, Yuzawa sent a delegation to Magna requesting that it be
48 allowed to take part in helping Magna celebrate its 100-year anniversary during its 4th of July
49 parade and 4th of July celebration;
50 WHEREAS, on July 7, 2012, Yuzawa and Magna formalized their sister city
51 relationship by resolution in a ceremony in Yuzawa, Japan;
52 WHEREAS, on August 9, 2013, in commemoration of the one-year anniversary of the
53 signing of the Magna-Yuzawa Sister City Resolution and the 100-year anniversary of the
54 Japanese "Gift of Trees" to Washington, D.C., Yuzawa gave 30 Akebono flowering cherry
55 trees to Magna to solemnize the friendship between the two communities;
56 WHEREAS, in 2011, Brigham Young University (BYU) was considering expanding its
57 International Study Program in Japan to the Niigata Prefecture;
58 WHEREAS, due to the relationship and friendship developed between Magna and
59 Yuzawa, BYU found a community receptive to working with the university to bring its
60 educational, cultural, and community service program to Yuzawa and Niigata; and
61 WHEREAS, in the spring of 2014, BYU will begin working with Yuzawa to develop
62 the infrastructure for the kickoff of its Study Abroad relationship, which is scheduled to begin
63 in 2015:
64 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah
65 recognizes the 10th anniversary of the commencement of educational and cultural exchanges
66 between the sister cities of Magna and Yuzawa.
67 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature recognizes the benefits of the sister
68 city relationship to both Magna and Yuzawa.
69 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to the city of
70 Magna and the city of Yuzawa, Niigata, Japan.
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