Contact:

Christiana Ferris Doug Mahan

602-262-6169 602-534-3751

June 7, 2000

The city of Phoenix and the Phoenix Sister Cities Commission have received the Best Overall Program Award from Sister Cities International in the category of U.S. cities with more than 300,000 people.

The award recognizes an outstanding sister city for its effective program administration, variety of exchanges offered and overall efforts to improve international cooperation and understanding. The award will be presented at the upcoming 44th annual Sister Cities International conference in Denver, Colo. Phoenix also received the National Organization on Disability Award for its inclusion of people with disabilities in sister cities programs.

"Our committees and staff work hard to involve the community in programs such as Chinese Week, French Week, Youth Ambassador Exchange Program, Short Term Teach Abroad, International Young Artist Competition and dozens of other activities each year," said Paula West, PSCC executive director. "We also help to promote international trade ties and foster business opportunities for Arizona companies. Everyone in Phoenix should be proud of this distinguished award and our city's initiatives to build bridges around the globe."

The sister cities program was initiated by Pres. Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1956. Phoenix is one of nearly 1,300 cities in the U.S. affiliated with more than 2,000 international cities in 137 countries and has been coordinating student, educational, cultural and economic development exchange programs since 1972. For more information, call 602-534-3751.

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