BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    



                                                                       



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                                 THIRD READING


          Bill No:  SCR 6
          Author:   Alquist (D)
          Amended:  02/14/09
          Vote:     21

           
          WITHOUT REFERENCE TO COMMITTEE OR FILE


           SUBJECT  :    Prefecture of Athens:  sister-state  
          relationship

           SOURCE  :     Author


           DIGEST  :    This resolution extends, on behalf of the people  
          of the state, an invitation to the people of the Prefecture  
          of Athens, Greece, to join in a sister-state relationship.

           ANALYSIS  :    

          This resolution makes the following legislative findings:

          1.California and the Greek Prefecture of Athens share a  
            keen interest in educational excellence and a history of  
            academic excellence dating back to the ancient Greek  
            philosophers of Athens who have inspired centuries of  
            academic inquiry that continues today at the University  
            of Athens and in the California State University and the  
            University of California systems, two of the largest and  
            most renowned public higher education systems in the  
            Untied States.

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          2

          2.A sister-state relationship between California and the  
            Greek Prefecture of Athens facilitates the exchange of  
            environmental protection information and other scientific  
            and technical knowledge, especially in the field of  
            earthquake preparedness, and provides a forum for sharing  
            legislative solutions.

          3.The people of California have a longstanding admiration  
            for the grand history of Greek culture and mythology,  
            having selected in 1849 the Goddess Athena to be included  
            on the California State Seal as a representation of  
            California's strength, independence, and wisdom.

          This resolution extends, on behalf of the people of the  
          state, an invitation to the people of the Prefecture of  
          Athens, Greece, to join in a sister-state relationship in  
          order to encourage and facilitate mutually beneficial  
          educations, economic, and cultural exchanges and programs  
          to lead to a more indelible and lasting friendship.

           FISCAL EFFECT  :    Fiscal Com.:  No

           SUPPORT  :   (Verified  2/25/09)

          Consul General of Greece Xenia Stefanidou


          TSM:do  2/25/09   Senate Floor Analyses 

                         SUPPORT/OPPOSITION:  SEE ABOVE

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