Sister Cities International History
At the 1956 White House Summit on Citizen Diplomacy, President Dwight D. Eisenhower envisioned a network that would be a champion for peace and prosperity by fostering bonds between people from different communities around the world when he created what is now known as Sister Cities International. President Eisenhower reasoned that people from different cultures could understand, appreciate, and celebrate their differences while building partnerships that would lessen the chance of new conflicts.
Since its inception, the Sister Cities International network has played a key role in renewing and strengthening important global relationships and represents over 2,300 partnerships in 150 countries on six continents.
President Dwight D. Eisenhower
Houston- Luanda Sister City History
The Houston-Luanda Sister City Association (HLSCA) was incorporated on August 26, 2003, as a partner member of the 19 Sister Cities of Houston. First steps towards the establishment of the HLSCA began when Honorable Excellency José Eduardo dos Santos, president of the Republic of Angola, visited Houston December 9-10, 1995. He was presented the key to the City by the Honorable Bob Lanier, Mayor of Houston.
With the establishment of the HLSCA in 2003, there were several developments that invigorated the need for a Houston-Luanda Sister City initiative. Direct flights between Houston and Luanda had been established, the Angolan oil company Sonangol, opened an office in Houston, many Houston-based companies opened offices in Luanda, and even more importantly, the office of the Consulate General of the Republic of Angola in Houston was established.
The HLSCA governing body includes its Board of Directors and the Mayors Office of Trade and International Affairs (MOTIA).
Houston and Luanda ~ 7,700 miles
(Image provided by Atlas Air Map)