Title
To honor and recognize the Kyrgyzstan Open World Delegation.
Body
WHEREAS, Kyrgyzstan, is a Central Asian country that shares borders with China, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kazakhstan and transitioned to a parliamentary form of government in 2010; and
WHEREAS, through the Open World Program six Kyrgyz Parliamentary staff members are visiting the City of Columbus to learn how a legislative branch of government functions and is administered, how legislation is crafted and constituent affairs are addressed; and
WHEREAS, the Open World Program was originally established by the Library of Congress in 1999 to give emerging Russian leaders firsthand exposure to the American system of democracy through visits to local governments and communities and also encompasses exchanges for political and civic leaders from other post-Soviet states; and
WHEREAS, the Open World Program focuses primarily on developing an international leadership network through which professional counterparts with mutual interests are able to consult and cooperate with each other on issues affecting their communities; and
WHEREAS, while in Columbus, Kyrgyz Parliamentary staff members are meeting with and observing legislators at the local, state and federal level and will be attending a Columbus City Council meeting; and
WHEREAS, the Kyrgyz Parliamentary staff members hope to acquire an understanding of governance in a mature democratic society and the rule of law in American society, including the concepts of accountability and transparency, the separation of powers, and the interrelationships of federal, state, and local governments; obtain an understanding of the roles of American government, civic institutions, free enterprise and voluntary organizations; and develop a better understanding of American culture and society and contribute to enhanced American knowledge of Kyrgyz institutions; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
That this Council does hereby honor and recognize the Kyrgyzstan Open World Delegation and thank them for visiting the City of Columbus to enhance their understanding of the American system of democracy and for providing us with a better understanding of the Kyrgyz culture.