YO AUSTIN FOUNDED IRAN Austin City Council MINUTES For SPECIAL CALLED MEETING - May 18, 1989 - 1:00 Ρ.Μ. JOINT MEETING WITH CITY COUNCIL OF SALTILLO, MEXICO Council Chambers, 307 West Second Street, Austin, Texas Mayor Cooke called to order the special called meeting of the City Council with the City Council of Saltillo, Mexico, noting the absence of Councilmembers Carl-Mitchell, Urdy and Nofziger. The Invocation was presented by Reverend Seth Deleery, University of Texas Canterberry Association. Mayor Cooke welcomed the delegation from Mexico to the Austin Council Chambers and noted that it was the largest delegation to ever come to Austin. Mayor Cooke introduced Mayor Eleazar Galindo Vara, Mayor Pro Tem Miguel Arispe, and Municipal Treasurer Jesus Flores, who were sitting on the dais with members of the Austin City Council. Mayor Cooke read a proclamation which he presented to Mayor Galindo Vara. Mayor Vara spoke to the Council and audience in Spanish and was assisted by an interpreter. Mayor Vara greeted the members of the Council and the audience and outlined the history of the City of Saltillo, which is 412 years old. Mayor Pro Tem Arispe stated that the meeting was important for the delegates from Mexico. Business leaders from Saltillo were in their delegation to tell Austin about their desire to have an exchange of materials. Mayor Pro Tem Arispe said investors from the United States will find facilities for installing their business in Saltillo, the city of peace and commerce. He said Saltillo wants to establish markets in the United States and there are plans for a business corridor to include Austin, San Antonio, Monterrey and Saltillo. Mayor Pro Tem Shipman extended her welcome to the visitors from Mexico and invited them to visit Barton Springs where "your people came centuries ago to enjoy the water". Councilmember Humphrey noted that "this is a week of special interest for our City Councils" and recognized the efforts of former Mayor Pro Tem John Trevino and Mayor Lee Cooke for their efforts concerning the Sister Cities program. Councilmember Barnstone said he was pleased to get to know so many people from Saltillo. Luis Hernando Fernandez, Representative of the Governor's Office, State of Coahuila, Mexico brought greetings from the Governor. 1 Council Memo 2 5/18/89 Rex Wier, former Dean, UT College of Communications, introduced a different teaching approach to language which will begin. The emphasis will be on conversation, not grammar. He said UT students will be sent to the University of Coahuila to live in homes and learn the language via conversation. Students from Mexico will come to Austin on the language exchange program and learn the language here. E.R. Hinojosa, Principal, Joslin Elementary School talked about activities at his school in conjunction with their sister school in Saltillo. Comments on the importance of Sister City activities were made by former City of Austin Mayor Pro Tem John Trevino. He reviewed the history of the Sister City program. There was an exchange of gifts between Mayors Cooke and Vara. Council adjourned its meeting at 3:10 Ρ.Μ.