From The Mayor's Desk: Happy Birthday Kosovo

From Mayor Paula Dierenfeld

On Sunday, February 17, the people of Kosovo celebrated the fifth anniversary of their country’s independence from Serbia. 

During his recent visit to Johnston, I presented a proclamation to the Minister of the Kosovo Security Forces, Agim Ceku, recognizing the special day and the progress Kosovo has made over the past five years. 

Johnston will soon be the first city in the United States to enter into a sister city relationship with a city in Kosovo.  

We can be proud that we are among the first Americans to extend our hands in friendship to the citizens of Kosovo, one of the newest democracies in the world.

Following is the full text of the proclamation presented to Minister Ceku:

PROCLAMATION                                                                                                                                                  Recognizing the Fifth Anniversary                                                                                                                                                                      of Kosovo’s Declaration of Independence

Whereas, the people of Kosovo declared their independence from Serbia on February 17, 2008, and

Whereas, the Kosovo Declaration of Independence proclaimed the state of Kosovo to be a democratic, secular and multi-ethnic republic, and

Whereas, the following day, on February 18, 2008, the United States joined the United Kingdom, Turkey and France in recognizing Kosovo’s independence, and

Whereas, in the five years since, nearly one hundred countries have recognized Kosovo as a free and independent state, and

Whereas, the NEWBORN Sculpture unveiled on Kosovo’s Independence Day stands as a lasting symbol of that special day when a new democratic nation was born, and

Whereas, like Americans, who reflect every Fourth of July on the historical events leading up to their own Independence Day, on February 17 the people of Kosovo pay tribute to those who died for their freedoms and to those still living who made great sacrifices to gain their independence, and    

Whereas, the residents of Johnston, Iowa, USA, join with people all over the world in congratulating the citizens of Kosovo and celebrating with our new Kosovar friends the Fifth Anniversary of Kosovo’s Declaration of Independence. 

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT PROCLAIMED that I, Paula Dierenfeld, Mayor of Johnston, on behalf of the Johnston City Council and the entire Johnston community express our best wishes to the citizens of Kosovo for a joyous Independence Day Celebration and much prosperity, health and  peace in the years ahead.

In Witness Whereof, I hereunto set my hand and the seal of the City of Johnston to be affixed this 31^th day of January, 2013.