ABILENE-OMITAMA SISTER CITY

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The Sister City relationship developed from Japanese interns coming to the Harold Scanlan dairy farm. In 1984 an agreement to form a Sister City relationship between Abilene and Minori, Japan was signed. Since that time adult and student delegations have made annual visits to the others towns.

The Sister City Committee identified student exchanges/youth friendships, daily life experience and cultural experience as the main emphasis of the program. Additional activities complimenting understanding of Japanese culture have been: an annual Class in Japanese culture, taught by Paula Peterson at the Abilene Middle School, pen pals in the grade schools, five assistant English teachers from Abilene teaching in Minori Junior High, five Minori students attending Abilene High School, an origami class each November and cultural exchanges. Cultural exchanges have been Minoti Taiko Drummers performance in Abilene, Peter Vavra piano concert in Minori, Minori Edelweiss Chorus performance in Abilene. Cultural exchanges scheduled are Taiko Drummers in Abilene in August 2000, and Eddie and Robert Hiebert, "Dulcimers, Etc." two weeks performance in Minori.

Long range plans are to continue to develop this opportunity for understanding other cultures and increase understanding of Sister City purpose and goals by continuing present programming. Future plans are to appoint a Publicity Committee to publicize activities and opportunities, to solidify "Friends of Sister City Organization" and develop memberships, form a Student Committee, pursue cultural exchanges and develop professional exchanges. The committee will research Minori's expectations of the program and their interest in building a Japanese house. Funding sources have been discussed. The committee expressed a desire to maintain city funding, develop and increase financial commitments with the Friends organization, fund raising as needed and apply for grants as needed.

Sister City Informational Brochure (pdf)
Sister City Delegation Presentation (pdf)

In October of 2006, the cities of Minori, Ogawa and Tamari merged into the city of Omitama Japan. A copy of the proclamation between Abilene and Omitama Japan is below.

PROCLAMATION TO CELEBRATE THE ABILENE/OMITAMA JAPAN SISTER CITY PROGRAM
WHEREAS, our world has become a world of cities, with the majority of the world's population residing in urban communities; and
WHEREAS, the common concerns of our citizens transcend dividing lines of language, customs, idealogy, and geography; and
WHEREAS, international exchanges between cities, counties, states and similar jurisdictions abroad and their citizens are vital to the global community because they motivate friendship, mutual respect and understanding; and
WHEREAS, friendship unites people of all ages and backgrounds and surmounts barriers of distance, culture, language and politics; and
WHEREAS, the Sister Cities Program is committed to the process of providing an active role in international affairs to all communities and their citizens for the ultimate goal of world peace; and
WERHEAS, the Sister Cities International program will celebrate 50 years of citizen diplomacy in 2006; and
WHEREAS, the City of Abilene, Dickinson County Kansas, on October 3, 2006 signed an agreement to renew and reaffirm its Sister City program with the city of Imitama, Japan, which is made up of the recently merged cities of Minori, Ogawa, and Tamari; and
WHEREAS, the City of Abilene, Dickinson County, Kansas is affiliated with Omitama, Japan to carry out programs of mutual interest and benefit, and
WHEREAS, President Dwight D. Eisenhower launched the Sister City concept on September 11, 1956, at a White House summit to let the people themselves give expression of their common desire for friendship and cooperation of all. This vital international program will observe its 50th Anniversary during 2006 and all citizens are urged to join in commemorating this significant occasion.
NOW, THEREFORE, I Devin Karraker, Mayor of the City of Abilene, do hereby proclaim October 2006 as Sister Cities International month and urge the appropriate observance thereof.
In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the seal of the City of Abilene, Kansas, this 16th day of October, C.E., 2006
Devin Karraker - Mayor