May 2, 2004

Dear Mayor Dave Cieslewicz and Members of the Madison Common Council:

The Madison-Camaguey Sister City Association supports the establishment of an official sistering relationship between the cities of Madison and Rafah.

Sister city relationships are people-to-people efforts that can make great contributions to peace, justice and international understanding, under even the most difficult of conditions. If a group of Madisonians want a sistering relationship with another city and are willing to do the work it takes to establish and maintain such a relationship, they should be encouraged in their efforts.

We can think of no legitimate reason why Rafah should not joint the distinguished list of official Madison and Dane County sister cities, and we urge you to make this possible.

Sincerely,

Rachel Perlman

President

Madison-Camaguey Sister City Association