| Benicia-Tula Sister Cities Association |
| History |
SISTER CITIES PROGRAM
Sister city affiliations between the United States and other nations began shortly after World War 11. In 1956,
President Eisenhower held a Whíte House conference to develop ways of promoting positive international
relations and world peace. Plans were forged for an organization of sister cities worldwide, designed to promote
friendship and international understanding through “people to people" contacts.
How And When Did Tula Come To Be Benicia's Sister City?
On March 16, 1979, Phil Goettel, president of the Benicia Rotarians, and Warren O'Blennis, Mayor of Benicia,
discussed the feasibility of a Sister City Program for Benicia.
Rotary Club members Jesse King and Howard Jenkins were designated goodwill ambassadors and reported that
Tula wouId, in fact, make a good sister city to Benicia. Each service club was invited to participate in welcoming a
delegation from Tula to the 4th of July festivities in Benicia. An ad hoc: Sister City Committee, including members
of the Benicia school board, Rotary Club, the Benicia Women's Club, and the Benicia Lions Club served as host
to the delegation from Tula.
History of Tula
Like Benicia, Tula is proud of its history. Considered the most important Toltec site in Mexico, the Toltecs called it
"Tollan" which means "beside or near the Tulle" Founded by Quetzalcoatl approximately 900 AD, it flourished as a
great urban center from 9001200AD. At its peak Tula covered up to 16 sq. km. (6 sq. miles) and had an
estimated population of 80,000. The Toltec Empire and its capital, Tula, declined due to destruction caused by
numerous invasions and the resulting mass exodus of its peopie. Small groups of people remained, however, and
Tula became a holy place for the Aztec civilization. Today, Tula is home to a towering cathedral dating back to
colonial times. Although not a tourist town, it is a modern city with numerous impressive homes, stores, and banks.
The people are extremely warm and hospitable and very enthusiastic about the Sister City Program. On July 3,
1979, the Mexican delegation arrived at the Benicia Marina basin headed by Mayor Hector Buitron, Mexican
Congressman Estevan Sanchez Rojo and the Mexican Consul General from San Francisco. Also included in the
delegation were Tula businessmen and their wives. The next day at Benicia City Park, Mayor O'Blennis and Mayor
Buitron signed and sealed an official proclamation designating Benicia and Tula as Sister Cities.
For the next six years the Sister City Program actively participated in the exchange of students, teachers and
visits between the two cities. Sadly, the devaluation of the peso resulted in a halt to the program.
In 2002 a handful of dedicated citizens were moved to revive the Sister City Program and to rekindle the
friendship and peace between these two great cities.
What Is A Sister City?
The Sister City Program develops communication, friendship and understanding between people of two cultures
through formal association of their cities, towns and villages. The Sister City Program is an affirmation of people's
basic goodwill toward each other.
Recognizing that we, in fact, are brothers and sisters in the human race is also the world's best hope for peace on
earth... and survival.
Where Is Tula?
The City of Tula is located 85 km (53 miles) North of Mexico City in the State of Hidalgo. With a population of
approximately 60,000.
Tula occupies an area about the size of Benicia. It is the location of PEMEX one of the largest oil refineries, and
also the site of the largest hydroelectric plant in Latin America, supplying electricity to Mexico City. In addition, a
Portland cement "Cruz Azul" factory is located there.
Projects include visitations, soccer games, student exchange, art exchange and pen pals... the possibilities are
endless. But the main grass roots strength of the Sister City movement rests on the peopletopeople programs,
the direct contact activity of the individual Sister Cities. This range through cultural, athletic, student, professional
industrial and commercial exchanges of every form, all arranged direcly by those engaged in the individual
programs.
Sister city affiliations between the United States and other nations began shortly after World War 11. In 1956,
President Eisenhower held a Whíte House conference to develop ways of promoting positive international
relations and world peace. Plans were forged for an organization of sister cities worldwide, designed to promote
friendship and international understanding through “people to people" contacts.
How And When Did Tula Come To Be Benicia's Sister City?
On March 16, 1979, Phil Goettel, president of the Benicia Rotarians, and Warren O'Blennis, Mayor of Benicia,
discussed the feasibility of a Sister City Program for Benicia.
Rotary Club members Jesse King and Howard Jenkins were designated goodwill ambassadors and reported that
Tula wouId, in fact, make a good sister city to Benicia. Each service club was invited to participate in welcoming a
delegation from Tula to the 4th of July festivities in Benicia. An ad hoc: Sister City Committee, including members
of the Benicia school board, Rotary Club, the Benicia Women's Club, and the Benicia Lions Club served as host
to the delegation from Tula.
History of Tula
Like Benicia, Tula is proud of its history. Considered the most important Toltec site in Mexico, the Toltecs called it
"Tollan" which means "beside or near the Tulle" Founded by Quetzalcoatl approximately 900 AD, it flourished as a
great urban center from 9001200AD. At its peak Tula covered up to 16 sq. km. (6 sq. miles) and had an
estimated population of 80,000. The Toltec Empire and its capital, Tula, declined due to destruction caused by
numerous invasions and the resulting mass exodus of its peopie. Small groups of people remained, however, and
Tula became a holy place for the Aztec civilization. Today, Tula is home to a towering cathedral dating back to
colonial times. Although not a tourist town, it is a modern city with numerous impressive homes, stores, and banks.
The people are extremely warm and hospitable and very enthusiastic about the Sister City Program. On July 3,
1979, the Mexican delegation arrived at the Benicia Marina basin headed by Mayor Hector Buitron, Mexican
Congressman Estevan Sanchez Rojo and the Mexican Consul General from San Francisco. Also included in the
delegation were Tula businessmen and their wives. The next day at Benicia City Park, Mayor O'Blennis and Mayor
Buitron signed and sealed an official proclamation designating Benicia and Tula as Sister Cities.
For the next six years the Sister City Program actively participated in the exchange of students, teachers and
visits between the two cities. Sadly, the devaluation of the peso resulted in a halt to the program.
In 2002 a handful of dedicated citizens were moved to revive the Sister City Program and to rekindle the
friendship and peace between these two great cities.
What Is A Sister City?
The Sister City Program develops communication, friendship and understanding between people of two cultures
through formal association of their cities, towns and villages. The Sister City Program is an affirmation of people's
basic goodwill toward each other.
Recognizing that we, in fact, are brothers and sisters in the human race is also the world's best hope for peace on
earth... and survival.
Where Is Tula?
The City of Tula is located 85 km (53 miles) North of Mexico City in the State of Hidalgo. With a population of
approximately 60,000.
Tula occupies an area about the size of Benicia. It is the location of PEMEX one of the largest oil refineries, and
also the site of the largest hydroelectric plant in Latin America, supplying electricity to Mexico City. In addition, a
Portland cement "Cruz Azul" factory is located there.
Projects include visitations, soccer games, student exchange, art exchange and pen pals... the possibilities are
endless. But the main grass roots strength of the Sister City movement rests on the peopletopeople programs,
the direct contact activity of the individual Sister Cities. This range through cultural, athletic, student, professional
industrial and commercial exchanges of every form, all arranged direcly by those engaged in the individual
programs.
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