HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007/11/13 Item 1
Dear IFC Chairman Aya, Fellow Commissioners ,
It has been an honor and a privilege to be on the Chula Vista Int'l Friendship Commission (IFC) .
And especially to be associated with a diverse group of dedicated volunteer residents.
I thanks the City of Chula Vista for my appointment on this commission last year.
However, it's my regret to announce my resignation from the Chula Vista Int'l Friendship
~~~~ .
This is due to my plan to settled in Cebu, Philippines for at least two years.
I hope my presence there will be useful to the relationship between Chula Vista and Cebu City.
Though my departure for the Philippines is on December30, 2007, My wife and I will be on the
road during the month of December so I suggest my resignation take effect Nov. 16.
First please allow me to tell you why I joined the IFC in the first place. Since I moved in Chula
Vista in 1995, I have been involved in our community in many ways. I had the opportunity to be
at the 2001 and 2003 visits by a delegation from Cebu City. I also observed with admiration how
the local Friends of Odawara, the City through the IFC and the City of Odawara,Japan conduct
itself in sustaining its Sister City relations.
In 2004, I visited Cebu once again and I really paid attention to the city and to its residents.
I saw how the City of Cebu handled a city wide emergency situation. Those probably planted the
seed that I should support its sister city relationship with Chula Vista,
Upon my return I started getting involved with the IFC activities.
In 2006, another opportunity came up during my visit in Cebu with a San Diego Medical Mission
team. This time I saw the opportunity of giving back to my mother country, not just in Cebu.
I believe that I can expect success if I live there myself while maintaining ties with my friends
and the City of Chula Vista.
This coming phase in my life will be exciting... One thing for sure I will take with me
the spirit of Volunteerism that the United States of America is predicated upon.
To close, please allow me to share the poem by Cliff Robertson, a pilot but well known as a
Academy Award winning actor.
Vo/unteerism is humanism in its most compassionate fonn
Volunteerism - is the best of every religion
It is an extended hand to a voiceless plea
A sun on the best of days
A lighted candle on the darkest night
A selfless spirit - in a selfish world
It is that small voice that whispers from our healt - reminding us that we
all share this small Blue Marble for SO little time
That to give it meaning, we must share our /ove
Thank you,
Manny Ramirez
I FC Commissioner