Sister City Association chronicles visit with book of colorful photos

A new book assembled by Elena Munoz and her daughter, America Swassord, documents the September 2012 trip by a group of local delegates to Benicia’s sister city, Tula, in the Mexican state of Hidalgo.
Munoz is the Benicia-Tula Sister City Association’s historian, and having that office filled was a key to getting the book published, group President Carla Gallagher-Schaefer said.

“Elena and her daughter worked on it and put a lot of effort into it,” Gallagher-Schaefer said. “Everybody sent their pictures, and they went through them to pick out the best.

“A lot of people took a lot of pictures!”

Just as delegates and public officials from Tula visit Benicia during Independence Day celebrations here, the Benicia group, led by Mayor Elizabeth Patterson, traveled south to celebrate Mexican Independence Day in Tula.

Among those accompanying the mayor were Gallagher-Schaefer, Munoz, Vice President Leslie McBride, Secretary Pepe Arteaga, Museum Display Coordinator Mary Frances Kelly Poh and her husband, Hoe Poe, Lia Kison, Michael Lam, Community Liaison Fundraising Coordinator Maria Bitagon and Carolyn Plath.
Depicted in the book were the trip’s welcome breakfast and dinner, as well as other meals with Tula residents.

The Benicia delegation also visited the Congress and legislature of Huichapan Hidalgo, and took a guided tour of Queretaro.

They also stopped by Tulancingo, Hidalgo, the sister city of another Bay Area municipality, Pleasanton; and Club Cruz Azul, another Hidalgo locale.

The Benicians also traveled to the archeological site where tall statues depicting guardian warriors and a pyramid tower over the land below.

Munoz also included pictures of the Sept. 16, 2012, Mexican Independence Day parade in Tula.

Since this is the first book produced by the Sister City Association, Munoz included photographs of Benicia’s 2013 Torchlight Parade as well as the flooded streets of Tula when that region was struck repeatedly by tropical storms and hurricanes.

Patterson has received a copy of the book, and another is available for viewing at Benicia Public Library, Gallagher-Schaefer said.

In addition, Plath arranged for another copy to be given to Benicia High School’s library, and the Benicia Historical Museum has one as well.

Gallagher-Schaefer said about 10 copies will be sold to the public, and the association will price the books between $30 and $35.

“I wish the people of Benicia could see the love behind those pictures,” she said. “You feel the affection from the children to the adults when they smile and say ‘Benicia.’”

While Sister City Association members have a good time, she said, it’s not just about parties or good meals.

The U.S. sister city program began in 1956 when President Dwight D. Eisenhower suggested the program, seeing it as a “people-to-people, citizen diplomacy” initiative.

Originally part of the National League of Cities, Sister Cities International became a separate nonprofit corporation in 1967.

Benicia’s program is an independent not-for-profit organization with membership in Sister Cities International.

The local relationship with Tula began in 1979, “and a lot of goodwill has been created during that time,” Gallagher-Schaefer said.

Since its start, the Benicia association has donated three fire engines, wheelchairs, a medical van and soccer uniforms to Tula, she said.

So far, the two cities have had multiple cultural exchanges, too, from delegation visits and children exchange visits to a Tula display of a Benicia artist, John Ebersol, and a Benicia exhibit of the works of Tula artist Angel De Jesus Olay.

The Benicia organization’s membership also made a humanitarian trip to take cancer medications to a Tula woman when she was unable to obtain those drugs in Mexico.

They also took a Benicia all-star soccer team to Tula, which in turn sent a school band of 12-year-olds to march in Benicia’s Torchlight Parade.

The two associations have had ecological and business seminars in Benicia and Tula, as well, including meetings with executives from Valero Benicia Refinery and Pemex.

Gallagher-Schaefer said the organization intends to do even more in the future.

Radtke, the youth coordinator, is working with Benicia Unified School District as well as with those in Tula to resurrect the student exchange program, starting with a short period — perhaps two-week visits, Gallagher-Schaefer said.

In addition, the local organization is considering another trip to Tula to see the Tula-Benicia Sister City Friendship Bridge under construction.

Meanwhile, she said, reaction to the book “is very positive,” and many have praised the depiction of Tula.
“People had no idea how beautiful it is,” she said.

“People get to see a little bit more.”

Those interested in participating in the Benicia-Tula Sister City Association may attend the regular board of directors meetings at 7 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month at Benicia City Hall, 250 East L St., or call Gallagher-Schaefer at 707-746-0158.

They also may call her if they are interested in purchasing a copy of the book.