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letter of gratitude 
         

 

 


LETTER OF GRATITUDE



From the Representatives of the Nation of Afghanistan and Delegates of the Memphis Afghan Friendship Summit


We, the representatives of the Nation of Afghanistan and delegates of the inaugural Memphis Afghan Friendship Summit, declare this day in October, 2002, one year and one month following the tragic events of September 11, 2001, to be a day always remembered for friendships formed between the people of Memphis and the people of our country.

Memphis is the first and only city in the world to boldly initiate friendships with our nation, a proud people who have endured years of hardship and suffering. Today we offer gratitude for seeds planted by the city of Memphis, anticipating the day those seeds become bountiful trees bearing fruits of friendship and cooperation for the benefit of generations to come, We desire for other cities to follow the example of Memphis, working with Afghanistan and nations sharing similar struggles to overcome the obstacles that hinder peace and prosperity.


Memorandum of Understanding:

As delegates and advocates of the Memphis Afghan Friendship Summit we agree to:

 
           Promote friendship between the people of Memphis and                         Afghanistan

Foster hope for Afghanistan through prayer in homes and houses of             worship in Memphis

Pursue tangible expressions of brotherly and sisterly love by              individuals and institutions

Explore mutually agreed upon expressions of cooperation between             Shelby County, the

City of Memphis, individuals and institutions of Memphis and the             people of Afghanistan.

 

We express our deepest gratitude to all involved with the Memphis Afghan Friendship Summit, particularly the following:  

The Honorable Mayors of Shelby County, Memphis, Germantown & Collierville whose hospitality, police protection, and logistical support have created a healthy beginning to our friendship

The Shelby County Sheriff, Mark Luttrell

The University of Memphis, Offices of President Raines, Dr. Faudree, Tom Nenon, Dr. John Haddock, Patricia Murrell, Dr. Wali Abi, Rebecca Laumann, Satish Kedia, Dan Lattimore,, Wilson School of Hospitality, and all other participating staff

University of Memphis Health Administration, Director Paul Fitzgerald, Camille Barsukiewicz, and Joy Clay

Memphis City School Systems’ Superintendent Watson, Commissioner Laura Jobe, The Craigmont High School with Principal Long, Eddie Hollins coordinator and staff of MCSS Telecommunications Center, The Shriner School with Principal Reese, Associate Superintendent Dr. Harris, Sam Moses, and Cherisse Sales

The Crichton College, President Dr.Schmidt , William Hough, and staff

Memphis and Shelby Health Dept. with Norman LaChapelle, Nancy Luwhead, and Yvonne Madlock

St. Francis Hospital, David Archer, Dr. Zack Taylor, Don Laughlin, Ed Jutt and The Medical Staff

The Med, Manager of Communications and Marketing Mila Borden

University of Tennessee-Memphis

 Christ Community Clinic, Burt Waller, Rick Donlon MD, Laurie Donlon, Mickey and Lynda Henry, and staff

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Brian Hamilton

Baptist College of Health Science, President Dr. Rose Temple,  Dean of Nursing Veta Massey, Director of Administration Denese Shumaker, Patricia Haley, Debbie Hooser, Richard Owen, Kathy Strausser,

 Baptist Health Systems, Gordon Lintz

Federal Express’ Senior Vice President, Laurie Tucker, as well as Thonda Barnes and the FedEx Leadership Training Institute, Vice President Bill Henrikson, Senior Manager Phillip Douglas, Managing Directors Steven Nielsen, Greg Rossiter, Steve Stapleton, Tom Morgan, and Mitch Jackson also Mangers Trey Wade, Rose Flenorl, Trevor Stedke, and Rebecca Sham with Michael Ducker, Glenn Sessoms, Eddie Hampton, and Sandy Schaeffer III

International Paper, Vice President Dennis Colley

The National Civil Rights Museum, Director Gwen Harmon and Tour guide William McLemore

Church Health Center with Mike Sturdivant RN

NaturePlex / Natural Science Labs, President Victor Santos

Bank Tennessee of Collierville, President Todd and Lee Ann Vanderpool

Elvis Presley Museums

Hope Christian Community Foundation, President Larry Lloyd and the Board of Directors

Embassy of Afghanistan, Deputy Chief of Mission Haron Amin

The Muslim Society of Memphis, Masijd As-Salam

The houses of worship of Memphis who pray for peace and hope for Afghanistan

International Friendship Summits, Inc., the Board of Directors, Chairman Mark Morris and Event Coordinator Rusty Griffin with secretaries Shannon Shearon and Nancy Hall

Security Personnel, Tim Viertel, William Ricci, Chief Richard Hall, and staff

International Foundation of Hope, Director Batchelder, Nichole Waller, and Sam DelSenno

Germantown Police Dept. Inspector Rodney Bright and his team Lt. Jodi Whitfield, Lt. Jay Ford, Sergeant Keller, Officer Kevin Sathonghoth, Officer Steven Lovelace, and Officer Harold Cheirs

Regional Medical Center, President Bruce Steinhauer, MD

Snell’s Orthopedics and Prosthetics, Rodney Snell

Sharon Ramsey at Delta Airlines for her efforts in arranging flights

Memphis Police Dept.,  Larry Godwin, Major Ernest Dobbins, Lt. Timothy Canady, Officers Rodney Adair, Richard Birdsong, Carlos Davis, T.J. Griffin, Godrey Howard, Eric Husley, Jimmy Jenkins, Ernest Lancaster, Ben Pruitt, Roderick Robinson, Jeffrey Scoggins, and Ben Stradford    

Media coordinator Grant Guffin and Michael Skilleter

Hosts, Coordinator Dottie Weir,  Zack and Cindy Taylor, Rick and Laurie Donlon, Todd and Lee Ann Vanderpool, Brian and Diane Raycher, Mickey and Lynda Henry, LeRoy and Grace Atchley

International Friendship Summit, Inc. Board members Carol Griffin, Russell Griffin, Lewis DeCarlo, Cindy Taylor, William Taylor, and Mark Morris

Ambassador Ishaq Shahryar

Walter Sandusky

Walter Johnson

Larry Jensen

Mike Edens

Jeff Gilder

Charles Baker

Bill Bangham

John Hammond

Robert Tooms M.D.

Mark Kelly

Sam and Peg Stringer

Dan and Pam Walker

Wright Cox

 

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