The Leader of Sunderland City Council, Councillor Bob Symonds is in Washington DC today to sign a unique Agreement of Friendship which will link Sunderland with the American Capital. The agreement is a major coup not only for the city, but also for the UK as a whole. Washington DC has never before linked with a UK city and to date has only signed Friendship Agreements with major capital cities like Dhakar, Bangkok and Beijing.  Councillor Symonds has travelled to the American capital to sign the agreement with the Mayor of Washington DC and will attend a special event at the British Embassy attended by over 150 guests. The Agreement of Friendship means that over the next five years, the two cities will collaborate on a host of activities to create closer friendship and co-operation between both cities and develop programmes of mutual benefit for the people of Sunderland and the people of the District of Columbia.

Work will focus on boosting economic development, generating new cultural and educational programmes, promoting tourism and sharing experience on social inclusion and e-government initiatives to promote citizen participation. 

The ancestral home of George Washington is located in Sunderland. The two cities will therefore share information and co-operate on activities linked to the historic ties, which go back to 1183.

In much more recent times, Sunderland has developed strong links with the Eastern seaboard of America, attracting more than ten new US companies to invest in the City and create over 6,000 jobs.

Cllr Bob Symonds said: "We are very proud of our historic link to Washington DC and we have always welcomed visitors from America on the heritage trail in the UK. 

"Washington Old Hall is a national and international treasure. And our modern day links with the US have resulted in great benefits for the people of Sunderland, not least in the jobs we have created. We felt it was time to cement and develop the historic relationship in a way that would take full advantage of the potential benefits for both the people of Sunderland and the people of Washington DC.

"It is very interesting to discover that there are many areas where we can work together on issues that are of major importance to our communities both here in Sunderland and in Washington DC. We have a great deal to offer through the historic links, but also through shared experiences where as a four-star local authority we have developed innovative ways of working, such as our e-government, economic development or social inclusion programmes. It is a powerful tool in the armoury as we promote the City in a new light to potential residents, students, investors and visitors.

" We are proud to be representing the UK and North East England and looking forward to sharing and learning with our colleagues across the Atlantic in the years to come."

Sunderland City Council will join partners to participate in the development of the Agreement of Friendship activities. Paul Callaghan, Chairman of the Leighton Group and an Ambassador for Sunderland, is one of the many business people who recognise the potential of such a link.

He said: "This is a tremendous coup for Sunderland and an honour which I can see could bring many benefits for the businesses and residents of Sunderland as the programme of cultural, educational and local governance work develops. Leighton already has numerous links with the US in general and Washington in particular. Our 4Projects software is already used by organisations such as the World Bank and the Export-Import Bank of the United States both of which are based in Washington DC.

"This "City-to-City" relationship between Sunderland and Washington DC will help us develop even more business links with the US and will also draw attention to Sunderland from a national and international perspective, opening new doors and creating new opportunities. It is very exciting and I am delighted to support the City in maximising the benefits it could bring."

Sunderland has a long association with Washington DC. General George Washington became the first President of the United States in 1789 and the Capital City was named Washington in his honour. George Washington was a descendant of the Washington family, which took its name from Wessyngton (now Washington) and resided at Washington Old Hall in Washington Village.

Washington Old Hall incorporates parts of the original medieval home of George Washington's direct ancestors. It was re-opened in 1955 by the American Ambassador, following restoration of the property which was led by local schoolmaster and historian Frederick Hill. American benefactors played a key role, donating funds and furniture to the project. Washington Old Hall is now managed by the National Trust with assistance from the Friends of Washington Old Hall.

The state flag of Washington DC, which was adopted in 1938, is based on the shield from the Washington Coat of Arms. Early examples of the Washington Coat of Arms, dating back to the beginning of the 15th Century, can be seen above the main door on the West front of Hylton Castle and on the cloister ceiling in Durham Cathedral. It is often assumed that George Washington used his family coat of arms as a basis for the American 'Stars and Stripes' flag, although there is no direct proof of this.

Holy Trinity Church, adjacent to Washington Old Hall, contains a stained glass window showing the Washington Coat of Arms, given by the Washington Family descendants of the USA, which was unveiled in 1961. A United States flag was presented to the church at that time.

American Independence Day is marked each year at a ceremony at Washington Old Hall. Americans living and working in the area are invited to attend the ceremony, which includes flag raising and readings from the Declaration of Independence.