The Town of Fountain Hills and its Sister Cities Commission welcomed Mayor Oscar Gomez from the town’s Sister City of Ataco, El Salvador for an official visit last week.

Commission members and town officials held a reception for Gomez at Town Hall on March 7. Mayor Ginny Dickey presented Gomez with a proclamation celebrating the friendship between the two towns.

“I…proclaim the month of March for celebrating and dedication to ‘peace through people’ between Ataco, El Salvador and Fountain Hills,” Dickey stated in the proclamation.

“I thank God for bringing us together and allowing me to visit Fountain Hills,” Gomez said. “I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for all you have done for Ataco.

“I love and respect this country like it was my own.”

Fountain Hills and Ataco have been Sister Cities for 12 years. Former Mayor and Sister Cities chairman Sharon Morgan recalled visits and student exchanges, which she said were life-changing, emotional experiences for all of those involved.

During Gomez’s visit he talked with educators and business people about what he could do with regard to education and economic development in his community.