Pa. state Rep. Steve McCarter recognizes Philadelphia's efforts to become the first World Heritage City in the United States.

Pa. state Rep. Steve McCarter recognizes Philadelphia's efforts to become the first World Heritage City in the United States.

"The Organization of World Heritage Cities (OWHC) is an association comprised of select cities from around the world,
and the 250 OWHC members include such internationally recognized cities as Paris, Brussels and Warsaw.

OWHC members exchange information on matters of conservation and management and participate in conferences, seminars and workshops dealing with the challenges to be met in the realm of management and strategies pertaining to the preservation and development of historic cities; and designation as a World Heritage City not only promotes the sharing of information and expertise, but it can also translate into an upsurge in tourism and business in a region.

To be eligible for membership to the OWHC, a city must be home to a site on the World Heritage List, as designated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

The World Heritage List is an outgrowth of decades of international efforts to save culturally and naturally significant sites around the world from destruction. One of a select group of sites on this list in the United States is Independence Hall, located in the City of Philadelphia. This legendary landmark has hosted many notable events in the history of our nation, including the signing of both the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution.

The Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution have proven to be instrumental in not only the founding of our country, but also in the establishment of the United States of America as one of the most influential and powerful constitutional democracies in the history of mankind. As the home of Independence Hall, the birthplace of a democracy that has had a global impact, Philadelphia is uniquely qualified for membership in the OWHC. 

Selection of Philadelphia as a member of the OWHC would increase tourism revenue and business opportunities in the city and throughout southeastern Pennsylvania, while helping to promote the ideals of democracy throughout the world."

The House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania expressed its support for the City of Philadelphia's efforts to obtain membership in the Organization of World Heritage Cites and thereby become the first World Heritage City in the United States.

This resolution was transmitted to the Mayor of the City of Philadelphia, the President of the Philadelphia City Council and the Chair of the Board of Directors of the Global Philadelphia Association, and to the Secretary General, the President and each Vice-President of the Organization of World Heritage Cities.