As Honorary Vice President of Sister Cities International, Second Lady Karen Pence highlighted the sister city relationship between Washington, D.C. and Brasília by hosting a tree planting ceremony at Espaço Israel Pinheiro, Federal District, during her recent visit to Brazil.
The United States demonstrated its renewed partnership between Washington, D.C. and Brasília with the donation of the White Trumpet Tree, a flowering tree that grows in the southern United States as well as in Brasília. Standing at a podium near the tree, Mrs. Pence explained to the people of Brazil the importance of strengthening global relations and 
the value behind cultural exchanges.
“The planting of the tree represents not a single diplomatic event, but a continuing commitment between our two countries,” said Mrs. Karen Pence. “The roots of this tree represent the individual communities of our two capitals, Washington, D.C. and Brasília, as well as all the sister city ties between the United States and Brazil. Our commitment to work together to mutually nourish each other will help us grow a solid foundation of diplomacy that promotes peace through respect, understanding, and cooperation — one individual, one community at a time.”
On behalf of the Mayor of Washington, D.C., the Second Lady also presented Mrs. Rollemberg, First Lady of Brasília, with a book about Washington, D.C. and a globe with the seal of the District of Columbia. In return, the First Lady gifted Mrs. Pence with a book about Brasília and a frame containing four well-known mounted tiles from Brasília. The gifts will be delivered to the Mayor’s Office upon returning to the United States.
The United States shares 28 sister city or state relationships with Brazil. The relationship between Washington, D.C. and Brasília was formed in 2013.
What are Sister Cities?
A sister city, county, or state relationship is a broad and long-term partnership between two communities in two countries. A relationship is officially recognized after the highest elected or appointed official from both communities signs an agreement to become sister cities.
A city can have any number of sister cities, with community involvement ranging from a handful to hundreds of volunteers. In addition to volunteers, sister city organizations may include representatives from 
nonprofit organizations, municipal governments, the private sector, and other civic organizations.
Each sister city organization is independent and pursues activities and thematic areas that are important to them and their community, including exchanges and municipal, commercial, trade, educational, and cultural projects with their sister city.
Sister Cities between Brazil and the USA
In addition to Washington D.C. and Brasília, other sister cities between the United States and Brazil include: Atlanta and Rio de Janeiro, Los Angeles and Salvador, São Paulo and Miami-Dade County, São Paulo and Chicago, Belo Horizonte and Fort Lauderdale, and many others.
Sister Cities International
Founded by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1956, Sister Cities International serves as a hub for institutional knowledge and best practices for citizen diplomacy. The group has united tens of thousands of citizen diplomats and volunteers in over 500 member communities with more than 2,000 partnerships in 145 countries across six continents. You can learn more about Sister Cities International at www.sistercities.org.