In 1956, the sister city program was originated by President Dwight D. Eisenhower as part of the people-to-people citizen diplomacy initiative. Currently Sister Cities International represents over 2,500 communities in 126 countries from around the world. Newport and Mombetsu, Japan (pronounced mom-bets) have been participating in this program since 1966. It has been a culturally rich friendship, one that is valued greatly by both communities.
(Mombetsu Sister City Park)