Killeen Sister Cities, Inc. (KSCI) was formed in 1993 by direction of the Killeen City Council, under the auspices of the Greater Killeen Chamber of Commerce. Lisa Humphreys was selected as President by Charlie Watts, who was the GKCC Chairman at the time.  The initial members were then selected by Ms. Humphreys with recommendations from Mr. Watts and Mayor Villaronga.  Subsequent members were then approved by the Board of Directors.  Officers were elected for either two or three year terms once the organization was established as a corporation and had created its bylaws.  Membership in KSCI is open to the public upon receipt of the annual membership application. 

The focus of KSCI from 1993-1995 was the foundation of paperwork necessary to secure the non-profit status, 501© (3), and the establishment of the bylaws.  The focus from 1995-1996 was the search for and establishment of the actual Sister City relationship with another country.  These efforts were successful with the creation of a Sister City relationship with Osan, Korea, in August, 1996.

The sister city idea was envisioned by President Eisenhower in 1956 through citizen diplomacy.  His idea was to promote peace through mutual respect, understanding, and cooperation – one individual, one community at a time.   Sister Cities International is a nonprofit citizen diplomacy network that creates and strengthens partnerships between U.S. and international communities, striving for diplomacy at the municipal level, promote cultural understanding and stimulate economic development.  The belief of sister city programs involve two-way communication and should mutually benefit partnering communities.

Goals are to:

• Develop mutual partnerships between U.S. cities, countries, and states and similar jurisdictions in other nations.
• Provide opportunities for city officials and citizens to experience and explore other cultures through long-term community partnerships.
• Create an atmosphere in which economic and community development can be implemented and strengthened.
• Stimulate environments through which communities will creatively learn, work, and solve problems together through reciprocal cultural, educational, municipal, business, professional and technical exchanges and projects.
• Collaborate with organizations in the United States and other countries which share similar goals.

Membership is encouraged by anyone interested in becoming a member of Killeen Sister Cities, Inc. Please complete the application and either bring it along with your membership dues to our meeting held on the first Wednesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. located at inside the International Buffet Restaurant, 605 North Gray Street in Killeen or mail the application along with your check or money order to:

Killeen Sister Cities, Inc. 
P.O. Box 4186
Killeen, TX  76540-4186

• Participate in the planning of KSCI events
• Receive a newsletter and be informed about KSCI events and activities
• Receive an emblem for display to increase awareness of KSCI relationships
• Obtain a 15% discount on KSCI event space
• Purchase official KSCI items with a 10% discount
• Receive a 10% discount on your own membership when you recruit new members

Killeen, TX – Osan, Korea

The focus from 1995-1996 was the search for and establishment of the actual Sister City relationship with another country. These efforts were successful with the creation of a Sister City relationship with Osan, Korea, in August 1995. A delegation of 12 members from Killeen traveled to Osan to sign the initial paperwork and in April 1996, Osan's delegation of 12 members traveled to Killeen in order to sign the final documentation joining the two cities in a Sister Cities Agreement.