Flags at Geneva City Hall and all City buildings have been lowered to half-staff in remembrance of the victims of the Nov. 13 terrorist attacks in Paris.

The tragedy hits close to home with our cultural exchange city Croissy-sur-Seine being located just outside Paris. Our French friends had recently visited Geneva in September.

"The citizens of Geneva, IL, USA stand with our friends in Croissy-sur-Seine, France with whom we have enjoyed and benefited from years of cultural exchanges, in the wake of unspeakable violence in Paris, France," Mayor Kevin Burns said. "Our mutual resolve to forge peaceful and positive relationships with people of different cultures shall not be diminished by the cowardice and extremism of a few.

"May the comfort of knowing that Geneva, Illinois, USA extends its heartfelt sympathies to the citizens of Croissy-sur-Seine, the citizens of Paris and all the French people, help heal the wounds that were caused on Friday, Nov. 13, 2015. Je suis Paris."