We are pleased to announce that 6 members of the Congress attended Turkish Republic Day events organized throughout the United States between October 25 and November 1. The grassroots campaign for inviting US Congressmen to the annual October 29 celebrations was designed by the Turkish Coalition of America (TCA) and carried out roughly between June and November 2008 as a collaborative initiative with the Assembly of Turkish American Associations (ATAA) coordinating local associations from DC. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the 6 Turkish American Associations in the below mentioned cities and thank them for their close cooperation and willingness in this project. We also thank the congressmen who honored the Turkish American community by being with us in our most valued day of the year.

Congressman John Culberson (R-TX/7th)

Houston, TX/November 1, 2008

Congressman Alcee Hastings (D-FL/23rd)

Deerfield Beach, FL/October 25, 2008

Congressman Jeb Hensarling (R-TX/5th)

Dallas, TX/October 24, 2008

Congressman Jim McDermott (D-WA/7th)

Seattle, WA/October 25, 2008

Congressman Michael Rogers (R-MI/8th)

Farmington Hills Manor, MI/Nov. 1, 2008

Congressman Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA/46th)

Long Beach, CA/October 25, 2008

In addition to these 6 cities, Mike Hoffman, the Secretary of State and Republican Candidate for Colorado's 6th Congressional District attended the Republic Day Ball organized in Colorado on October 26, 2008. Please note that Coffman won on November 4th and will replace Congressman Tom Tancredo (R) who did not seek reelection.

We also thank the co-chairs of the Congressional Turkish Caucus - Congressman Robert Wexler (D-FL/19th), Congressman Ed Whitfield (R-KY/1st) and Congresswoman Kay Granger (R-TX/12th) - and Congressman Rob Wittman (R-VA/1st) who have kindly sent congratulatory letters that were read at Turkish Republic Day Events. Likewise we thank Congresswoman Jean Schmidt (R-OH/2nd) for receiving the Turkish American Delegation in Cincinnati, OH on October 22, 2008 on the occasion of the 85th anniversary of the founding of the Turkish Republic.

Last but not the least, we thank several other ATAA components and local associations for their efforts and time to invite their representatives, who unfortunately were not able to attend (a total of 38 US congressmen) due to their hectic campaign schedule for the upcoming congressional elections.

Republic Day Reception at the University of Washington, Seattle, WA October 25, 2008 - Hon. Consul General John Ufuk Gokcen & ATAA NW VP Gokce Sezgin. In the background: Congressman Jim McDermott and Antonio Sanchez from Governor's Office.

TACAM celebrated the 85th Anniversary of the Turkish Republic on November 1st, 2008 - it was a great night with our honorable guests and friends in attendance, including Congressman Michael Rogers, Mexican Consul General, Mr. Vicente Sanchez and CEO & President of LACC, John Akouri.

PROFESSOR HEATH LOWRY GIVES LECTURE ON ATAT

November 10, 2008, DC - As we respectfully commemorated the 70th anniversary of the passing of our great leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk on November 10, ATAA representatives attended a mesmerizing lecture by Prof. Heath Lowry entitled "Were Atatürk Alive Today" as part of the Embassy Lecture Series organized by the Turkish Embassy and American Friends of Turkey. Speaking to a substantially large audience, Prof. Lowry provided us with a retrospective evaluation of Turkey's republican experience since 1938, journeying through the developments of its recent past. Once again, we would like to express our profound gratitude to our Embassy, American Friends of Turkey, and Prof. Lowry for making this year's November 10 especially remarkable. Please see the following link to watch the full-length recording of Prof. Lowry's speech. video

ATAA CELEBRATES THE FOUNDING OF TRNC

November 14, 2008, DC - The Assembly of Turkish American Associations congratulated all Turkish Cypriots and Turks around the world on the 25th Anniversary of the founding of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). read more

ATAA HOSTS PROFESSOR SUKRU HALUK AKALIN

November 2, 2008 - ATAA hosted the Chairman of the Turkish Language Institute (TDK), Professor Sukru Haluk Akalin, in Washington, DC for a series of lectures regarding the Turkish language. read more

CONNECTICUT PROCLAIM TURKISH REPUBLIC DAY

Hartford - The State of Connecticut, with the guidance of the Southern New England Turkish American Association (SNE-TACA) and leadership of SNE-TACA President Goknur McAvoy, proclaimed October 29, 2008, Turkish Republic Day, and raised the Turkish flag over the state capital building. read more

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