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| Monthly Newsletter |
September 30, 2010-Issue 9 |
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The ATAA serves as an information resource center for its members and component associations throughout the United States, while working locally and nationwide to develop an informed and effective Turkish American citizenry. The ATAA is a major resource for experts, policy makers, and media who seek a deeper and broader understanding of U.S.-Turkish relations. The ATAA is a recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit organization formed under the laws of the District of Columbia. To learn more about ATAA, please visit us at www.ataa.org. |
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Opportunities to Advertise in the ATAA E-Newsletter
The ATAA e-Newsletter reaches approximately 16,000 individuals throughout the United States, Canada and Turkey. The ATAA is now accepting banner ads from businesses that wish to reach the Turkish-American community. For advertising rates and options or other advertising related inquiries, please e-mail to advertising@ataa.org |
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Dear ATAA Members and Friends of Türkiye:
Not always will I have good news for you.
On September 27, 2010, the Turkish American community lost one of its beloved elders, Mr. Orhan Tarhan, who wrote regularly in the Turkish Times and supported ATAA's public education and advocacy projects. Mr. Tarhan was with ATAA from the very beginning, and we hope to honor his spirit by building on his good work. Mr. Tarhan's daughter, Leyla, grew up as an advocate of the Turkish American cause, and Leyla's husband Harun Kazaz was the Executive Director of the ATAA in the early 1990s. The Tarhan Family story is one of dedication, hard work, and integrity for the Turkish American cause. Orhan Bey left this world with a clean spirit. May we all be as fortunate.
These are difficult economic times where each penny saved is a penny earned for something dear to us. Turkey is dear to all of us, which may explain why more and more Turkish Americans are taking ownership of their future by becoming ATAA members and supporting ATAA. Last weekend, ATAA Trustee Esma Akin, Head of the Nuclear Medicine Division of George Washington University Hospital, and her husband Dr. John Losee hosted a fundraiser which was attended by more than 80 people. Turkish American, Oz Bengur, who is a candidate for Maryland State Assembly, donated a soccer ball bearing the autographs of Turkish National Soccer Team players from the 2002 World Cup, for ATAA to raffle off at a future fundraiser. I invite you to view ATAA's latest public outreach on why Turkish Americans should support ATAA and their local organizations, and take ownership of their future.
Your ATAA Trustees have the duty each year either to donate at least $2500 or to host a fundraiser in at least that amount to the ATAA. Many of our trustees have accepted the challenge of doing both! Your Regional VPs are partnering with the Trustees, as the Board of Directors strives to match the Board of Trustees in fund raising.
Your ATAA Regional Vice President is responsible for hearing your concerns and ideas, and for helping you build strong Turkish American communities. I have tasked ATAA VPs to coordinate with local Turkish American organizations to obtain Governor's Proclamations on Turkish American Heritage and Diversity Day, October 29, 2010, and to secure the participation of Congressional Members at your local Turkish Republic Day banquets.
I have tasked ATAA VPs and the ATAA National Civic Engagement Director Yenal Kucuker to coordinate with local organizations to host Grassroots Seminars as well as Student Orientation Days. Turkish American grassroots have produced a formidable voice on Capitol Hill as the Turkey Caucus reached 124 Congressional members this month and nears the critical mass of 140. Student outreach is important because 28,000 students from Turkey are looking to Turkish Americans for guidance and a home away from home. I encourage all of you to support your local organizations, and encourage them to be a member of ATAA if they are not already.
I would like to highlight some recent successes in the Turkish American community:
· The US Department of Commerce recognized the ATAA for its leadership in the Turkish American community during Census 2010, and commended the ATAA's creativity and outreach in the "SayTURK", campaign. For this important service and its success, I want to thank former Programs Coordinator Gamze Ergur and Art/Media and Communications Director Hakan Dakin, as well as Census Committee Chairperson Alp Berker and my amazing Board of Directors!
· According to US News, the Turkish Coalition of America (TCA), a strong supporter of the ATAA Turkish American Broad Advocacy Network (TABAN) grassroots development program, recently ranked third in groups sponsoring international Congressional travel. The American Israel Education Foundation, an affiliate of the American Israeli Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), ranked first, and the Aspen Institute ranked second. As we all have come to realize, to see Türkiye, is to know Türkiye, and to know Türkiye is to love Türkiye! A trip to Turkey, the seventh most visited destination in the world, goes far to remove anti-Turkish and anti-Muslim prejudices and stereotypes. TCA sponsored 85 trips to Turkey in 2009-10, while AIPAC funded trips for 154 Congressional members. · The ATADC, among the strongest local chapters of the ATAA, hosted its 8th Annual Turkish Festival on October 3, 2010. Over 20,000 attended this year! As I commended to the US Congress and Senate in a recent letter, Turkish Festivals are one of the fastest growing cultural events in America. The Washington DC Turkish Festival, is organized by ATAA Regional VP and ATADC President Demet Cabbar and her awesome Board of Directors. The DC government awarded ATADC Turkish Festival a substantial grant for significantly contributing to the diversity of the Washington area. The magazine, I Am Modern, featured an article about Ms. Cabbar's leadership. Turkish festival was also featured on NBC , Fox 5, AA and Turkish NY.
· The Turkish Women's League of America (TWLA) will host "The Passion of the Turk", on October 9, 2010 in New York, featuring actress Yildiz Kenter (known for her lead role in "I Anatolia" about the Anatolian woman through the ages), and poet and writer Talat Halman, as they read Turkish poetry on "Turkish life - romantic, mystic, erotic, and satiric, from 600 AD to the present day". "The Passion of the Turk" will then be hosted at the Turkish Embassy by the ATADC in Washington DC on October 13, 2010.
· The Turkish American Legal Defense Fund (TALDF) achieved yet another victory in defending free speech on the Armenian matter. In the case of Lewy v. SPLC, Holocaust expert Guenter Lewy had sued the Southern Poverty Law Center Intelligence Report Magazine for lying that he disagreed with the Armenian allegation of genocide because he was paid to do so by the Turkish government. The SPLC settled, the case, retracting the statement and apologizing for the falsity. Importantly, TALDF and SPLC joined in support of academic integrity, freedom of speech and open debate on the Armenian matter. This ATAA month ended with a visit from the US-Turkish Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group, headed by MP Suat Kiniklioglu. The Delegation commended the Turkish American community for being a model community for Turks abroad, and congratulated ATAA for its leadership in embracing all Turkish Americans under the principle of solidarity within diversity and cooperation on common causes. The ATAA was honored by this visit. I expressed to the Delegation that Turkish Americans had come a long way, but that we also had a long way to go to build trust and confidence among each other -- that Turkish Americans need inter-Turk dialogue with each other first. MP Kiniklioglu stated that Turkey would support programs that build Turkish American solidarity.
Günay Evinch
President
Assembly of Turkish American Associations
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ATAA Fall Celebration Fundraiser a Success
ATAA Fall fundraiser on September 25, 2010 raised more than the expected amount and was a great success. Dr. Esma Akın and Dr. John Losee opened their beautiful house in McLean, Virginia for ATAA and attracted many young professional Turkish Americans as well as many well known American doctors of the Washington area. As mentioned in the earlier announcements Dr. Esma Akın is an internationally known Nuclear Medicine specialist and her husband Dr. John Losee is a prominent international urological surgeon. Donors from Ankara, Istanbul, California, Texas, Florida, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and Washington DC contributed generously either by attending the fundraiser or by mail.
ATAA was well presented by President Gunay Evinch, former trustees and presidents Dr. Ülkü Ülgür, and Tolga Çubukcu, former president and current trustee Tunca Iskır, and current trustee Dr. Esma Akın. ATAA trustee and former Secretary General Oya Bain organized the fund raiser with support from ATAA staff Hakan Dakın, TaŞkın Tan and volunteers Begüm KardeŞler and Duygu Özcan. Turkish Embassy was presented by Deputy Chief of Mission Süleyman Gökçe and Counselor Erdeniz Şen. Representatives of many American Turkish Associations were also present: Demet Cabbar of American Turkish Association of DC, Filiz OdabaŞ Geldiay of Atatürk Society of America, Nevzer Stacy of HasNa, Filiz Unal of Atatürk School of ATA-DC, Lydia Borland of Turkish PAC were present.
President Evinch gave a short speech thanking the donors and briefly summarized ATAA's recent accomplishments and future projects. Most recent e-Newsletter was circulated in print form. The event was also attended by Oz Bengür. Oz just recently won the democratic primary in District 42 of Maryland. He is running for a seat at the Maryland General Assembly in the November elections. Later in the evening former congressman and a good friend of the Turkish community, Jim Moody joined the party Several prominent physicians of George Washington and Georgetown Hospitals, friends of Dr. Akın and Dr Losee were also present. The fundraiser also brought 87 "12 month memberships". |
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ATAA'nın sonbahar destek kampanyası için Washington'un iki tanınmıŞ doktoru McLean, Virginia'daki büyük evlerinde yemekli bir geceye ev sahipliği yaptılar.
ATAA Mütevveli Heyetine 2009'da seçilen Dr. Esma Akın, George Washington Üniversitesi'nde radyoloji profesörü ve Nükleer Tıp Bölümünün baŞkanlığı görevinde bulunuyor. Ayrıca Ortadoğu ülkelerinde de bu konuda danıŞmanlık yapıyor. Dr. John Losee ise Washington'da çok iyi tanınan baŞarılı bir üroloji uzmanı ve operatörü.
25 Eylül 2010 Cumartesi akŞamı yapılan kampanyaya çok sayıda genç profesyonel Türkler, ve Türk dostları Amerikalılar katıldılar. Mali destekler Ankara, İstanbul, California, Texas, Florida, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, ve Washington DC'de oturan Türklerden geldi. Geceye BaŞkan Günay Evinch ve eski baŞkanlar Dr. Ülkü Ülgür, Tolga Çubukçu, ve Tunca Iskır katıldılar. Destek kampanyasını Mütevelli Heyeti Üyesi Oya Bain, ATAA ekibi Hakan Dakın, TaŞkın Tan ve gönüllüler Begüm KardeŞler ve Duygu Ozcan'in yardımlarıyla düzenlendi.
Türk Büyükelçiliği, Elçi MüsteŞarı Süleyman Gökçe ve diplomat Erdeniz Şen tarafından temsil edildi. Washington Amerikan Türk Derneği BaŞkanı ve ATAA BaŞkent BaŞkan Yardımcısı Demet Cabbar, Amerikan Atatürk Derneği BaŞkan Yardımcısı Filiz OdabaŞ Geldiay, HasNa BaŞkanı Nevzer Stacy, Atatürk Okulu BaŞkanı Filiz Unal, Turkish PAC lideri Lydia Borland bu geceye katılarak ATAA'ya olan desteklerini gösterdiler.
BaŞkan Evinch kısa bir konuŞmayla ev sahiplerine, misafirlere ve ATAA ekibine teŞekkür etti. Son ayların ATAA etkinlikleri ve gelecek projelerden bahsetti. Birmingham Uluslararası Merkezi'nin bir sene sürecek ve 2000 öğretmen ve 60,000 öğrenciye ulaŞacak "Odak Ülke Turkiye" programı, ATAA'nın Liderlik Konferansı ve Akademisyen-Uzman konuŞmacı programları üzerinde durdu.
Geceye Maryland Eyaletinin 42. Bölgesindeki önseçimleri kazanan Öz Bengür de katıldı. Bengür'ün Kasım seçimlerinde Maryland Eyalet Meclisine girmesi bekleniyor. Eski Kongre Üyesi ve Türk dostu Jim Moody de misafirler arasındaydı. ATAA sonbahar destek kampanyası sonucunda 87 üye kazanırken, beklenenin üstünde maddi destek elde etti.
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SPLC and TALDF Join in Support of Free Speech on Armenian Claims
 When the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) published, "State of Denial" in their magazine, "Intelligence Report", in the Summer of 2008, ATAA President Gunay Evinch flew to Montgomery, Alabama to speak with the reputable human rights group. The SPLC article alleged that scholars, among them Professor Guenter Lewy, who disagree with the Armenian allegation of genocide are "deniers" and "Turkish agents". Evinch provided his 1993 Fulbright Scholar presentation analyzing the Armenian case and the UN Convention, and requested that the SPLC retract its defamatory article or publish an corrective piece. Evinch asked rhetorically, "Is the US Fulbright Commission also a denier and Turkish agents for questioning the Armenian claims?" Though the SPLC staff did not question the integrity of the Fulbright Commission, the staff did not budge on defamatory article. Professor Lewy, seeking to restore his good reputation, elected to file suit. He sought representation from the Turkish American Legal Defense Fund ( TALDF). Approximately two years after, the SPLC realized that it had been misled and settled the matter by retracting the false statements, apologizing to Professor Lewy, and, importantly, recognizing that the Armenian matter constitutes a legitimate historical controversy, and that freedom of speech on the matter must be defended. President Evinch expressed, "We are pleased with this result, as it defends integrity in the study of history as well as reconciliation based on truth. Why did the SPLC take up this issue in the first place? Last fall, Congresswoman Jean Schmidt (R. Ohio) had successfully defended her reputation against her Armenian American opponent, David Krikorian, before the Ohio Elections Commission ( info). At the trial, Krikorian attempted to rely on the SPLC article in his defense. He produced a witness, a known Armenian American activist, who proudly testified that she was behind the SPLC piece. It seems likely, then, that the SPLC in the Summer of 2008 swallowed the Armenian conspiracy theory bait hook, line and sinker. President Evinch stated, "We are correspondingly gratified that SPLC has had the courage to admit it had erred. I am certain that they and others will think twice before wading into this issue again. Integrity distinguishes intelligence from conspiracy theories." |
 ATAA Shines "Spotlight on Turkey" for 2000 Teachers, 60,000 Students in Alabama
ATAA is a proud supporter of the Birmingham International Center (BIC) "Spotlight on Turkey" program that officially commenced on September 4, 2010. The Spotlight program will educate over 2000 teachers and their students in Alabama and neighbor states regarding Turkey, including Turkish culture, cuisine, arts, history, geography and current affairs during the academic year 2010-11. The Spotlight program will also serve to bridge trade between Turkey, Alabama and the broader American south. [read]
Photo Caption:The ATAA President Gunay Evinch, Turkish Consul General Akil Oktem, BIC President Jesse Hernandez, and BIC Director Iris Gross.
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| ATAA'dan "Odak Ülke Türkiye" Programına Büyük Destek
Türk Amerikan Dernekleri Kurulu (ATAA), Birmingham Uluslararası Merkezi (Birmingham International Center-BIC) tarafından 4 Eylül 2010 tarihinde baŞlatılan 'Odak Ülke Türkiye' programının baŞlıca sponsorları arasında yer aldı. Program, Alabama ve diğer komŞu eyaletlerdeki 2000 öğretmeni öğrencileriyle beraber, 2010-2011 akademik yılı boyunca Türk kültürü, geleneksel yemekleri, sanat, tarih ve coğrafyası ve Türkiye'deki diğer güncel olaylar konusunda bilgilendirmekle kalmayıp, aynı zamanda Türkiye ile Alabama ve Amerika'nın güney eyaletleri arasında bir ticaret köprüsü oluŞtumaya hizmet edecek.
Programa destek veren kuruluŞlar arasında önde gelen ATAA, Aynur Vloon baŞkanlığındaki Alabama Türk Amerikan Derneği (TAAA), Güler Köknar baŞkanlığındaki Türk Kültür Vakfı (Turkish Cultural Foundation) ve Jesse Hernandez baŞkanlığındaki BIC ile iŞbirliği içerisinde çalıŞmalarını sürdürmekte.
Odak Ülke Türkiye' programı Genel BaŞkanı Orrin Ford'un gerçekleŞtirdiği açılıŞ törenine Alabama eyalet ve yerel yöneticileri, federal ve eyalet mahkemesi hakimleri, eğitimciler ve dıŞiŞleri gözlemcileri dahil olmak üzere 150'nin üzerinde katılım gerçekleŞti. Türkiye'nin yıllardır Amerika BirleŞik Devletleri'nin önemli bir ortağı olduğuna dikkat çeken Birmingham Belediye BaŞkanı William Bell'in kamuoyunun ilgisini Türkiye ve Amerikalı Türklere yönlendirmekten büyük mutluluk duyduğunu belirtmesinin ardından, Birmingham KardeŞ Şehir Direktörü Scotty Colson, Türkiye'de bir kardeŞ Şehir belirlemek üzere ATAA ile beraber çalıŞacaklarını ifade etti. Kökleri, Türkiye'nin Ege Sahili yakınlarındaki Samos'a dayanan Hoover Belediye BaŞkanı Tony Petelos'da açılıŞa katılarak program dolayısıyla duyduğu büyük memnuniyeti dile getirdi. Her iki belediye baŞkanı da, Türkiye Kültür ve Turizm Bakanlığı'nın uluslararası anlayıŞa hizmet eden Spotlight Programı'na katılmaktan duyduğu gururu belirten, BaŞkonsolos Akil Öktem'e Şehirlerinin anahtarlarını takdim etti.
Genel BaŞkanı Orrin Ford'un ATAA BaŞkanı Günay Evinch'i "Program'ın kilit destekleyicisi" olarak takdim ettiği açılıŞta, BaŞkan Evinch 'Odak Ülke Türkiye' Programının gerçekleŞmesi için son iki yıldır yoğun bir biçimde çalıŞan TAAA, TCF, ve BIC'e teŞekkür ederek, ATAA'nin kamu eğitimine verdiği büyük önemden dolayı Alabama'daki 2000 öğretmeni öğrencileriyle beraber Türkiye ve Amerika'daki Türk mirası konusunda eğiteceklerini ifade etti. Alabama'daki 500 kütüphaneye Türk mutfağı, sanat, arkeoloji ve Türkiye'nin kurucusu Atatürk hakkında kitap bağıŞlayacaklarını da belirten Evinch, "American Sephardi Federation" ve "Turkish Quincentennial Foundation" ile iŞbirliği içerisinde Türkiye'nin Yahudi mirasına dikkat çekmek üzere Kasım ayında konuŞmacılardan oluŞan bir program gerçekleŞtireceklerini ve Türk asıllı Yahudiler ve Türkiye'deki Sinagoglar hakkında kitap bağıŞında bulunacaklarını bildirdi.
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 ATAA Hosts the Members of the Turkish-American Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group at ATAA TürkeviThe Turkish American Inter-Parliamentary Friendship group, led by Member of the Parliament (MP) Suat Kınıklıoğlu, was recently in Washington DC for its annual visit to the U.S. as the group have been doing for the last six years. On September 28, the group members came to ATAA Türkevi to meet with the ATAA leaders. The group consisted of AKP Foreign Affairs Vice Chair, and the President of the Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group, Çankırı MP Suat Kınıklıoğlu, Chairman of the Turkish Delegation to European Council, Sakarya MP Erol Aslan Cebeci, Vice President of AKP Political and Legal Affairs, Mardin MP Associate Professor Cüneyt Yüksel, CHP Ankara MP Emrehan Halıcı, MHP İstanbul MP Professor Mithat Melen.
ATAA was represented by President Günay Evinch, ATAA Trustees Dr. Esma Akın, Tunca Iskır (also former ATAA president), Oya Bain and Tolga Çubukcu (former president and trustee). President Evinch briefed the gorup on ATAA's coming projects: ATAA Leadership Conference, Birmingham International Center Spotlight on Turkey program, Capital Forum and National Speakers circuit which would bring expert speakers on historical and political topics related to Turkey, to many cities and academic centers in the U.S.
President Evinch stressed that ATAA leadership Conference will be inclusive and welcoming and aim at bringing unity to all the diverse Turkish communities in the US. Turkish American Friendship group members discussed the concept of "Inter-Turk" dialogue among the many different types of associations in the US and the importance of such dialogue in promoting the interests of Turkey in a more effective and cohesive manner.
The meeting lasted more than an hour. It was decided that the two groups (Turkish-American Friendship group and the ATAA representatives) should meet more often to have the communication lines open and be better informed about ATAA's activities in the US. |
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ATAA, Türkiye-ABD Dostluk Grubu'nu Türk Evi'nde misafir etti.
Türkiye-ABD Dostluk Grubu BaŞkanı, AKP DıŞ İliŞkiler BaŞkan Yardımcısı Suat Kınıklıoğlu baŞkanlığındaki Türkiye-ABD Dostluk Grubu heyeti, 26 Eylül Pazar günü her yıl yapılan ve bu yıl 6'ncısı düzenlenen Türkiye-ABD Dostluk Grubu toplantısına katılmak üzere Washington'a geldi. 28 Eylül'de Türk Evi'nde ATAA temsilcileri ile görüŞtü.
Dostluk Grubu heyetinde AKP DıŞ İliŞkiler BaŞkan Yardımcısı Çankırı Milletvekili Suat Kınıklıoğlu, Avrupa Konseyi Parlamenterler Meclisi Türk Grubu BaŞkanı Sakarya Milletvekili Erol Aslan Cebeci, AKP Siyasi ve Hukuk İŞleri BaŞkan Yardımcısı Mardin Milletvekili Cüneyt Yüksel, CHP Ankara Milletvekili Emrehan Halıcı ve MHP İstanbul Milletvekili Profesör Dr. Mithat Melen bulunuyor. Toplantıda ATAA BaŞkanı Günay Evinch, ATAA Mütevelli Heyeti üyeleri Dr. Esma Akın, Tunca Iskır, Oya Bain ve eski baŞkan Tolga Çubukçu bulundu. BaŞkan Günay Evinch ATAA'nın planladığı projeleri anlattı: ATAA Liderlik konferansı, Birmingham Uluslararası "Odak Ülke Türkiye" programı ve Amerika çapında Akademisyen-Uzman KonuŞmacı seminer serisinin önemi üzerinde durdu. Bilhassa ATAA Liderlik Konferansının Amerika'daki tüm Türk derneklerini birleŞtirme acısından önemli bir rol oynayacağından bahsetti.
Dostluk grubu üyeleri Amerika'da bütün Türklerin ve çeŞitli Türk derneklerinin birleŞmesi ve bir "inter-Türk diyalog ve dayanıŞma" anlayıŞının geliŞmesinin Türkiye çıkarları acısından çok faydalı olacağını belirttiler. Dostluk grubu üyeleri ve ATAA yöneticileri, aralarındaki iletiŞimin artmasının ve iki taraflı toplantıların daha sık yapılmasının faydalı olacağını vurguladılar. |
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ATAA - Uyghurs to Cooperate on Education
 ATAA President Gunay Evinch hosted a follow-up visit by World Uyghur Congress President Rebiya Kadeer at the ATAA Turkish House (Türk Evi), as both groups decided to commence public education regarding Uyghur culture, the growing Uyghur American population, and the situation of the Uyghur Turks in the East Turkistan region of China, also known as Sincan in ancient Turkish. In October, ATAA will host "Turkish - Uyghur Friendship Night" at the ATAA, as the WUC will cater traditional Uyghur cuisine and ATAA will provide Turkish mezes and drinks, including Turkish wine.
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Eğitimde ATAA-Uygur İŞbirliği
ATAA BaŞkanı Günay Evinch, Dünya Uygur Kongresi BaŞkanı Rabia Kader'in takip ziyaretine Türk Evi'nde ev sahipliği yaptı. Taraflar, Uygur Kültürü, büyümekte olan Uygur Amerikan toplumu, ve öz Türkçe'de Sincan olarak bilinen Çin'in Doğu Türkistan bölgesindeki durum konusunda kamu eğitimi iŞbirliği baŞlatma kararı aldı. Ekim ayında ATAA ev sahipliğinde düzenlenecek olan "Türk-Uygur Dostluk Gecesi" nde geleneksel Uygur yemekleri Dünya Uygur Kongresi tarafından, Türk Şarabı da dahil olmak üzere Türk içecek ve mezeleri ise ATAA tarafından temin edilerek misafirlere ikram edilecek.
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 ATAA Trustees met with ATAA founder, former Ambassador Şükrü Elekdağ
In August 2010 ATAA Trustees Davut Ökütçü, Rebii Dağoğlu and Oya Bain paid a courtesy visit to former Ambassador Şükrü Elekdağ at his home in Büyükçekmece, İstanbul. ATAA was founded in 1979 in Washington DC under the leadership of Ambassador Elekdağ with the participation of Dr. Ülkü Ülgür, Tunca Iskır and other young Turkish professionals of the time. The August visit lasted several hours. The trustees gave a briefing to Ambassador Elekdağ about the developments in ATAA, the past and current projects. Ambassador Elekdağ in turn reviewed the ethnic issues in the United States as seen from Turkey. His April 16, 2010 letter to President Obama regarding the Armenian-Turkish issues is very effective and can be used at any time as an excellent tool to respond the baseless allegations by US politicians. The letter is posted on www.ataa.org.
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ATAA Mütevelli heyeti üyeleri emekli Büyükelçi Şükrü Elekdağ'ı ziyaret ettiler
22 Ağustos 2010 tarihinde ATAA Mütevelli heyeti üyeleri Davut Okutcu, Rebii Dağoğlu ve Oya Bain, sayın Şükrü Elekdağ'ı İstanbul, Büyükçekmece' deki evinde ziyaret ettiler. Türkiye'nin eski Washington Büyükelçisi Şükrü Elekdağ 1979 senesinde Washington'da, Dr. Ülkü Ülgür, Tunca Iskır gibi o zamanın "genç Türkleri" ile beraber ATAA'yı kurmuŞtu. Mütevelli Heyeti üyeleri Sayın Elekdağ'a ATAA'nın üzerinde çalıŞtığı projeler hakkında bilgi verdiler. Sayın Elekdağ Türkiye'nin Amerika'daki etnik diaspora faaliyetleri görüŞü hakkında bilgi verdi. Elekdağ'ın 16 Nisan 2010'da, ABD BaŞkanı Obama'ya yazdığı mektup son derece kuvvetli ve her zaman kullanabilir bir belge olarak ATAA'nın web sitesinde bulunuyor. |
 ATAA Trustees Visit Quincentennial Foundation Museum of Turkish JewsIn August 24, 2010 ATAA Trustees Davut Ökütçü, Rebii Dağoğlu and Oya Bain visited the the Quincentennial Foundation Museum of Turkish Jews in Karakoy, Istanbul. Earlier in the month ATAA President Günay Evinch had a meeting with Naim Güleryüz, the Museum Director. Mr. Güleryüz kindly gave a two hour tour of the museum to the trustees. At the Museum library/bookstore there were several very interesting books: ATAA is organizing the acquisition of the impressive two volume book "Synagogues of Turkey" to be used in the Birmingham International Center's year long educational program on Turkey. The books will be donated to the Alabama public libraries. Another handsome book is entitled " Jewish Museum of Turkey" which describes the Museum in detail. The most recent publication "The Turkish Jews-700 Years of Togetherness" is a small book full of concise information in a very "easy to read" format. All three books were authored by Naim Guleryuz, who is the source of a wealth of information. If a search is done in the web under "Jewish Museum of Turkey" there is much information about this unique museum and the history of Jews in Turkey. ATAA is planning some projects to educate the American public, especially the Ashkenazi origin Jewish population about the long history of Turkish and Jewish alliance and friendship. |
 Congressman Burton Visits Turkish American Community in Detroit
On August 27, 2010, Congressman Dan Burton, who is a long-term supporter of Turkey and Turkish American relations from Indiana, visited Detroit during the Congressional recess. Following a district office meeting in August in Indiana by ATAA Turkish American Broad Advocacy Network (TABAN) director Yenal Küçüker and former ATAA Regional Vice President and TABAN committee member Alp Berker, Congressman was invited to meet with representatives of the Turkish American Cultural Association of Michigan (TACAM). Congressman Burton received information about the activities and concerns of the Turkish American community. Congressman praised ATAA's TABAN grassroots efforts, and Turkish Coalition of America's sponsorship of these efforts. He indicated that the key to grassroots efforts was to work with youth groups and encouraged TABAN to focus on that. Former ATAA President and TABAN committee co-chair Nurten Ural, local TABAN coordinator Gökhan Özalp and TABAN director Yenal Küçüker presented Congressman Burton with a plaque, as a token of Michigan Turkish American community's appreciation for his contributions to US - Turkish relations.
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Kongre Temsilcisi Burton Detroit'de Türklerle BuluŞtu
27 Ağustos 2010 tarihinde, İndiana 5. Bölge Kongre temsilcisi, yılların Türk Amerikan dostu Dan Burton Kongre tatilinde Detroit'i ziyaret etti. ATAA TABAN Direktörü Yenal Küçüker ve eski ATAA Bölge BaŞkan Yardımcısı, TABAN komite üyesi Alp Berker'in Ağustos ayında İndiana bölge ofisine yaptığı ziyarette Kongre temsilcisini Michigan'a, Türk Amerikan Kültür Derneği TACAM temsilcileriyle tanıŞmaya davet ettiler. Kongre temsilcisi Burton ziyareti esnasında Türk Amerikan toplumunun faaliyetleri hakkında bilgi aldı ve sorunlarını dinledi. Burton, ATAA tarafından Türk Amerikan Koalisyonunun sponsorluğunda yürütülen TABAN faaliyetlerini de överek, bu tür faaliyetlerde gençlik gruplarına yapılacak yatırımın öneminden bahsetti. ATAA eski baŞkanı ve TABAN komite baŞkanı Nurten Ural, Michigan TABAN kordinatörü Gökhan Özalp ve TABAN Direktörü Yenal Küçüker TACAM adına Kongre temsilcisi Burton'a Türk Amerikan dostluğuna olan katkılarından dolayı bir plaket armağan ettiler.
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 ATAA TABAN Activities Reach Canada
On August 21, 2010, City of Windsor, which is separated from the City of Detroit by the Detroit River, is home to significant number of Turkish Canadians. Often times, Turkish Canadians get together with Turkish Americans in Michigan and organize joint events. Having recognized the importance of grassroots education through their joint events, Turkish Canadians of Windsor decided to begin their grassroots campaign by inviting Mr. Joe Comartin, Member of Parliament, to their Iftar dinner. Feridun Bek, President of TACAM and ATAA's Mid-Central Regional Vice President, ATAA's Civic Engagement Director Yenal Küçüker were among the invitees. Mr. Comartin, who voted for the Armenian Genocide Resolution in Canadian Parliament in 2005, spoke about the issue and his recent trip to Turkey. Mr. Comartin emphasized the importance of grassroots level advocacy and encouraged the Turkish Canadian community to become more active so that the members of the parliament would not have a one-sided opinion on such critical issues. He indicated that Canadian Parliament was getting ready to take important steps to have a better understanding of the Armenian issue. Yenal Küçüker informed Mr. Comartin and the community about TABAN activities in USA and presented sources on the disputed Armenian Genocide.
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ATAA'nın TABAN faaliyetleri Kanada' ya ulaŞtı
21 Ağustos 2010 tarihinde Türk Amerikan Koalisyonu'nun sponsorluğunda TABAN'ı (Turkish American Broad Advocacy Network - sivil toplum örgütü eğitim ve sözcülük kampanyası), pilot proje olarak yürüten Michigan'daki Türk Amerikan Kültür Derneği, TACAM'dan esinlenen ve bu çalıŞmaların önemini kavrayan Windsor Türk Derneği de benzeri çalıŞmalara Parlamento üyesi Joe Comartin'i iftar yemeğine davet ederek baŞladı. ATAA'nın bölge temsilcisi ve TACAM baŞkanı Feridun Bek, ATAA Sivil Katılım Direktörü Yenal Küçüker'de iftara katılan davetliler arasındaydı. 2005 yılında Kanada Parlementosundan geçen soykırım yasa tasarısını destekleyen yönde oy kullananan Comartin, yasa tasarısıyla ve birkaç ay önce Türkiye'ye yaptığı Parlemento gezisiyle ilgili bilgi verdi. Comartin, sivil toplum örgütü eğitim ve sözcülük kampanyalarının bu konulardaki önemini de vurgulayarak, Kanadalı Türklerin bu yöndeki çalıŞmalarının benzeri kritik konularda oluŞabilecek tek taraflı görüŞleri ortadan kaldırmada etkili olacağını belirtti.
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 ATAA Holds TABAN Workshop in Chicago
On September 8th, Assembly of Turkish American Associations (ATAA) held its sixth Turkish American Broad Advocacy Network (TABAN) - an ATAA nationwide grassroots education campaign made possible with the sponsorship of Turkish Coalition of America, workshop/seminar of 2010. Turkish American Cultural Alliance (TACA) is one of the three component associations that agreed to engage in TABAN grassroots work and received a $15,000 mini-grant. ATAA Civic Engagement Director Yenal Küçüker indicated that the workshop was part of the ongoing training, technical support and coordination efforts of TABAN. "TACA already has an active community and TABAN Chicago coordinator Sevil Kutay, ATAA regional VP Hatice Dinç along with TACA grassroots committee are working hard to be a regional center for Turkish - American grassroots advocacy support" said Yenal Küçüker. TABAN workshop introduced and emphasized ATAA's vision and mission to activate Turkish Americans and reviewed the progress of the grant goals and expected outcomes.
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Chicago'da ATAA TABAN semineri yapıldı
2010 yılının altıncı TABAN (Turkish American Broad Advocacy Network) çalıŞması semineri Chicago'da 8 Eylül'de gerçekleŞtirildi. TABAN faaliyetlerini pilot proje olarak yürütme hakkını alan ve bu çalıŞmalar için $15,000 bütçeye sahip olan üç kültürel organizasyondan biri olan Chicago Türk Amerikan Kültür Birliğinde (TACA) gerçekleŞtirilen seminer, TABAN programının eğitim, teknik destek ve kordinasyon amaçlarına yönelik bilgiler verdi. Semineri yönlendiren ATAA Sivil Katılım Direktörü Yenal Küçüker, TACA'nın gayet aktif bir organizasyon olduğunu, TABAN Chicago kordinatörü Sevil Kutay, ATAA Bölge Temsilcisi Hatice Dinç ve Chicago TABAN komitesinin Türk - Amerikan iliŞkilerini geliŞtirmek için büyük bir özveri ile çalıŞtıklarını belirtti. TABAN semineri ATAA'nın ABD çapında Türk Amerikalıları etkin bir konuma getirmesi ve bunu gerçekleŞtirmek için planladığı misyonu ve vizyonu ile ilgili bilgi vermenin yanısıra projenin faaliyetleri ve beklentileri üzerine değerlendirmede bulundu.
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 ATAA TABAN Activities Gain Momentum with the Congressional Recess
Turkish American Broad Advocacy Network (TABAN) - an ATAA nationwide grassroots education campaign made possible with the sponsorship of Turkish Coalition of America, intensified its activities during the summer. TABAN activities during the months of June and July focused primarily on Congressional office visits both in their respective districts and in Washington D.C. The main goal of these visits was activating Turkish Americans and ensuring that their views are heard by their elected officials. ATAA Civic Engagement Director Yenal Küçüker indicated that they were able to meet with offices of 24 different representatives in Washington D.C, and 6 district offices during June and July. According to Mr. Küçüker approaching Congressional elections and increasing interest from the Turkish American community helped TABAN to enlarge its geographic coverage beyond Michigan, Illinois, and California - states with component associations (TACAM in Michigan, TACA in Illinois, and ATA-SC in California) that run TABAN as pilot projects in collaboration with ATAA. Most recently, TABAN activities continued in Rochester, NY where the Turkish American concentration is the highest in Upstate New York. Salih Kaya, President of Turkish Society of Rochester, Mr. Küçüker and his brother Erdal Küçüker met with Congressman Dan Maffei (D). Meeting enabled first term Congressman to get to know the Turkish Americans, their organizations and their issues. Congressman indicated his appreciation of Turkish Americans' grassroots level advocacy work both in Rochester and Syracuse. President of Turkish Society of Rochester presented a plaque that indicates Turkish American community's appreciation for Congressman's efforts to engage with the community. Congressman Maffei, promised to join the Congressional Caucus on US Turkish Relations and Turkish Americans. Similar TABAN meetings will continue in Indiana, Pennsylvania and Ohio in August followed by workshops in various states in September.
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ATAA'nın TABAN faaliyetleri Kongre tatiliyle birlikte hız kazandı
Türk Amerikan Dernekleri Kurulu (ATAA) tarafından, Türk Amerikan Koalisyonunun sponsorluğunda yürütülen TABAN (Turkish American Broad Advocacy Network) - sivil toplum örgütü eğitim ve sözcülük kampanyası yaz aylarında faaliyetlerini arttırdı. Haziran ve Temmuz aylarındaki faaliyetler özellikle Kongre ziyaretlerine odaklandı. ATAA Sivil Katılım Direktörü Yenal Küçüker geçen iki ayda toplam 24 farklı Kongre ofisinin temsilcileriyle Washington'da, 6 ofisle de seçim bölgelerinde biraraya geldiklerini belirtti. Küçüker, yaklaŞan seçimlerin ve Türk Amerikan toplumundan gelen ilginin TABAN faaliyetlerini coğrafi açıdan da geniŞlettiğini, ATAA ile TABAN'ı pilot proje olarak yürüten Michigan'daki TACAM, Illinois'daki TACA ve Kaliforniya'daki ATA-SC'nin sınırları dıŞına taŞıdığını belirtti. Son olarak TABAN faaliyetleri Türk Amerikan toplumunun Kuzey New York bölgesinde yoğunlaŞtığı Rochester'da Kongre temsilcisi Dan Maffei görüŞmesi ile sürdü. Rochester Türk Derneği BaŞkanı, Kongre Temsilcisi Maffei'ye Türk Amerikan toplumuna olan yakınlığından dolayı bir plaket armağan etti. Maffei, Kongredeki Türk Amerikan iliŞkileri ve Türk Amerikalılar Komitesi'ne de resmen üye olacağı sözünü verdi. Benzeri TABAN faaliyetleri Ağustos ayında Indiana, Pennsylvania, Ohio'daki görüŞmelerle, Eylül ayında da farklı eyaletlerde yapılacak olan seminerlerle devam edecek. |
| ATAA Component Association Spotlight |
 Turkish American Cultural Association of Michigan - TACAM
Turkish American Cultural Association of Michigan, founded in 1972, follows the philosophy of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, founder of the Turkish Republic, who stated: "Culture is the foundation of the Turkish Republic." His view of culture encompassed the nation's creative legacy as well as the best values of world civilization. It stressed personal and universal humanism. "Culture," he said, " is a basic element in being a person worthy of humanity," and described Turkey's ideological thrust as "a creation of patriotism blended with a lofty humanist ideal." Thus, TACAM wants to instill this philosophy into all Turkish-Americans living in Michigan. The purpose of this association (TACAM) is to foster, promote, plan and execute programs aimed at improving the economic, social, educational, religious, general welfare and other humanitarian activities of the Turkish community in the State of Michigan and elsewhere. For more information, please visit: tacam.org |
TurkishLifeNews, September 10, 2010
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The Passion of the Turk
Featuring actress Yildiz Kenter, poet and writer Talat Halman Organized by The Turkish Women's League of America (TWLA) October 9, 2010 Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College, NY Info: portfoliolab.org
MATA Annual End of Summer Picnic
October 10, 2010, 12:00pm-6:00pm Jonas Green State Park Annapolis, MD RSVP:301.796.1471, 301.251.8830, 410.381.6410, 301.490.4288
Poems of Love with Yildiz Kenter and Talat Halman
October 13, 2010, 7.00 pm Turkish Embassy Residence 1606 23rd Str. NW, Washington, DC 20008 $50 per person Info: fundraiser@atadc.org , www.atadc.org
TACA Republic Day Ball 2010
October 30, 2010
Westin Lombard York Town Center Hotel
Lombard, IL
Info:www.tacaonline.org ATASC Turkish Republic Day Ball
October 30, 2010
Long Beach, CA
Info: www.atasc.org
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 By becoming a member you will be part of a network of Turkish-Americans and friends of Turkey who care about the historic relationship between the two countries and who are aware of the crucial role each one of us plays in strengthening the relationship and promoting an accurate and fair picture of Turkey and Turks. Please visit www.ataa.org for more information. |
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