MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OCTOBER 2015

TCA Turkish American Youth Leadership Congress

TCA has selected 31 young Turkish American college students and young professionals from a record number of applicants to attend its Second Annual Turkish American Youth Leadership Congress in Washington, DC, November 5-8, 2015. The Youth Leadership Congress is open to undergraduate/graduate students and recent graduates of Turkish American heritage who wish to become active in American civic and political life, contribute to U.S.-Turkey relations and the Turkish American community, and are committed to advancing the TCA mission. Participants will attend meetings and briefings with U.S. Government officials, representatives from the Turkish Embassy, policy experts, and prominent Turkish American community organizers.

TCA Presents about TCA Study Abroad Scholarships in Georgia

In October, TCA Project Coordinator Liz Clark travelled to Atlanta, Georgia to discuss the TCA Scholarship Program and Study Tour Grant Program with several universities in the area. She visited Georgia State University, Spelman College, and Morehouse College, where she met with study abroad advisors as well as students who have studied in Turkey using a TCA scholarship or Study Tour Grant.

TCA Supports Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute

TCA sponsored a table at the 38th Annual Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) Awards Gala on October 8. The event, which was held at the Washington Convention Center, once again convened the nation’s largest and most prestigious gathering of Hispanic nonpartisan, public, and private sector leaders. Speakers included President Obama, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and members of Congress.

TCA President Attends First BAU Commencement

On October 2, TCA President G. Lincoln McCurdy attended BAU International University in Washington, DC’s first Commencement Ceremony. BAU accepted its first MBA students in 2014, and this year’s ceremony honored fourteen graduates. Aside from the MBA Program, BAU also has programs in global relations and economics law.

TCA President Travels to Pittsburgh

In early October, TCA President G. Lincoln McCurdy traveled to Pittsburg to speak with Turkish Americans in the greater Pittsburgh area. His trip included a meeting with Turkish Americans in the Turkish National Room in the Cathedral of Learning at the University of Pittsburgh.

Turkish-Canadian Youth Congress

For the 6th year in a row, TCA was a sponsor of the Turkish Canadian Youth Congress. This year’s event, entitled “Participating in Canadian Democracy,” was held in Toronto, Canada and was organized by the Council of Turkish Canadians. TCA Project Coordinator Kate Costello participated in the conference and gave a presentation about TCA programs and activities, congressional outreach, and the importance of youth involvement in public life.

TCA Attends the Marshall Legacy Institute Annual Gala

TCA Project Coordinator Liz Clark attended the Marshall Legacy Institute (MLI)'s 18th Annual Clearing the Path Gala, which honors leaders whose extraordinary efforts have improved lives in war-torn countries and highlights accomplishments achieved by MLI in the past year. In 2014, TCA presented a donation of $100,000 to MLI to aid flood relief and de-mining programs in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). The TCA-supported de-mining project in BiH was completed earlier this year.

TCA Hosts Karabakh Foundation Exhibit

In October, TCA hosted an exhibit entitled, “Azerbaijani Culture: A Journey” at TCA headquarters. The exhibit was a cultural program and display featuring photographs associated with the virtual exhibition. It was made possible by the Karabakh Foundation, which works to preserve and disseminate the cultural heritage and traditions of Azerbaijan, the Caucasus area, and the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan. Before coming to TCA, the exhibit was displayed at a reception on Capitol Hill.

Turk of America Gala

On October 20, TCA President G. Lincoln McCurdy and staff hosted a table at the Turk of America gala, held in New York City. At the event, McCurdy accepted an award on behalf of TCA founders Drs. Yalcin and Serpil Ayasli, honoring them as part of the group of the 50 most influential Turkish Americans.

TCA Congratulates Turkish American Dr. Aziz Sancar on Nobel Prize Win

TCA congratulates Dr. Aziz Sancar, Professor of Biochemistry at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, on being awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, announced on October 7. Dr. Sancar is recognized for his work on DNA repair. He is the first Turkish scientist and the second Turk to win the Nobel Prize, the first being author Orhan Pamuk who won the 2006 Nobel Prize in Literature. TCA worked with two congressional offices to assist in drafting statements for the Congressional Record about Dr. Sancar’s achievement, and Turkey Caucus Co-Chair Congresswoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC/5th) congratulated him in a speech on the House floor.

TCA Marks Perincek Case Milestone

On October 15, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruled that a Swiss law making it a crime to oppose the Armenian allegation of genocide, among other things, violated fundamental principles of free expression enshrined in the European Convention on Human Rights. The case’s conclusion is a major triumph for Perincek and for Turkey, which seeks a robust public debate on the genocide allegation, a discussion that cannot take place when those who would argue against the application of the genocide label are cast under suspicion of being immoral or even criminal.

TCA President Attends America Abroad Media Gala

On October 28, TCA President G. Lincoln McCurdy attended the America Abroad Media 2015 Awards Dinner. At the event, Turkish broadcaster and journalist Mithat Bereket was one of four award recipients for outstanding leadership that exemplifies the power of media to inform, educate, and empower.

TCA Commemorates 92nd Anniversary of Turkish Republic Day

This month, TCA marked the 92nd anniversary of Turkish Republic Day. TCA President G. Lincoln McCurdy commemorated the event at activities coordinated by the American Turkish Association of Washington, DC (ATA-DC) and the Turkish Embassy. Congressman Steve Chabot (R-OH/1st) introduced a resolution to the U.S. House of Representatives congratulating the government and people of the Republic of Turkey.

TCA Scholarship Program for Students of Minority and Heritage Communities

5 students were selected as recipients of the TCA Study Abroad Scholarship for Students of Minority and Heritage Communities in October, bringing the total number of scholarship recipients to 457 since the program began in 2008. The program benefits American students of African, Armenian, Bosnian, Filipino, Hispanic, Macedonian, and Native American heritage. Scholarships are awarded to eligible undergraduate and graduate students who have been accepted to a university study abroad or language program in Turkey, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), or Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). The students who received scholarships in October attend schools across the U.S., including Georgia State University, Syracuse University, Boston College, Johns Hopkins University, and Duke University.

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