|
CONGRESS WATCH: TAKE ACTION
|
|
|
Alert Congress About PKK
We invite Turkish Americans and friends of Turkey to educate their members of Congress about the PKK terrorism and the damage it has inflicted on Turkey. [continue]
|
|
Wexler Urges the Bush Administration to Support UN-led Negotiations
Washington, DC / July 25, 2008 - Today, Congressman Robert Wexler, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Europe and a senior member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, issued the following statement in support of the decision by Cypriot President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat to start formal negotiations on September 3 to resolve the over three decades long division on Cyprus. [read]
Turkish Coalition of America Demands Armenian Community to Denounce Death Threats Against Members of Congress
|
August 8, 2008, Washington, DC - Today the Turkish Coalition of America denounced the death threats made by a radical Armenian American against a member of Congress, and their continued campaign of harassment and intimidation of public officials. Congressman Cohen (D-TN) was the latest target of such intimidation when an Armenian American made a death threat against him. [more] |
Congressman Alcee L. Hastings Congressional Record Statement on Bombings in Turkey
July 29, 2008 - "Madam Speaker, as Chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe and the former President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, I condemn in the strongest possible terms the bombings that shook the Gungoren neighborhood of Istanbul, Turkey on Sunday." [read]
Wexler, Whitfield, and Granger Condemn Deadly Attack in Istanbul
July 9, 2008 - "We strongly condemn this heinous attack on both the American Consulate in Istanbul and on Turkish policemen protecting American diplomats. [read]
Turkish American Congressional Internship Program
|
The Turkish Coalition of America (TCA) and the US Representative Office of the Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD-US) are pleased to announce that 10 young Turkish Americans and one Azerbaijani American were elected as part of the Turkish American Capitol Hill Summer Internship Program to intern in Congress this Summer. [ read] |
|
|
Members of Caucus on US Turkish Relations and Turkish Americans
The Turkish Caucus is a bi-partisan platform for members of Congress to focus on US-Turkish relations and issues that concern Turkish Americans. [more]
|
|
Turkish Coalition of America at Work
In pursuit of our mandate to foster understanding of Turkish American issues through public education, TCA had the opportunity to interact with the following members of Congress. [more]
|
|
William Shuster [R-PA] introduced H.Res. 1187
"Promoting global energy supply security through increased cooperation among the United States, Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Georgia." [pdf]
|
|
Remarks by Steve Cohen of Tennessee
"Mr. COHEN. Madam Speaker, as the State of Israel commemorates its 60th anniversary, I take this opportunity to recognize the longstanding friendship between the State of Israel and the Republic of Turkey..." [pdf]
|
|
Remarks by Congressman Ed Whitfield
Honoring Turkey’s shared commitment to spreading democracy
"Mr. WHITFIELD. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize a strong friendship that has proven enormously important since the beginning of the Cold War. Time and time again, the Republic of Turkey has stood firmly with the United States as we have pursued our shared goals in a region where we have few steady allies. ..." [pdf]
|
|
Remarks by Congresswoman Virginia Foxx on April 23
"Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, April 23rd of every year is celebrated in Turkey as National Sovereignty and Children's Day. The genesis of these celebrations is this date in 1920. On April 23, 1920 during Turkey 's War of Independence..." [pdf]
|
|
Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) honored Khojaly Massacre victims
HOR, Tuesday 26, 2008 - "Ms. ZOE LOFGREN of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today t o honor those killed during the Khojaly Massacre on the 16th anniversary of that terrible event. On February 26, 1992, 613 Azerbaijanis lost their lives. I ask that this Congress remember those who were killed that tragic day." [pdf]
|
|
Remarks by Congressman Christopher Shays (R-CT)
"... Earlier this month, I returned from a congressional delegation trip to Turkey , Jordan , Iraq and Kuwait .As part of that trip, my staff member, a retired colonel in the Army, Dr. Nick Palarino, and I spent 4 days in Turkey traveling to the southeastern region..." [pdf]
|
|
Former Secretaries of State and Defense Object to H.Res.106
The following are letters sent to the Honorable Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House of Representatives by former US Secretaries of State and former US Secretaries of Defense voicing their objection to House Resolution 106 that asks for US recognition of Armenian allegations of genocide. [pdf]
|
|
A Close Friend of Turkey
There is still not one representative of Turkish origin among the 435 members of the US House of Representatives. For decisions concerning Turkey, efforts of Representative and Senators sympathetic to Turkey are needed. Democratic Representative Robert Wexler of Florida is among the Congressmen friendly to Turkey. - [read]
|
|
Foxx to Young Turks
Republican Representative Virginia Foxx of North Carolina is among the Congress members friendly to Turkey. Even more, she has blood ties with Turks because her son-in-law is a Turkish businessman, Mustafa Özdemir. [more]
|
|
Tragedy in Khojaly, Azerbaijan
Extension of remarks by Congressman Bill Shuster
Mr. SHUSTER. Madam Speaker, one of our greatest strengths as elected officials is the opportunity to bring to light truths that are little known and command recognition. Today, as the Co-chairman of the House Azerbaijan Caucus, I would like to bring to the attention of this body the tragedy that took place in Khojaly. [full remarks]
|
|
Bob Livingston: HR 106: "Armenian Genocide?"
Former Congressman Bob Livingston discusses the Turkish position on HR 106 and its implications upon Turkish American relations. All Members of Congress should be aware that there is more than one side to this issue, and that passage can bear harmful consequences to US strategic policy in the Middle East. [video]
|
|
|
Indiana Dan” for Turkey
Dan Burton (R, IN): “If I lived in Turkey and if I were a Turk, I would want to get those terrorists who cross the border to blow up my family, kill my kids.” When Congressman Dan Burton, (R, IN) was preparing to go to Turkey for the first time 12 years ago, he learned that his wife had been diagnosed with cancer. He canceled the trip and did not have an opportunity to see Turkey again until last May. [read]
|
|
Congressman Burton gives "history lesson" to Congress
highlights plight of Turkish Cypriots
In a moving speech on July 24, a long-time friend of Turkey, Congressman Dan Burton (R-IN) refuted the allegations of other members of Congress and asked them to "stop the blame game." [full remarks]
|
|
Congressman Ruppersberger congratulates Turkey for its elections
Congressman Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD) congratulated Turkey on its recent election in remarks on the House floor on August 2, highlighting them as "free and fair." He also called the relationship between Turkey and the United States "critical to both nations' security." [full remarks]
|
|
United States Helsinki Commission on Turkish Elections
The United States Helsinki Commission led by Congressman Alcee Hastings (D-FL), Chairman of the Commission, holds a hearing on Turkey's recent general elections and discussed the future of US-Turkish relations. The Commission invited two scholars on Turkey to testify on the issue, Dr.Soner Cagaptay, Director for the Turkey program at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy and Dr.Ilan Berman, Vice PResident for Policy at the American Foreign Policy Council. For the full transcript of the hearing, please click here. [ pdf]
|
|
Congressional Tribute to Ahmet Ertegun
The Turkish Coalition of America leads an effort with members of the Congressional Black Caucus to pay tribute to the contributions by the late Ahmet Ertegun to breaking down racial barriers and for his life-long dedication to promoting African American music. [more]
|
|
|
