We, as Turkic American Alliance are excited to announce that our new headquarters in the heart of Washington D.C., was officially opened today with a Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony and Reception. Less than a year after our Opening Gala Reception on May 12, 2010 at the Willard InterContinental Hotel, which attracted high-ranking Washington officials including seven Senators, more than fifty Members of the US Congress, Congressional Staffers, US and Foreign Diplomats, as well as representatives of Turkish, Turkic and Eurasian peoples, we have opened our Washington D.C. office.
The Opening Reception was extraordinarily important for TAA as we welcomed our first guests at our new headquarters. The event displayed our readiness to welcome everyone who aims to better relationships among our communities and countries. As an organization, we again want to reiterate our readiness and enthusiasm to promote better relationships among our communities and the community at large, and our new headquarters serves to this aim.
We are grateful to all of our guests for their very warm welcome and well wishes. We would like to especially extend our gratitude to all the Members of the US Congress who attended: The Honorable Bob Filner, The Honorable Marcia Fudge and The Honorable Todd Rokita. Our deepest gratitude to Turkey’s Ambassador His Excellency Namik Tan for his wonderful words and well wishes of support for the work of TAA and also to his counterparts, The Republic of Kyrgyzstan’s Ambassador His Excellency Muktar Djumaliev and The Republic of Malta’s Ambassador His Excellency Mark Miceli-Farrugia. Their remarks at our Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony about the Turkic American Alliance’s works have been an impetus to us for our future works.
Namık Tan, Turkey’s Ambassador to the US, started his speech emphasizing on the importance of the day saying that “Today is the day, a very special day for us, for the Turkish community, and TAA.” Ambassador Tan congratulated TAA head Faruk Taban and other members of the alliance. “You have organized lots of activities in different parts of the United States which I believe made a difference, and it has become a source of inspiration. It has become even a driving force at certain times for us as professionals representing our country in this land of big thinking. …You made something which is a product of big thinking” Tan said during his speech. Moreover, Ambassador Tan pointed out how TAA is a perfect example of being together as a community “It is important. We should be a united force. All this civil society members of our community should unit their efforts; should work together so this is a perfect example of how we can make it and thank you very much for all of you for giving a full, powerful support.”
Members of the US Congress, who were in attendance at the opening ceremony, thanked and congratulated the TAA for their contribution to the US-Turkey relationship. California Congressman Bob Filner, who had just returned to the US after a TAA-sponsored trip to Turkey, pointed out that the nature of the relationship between Turkey and the US has changed as it was a more military-based tie before. “Now we have to have a people-to-people relationship,” Filner said, adding, “What you [the TAA]are doing is extremely important, and that is establishing real people-to-people talk.” Emphasizing on Turkey’s role in the Middle East, the congressman continued: “You can play a role in the Middle East no one else can play. We need to have a strengthened Turkish-American relationship because I think Turkey is the key to a stable and peaceful democratic Middle East.”
Ohio Congresswoman Marcia Fudge also congratulated the TAA and thanked the institution on behalf of the young people in Ohio who receive education at TAA schools. “I had the opportunity to be a judge at one of your science fairs. It was just fantastic,” she said.
Congressman Todd Rokita of Indiana said the TAA is needed to keep building the US-Turkey relationship.
The Pinnacle Academy’s young students performed a folkloric dance show during the opening ceremony.
We once again thank all of our guests and those who sent their well wishes for their support of TAA and we look forward to hosting you in the near future. Turkic delicacies and hospitality are awaiting you!
Related News Link:http://www.todayszaman.com/news-243706-turkic-american-alliance-opens-new-headquarters-in-washington-dc.html
