For the 4th Annual Turkic American Convention, there was a strong presence from the United States Senate. Four prominent U.S. Senators attended, stopped by, and delivered remarks on April 8th at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium and on April 9th at the Willard InterContinental Hotel.
On April 8th, Senator Joe Donnelly (IL) attended the TAC Welcome Reception, which kicked off the Fourth Annual Turkic American Convention. The Senator spoke with Dr. Faruk Taban, President of the Turkic American Alliance (TAA) on various topics including general information about TAA and its latest activities. Dr. Taban also informed the Senator about a possible trip to Turkey and potential business opportunities.
Senator Bob Menendez (NJ) also paid a visit during the opening event. Despite amiable ties and friendship, the Turkic American Alliance and TUSKON expressed their dismay over the recent resolution submitted to the Committee on Foreign Relations. Both Furkan Kosar, President of the Council of Turkic American Associations (CTAA), and Rizanur Meral, President of TUSKON, urged the Senator to leave the issue for historians and academics, and out of politics and the United States Congress. They also conveyed their worry that further proceeding with this resolution could damage the relationship the United States has with a strategic ally.
On April 9th at the Willard InterContinental Hotel, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (NY) delivered remarks during the third Forum Session, entitled ‘Eurasian Energy Corridor and Energy Security.’ Senator Gillibrand thanked Furkan Kosar of the Council of Turkic American Associations (CTAA)—“his friendship, leadership and dedication have been so important to me and my work in New York, particularly among the Turkish American community.” Senator Gillibrand also thanked Dr. Faruk Taban, President of the Turkic American Alliance (TAA), as well as Rizanur Meral, President of TUSKON. Sen. Gillibrand described New York state as the proud home of a large and thriving Turkish American community, a central part of the cultural fabric that makes NY so unique.
Senator Gillibrand had the pleasure of visiting Istanbul last year on a Senate Arms Services Committee trip and was taken away by how beautiful the city is, how rich with history and culture it is, and that it is amazingly situated on the convergence of two continents. These attributes, she said, only deepened her appreciation of the importance of the enduring partnership between the United States and Turkey. It is a partnership that continues to play a unique and critical geo-strategic role. According to Senator Gillibrand, Turkey’s importance as a partner is demonstrated through the leadership role it has taken in dealing with the crisis in Syria, its welcoming of almost 700,000 Syrian refugees to date, and its working to provide aid to millions of displaced people in Syria.
Furthermore, the U.S. and Turkey share the goal of keeping nuclear weapons out of the hands of Iran. By working to strengthen our partnership, Senator Gillibrand continued, “we can work to strengthen the security of both nations, our allies, and our economies.” With its thriving economy, Turkey is an important trade partner for the U.S., a partnership that can boost prosperity and jobs for both countries. Additionally, in the face of ongoing tumult in the Middle East, Sen. Gillibrand expressed her hope that Turkey will be a guiding force for freedom and openness towards a future based on the same vision America was born from and the reason President Obama made Turkey his first foreign trip to a Muslim nation as President. According to the Senator, “Each of you are helping to strengthen this bond by telling your stories, the beautiful story of Turkey’s history, and the incredible opportunity we have in our relationship. Thank you again for coming here again this year to work together to celebrate our friendship and bonds and I hope you have another successful conference.”
Senator Gillibrand represents a constituency with the highest concentration of Turkic Americans in the U.S.
Senator Jeanne Shaheen also attended the Turkic American Convention and held a private meeting with leaders of the Turkic American Alliance and TAA regional federation and councils, business leaders and leaders from Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan. Topics ranged from possible collaboration in both New Hampshire and across the United States, the Shah Deniz Project, results of last month’s municipal elections in Turkey and local member organizations in New Hampshire. Dr. Faruk Taban also briefed Senator Shaheen on the work of TAA.
The Turkic American Alliance is very grateful for its support from the United States Senate.
