Fostering Understanding of Turkish American Issues through Public Education

April 23 Celebrated by Turkish Americans Across the United States

April 23, 2019

On April 23, Turkish Americans across the United States are celebrating Turkish National Sovereignty and Children’s Day. The day marks the inauguration of the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA) on April 23, 1920, proclaimed in 1929 as a Turkish national holiday dedicated to children. Every year, April 23 is celebrated in Turkey and Turkish communities abroad with international children’s festivals, in the spirit of world peace and harmony.

Turkish American Scientist Ali Erdemir is Elected a Member of the National Academy of Engineering

Turkish American scientist Ali Erdemir has been elected a member of the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) for his contributions to the science and technology of friction, lubrication, and wear. He is an Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) Distinguished Fellow, Senior Scientist, and Program Lead for Materials for Harsh Conditions.

TCA Holds First Annual Turkish American Women Leadership Forum

TCA Turkish American Women Leadership Forum delegates in front of the U.S. Capitol

On March 11-12, 2019, the Turkish Coalition of America held its First Annual Turkish American Women Leadership Forum in Washington, D.C.

34 distinguished female community leaders from all regions of the United States traveled to the nation’s capital for discussions on enhancing women’s political engagement. Delegates came from the District of Columbia and 15 states—California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, and Washington. In addition to working sessions with leading experts, they met with 12 Members of the 116th Congress and senior staff.

Remembering the Victims of Armenian Terrorism

On January 27, 1973, Turkish Consul General to Los Angeles Mehmet Baydar and Vice Consul Bahadir Demir were murdered by Armenian terrorist Gourgen Yanikian at the Biltmore Hotel in Santa Barbara. Yanikian was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life imprisonment. On October 26, 1973, a group calling itself, “The Yanikian Commandos” planted a bomb outside the Turkish Information Office in New York and demand the release of Yanikian. On October 4, 1977, Armenian terrorists bombed the home of Professor Stanford Shaw, a renowned Jewish American scholar of Ottoman history at the University of California in Los Angeles (UCLA).

TCA Statement on U.S. Officials' Statements on Kurds and Turkey

The Turkish Coalition of America (TCA) is deeply concerned by statements by U.S. government officials irresponsibly employing offensive language such as “ensuring that Turks don’t slaughter Kurds,” following U.S. President Trump’s announcement that the withdrawal of all 2000 U.S. troops from Syria will be coordinated with Turkey.

Any expression of generic anti-Kurdish hostility by the government of Turkey or the people of Turkey is provocative and uninformed.