MONTHLY NEWSLETTER       July 2018
TCA Accepting Applications for 2018 Turkish American Youth Leadership Congress

This month, TCA opened applications for the Fifth Annual Turkish American Turkish American Youth Leadership Congress. The Youth Congress will take place October 25-28, 2018 in Washington, D.C., and will provide selected individuals the opportunity to experience Washington, D.C. and connect with their peers and heritage while learning about civic engagement, political activism, leadership, and the U.S.-Turkey relationship. TCA will select up to 25 young Turkish Americans to participate in this exclusive, all-expenses-paid forum. Applications for the 2018 Turkish American Youth Leadership Congress are due Monday, September 10, 2018.
2017 TCA Youth Congress delegates visit the U.S. Capitol
TCA Summer Internship Program Begins

In Summer 2018, TCA welcomed 9 young Turkish Americans from across the United States to participate in the Washington Summer Internship Program. 

TCA 2018 Summer Internship Program participants worked at the following organizations: the American Turkish Council (ATC), the Turkish Industry and Business Association (TUSIAD), the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB), the Washington Institute for Near East Policy (WINEP), the Middle East Institute (MEI), the American Turkish Association of Washington, D.C. (ATA-DC), the Turkish Heritage Organization (THO), and the Turkish Coalition of America (TCA). 

As part of the Washington Summer Intern Program, TCA hosted the annual Summer Intern Orientation at its Washington, D.C. office on July 10. Interns gathered for a day of briefings about TCA, the Turkish Cultural Foundation (TCF), the Turkish American Legal Defense Fund (TALDF), The Turkish American community, and political activism and engagement in the U.S.

One of the highlights of their internship was meeting with Congressman Steve Chabot (R-OH/1st), a Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on the U.S.-Turkey Relations and Turkish Americans.
2018 TCA Washington Summer interns with Congressman Chabot (center)
TCA President Attends Breakfast with Congressman Steve Cohen

On July 24, TCA President G. Lincoln McCurdy attended a breakfast hosted by Congressman Steve Cohen (D-TN/9th). Congressman Cohen is a Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on the U.S.-Turkey Relations and Turkish Americans.
TCA Director Meets with Members of Congress

On July 12, TCA Director Nilsu Goren attended a breakfast event organized by the Government Relations Association (GRA) with Congressman Brendan Boyle (D-PA/1st).

On July 24, Goren attended a GRA breakfast event with Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA/8th).

TCA Meets with Congressman Garamendi

On July 24, TCA President G. Lincoln McCurdy, TCA Director Nilsu Goren, and TCA Summer Internship Program participant Eren Yetkinler attended a lunch hosted by Congressman John Garamendi (D-CA/3rd). Eren attends University of California, Davis, which is in the Congressman's district.

TCA Hosts Turkish Student Delegation

On July 19, TCA hosted a delegation of Turkish students from the Foundation for Political, Economic, and Social Research (SETA). At the meeting, TCA President G. Lincoln McCurdy and TCA Director Nilsu Goren briefed the delegation on TCA programs and activities, and the U.S. political system.

TCA President Attends NRCC Retreat

Between July 13-15, TCA President G. Lincoln McCurdy attended the National Republican Congressional Committee's (NRCC) Annual Summer Meeting at the Nemacolin Woodlands Resort in Farmington, PA. He spoke with several representatives, including Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI/1st), about U.S.-Turkey relations and issues important to Turkish Americans.