MONTHLY NEWSLETTER     May 2019
TCA Honors Former Congressman and Turkey Caucus Co-Chair Pete Sessions

On May 1, the Turkish Coalition of America (TCA) hosted a dinner reception to honor former Congressman Pete Sessions (R-TX/32nd) for his outstanding service as Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on U.S.-Turkey Relations and Turkish Americans (Turkey Caucus) in TCA's headquarters in Washington, D.C. 

In his welcoming remarks, Dr. Yalcin Ayasli, Founder and Chairman of TCA, expressed deepest appreciation and gratitude for the Congressman’s leadership in advocating a strong U.S.-Turkey relationship.

TCA Attends Centennial Celebrations of May 19

On May 19, TCA President G. Lincoln McCurdy and TCA Operations Director Louette Ragusa attended the Ataturk Society of America’s centennial celebration of Youth and Sports Day and Ataturk’s birthday at the Cosmos Club in Washington, D.C. TCA was a platinum sponsor of the event. 

On May 17, McCurdy attended Turkish pianist Gulsin Onay’s recital at the Turkish Ambassador’s residence, commemorating the 100th anniversary of May 19th.

TCA Hosts the Eurasian Universities Union

On May 31, TCA hosted General Secretary Muzaffer Baca of the Eurasian Universities Union and discussed education projects.

TCA President Interviewed by Turkish Radio Television (TRT)

On May 31, TCA President G. Lincoln McCurdy was interviewed by TRT’s Washington Bureau on Capitol Hill about the importance of Turkish Americans reaching out to their elected representatives in Congress.

TCA President Attends Think Tank Events

On May 22, TCA President G. Lincoln McCurdy attended the Hudson Institute's forum titled "Under Pressure: The Trajectory of U.S.-Turkish Relations."

On May 21, McCurdy attended a roundtable dinner discussion on U.S.-Turkey relations, organized by the Brookings Institution.

On May 20-21, McCurdy participated in the German Marshall Fund’s (GMF) 18th Trilateral Strategy Group meeting in Washington, D.C.

TCA Hosts Representative of the Australian Turkish Advocacy Alliance (ATAA)

On May 22, Erhan Karabardak of Melbourne, Australia, and a member of ATAA visited TCA. As an ATAA official, Karabardak hosted TCA President McCurdy when he visited Melbourne in August 2018.

TCA Director Travels to Turkey

Between May 13-26, TCA Program Director Nilsu Goren traveled to Turkey. In Istanbul, she participated in a conference, organized by NATO Headquarters and EDAM, titled "NATO's Mission in the Next 70 Years" and presented on the congressional perspectives on US-Turkey relations. She also participated in a Kadir Has University roundtable discussion on Turkey-Russia relations and spoke on the S-400 and F-35 program issues. In Ankara, Dr. Goren attended a conference, organized by NATO Headquarters and SETA, titled "Cultivating Turkey's NATO Alliance Alive: Evolving Relations and Diverging Priorities."

TCA Attends Events with Members of Congress

On May 14, TCA Operations Director Louette Ragusa attended an event with Congressman Adam Kinzinger (R-IL/14th).

On May 10, TCA President G. Lincoln McCurdy and TCA Program Director Nilsu Goren met with Congressman Gil Cisneros (D-CA/39th). Goren also attended a breakfast event with Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA/5th), organized by the Government Relations Association (GRA).

On May 9, TCA President G. Lincoln McCurdy met with Congressman John Garamendi (D-CA/3rd) and discussed U.S.-Turkey relations.

On May 8, the TCA team attended the Annual Pig Roast event of the BoldPAC, campaign arm of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, on Capitol Hill. They spoke with Representatives Pete Aguilar (D-CA/31st), Tony Cardenas (D-CA/29th), Lou Correa (D-CA/46th), Assistant Majority Leader Ben Lujan (D-NM/3rd), and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD/5th).

On May 2, TCA President G. Lincoln McCurdy and TCA Program Director Nilsu Goren met with Congressman Tony Cardenas (D-CA/29th), the Chairman of the Bold PAC. Goren also met with Congressman Greg Pence (R-IN/6th) at a breakfast event organized by the GRA.

TCA Hosts Incoming U.S. Consul General in Istanbul

On May 8, the TCA team hosted Daria Darnell, who is the incoming U.S. Consul General in Istanbul replacing Jennifer Davis, for a working lunch at the TCA office.

TCA Hosts THO Fellows

On May 3, TCA hosted the Turkish Heritage Organization's (THO) Turkey-based non-resident fellows. TCA President Lincoln McCurdy and TCA Program Director Nilsu Goren briefed the group on TCA programs and the current state of the U.S.-Turkey relations.