On November 5-8, TCA held its Second Annual Turkish American Youth Leadership Congress in Washington, DC. Thirty young Turkish Americans came away inspired to take a more active role in local and national politics and become effective representatives of the Turkish American community.

Youth Congress delegates attended meetings and briefings with Turkish policy experts, congressional staffers, U.S. Former Members of Congress, political activists, and leaders in the Turkish American community. The delegates, who were college students, recent graduates, and young professionals, also had the opportunity to network with leaders in U.S.-Turkey relations and with other young Turkish Americans while learning about the U.S.-Turkey relationship and the political systems of both countries. Throughout the weekend, delegates engaged in an active dialogue on the state of U.S.-Turkey relations and specific issues important to Turkish Americans. Participants also learned about the role of citizens in policy-making and the steps they could take to be successful Turkish American advocates.

The Congressional Caucus on U.S.-Turkey Relations and Turkish Americans reached 149 members with the addition of Congressman Sean Duffy (R-WI/7^th) and Congressman Bradley Byrne (R-AL/1^st). Currently, the Turkey Caucus is represented in 43 out of the 50 states and 5 out of the 6 U.S. territories. The Turkey Caucus is a bi-partisan platform for members of Congress to focus on U.S.-Turkey relations and issues that concern Turkish Americans.

On November 4, congressional staff of the Europe, Eurasia, and Emerging Threats Subcommittee and the Turkey Caucus were briefed on the November 1 Turkish elections by the noted Turkish scholar Dr. Ilter Turan, professor of Political Science at Istanbul Bilgi University. Participants discussed the election results and their implications for Turkish domestic politics, Turkish foreign policy, and U.S.-Turkey relations. TCA President G. Lincoln McCurdy provided the introduction at the briefing.

In November, TCA President G. Lincoln McCurdy traveled to Chicago and Indianapolis to meet with members of the Turkish American community. He also attended a Turkish Philanthropy Funds (TPF) reception in New York City.

On November 17, TCA celebrated the 32^nd Anniversary of the Proclamation of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). TCA President G. Lincoln McCurdy and staff attended a reception hosted by TRNC Representative and Mrs. Ismet Korukoglu at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill.

On November 18, TCA President G. Lincoln McCurdy attended a Capitol Hill event celebrating the unveiling of the Foreign Affairs Chairman Portrait of Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL/27^th). Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen is a member of the Congressional Caucus on U.S.-Turkey Relations and Turkish Americans.