MONTHLY NEWSLETTER     October/November 2018
TCA and Its President Receive International Peace Prize

G. Lincoln McCurdy, president of the Turkish Coalition of America (TCA), was one of the fifteen 2018 laureates from 13 countries receiving the Gusi International Peace Prize at its 17th annual awards ceremony on November 28 in Manila, Philippines.  The Gusi Peace Prize, established in 2002, is Asia’s foremost award that recognizes individuals and organizations working toward the attainment of peace and respect for human life and dignity.

TCA 2019 Washington Summer Internship Applications Due

The last day to turn in applications for the twelfth annual TCA Washington Summer Internship Program is Friday, January 4, 2019. The TCA Internship Program is open to currently enrolled undergraduate and graduate students and recent graduates of Turkish American heritage. It provides an opportunity for Turkish American collegiate students and recent graduates to work in Washington, DC for congressional offices and non-governmental organizations. This program is designed to enhance the participation of young Turkish Americans in public affairs and contribute to preparing future Turkish American political and community leaders. Since the program began in 2007, 187 internship opportunities have been provided to Turkish Americans from throughout the country.

TCA Attends Event with U.S. Consul General Hon. Jennifer Davis

On November 16, TCA President G. Lincoln McCurdy and Program Director Nilsu Goren attended a private lunch roundtable discussion at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce sponsored by the American Turkish Society (ATS) featuring US Consul General in Istanbul, Turkey, Hon. Jennifer Davis as the keynote speaker.

TCA Director Meets with Members of Congress

Throughout November, TCA Program Director Nilsu Goren attended various events organized by the Government Relations Association (GRA), political briefings and post-midterm election events organized by the DCCC and NRCC with newly elected members of Congress.

On November 13, Goren attended a lunch meeting with Congressman-elect Guy Reschenthaler (R-PA/14th) at Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney.

On November 27, she attended a breakfast event with Congresswoman-elect Madeleine Dean (D-PA/4th).

On November 28, Goren attended a GRA breakfast event with Congressman Dave Loebsack (D-IA/2nd) and a lunch event with Congressman Matt Gaetz (R-FL/1st) at the Livingston Group.

On November 29, she attended a lunch event with Congressman Adam Kinzinger (R-IL/16th) with the Turkish American and Syrian American community representatives.

TCA Holds Fifth Annual Turkish American Youth Leadership Congress

The Turkish Coalition of America’s Fifth Annual Turkish American Youth Leadership Congress took place in Washington, D.C., October 25-28. Twenty nine delegates participated in the 2018 Youth Congress, including twenty-seven Turkish American college students, recent graduates, and young professionals from 14 states, Turkey and Great Britain. Additionally, there were two representatives participating from the Council of Turkish Canadians (CTC) and the Australian Turkish Advocacy Alliance (ATAA).The delegates enjoyed a weekend of networking and meetings with experts and government officials, and they came away inspired to become involved in politics and take a more active role in the Turkish American community.  

On October 27, the Youth Congress delegates attended the American Turkish Association of Washington, D.C.’s (ATA-DC) Republic Day Gala celebrating the 95th Annual Turkish Republic Day with members of the Turkish American community as well as friends of Turkey. 
TCA President Travels to California

Between October 3-7, TCA President G. Lincoln McCurdy traveled to California to meet with members of the Turkish American community about outreach to elected officials, U.S.-Turkey relations, and issues important to the Turkish American community. In San Francisco, he attended a book discussion event with Turkish businessman Faruk Eczacibasi talking about his book “It Has Only Begun” sponsored by the Turkish Industry and Business Association’s (TUSIAD) Silicon Valley Network. In Los Angeles, he participated in a roundtable discussion at Turkish Consul General Can Oguz's residence with Turkish American leaders in southern California. McCurdy also attended a fundraising event for House of Turkey project in San Diego’s Balboa Park.

On November 11, McCurdy met with Nilay Duygulu, Sinan Debre, and Ali Kiran, who are the leaders of the House of Turkey project in San Diego. He also held a meeting with the Turkish American community in Los Angeles and attended the monthly Turkish MEDBusiness dinner in Santa Monica.

TCA Director Gives Seminar on US-Turkey Relations

On October 18, TCA Director Nilsu Goren gave a seminar titled "The Origins of the Crisis in U.S.-Turkish Relations" at the Center for International and Security Studies at the University of Maryland's School of Public Policy.

TCA Directors Attend Events with the Macedonian and Bosnian Communities

On October 4, TCA Directors Nilsu Goren and Louette Ragusa attended a farewell reception hosted by the United Macedonian Diaspora (UMD) in honor of Macedonian Ambassador to US Vasko Naumovski's departure at the Embassy of Macedonia.

On October 12, Goren and Ragusa attended a reception hosted by the Advisory Council for Bosnia and Herzegovina (ACBH) celebrating Bosnia and Herzegovina's Art and Culture at the Mansion on O Street Museum.

TCA President Attends Republic Day Reception at Turkish Embassy

TCA President G. Lincoln McCurdy attended a reception at the Turkish Embassy in Washington, D.C. on October 29 celebrating the 95th Anniversary of the Republic of Turkey.

TCA Attends German Marshall Fund Event

On October 11, TCA President G. Lincoln McCurdy and TCA Director Nilsu Goren ·     attended a forum entitled “How to Revive the American and European Relations with Turkey” at the German Marshall Fund. Speakers were Ozgur Unluhisarcikli, GMF’s Ankara Director; Ian Lesser, GMF’s Vice President; Guven Sak, The Economic Policy Research Foundation of Turkey (TEPAV) Director; Kadri Tastan, TOBB Senior Fellow; and Jonathan Katz, GMF Resident Fellow.