August 12 marked the conclusion of the 15th congressional trip sponsored by the Turkish Coalition of America (TCA), which included visits to Istanbul, Ankara and Patara (the birthplace of proportional representation) in Turkey, and Mostar and Sarajevo in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). The delegation, which included 12 senior Senate and House staffers, met with high level officials in both countries to gain a better understanding of each country's history and culture and the state of relations between Turkey, BiH and the United States. With the conclusion of this trip, TCA has taken more than 150 members of Congress and their staff to Turkey, with visits to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, BiH and Macedonia. Please visit here for more information on this event.

Marking the assassination of US Ambassador to Cyprus, Rodger Davies by the Greek Cypriot EOKA-B paramilitary group on August 19, 1974, TCA President G. Lincoln McCurdy wrote an article on the current stalemate in Cyprus. The article was published in the International Policy Digest and highlighted the need to understand the history and realities of Cyprus in order to achieve an end to this longstanding conflict. The article also stressed the strong commitment of Turkish Cypriots to reach a settlement on the island. To read the article in full, click here.

11 Turkish American students, who have demonstrated excellence in academics and a commitment to community service were awarded scholarships in the sixth year of the TCAdvance Scholarship Program, which aims to cultivate a new generation of leaders among the Turkish American community. In addition to the 11 students who will receive the TCAdvance Scholarship for the first time, 6 former recipients from 2009, 2010 and 2011 who met the renewal criteria will continue to receive scholarships for the 2012-13 academic year. For more information on TCAdvance scholarships please click here.

The TCA Study Abroad in Turkey Scholarship program awarded six new scholarships in August to Hispanic and African American college students from Loyola University, University of California - San Diego, Macalaster College, Hawaii Pacific University, Indiana University and Florida State University. The students will be studying at Bogazici, Bahcesehir and Koc Universities in Turkey. Since 2008, TCA has awarded 243 Study Abroad in Turkey Scholarships to American minority    students. For more information on this program, please visit here.

TCA continued its collaboration with the United Negro College Fund Special Programs Corporation (UNCFSP)'s Institute for International Public Policy (IIPP) by facilitating a meeting for IIPP Fellows with the the Turkish Embassy on August 2nd. With TCA's involvement, the Turkish Embassy's Counselor met with IIPP Fellows to discuss the Embassy's work, U.S.-Turkey relations and career paths in foreign service. Of the 9 fellows who participated, two received scholarships from TCA in the past to participate in study abroad programs in Turkey.

On September 13, TCA President G. Lincoln McCurdy will address the board members of the Advisory Council for Bosnia and Herzegovina (ACBH) as well as Bosnian American community leaders on the occasion of the annual “Bosnia and Herzegovina Days on Capitol Hill” event.  Mr. McCurdy will speak on the state of relations between Turkey, BiH and the United States. Established in 2006, the ACBH is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the interests of Bosnian Americans and works to improve relations between the United States and BiH. ACBH advocates for a democratic, multiethnic and indivisible BiH with a primary goal of advancing the integration of BiH into the EU and NATO.

TCA President G. Lincoln McCurdy has been invited to attend the National American Indian Housing Council (NAIHC)'s board meeting on September 19th to discuss the history of TCA's Native American outreach and collaboration with NAIHC. Mr. McCurdy will address nine members from separate regions as well as the NAIHC Chairwoman in Palm Springs, CA. NAIHC Chairwoman Cheryl Causley and Executive Director Mellor Willie were among TCA's guests during the Native American Business Cooperation Trip in November 2010. TCA has been working closely with NAIHC since then on scholarship outreach and business promotion between Turkey and Indian Country.  Founded in 1974, NAIHC is composed of 271 members representing 463 tribes and is the only national organization representing housing interests of Native people. 

TCA's commitment to strengthening relationships with other minority communities continues with three upcoming events. For the 4th consecutive year, TCA will participate in the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute's (CHCI) Annual Leadership Conference through sponsorship of the conference's Reyes of Comedy After Party on September 12.   Founded by Hispanic members of Congress in 1978, CHCI serves thousands of young Latinos across the nation. Additionally, TCA will support the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's (CBCF) 42nd Annual Legislative Conference on September 19-22 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. CBCF is a Washington, D.C. based nonprofit that aims to advance African Americans and other underserved communities through scholarships, leadership development, and policy research. Finally, TCA has been invited to discuss American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month activities at the DC Native Public Relations Roundtable's upcoming meeting on September 13. DC Native Public Relations Roundtable is a group of representatives from national American Indian and Alaska Native organizations and government agencies in the Washington, D.C. area.