MONTHLY NEWSLETTER    October 2019
TCA Honors Former U.S. Consul General to Istanbul

On October 3, TCA, as part of its Turkish American Women Leadership Initiative, honored Jennifer Davis, the former U.S. Consul General to Istanbul, followed by a panel discussion on the state of U.S.-Turkey relations. The Turkish Industry and Business Association (TUSIAD) and the German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMF) were cosponsors of the event.
Featured Left to Right: Yalcin Ayasli (TCA Founder and Chairman), Jennifer Davis (Former U.S. Consul General to Istanbul), Serpil Ayasli (Co-founding Trustee of the Turkish Cultural Foundation).
TCA Attends ATAA 40th Anniversary Conference

On October 5, TCA attended the ATAA 40th Anniversary Conference celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Turkish Independence Movement. TCA founder and chairman, Yalcin Ayasli, was featured as a keynote speaker during the conference, where he highlighted the importance of political and civic engagement among the Turkish American community. Yalcin Ayasli was also presented with the ATAA Special Award in recognition of his ongoing support for the ATAA and outstanding leadership and service to the Turkish American community.
TCA's 6th Annual Youth Leadership Congress Concludes

From October 24-27, TCA held its 6th Annual Youth Leadership Congress in the nation’s capital. Fourteen Turkish American youth delegates from ten states participated in the 2019 Congress, as well as two representatives from Australia and Canada. The Youth Congress is a key component of TCA’s mission to provide opportunities for young Turkish Americans to learn about the American government and political system, understand the importance of civic/political engagement, and become more knowledgeable on the current issues of the U.S.-Turkey bilateral relationship. Further, it is TCA’s hope that they are inspired to take a more active role in the Turkish American community.  
Former TCA Intern/ Youth Congress Alumnus Accepted into the CSPC Presidential Fellows Program
 
Former TCA intern and Youth Congress alumnus, Adam Littleton, was recently accepted into the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress' (CSPC) Presidential Fellows program as its first Turkish American fellow. TCA nominated Adam because of his strong academic record and commitment to political engagement. The purpose of the Fellows program is to provide students with the unique opportunity to craft innovative solutions to today’s most crucial political issues. The Fellows study the U.S. Presidency, the public policymaking process, and the President's relations with Congress, allies, the media, and the American public. TCA wishes Adam much success in this exciting endeavor!
Author of New Book on Turkey and the U.S. Visits TCA

Dr. Henry P. Williams III of The Institute of World Politics visited TCA to discuss his new book Turkey and America - East and West - Where the Twain Meet. The book highlights the overlooked connections in American and Turkish history.
Meetings with Members of Congress

Throughout October, TCA President G. Lincoln McCurdy and the Washington team attended briefings and meetings on Capitol Hill with Members of Congress and congressional staff. McCurdy had met with Representatives Richard Hudson (R-NC/8th), Bill Johnson (R-OH/6th), Billy Long (R-MO/7th), and Greg Walden (R-OR/2nd) at National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) activities. TCA Program Coordinators Arda Cankat and Cenk Laws along with Hulya Erol-Garvett, representing Turkish Americans from Michigan, participated in an event with Representatives Andre Carson (D-IN/7th) and Marc Veasey (D-TX/33rd) of the Congressional Black Caucus. Laws also participated in a meeting with Congressman Gil Cisneros (D-CA/39th) and Fred Keller (R/PA 12th). TCA met with staff members of Representatives Don Beyer (D-VA/8th), Virginia Foxx (R-NC/5th), Ann Kuster (D-NH/2nd), and Elaine Luria (D-VA/2nd).