Connecticut and Townships Proclaim Turkish Republic Day

Hartford - The State of Connecticut, with the guidance of the Southern New England Turkish American Association (SNE-TACA) and leadership of SNE-TACA President Goknur McAvoy, proclaimed October 29, 2008, Turkish Republic Day, and raised the Turkish flag over the state capital building. 

Turkish Flag flies at Hartford Capitol building - Photo by Ali Cinar

At the Capitol Judiciary Chambers, SNE-TACA Vice President Evgin Heath served as Master of Ceremonies. President McAvoy made opening remarks, welcoming state, local and foreign dignitaries and Turkish Americans.

It was the Turkish Republic’s 85h Anniversary and with the successful efforts of SNE-TACA, Connecticut’s14thconsecutive annual proclamation and flag raising in honor ofthe Turkish Republic, Atatürk and America’s Turkish heritage. Governor Jodi Rell and State Senator Anthony Guglielmo submitted this year’s proclamations on behalf of the State. Representative John Mazurek from President McAvoy’s districtattended on behalf f the Connecticut Assembly.

Hartford Mayor Eddie Perez, Wolcott Mayor Thomas Dunn, and Newington Mayor Jeff Wright also issued proclamations and raised Turkish flags at their respective city halls. Newington Town Manager John Salomone joined with words in support of Turkish Americans in America’s rich diversity. Mayor Dunn spoke on the importance of the Turkish Republic as a close partner of the United States, and the accomplishments of Atatürk as a reformer.

Turkish Consul General to New York, Mehmet Samsar,commended the long and meaningful relations between Turkey and the United States, and the role of Turkish Americans in maintaining and fostering that relationship. Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus New York Representative, Mustafa Gokeri, who received an official acknowledgment from the State of Connecticut, emphasized the role Turkey and Atatürk’s universal principleshave played in the just self-determination of Turkish Cypriots.

SNE-TACA Vice President Evgin Heath, ATAA President-Elect Gunay Evinch, and FTAA Vice President Turgay Kadioglu - Photo by Ali Cinar

ATAA President-Elect Gunay Evinch, provided salutations from ATAA President Nurten Ural, and expressed that the recent ATAA Delegation visit to Turkey and Northern Cyprus was productive for planning ahead for the proper defense and promotion of U.S.-Turkish relations and Turkish American interests. Evinch commended local Connecticut Turkish American grassroots activists for serving as competent and effective interlocutors between the two countries. Earlier in the day, Evinch talked to Hartford school children about the Turkish Republic and Connecticut Turkish Republic Day.

ATAA President-Elect Evinch and Hartford school children - Photo by Ali Cinar

FTAA Vice President Turgay Kadioglu joined Evinch, in support of Turkish American solidarity, while veteran New England Turkish American leader and Turkish Forum President, Kaya Buyukataman, followed with words of unityand appreciation. Istanbul University Alumni Association of America founder, Ali Cinar, and local activist Leyla Yetil, were thanked for their good work on SNE-TACA Proclamation Committee.

SNE-TACA Vice PresidentHeath concluded the program, quoting from Atatürk, that contemporary civilization is the common ground of all nations, and that through dialogue and process world nations can achieve consensus on universal principles embodied by the higher aim of “peace at home, peace in the world.” A giant birthday cake, bearing the Turkish flag was served.

Turkish Consul General Mehmet Samsar and SNE-TACA President Goknur McAvoy.