ATAA Remembers Lefter Kucukandonyadis

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Press Releases/News	January 18, 2012

ABOUT US

The ATAA, representing over 60 local chapters and 500,000 Turkish Americans throughout the United States, serves locally and nationwide to develop an informed and empowered Turkish American community, and to support strong U.S.-Turkish relations. The ATAA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization formed under the laws of the District of Columbia. To learn more about ATAA, please visit us at www.ataa.org

BECOME A MEMBER

By becoming a member you will be part of a network of Turkish-Americans and friends of Turkey who care about the historic relationship between the two peoples and who are aware of the crucial role each one of us plays in strengthening the relationship and promoting an accurate and fair picture of Turkey and Turks. [Join ATAA]

Texas Turks Respond to Perry

Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Assembly of Turkish American Associations (ATAA) Kursad Dogru and leaders of Turkish American community in Texas issued the following statement regarding accusations made by Governor Rick Perry and Fox News' Brett Baier at the January 16 Republican presidential candidates' debate in South Carolina:

"January 17, 2012

The Honorable Rick Perry
Office of the Governor
P.O. Box 12428
Austin, Texas 78711-2428

Dear Governor Perry:

As residents of the great state of Texas, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Assembly of Turkish American Associations (ATAA), and leaders of Turkish American community in Texas, we would like to express our grave disappointment with your remarks at the January 16 Republican presidential candidates' debate in South Carolina.

It would seem to us that as a US Air Force pilot who served in Turkey, you should have known that Turkey is the strongest partner the United States has in the inter-continental region of Eurasia and the Middle East, due to Turkey's secular democracy, strong economy, powerful military, religious affinity, and rich culture of diversity and community.

Furthermore, Turkey is a major trade partner of Texas, creating thousands of jobs throughout the state. The state of Texas leads the United States in exports to Turkey at $1.8 billion in 2010, up 29% from the year before. Turkish exports to Texas totaled $390 million in 2010, up 14% from the year before.

Importantly, of the 500,000 Turkish Americans nationwide, a strong portion resides in and contributes to the political economic, and cultural life of Texas. The ATAA's chapters in Texas represent more than 50,000 Turkish Americans. Most Turkish Americans are Muslim. We love our new homeland, the United States, as we do the old country, Turkey. "One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all", is what we live by, loyally. We hope you will reconsider your words and tone, and kindly let it be known.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Kursad Dogru
BOT Chairman
ATAA

Sibel Pakdemirli
V.P., SW Region
ATAA

Deniz Demirors
President
ATA-Houston

Ergin Gurbuz
President
TURANT

Murat Tas
President
ATASA

Vehbi Aldikacti
President
TAASA

Cc: Republican National Committee"

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