Program Highlights
Atatürk: The War of Independence and the Creation of the Modern Turkey
Early Turkish Immigrants in the U.S. & Their Role in the Turkish Independence War
The Impact of Turkish National Movement on 20th Century Politics
Independence War, Turks in the US, Politics Effecting Turks
40 Years of ATAA’s Accomplishment and Plans for Future
Bright Future Turkish Language and Culture Project
Turkish American Associations: Bringing Together the Community
Keynote Speakers
Speakers & Moderators
Conference Program
Friday, October 4, 2019, 6:00pm
Sheridan Cir., NW, Washington, DC 20008
Wreath Laying Ceremony at Atatürk Monument at Sheridan Circle
Saturday, October 5, 2019 – 8:00am-11:30pm
The Westin Crystal City, Arlington,VA
8:00am-8:50am
Registration & Light Breakfast
8:50am-9:00am
Opening Ceremony & Welcoming Remarks
9:00am-10:00am
Atatürk: The War of Independence & the Creation of the Modern Turkey
Sevgin Oktay, ATAA NY Region Vice President
Dr. Justin A. McCarthy, Professor of History, University of Louisville
Dr. George W. Gawrych, Professor of History, Baylor University
10:10am-10:40am
Early Turkish Immigrants in the U.S. & Their Role in the Turkish Independence War
Dr. Işıl Acehan, Visiting Professor of History, George Mason University
10:50am-11:50am
The Impact of Turkish National Movement on 20th Century Politics
Nilüfer E. Bilgin, ATAA First Vice President/Mid-Central Region Vice President
Dr. Paul Kubicek, Professor of Political Science, Oakland University
Dr. Emine Evered, Associate Professor of History, Michigan State University
12:15pm-1:30pm
Luncheon & Keynote Speeches
Ambassador (Ret.) Dr. Şükrü M. Elekdağ (Video Message)
Dr. Yalçın Ayaslı, Founder and Chairman, Turkish Coalition of America
The Hon. Ed Whitfield, U.S. House of Representatives (1995-2016)
1:40pm-2:40pm
Independence War, Turks in the US, Politics Effecting Turks
Prof. Dr. Emre Kongar, Writer, Former Turkish Undersecretary of Culture
2:50pm-3:50pm
40 Years of ATAA’s Accomplishment and Plans for Future
Mazlum Koşma, ATAA Treasurer
Dr. Ülkü Ülgür, ATAA Past President, Member of the Board of Trustees
Dr. Bülent Başol, ATAA Past President, Chairman of the ATAA Board of Trustees
Nurten Ural, ATAA Past President, Member of the ATAA Board of Trustees
Ergün Kırlıkovalı, ATAA Past President, Member of the ATAA Board of Trustees
Kenan Çağlar, ATAA Past President
Gökhan Özalp, ATAA President
4:00pm-5:00pm
Bright Future Turkish Language and Culture Project
Kayhan Yılmaz, ATAA Education Committee Chair & Capital Region Vice President
Dr. Halil Ersoy, Assistant Professor, Baskent University
Hülya Koç, Bright Future Committee Member
Lale Iskarpatyoti, Bright Future Committee Member
5:10pm-6:10pm
Turkish American Associations: Bringing Together the Community
Burcu Tansu, ATAA Western Region Vice President
Dr. Ayça Altıntığ, Past President, American Turkish Association of Southern California
Mehmet Yaya, President, Turkish American Cultural Association of Michigan
Engin Ateş, President, Turkish American Society of Northeast Ohio
Hande Ayan, Past President, American Turkish Association of Washington, DC
Müge Türkman, Past President, Maryland American Turkish Association
6:10pm-6:20pm
Closing Remarks
7:00pm-8:00pm
40th Anniversary Reception
8:00pm-11:30pm
40th Anniversary Gala
Welcoming Remarks
Keynote Speech by Prof. Dr. Emre Kongar
Dinner & Annual Awards Ceremony
Live music by Zeynep Moore & AlaTurka Band
Zeynep Moore & AlaTurka Band
ZEYNEP MOORE, Vocal | SERDAR ÇOBANOĞLU, Guitar | FIRAT ALPERGİN, Bass Guitar
EREN ERDOĞAN, Flute | POYRAZ ALDEMİR, Drums