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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The Republic of Turkey was created on October 29,
31923 under the guidance of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk; on that date,
4the Turkish Grand National Assembly proclaimed the Republic
5that realized the aspirations of Turkish people for freedom,
6peace, and progress in their homeland; and
 
7    WHEREAS, Through ambitious reforms implementing Ataturk's
8vision of modern statehood and embracing Western values, the
9Republic of Turkey transformed from its imperial past into the
10world's first sustainable secular democracy with a
11predominantly Muslim population; Turkey has also become one of
12the fastest growing emerging markets in the world; and
 
13    WHEREAS, The Republic of Turkey has been a key United
14States and NATO ally in a vital region stretching from Eastern
15Europe and the Middle East to the Caucasus and Central Asia for
16over 60 years; during the Korean War, over 5,000 Turkish
17soldiers took part in combat and over 700 of them fell fighting
18alongside American forces; Turkey has also contributed greatly
19to the NATO and United States-led missions in Kosovo and
20Afghanistan; with the unraveling humanitarian crisis in Syria
21and turmoil in Egypt, Turkey's role as an influential regional
22power and partner of the United States remains as important as
23ever; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, Over the past 90 years, Turkish Americans have
2left a unique imprint on America's diverse cultural spectrum
3and have contributed immensely to the advancement of this
4nation in business, science, medicine, technology, and the
5arts; and
 
6    WHEREAS, On October 29, 2013, over half a million Americans
7of Turkish descent will celebrate the 90th anniversary of the
8Republic of Turkey; it is fitting that the members of this body
9join them in celebrating this momentous occasion; therefore, be
10it
 
11    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
12NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
13we commemorate the 90th anniversary of the founding of the
14Republic of Turkey and urge the people of this State to show
15their support for the Republic of Turkey and its people.