HR0577 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0577 LRB098 13880 GRL 48410 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The Republic of Turkey was created on October 29, 1923 under the guidance of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk; on that date, the Turkish Grand National Assembly proclaimed the Republic that realized the aspirations of Turkish people for freedom, peace, and progress in their homeland; and

WHEREAS, Through ambitious reforms implementing Ataturk's vision of modern statehood and embracing Western values, the Republic of Turkey transformed from its imperial past into the world's first sustainable secular democracy with a predominantly Muslim population; Turkey has also become one of the fastest growing emerging markets in the world; and

WHEREAS, The Republic of Turkey has been a key United States and NATO ally in a vital region stretching from Eastern Europe and the Middle East to the Caucasus and Central Asia for over 60 years; during the Korean War, over 5,000 Turkish soldiers took part in combat and over 700 of them fell fighting alongside American forces; Turkey has also contributed greatly to the NATO and United States-led missions in Kosovo and Afghanistan; with the unraveling humanitarian crisis in Syria and turmoil in Egypt, Turkey's role as an influential regional power and partner of the United States remains as important as ever; and

WHEREAS, Over the past 90 years, Turkish Americans have left a unique imprint on America's diverse cultural spectrum and have contributed immensely to the advancement of this nation in business, science, medicine, technology, and the arts; and

WHEREAS, On October 29, 2013, over half a million Americans of Turkish descent will celebrate the 90th anniversary of the Republic of Turkey; it is fitting that the members of this body join them in celebrating this momentous occasion; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we commemorate the 90th anniversary of the founding of the Republic of Turkey and urge the people of this State to show their support for the Republic of Turkey and its people.