TALL: Highlights from ATAA's 26th Annual Convention-Chicago

ATAA’s 26th Annual Convention-Chicago!
November 17-19, 2005

Upon arrival, we were greeted with snow. What a surprise! However, the reception from the Turkish community was warm and loving. Unfortunately, members of the Turkish government cancelled at the last minute and President Clinton and Bush Administration officials had to cancel attendance due to tight schedules.

The Thursday meetings informed the convention goers about Turkish investment and trade initiatives in the U.S. followed by a lively panel with two Turks, one Brit, and one American journalist (Kongar, Colakoglu, Pope and Kinzer) discussing the state of journalism in Turkey. The afternoon held a viewing of a new documentary by Marty Callaghan:”The Armenian Revolt”. The film was for many the highlight of the convention because it was the first ever documentary describing the Armenian revolts against Turkey in 1894-1920 in Eastern Anatolia

On Friday there were panels on trade and business opportunities in Turkey hosted by Ambassador James Holmes of the American Turkish Council and Tamer Taskin of TOBB, Turkey; Turkey’s accession to the EU (Dr. Omer Taspinar and Ambassador Stuart Holliday; Women’s Political Rights in Turkey with Ahmet Tan, Jule  Kilicarslan both of Turkey and Narguiz Abbaszade, ATAA Exec.Director.

Ambassador Logoglu was the keynote speaker for the Friday luncheon where he discussed the EU challenges facing Turkey.

Friday night at the Consul General’s reception held at the lovely Chicago Women’s Athletic Club Library and hosted by Chicago’s Turkish Consul General Mr. Naci Koru and his gracious wife, about 400 guests were in attendance. The Korus greeted all to their lovely city and the ATAA convention. Food and drink flowed freely and guests from 20 cities met and mingled through the night. A surprise performance by Grammy Nominee Demetra George Mustafoglu of California was presented. She has a rich soprano voice which needed no microphone with a great range and she has spectacular looks. She shared opera and Broadway selections to the delight of the crowd. She was a most welcome break from the serious business that was discussed during the day and the evening ran later than expected and was considered a hit by the party goers. It was truly elegant.

Saturday November 19th, a workshop was presented on the role of ATAA component organizations in promoting US-Turkish relations and was chaired by three excellent speakers: Lydia Borland on public advocacy and lobbying, Nurten Ural-ATAA president elect on the role of Turkish organizations in promoting Turkey, and Elif Lee with Merrill Lynch on fund raising, giving gifts, contributions or bequeathing estates to ATAA rather than the IRS and identified those most probable to donate. The audience’s interest and participation proved that our community desires these programs and that they should again be scheduled.

Pelin Aylangan, president of ATA-DC spoke of their progress and 300 strong membership and along with Elif Lee sought an audience with TALL founder Demetra Mustafoglu in order to start other TALL chapters in the US as they believe the women’s organizations can effect some wonderful changes and give the Turkish community the good name they so richly deserve.

Incumbent president Vural Cengiz of S. Florida who has done such a magnificent job with ATAA during his term presented a $3,000 check to Mr. Woijeck, the American Red Cross rep in Chicago for post Katrina Relief efforts. It was very moving. While the conventioneers lunched, the Armenians found time to protest in front of the hotel.

A panel was held discussing the fate of the Turkmens of Kerkuk, Telafer and other northern Iraqi cities, their forced dislocation from homes and lands, election fraud, and subjection to harassment and terror. Orhan Ketene of the Turkmen Front, Counselor Yucel Guclu of the Turkish Embassy and journalist/writer Scott Taylor were panelists. Taylor recently wrote a book depicting the plight of the Turkmens. Since the horrors are occurring under the eyes of the American army whom the people look to as saviors, it is a shocking realization that no American newspapers are covering the Azerbaijani parliamentary election irregularities.

After a computer glitch at the door Saturday night, ball attendees were finally allowed in for cocktails and dinner. There was a lovely silent auction and numerous raffle items. Approximately 800 were in attendance in the gorgeous Palmer House Hilton Ballroom with its Art Deco décor and you could feel the excitement in anticipation for the evening’s events.

After Demetra Mustafoglu presented the anthems and acted as co- emcee for the evening, standing ovations proceeded and the night was on target for something really special.

A final sad farewell was said to Faruk Logoglu, Ambassador to the US from Turkey who along with his wife was honored by ATAA and the Federation of Turkish American Associations (FTAA) for his wonderful work. He made a loving and a fond farewell to his constituents and was strongly lauded by all. He will be missed by many who came to know and love him well. Following that The Korus were given a special ATAA award also.

Vural Cengiz presented the ATAA Distinguished Service Award to Cemal Altayli. Tolga Cumbukcu, Mehmet Mustafoglu, Bulent Basol and Saduman Gurbuz received the ATAA Benefactor Award for their fund raising efforts and The Outstanding Achievement in Science Award was given to Dr. Aziz Sancar. ATAA Meritorious Service Awards were given to Yasemin San and Gokce Sezgin; the ATAA Peace Award went to ATAA-Detroit Peace in the World Committee. ATAA Component Association Awards were given to TACA-Chicago, FTAA-Florida, ATA-SC and Anadolu Club. So richly deserved, President Cengiz was humbled and honored to receive the ATAA Turkish American of the Year Award. Congressman Ed Whitfield, Sukru Elekdag , and Ambassador Marc Grossman were awarded the ATAA American Friend of Turkey.

After a delicious meal, the evening hit the road with hearty music by TURKISH DELIGHT of Atlanta, Georgia. Then the night kicked up a notch when Cenk Eren and Nuket Duru brought their 8 piece band onstage from Istanbul to entertain. It was the most magnificent night the US Turkish communities have seen and won’t soon forget. The show continued for almost 2 hours and the audience went wild. Nuket and Cem brought Demetra up on stage to sing a song and she chose Cadirimin Ustune which they all sang together to the delight of the crowd. Oz Bengur came onstage at the urging of the artists but refused to sing. We were reminded to support his congressional bid in ’05. Also a marriage proposal was made from the stage to the joy of all including the bride! At 2 a.m when the last raffle item was handed out, the crowd was still gathered sharing Turkish fraternity. It was truly heartwarming.

Our wonderful Consul General to LA Engin Ansay and gorgeous wife Esin were there in attendance and shared the spotlight with the diplomats of the event.

The next morning on Sunday, convention delegates attended a short meeting where the budget was presented and plans for next year were announced.

In 2006 via the by-laws, the ATAA convention will return to Washington, DC and in 2007 the organizers are hoping to take it to Las Vegas in order to offer something different, so mark your calendars accordingly.

States in attendance: Alabama, California, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, Montana, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, Washington and country of TURKEY.