The current uproar involves the Republic of France recognizing the denial of genocide as a “crime” punishable by imprisonment and/or monetary fines. In 2001, France has formally recognized the massacres of the Armenians in the Ottoman Empire as genocide. In 2006, the French National Assembly (the lower house) adopted a bill making it a crime to deny that Armenians suffered genocide in 1915 at the hands of the Ottoman Turks; however, the bill did not move forward to become law. In December 2011, the National Assembly passed a draft law to penalize those who deny genocide. The draft law does not specifically refer to the alleged Armenian genocide; however, since the event was recognized by France as genocide in 2001, the law includes it. The French Senate approved the law in January 2012; it will become final upon approval by the President (pending).

As reviewed extensively in the following Wikipedia report (click here for link), the concept that genocide of the Armenian population has occurred in the Ottoman Empire has been approved by a large number of international organizations, autonomous nations and semi-autonomous ethnic groups. Further, several nations that have declared the Armenian massacre to be genocide have already laws in place recognizing denial of genocide a violation of the law. Indeed in 2007, in the truly impartial and neutral country Switzerland, a court found Dogu Perincek guilty for denying the alleged Armenian genocide, and the decision was upheld by the Swiss Supreme Court.

It makes sense to approach President of France Sarkozy to convince him not to approve the parliament’s decision, as the Government of Turkey and Turkish PAC are trying to do. However, at this stage, the effort is not to convince foreign countries and international organizations to reverse their decisions that the Ottoman Empire committed genocide of a specific ethnic group of its citizens. Rather, the issue is whether or not denying the occurrence of genocide should be considered a crime in the Republic of France (obviously applicable only to people in France). Thus, the main argument will have to be that such a law is in violation of human rights in freedom of speech. The legal issue is discussed from an academic perspective in the attached document (Holocaust Denial). In the United States, the First Amendment of the Constitution addresses the freedom of speech issue, and the US Supreme Court would declare such a denial law as unconstitutional (indeed, groups in the French Senate have declared that the passed law would also be unconstitutional in France). In my view, the Turkish Americans in the United States (and obviously TACAM) should inform the American public that, not only a genocide has not occurred, but the current decision of France is a violation of human rights and the freedom of speech, and is inconsistent with the libertarian/democratic principles of the American people, as defined by their Constitution. Unfortunately, the limitations in human rights, freedom of speech and integrity of the legal system in the Republic of Turkey will in a way weaken our arguments in this regard.

Additional reference from Peter R. Teachout: Click here for link

Author: Prof. Dr. Sumer Pek (TACAM Grassroots Advisor)

“Turk-Amerikan Lobiciliginin Guclenmesi icin Aktif Yardiminiza Ihtiyac Var”

Dear TACAM Members, and Friends of Turkiye (Turkey):

As we close the 2011 calendar year, we have a deep sense of gratitude for your trust and continued support as we work further collectively to fulfill the vision and goals of the Turkish-American Community!

During this time of reflection, we intend to review the areas of accomplishment, and future opportunities to improve. With this thought in mind, please analyze the key strategies below and consider the ways you could support them as much as you can:

A. The 2012 TACAM Vision:

Our aim is to initiate programs and organize events to meet the overall and critical needs of the Turkish American community – based on the principles of Ataturk!  Therefore, we have organized two “Strategic Planning Workshops”, and sent out a survey questionnaire to get feedback from the Turkish American community. As a result, the following main strategic areas and projects were identified:

Strategies:

1. VOICE – Increase the voice of Turkish-Americans: in Michigan and in U.S. especially in key Turkiye and Turkish-American related matters (see www.turkishpac.com for example topics).
2. REACH OUT – Advocacy & Outreach: involvement within our community, reach to and collaborate with other Turkic-American organizations for the benefits of the Turkish-American Community, and to have “One-Voice”; cooperation with other ethnic groups; reach out to American media, policy makers, and others.
3. EDUCATION – Focus on educational activities (Involving our youth, members, media, and politicians, etc.): As a cultural association, specific programs discussing various aspects of the Turkish culture found to be desirable; to include educational presentations as much as possible in key events.
4. MEMBERSHIP – Engagement and development: To meet new people, enhancing social and professional networks for mutual benefits, as well as strengthening our bonds with current association friends and family to respond to their changing needs.

 Projects:

5. BUILDING:  TACAM property improvement, to achieve a quality the Turkish-American Community deserves!

B. Responding to the VISION -  Who we are & What we did for you in the past 2 years?

Since May 2010, we provided the following outcomes:

• Organized over 35 key events and/or activities with your support and met and/or exceeded all our planned targets (see link for details: www.tacam.org/?p=1868); more events are in the planning stage.
• Mentored/sponsored an American archaeology PhD student “Angela Commito” to attend a summer course in Selçuk, Turkey focusing on Ancient Cities in Turkiye (Angela will provide us a lecture about her experience.)
• Organized the biggest Republic Day Celebration in U.S. in 2011, with almost 300 guests and the only one where multiple congress people joined and delivered excellent PR speeches about Turkey and Ataturk; plus further consuls and key VIP people joined. Also, we received 6 proclamations from State of Michigan and other cities ref the Turkish Republic Day (see example link: http://www.turkishny.com/usa-news/87-american-english-news/71489-michiganda-turkiye-ve-ataturk-tantm).
• Proactively approached and partnered with different Turkic and Balkan ethnic groups and organized joint events in line with our strategies.
• With the leadership and expertise of Prof. Dr. Sumer Pek, launched a totally new TACAM by-laws after 30 years (see link: www.tacam.org/about/bylaws).
• New committees added to the existing ones: (1) Building Committee, and (2) Trade & Economy Development Committees. The building committee established an exclusive building fund and already managed to get $10K initial funds with the target of getting $100K+.
• Received substantial amounts of donations, much in excess of such contributions in previous years, and had $13K more income as initially budgeted, and more…

C. Your requested critical support to the Turkish-American Community?

To maintain this momentum, and to further implement our strategies, we NEED your support and kindly ask your assistance, as follows:

1. Please ask professionals and business people you are acquainted with to make donations to TACAM. Annually, TACAM needs approximately $13K for property maintenance (including property tax) and further significant event costs. The suggested amount for a donation could be at least $250; remind your friends that donations to TACAM are fully tax deductible.
2. Please pay your 2012 TACAM membership dues by January 31, 2012! If you have not done so already (see link for online payment www.tacam.org/membership).
3. Please pro-actively support one TACAM event or activity every year, such as supporting the organization of an event, joining an action committee, giving an educational lecture in the area of your expertise, sponsoring an event by a donation, bringing proactive ideas and contributing to their implementation, etc. For this purpose, please contact us at contact@tacam.org to review the details,
4. Please promote TACAM in your communities, and encourage 1 or 2 persons or families to become members in the Year 2012. We are targeting to increase %50 the current membership number by December 2012.

D. Why is it important that you became an active TACAM member?

1.  By supporting TACAM and its U.S. network, you become part of the advocacy organization with a truly national reach. Your support and involvement allows TACAM to have an impact on key opinion leaders and policymakers on issues of deep concern to all of us—from promoting positive Turkish sentiments and supporting Türkiye, to championing human rights and strengthening ties with other ethnic groups!
2. By only working proactively and together as an organization—the Board, Action Committees and Active Members—we can make a difference within the Turkish American Community to promote our heritage and culture and pass it to our new generations!  We owe this to ourselves, to the Turkish-American Community, and our new generations!
3. We need to act now to successfully and effectively implement our strategies listed above to become an assertive Turkish American Community.
4. Our role model is Atatürk and his principles. We want to prove that Michigan has many Atatürk templates who are actively/successfully working to create miracles, and work hard to implement them!
5. Your donation of funds and effort will benefit our current and next generations, to preserve the Turkish culture and language, to promote our rich Turkish heritage, and to further the education of our future leaders.
6. In the New Year, we will organize more “TACAM member only” activities and focus more on their needs, as we are a membership organization! Please do not miss the opportunity to be part of a big family!

Please let us know how you can contribute to implement our vision and contact us at contact@tacam.org or 313.204.8700 as needed.

We wish you happy holidays, merry Christmas and a prosperous new year!

On behalf of the TACAM Board Members and Committee Chairpersons

Feridun Bek                                                                  Tim Tucker

TACAM President                                                        TACAM VP

  Son BaŞvuru Tarihi: 14 Kasım 2011

2009 yılında 80 ülkeden 2000′i aŞkın katılımcıyla gerçekleŞtirilen “Dünya Türk GiriŞimciler Kurultayı”, bu yıl 18-19 Kasım 2011 tarihlerinde İstanbul Lütfi Kırdar Kongre ve Sergi Sarayı’nda gerçekleŞtirilecektir.  Kurultayla ilgili ayrıntılılı bilgiyi www.dtik.org.tr adresinden temin edebilirsiniz.

Kurultaya Türk Amerikan Dernekleri Kurulu (ATAA)’nu temsilen aŞağıdaki isimler katılacaklardır:

• Şeref BaŞkanı olarak Türkiye’den TABA BaŞkanı Sayın Uğur Terzioğlu ,
• ATAA ve TACAM Kurultay İcra Kurulu BaŞkanı ve ATAA Endüstri ve Ticari İliŞkiler Komitesi BaŞkanı olarak Sayın Feridun Bek,
• ATAA Orta Batı Bölgesi BaŞkan Yardımcısı olarak Sayın Faruk Cingilli.

ATAA’ ya bağlı dernekler ve üyeleri programa, ATAA Heyeti liderliğinde katılmaya davetlidirler!

BaŞvuru formunuzu  www.dtik.org.tr  web sitesinde doldurduktan sonra, formunuzu ve referans numaranızı Feridun Bek’e (feridun.bek@gmail.com) ulaŞtırabilirsiniz.

ATAA Heyetinine katılacaklar ATAA ile çalıŞan 5 farklı dernek üyeleriyle birlikte 20 kiŞi kadardır. Ayrıca sınırlı kontenjanımız mevcuttur.

Yeni dӧnemde DTIK Amerika Bölgesi BaŞkan Adayımız eski ATAA BaŞkanı Sayın Nurten Ural ‘dır.

Önemli Notlar:

• Kurultaya katılım baŞvuruları www.dtik.org.tr adresinden yapılmakta olup, son baŞvuru tarihi 10 Kasım 2011′dir. Lütfen baŞta program ücretini ödemeyiniz. Kısıtlı kontenjanla ATAA kurultay katılımcıları  için ödemeden muaf olabilme durumu mevcuttur.
• Özel Şahısların ATAA Heyetine katılımı için, önce ATAA üyesi olmasi gerekmektedir. Üyelik bilgilerini ataa.org/membership/individual.html adresinden temin edebilirsiniz.
• Bölgenizdeki Ticari MüŞavirliklerle bağlantıya geçip, yurt dıŞından katılanlar için konaklama konusunda destek programları hakkında bilgi alabilirsiniz.
• Türk Hava Yolları kurultay referans numaranızı sunduğunuz takdirde, indirim yapabilmektedir.

Program hakkında ayrıntılı bilgi için Sayın Murat Atik’e telefonla (011 90 212 339 50 68) veya e-posta ile  kurultay2011@deik.org.tr adresinden ulaŞabilirsiniz.

Dear Students & Young Professionals,

As the TACAM Student & Young Professionals Development Committee, we aim to bring all of you periodically together in different events for networking purposes. We would like to offer you some connections to key business people and scholars as well and we know we can be strong only if we support each other!

We already organized several Networking Happy Hours in the past months, and would like to invite you to the below event for which we expect 70+ participants:

Date:                      Saturday, November 5^th, 2011 — 4:00pm – 5:30pm

Location:              TACAM Building, 28847 Beck Road, Wixom, MI 48393

Draft Agenda:

• Brief speeches:
• Welcome speech via the Committee Chairs – Serkan Ensoner & Ali Demir (& Berk Koprulu – Former Chair)
• Feridun Bek (TACAM President & ATAA VP Mid-Central Region)
• Nurten Ural (Honorary Turkish Consul of Michigan & ATAA Past-resident)
• Prof. Dr. Sevil Kutay (President  – Turkish American Chamber of Midwest)
• Recep Karadayi (President & CEO – Applied Automation Technologies, Inc.)
• Faruk Cingilli (Businessmen and ATAA VP Midwestern Region)
• Group Introduction & Networking
• Conclusion

This is a free event and soft drinks will be offered.

For further RSVP and questions, please contact us at: ensoner@gmail.com.

We look forward to seeing you at the event!

Sincerely,

On behalf of the TACAM Board of Directors

Serkan Ensoner                                                                   Ali Demir

(Chair & Board Member)                                                   (Co-Chair & Board Member)

Many thanks for your great support and interest – our event is SOLD-OUT!

Over 270 guests confirmed to join the event with following guests of honor: US Congressman Hansen Clarke & Garry Peters; the Michigan Consuls of Turkey, Japan, Mexico, Spain, Iraq and Yemen; the Mayor of City of Novi & the City Manager, President of Turkish American Chamber of Commerce and Industry Midwest, ATAA VP Midwestern Region, ATAA Advocacy Director and the leaders of the Azerbaijani-American & Syrian-American communities!

In addition, we are pleased to inform you that we received Republic Day “Proclamations” from State of Michigan, the cities of Ann Arbor, Lansing, Wixom and Ypsilanti, and from Congressman Hansen Clarke.

Dear Friends of TACAM and Türkiye (Turkey):

You and your friends are cordially invited to join TACAM in celebrating the 88th anniversary of the founding of the Republic of Turkey. By participating in this event, you will be demonstrating your support of the Turkish Republic and the values with which it stands for and our solidarity against terrorism!

TACAM will use the event income: [a] to contribute to the “Mehmetcik Vakfi”; aiding families of fallen soldiers and veterans impacted by the fight against PKK terrorism, [b] to support the victims of the October 23 earthquake in Turkey’s Van province, and [c] for partial payment of the property tax due for the TACAM building.

As defined in the “Oath of the Nation” at the Erzurum Congress in July 1919, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk initiated the War of Independence in accordance with the principle of a “Nation Indivisible”, and defeated the occupants of Turkish Lands ultimately leading to the establishment of the Turkish Republic on October 29, 1923. As the founder of the Republic and its first president, Atatürk implemented many progressive reforms that transformed the country into today’s modern state. The Republic of Turkey has become the pioneer of democracy in the Middle East, and world’s 16th largest economy; it stands as one of the most important allies of the United States.

Last year at the Celebration of the Turkish Republic Day, we had almost 200 guests, guests of honor including eight consuls of foreign countries; this year we will have a bigger and unforgettable event for you to enjoy!

Draft Agenda:

• Welcome reception
• Welcome speech by TACAM President Feridun Bek
• Brief speeches from some of our guests of honor
• Live entertainment by Turgut Yargici, who is joining us from Florida to bring a large repertoire of international music to add extra flair to the night.
• Dining, dancing, silent auction and more…

Ticket prices for the entire program are as follows (cash bar for alcoholic drinks, including raki):

• Members: $75 or $90 after October 23
• Non-members: $90 or $105 after October 23
• Students: $45 (ages 11 to 30 – with no income)
• Kids (2-10): $30 (Kids dinner buffet and optional childcare via volunteers are organized in a separate room for children ages 2 to 10 only)
• Attire: Formal Attire (Black Tie is optional)

PS: Please also see following link to learn more about the historically significant comments of Roosevelt, Kennedy, Hemingway and Churchill about Ataturk and the Turkish Republic: http://tacam.org/?p=1618

The Turkic-American Community in Michigan (key sponsors: the Turkish-Americans, Azerbaijani-Americans and Turkmen-Americans) cordially invites you to our annual Victory Day and Ramadan Celebration!

Every year on August 30, the citizens of the Republic of Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, and Turkish-Americans celebrate Victory Day (Zafer Bayramı). The victory being celebrated is the defeat on August 30, 1922, of the invading foreign armies in the final battle of the Turkish War of Independence. This final battle, also known as the “Battle of Dumlupınar” started on Aug 26, 1922, in the city of Dumlupınar in the province of Kütahya in central Anatolia, and ended on August 30, 1922, expelling the invaders out of the motherland. The commander in chief of the of the Turkish War of Independence as well as the Battle of Dumlupınar was the great leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, who established the Republic of Turkey one year later on October 29, 1923.

We will celebrate the Turkish Victory Day and Ramadan Festival and provide an education presentation regarding the meaning of these days to enlighten the new generations. We also would like to review how this Victory should further inspire and energize the Turkish-American community today while having in additional a Sufi Whirling Dervish Performance.

Finally, we will commemorate the tragic incident of 9/11 in which the Turkish-American community was and is deeply saddened!

Agenda

• 1:30-2:00pm: Welcome
• 2:00-3:30pm: Lunch (please join on time as we will serve offen buffet)
• 3:30-3:50pm: Presentation on the meaning of the Turkish Victory Day by Feridun Bek (TACAM President)
• 3:50-4:10pm: What is Ramadan – Yesterday and Today by Adnan Ateş (TACAM Secretary)
• 4:10-4:30pm: Brief Presentation on Mevlana Rumi & Sufi Whirling Dervish Performance by Salih Okten (Sufi and dancer in Istanbul over 20 years)
• 4:30-4:40pm: September 11 Commemoration speech by Nurten Ural (Honorary Turkish Consul of Michigan)
• 4:40-5:00pm: Bosnian Folklore Dance
• 5:00-7:30pm: Complimentary Bayram presents for kids, Turkish music, networking, bowling game and billiard and other entertainments.

The facility has an outer playground and there will be a small inflatable bouncer to entertain the kids.

Lunch Menu

Chicken breast with mushroom sauce, special Üzbek rice meal with meat, salad, börek and soft drinks and coffee.

Single Adult: $20.00
Single Student or Child (6-12 years): $10.00
Child under 6: Free
Entrance after 3:30pm with no lunch is $10 per person

Please RSVP by September 8, 2011 to Nilüfer and indicate if you wish lunch or not.

We hope you will be able to join us in this event that has dual meaning and importance. Please bring along your children, your neighbors and friends!

Event Managers

On behalf of the TACAM Board
Adnan Ateş & Nilüfer Ateş
Event Managers

On behalf of the Azerbaijani-American Community
Ramin Mammadov
Leader & Event Manager

On behalf of the Turkmen-American Community
Nuray Agaoglu
Leader & Event Manager

TACAM invites you to share an İftar dinner together. As a Turkish American community we are strengthened when we are together and provide a rich culture for our children and young adults for their future.

Please join us as we come together and enjoy an educational presentation while enjoying the meal and the fine opportunity to be together as a community during Ramazan!

Of most importance is just being able to share as a community in this rich tradition and enjoy the interchange of fellowship together with our friends and families—we hope each of you are able to come for dinner!

Agenda

• 7:30pm — Welcome to TACAM
• 8:00pm — Welcome speech and an educational presentation
• 8:39pm &mdash Start serving Iftar Dinner

We will have soups, salads, meat stew, vegetables, desserts and more.

Feel free to contact Tim or Cansu Tucker at 248–894–8257 (Tim) or 248–961–9361 (Cansu).

About Ramadan

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim calendar. The Month of Ramadan is also when it is believed the Holy Quran “was sent down from heaven, a guidance unto men, a declaration of direction, and a means of Salvation.” It is during this month that Muslims fast. It is called the Fast of Ramadan and lasts the entire month. Ramadan is a time when Muslims concentrate on their faith and spend less time on the concerns of their everyday lives. It is a time of worship and contemplation. During the Fast of Ramadan strict restraints are placed on the daily lives of Muslims. They are not allowed to eat or drink during the daylight hours. Smoking and sexual relations are also forbidden during fasting. There are exceptions to fasting. Those who are sick, elderly, or on a journey, and women who are pregnant or nursing are permitted to break the fast and make up an equal number of days later in the year. If they are physically unable to do this, they must feed a needy person for every day missed. At the end of the day the fast is broken with prayer and a meal called the iftar. In the evening following the iftar it is customary for Muslims to go out visiting family and friends. The fast is resumed the next morning.

Admission is free for all attendees. Donations on behalf of TACAM are always welcome.

Friday, July 29, 2011 — 4pm – 7pm
318 South Main Street, Ann Arbor

Happy Hour Specials: 50% off appetizers
$1 off bottles beers
$1.50 for draft beers

TACAM is hosting the Father’s Day Picnic and we would like to invite you and your friend’s to join in the food, fun and opportunity to enjoy the day together before most of us leave for summer vacations.

We are planning a menu to include BBQ lamb, shish, köfte, salad, hummus, rice and ayran as well as soft drinks. As we also planning to make a “Best Dish & Dessert Competition,” We would also kindly invite each of you to bring your favorite dish or desert to share if you would like.

There will be great Turkish Live Music via Mine Özalp!

For the activities, we will have some father-child competition games such as three-legged race, wheelbarrow game. We will also have egg & spoon race for fathers while kids will be trying hard to smash our piñata. Besides these fun games, the site has vast fields to play volleyball, baseball, soccer and football. So, you are encouraged to bring your baseball gloves, bats and balls, football, soccer ball and Frisbee, too! Additionally,we will offer backgammon tournaments, “pin the tail on the board members” and other games — and still fantastic food and conversation!

We hope you are all able to join with us and renew our friendships as an extended family and for some newer members to be able to get to know one another much better.

If you have any questions or would be willing to support the organization of the picnic (which would be welcome), please feel free to contact the Event Manager: Melih Güneş at Melih Güneş.

RSVP is required by email by June 17, 2011, to Melih Güneş.

General — $15
Members and Students — $10
Kids up to 12 — $5
Kids 6 and under — free
Please bring a dish to share.
Park charges $5.00 per car entrance fee.
RSVP by June 17, 2011 to Melih Güneş

Join us for a cultural exchange night with the Spanish association ADEMI and TACAM. Whether you are bold enough to try to compete with your own Turkish or Spanish recipe, or you simply want to sample a wide variety of exotic dishes, you are welcome to attend. Both associations have extended an open invitation to the general public at a cost of $15 per person, or $25 per couple, but reservations must be made before April 20, 2011, as this is an extremely popular event and organizers expect large numbers of attendees from both nations.

Tapas and Meze Competition Details

• Bring a large tray of Tapas or Meze
• Please, do not bring Salads or Desserts
• Prize: winners will receive baskets with Spanish or Turkish goods and other surprise prizes.
• Raffle: Lufthansa airplane ticket

$15.00 Individual
$25.00 Couple
Tickets are not available at the door
Space is limited!

Please register by emailing TACAM before April 20, 2011. Please include the names of attendees in the RSVP.

Send checks payable to TACAM to
28837 Beck Road
Wixom, MI 48393

We hope to see many of you at the event and share your best dishes for the competition!