HR0577LRB098 13880 GRL 48410 r


  
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
  
 
 
 
HR0577- 2 -LRB098 13880 GRL 48410 r

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.