Turkfest 2008, the largest Turkish festival in the Pacific Northwest, will take place in the Seattle Center House on October 18 & 19. This year we are presenting our culture and the stories that lie within in the form of dance, music, costumes, movies, art displays, etc.

You played soccer, jumped rope, twirled the hula hoop, enjoyed the delicious Turkish meatball & pita bread and met other members of our community during our Summer Welcoming picnic back in June.

Don't miss the chance to have as much fun in our last picnic of the season. We invite you to celebrate the Victory Day with us at Lake Sammamish State Park on Sunday, August 31st. We will be located near Rotunda and Kitchen shelters. TACAWA will be selling Turkish meatball sandwiches, fruit and drinks during the picnic. Hope to see you all there!

HON. JEAN SCHMIDT of Ohio in The House of Representatives, Thursday, May 22, 2008

Mrs. SCHMIDT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate May 19 as a very significant day in the history of our dear friend the Republic of Turkey. In Turkey, May 19 is celebrated as the commemoration of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the Founder of the Republic of Turkey. It was May 19 in the year 1919 when Mustafa Kemal landed in the Black Sea port of Samsun and the war of independence began. Under his leadership less than a year later the Turkish Grand National Assembly was established and a few years later the Republic of Turkey was born a new nation.