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A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION
21-41
IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
April 14, 2015
To declare April 23, 2015, as “Turkish National Sovereignty and Children’s Day” in the District of Columbia.
WHEREAS, on April 23, over half a million Turkish-Americans celebrate the Turkish National Sovereignty and Children’s Day;
WHEREAS, on this day 95 years ago, the Grand National Assembly of Turkey was established, realizing the aspirations of the Turkish people for freedom, justice, and peace, leading to the 1923 founding of the Turkish Republic under the guidance of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk;
WHEREAS, marked as Turkish National Day since 1921, April 23 has also been celebrated as Children’s Day since 1927, signifying the role of future generations in realization of the Turkish dream for peace, progress, and prosperity;
WHEREAS, within less than a century of immigration, Turkish-Americans have left a unique imprint on a diverse cultural spectrum of our nation, and contributed to the District’s and America’s advancement in the fields of business, science, medicine, technology, and arts, including Ahmet Ertegün, the son of the Turkish ambassador to the United States who, inspired by performances from Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, Louis Armstrong, and other musicians in the District, went on to found Atlantic Records; and
WHEREAS, the District has a unique relationship with Turkey, sharing a Sister City relationship with Ankara, the capital of Turkey, and is home to a yearly Turkish Festival on Pennsylvania Avenue, showcasing Turkish culture, arts, cuisine, fashion, and connections with the District and American people.
IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, that the Council of the District of Columbia recognizes the contributions Turkish-Americans have made to the District of Columbia and the United States of America and declares April 23, 2015, as “Turkish National Sovereignty and Children’s Day” in the District of Columbia.
Sec. 2. This resolution may be cited as the “Turkish National Sovereignty and Children’s Day Recognition Resolution of 2015”.
Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon the first date of publication in the District of Columbia Register.
