House Resolution 45

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE REPUBLIC OF TURKEY AND THE TURQUOISE COUNCIL OF AMERICANS AND EURASIANS, INCLUDING THE VALUE OF MISSISSIPPI'S POSITIVE RELATIONSHIP WITH THEM, AND RECOGNIZING THE MISSISSIPPI-TURKISH HOSPITALITY LEADERSHIP NETWORK.

WHEREAS, the Republic of Turkey and the United States of America are long-standing allies, both cherishing the universal values of freedom, democracy and human rights; and

WHEREAS, in its alliances with the United States, the democratic nation of Turkey has demonstrated its commitment to world peace and liberty, as well as its tolerance of others in both secular and religious venues; and

WHEREAS, the Republic of Turkey is the world's fifteenth largest economy and Europe's sixth largest economy, is a valued trading partner with the State of Mississippi, and makes a significant contribution to the global economy; and

WHEREAS, the Turquoise Council of Americans and Eurasians (TCAE) is an independent nonprofit organization that facilitates the mutually beneficial economic relationship between Mississippi and Turkey, fosters interfaith dialog between religions, and is committed to promoting positive relationships between American and Turkish, Turkic and Eurasian people, regardless of their ethnic origin, religion and other preferences; and

WHEREAS, the TCAE has been instrumental in creating a spirit of mutual understanding and cooperation that encourages productive global exchange, and it is deserving of recognition for its efforts to promote cultural, educational and business relations among the peoples of the United States and Turkey; and

WHEREAS, the TCAE pursues its goals through a variety of events and programs, including its annual Congressional Friendship Dinner in Washington, D.C., sister city pacts between American and Turkish cities, town hall meetings, and its annual Turkish-Mississippian Friendship Reception in Jackson, Mississippi, which will be held on March 2, 2011; and

WHEREAS, the bipartisan Mississippi-Turkish Hospitality Leadership Network was created in 2010, with Representatives Hank Zuber and Dirk Dedeaux serving as the initial network coordinators, for the purpose of providing House members with the opportunity to strengthen Mississippi-Turkish relations, address issues that concern Turkish Americans in Mississippi, promote the cultural, educational, academic, political and economic relations between Mississippians and the Turkish people and coordinate hospitality and educational events and exchanges with the TCAE, the Institute of Interfaith Dialog and the Jackson Raindrop Turkish House; and

WHEREAS, the State of Mississippi is known as the Hospitality State, and it is our custom to welcome all who come to our state, especially those who come in the interest of friendship and commerce, and it benefits our state to further cultivate the good relationship between Mississippi and the Republic of Turkey and other Turkic Nations; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize the contributions of our allies and the value of maintaining beneficial relationships with them:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby recognize the Republic of Turkey for its contributions, the Turquoise Council of Americans and Eurasians for its efforts to promote intercultural understanding and goodwill, and the Mississippi-Turkish Hospitality Leadership Network for its cooperation with the TCAE, and extend best wishes for a successful and memorable Turkish-Mississippian Friendship Reception and Awards Dinner on March 2, 2011, in Jackson, Mississippi.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the Turquoise Council of Americans and Eurasians, the Institute of Interfaith Dialog, the Jackson Raindrop Turkish House and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.