Senate Concurrent Resolution 561

(As Adopted by Senate and House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND SALUTING THE TURQUOISE COUNCIL OF AMERICANS AND EURASIANS AND THE MISSISSIPPI-TURKISH HOSPITALITY LEADERSHIP NETWORK AND WELCOMING THE FOREIGN DIGNITARIES FROM AZERBAIJAN TO MISSISSIPPI.

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

WHEREAS, the Republic of Azerbaijan is a valued trading partner with the State of Mississippi, and makes significant contributions 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 Eurasia, fosters interfaith dialog between religions, and is committed to promoting positive relationships between American and Turkish, Azerbaijani and Eurasian people, regardless of their ethnic origin, religion and other preferences; and

WHEREAS, on February 21, 2012, there is a major "Turkey and Azerbaijan-Mississippi Business Forum" to facilitate commerce between Mississippi, Turkey, Azerbaijan and Eurasia and develop new partnerships between Turkish, Azerbaijani and Mississippi businessmen. The summit will consist of conferences, field trips, matchmakings and workshops. The Mississippi Development Authority, Mississippi Economic Council, World Trade Center and Greater Jackson Chamber of Commerce, and Turquoise Council of Americans and Eurasians will involve the activities as sponsors. The Turkey and Azerbaijan-Mississippi Business Forum is a major event that will be organized annually. This year's theme is "Trade-In Opportunities in Turkey, Azerbaijan and Mississippi." The summit is followed by a Turkey, Azerbaijan and Mississippi Friendship Reception; and

WHEREAS, the bipartisan Mississippi-Turkish Hospitality Leadership Network was created in 2010 for the purpose of providing legislators 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 Azerbaijan and other Turkic Nations:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby recognize and salute the Turquoise Council of Americans and Eurasions and the Mississippi-Turkish Hospitality Leadership Network and welcome the following foreign dignitaries from Azerbaijan to Mississippi on the occasion of the Business Summit and Friendship Reception on February 21, 2012: Sevinj Fataliyeva, Deputy Chairman of the Azerbaijani Parliament's Foreign and Inter-Parliamentary Relations Committee; Asim Mollazade, MP, Azerbaijan Parliament (Milli Mejlis), member of the International Affairs Commission of the Parliament; and Elin Suleymanov, Ambassador, Azerbaijan:

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Fatih Ozcan, Regional Vice President of the Mississippi Turquoise Council of Americans and Eurasians, the Institute of Interfaith Dialog, the Jackson Raindrop Turkish House, and made available to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.