[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 76 (Wednesday, May 19, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E883]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING MR. HAKAN EVIN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ED WHITFIELD

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 19, 2010

  Mr. WHITFIELD. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Hakan 
Evin for all that he has done over the past 20 years to promote and 
foster U.S.-Turkish relations. Mr. Evin has used his role as an 
esteemed Turkish businessman to forge friendships with leaders, 
diplomats and everyday citizens from the United States, and around the 
world. Through these efforts he has become an `Ambassador of Goodwill' 
and has helped to strengthen the ties between Turkey and the United 
States.
  For nearly 2 decades Mr. Evin has run a successful carpet business at 
the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, one of the world's oldest and largest 
shopping centers. A third-generation shopkeeper, he learned about the 
art, culture and science of carpet making before joining the family 
business as an apprentice after high school. Now the owner of several 
shops in the Bazaar, Mr. Evin has built a reputation for excellence and 
established a loyal customer base which spans the globe.
  Mr. Evin has played host to countless heads of state, foreign 
dignitaries, business leaders, government officials and celebrities 
over the past 20 years including President George H. Bush and First 
Lady Barbara Bush, First Lady Laura Bush, President Bill Clinton and 
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and former President of the Soviet 
Union Mikhail Gorbachev. Still, he remains committed to providing 
outstanding service and top quality products to everyday patrons from 
around the world. Mr. Evin has made it a point throughout his career to 
reach out to foreigners living, working and traveling in Turkey, 
fostering positive feelings among the many individuals he has met 
towards the Nation.
  Additionally, Mr. Evin has brought the deep-rooted history and 
culture of Turkish rugs to the United States on numerous occasions. He 
frequently brings many of his rugs to the U.S. and a few years ago 
brought hundreds of rugs to Lexington, Kentucky. As the guest of L.V. 
Harkness and its owner Meg Jewett, Lexington became the site of a 
temporary Grand Bazaar.
  Mr. Evin's acumen as a businessman, integrity, honesty and genuine 
love for America and its people make it easy to be his friend. Thanks 
Hakan Evin.

                          ____________________