[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 6 (Thursday, January 11, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E29-E30]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               APPRECIATING AMBASSADOR HASAN MURAT MERCAN

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOE WILSON

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 11, 2024

  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, as Co-Chair of the 
Congressional Caucus on U.S.-Turkiye Relations and Turkish Americans, I 
am grateful to recognize the Honorable Hasan Murat Mercan, Ambassador 
of Turkiye to the United States, for his past three years of service 
reinforcing Turkiye as a crucial NATO ally of America. This significant 
alliance is mutually beneficial for our nations, NATO membership with 
courageous troop participation in the Korean War in 1950, promotion of 
important fuel pipelines for European energy independence, facilitation 
of grain shipments to Egypt and Africa, restored economic relations 
with Armenia, to early crucial drone support of Ukraine, and Swedish 
admission to NATO.
  Prior to being appointed as Ambassador of Turkiye to the U.S., Mercan 
served as Ambassador to Tokyo, in Japan, Deputy Minister of Energy and 
Natural Resources, and Chairman of the Turkish Foreign Affairs 
Committee during the 23rd Term of the Turkish Parliament. Mercan also 
served as Chairman of the Turkish Delegation to the Parliamentary 
Assembly of the Council of Europe and the European Interparliamentary 
Defense and Security Assembly as well as the vice-president of the 
Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.
  Turkiye has been well represented with Ambassador Mercan and Mrs. 
Inci Mercan.
  A highlight of my service in Congress was in August of last year, 
when I presented a wreath on behalf of the American people at the 
Mostafa Kemel Ataturk Memorial at Antikabir in Ankara. I am grateful 
for my opportunity to coordinate with Ambassador Mercan in supporting 
the warmest relationship for Turkiye with their appreciated ally 
America and look forward to continuing that work with his successor.

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