[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 9997-9998]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 CELEBRATION OF THE BIRTHDAY OF ATATURK

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. VIRGINIA FOXX

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 28, 2010

  Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, As co-chair of the Turkish Study Group in 
the House, I was invited to a celebration of the birthday of Ataturk, 
revered as the father of modern Turkey. At the event 16 year old Selin 
Odabas-Geldiay was asked to speak about the occasion. This very poised 
young woman gave extremely articulate and pertinent remarks which I 
felt were worthy of being shared with a much larger audience and am 
including them here.

 Remarks on the Occasion of Ataturk's Proclamation of Youth and Sports 
  Day in Turkey to Memorialize the Start of the War of Independence, 
  Selin Odabas-Geldiay, May 20, 2010, Home of Mirat and Hudai Yavalar

       It is a great honor for me to be here tonight and to speak 
     about our great leader Ataturk and the importance of May 
     19th. Ninety-one years ago yesterday, Ataturk took a very 
     dangerous trip from Istanbul to Samsun, a city on the Black 
     Sea. There he assumed command of the 9th Ottoman Army. This 
     was a turning point for Turks as it represented the beginning 
     of the Independence War. Because of the significance and the 
     importance of that day, Ataturk dedicated this day to the 
     Turkish youth as he had great confidence and trust in the 
     ability of the Turkish youth to protect and continue the 
     Turkish Republic he founded. I am one of those Turkish youth. 
     When Ataturk spoke of the youth, he was not only referring to 
     those young in age but also to those with open minds, ready 
     to embrace and conquer new challenges.
       For as long as I can remember, I have taken great pride in 
     my Turkish heritage. Whenever I meet someone new, I always 
     make a point of telling them that even though I was born in 
     the United States, which I love, my roots are from Turkey. 
     Even in my high school, if someone doesn't know me 
     personally, he or she will still know me as ``the Turkish 
     girl.'' I have taken on this identity as a result of my 
     upbringing and how my parents installed this pride in me by 
     example. Ever since I was little, I have watched my parents 
     say with joy, ``I live in the United States, but I'm 
     originally from Turkey.'' This phrase soon became my own as I 
     met new people. As I was growing

[[Page 9998]]

     up, I remember attending many birthday celebrations for 
     Ataturk at the home of our hosts Mirat and Hudai Yavalar 
     (since May 19th is also considered Ataturk's birthday) and I 
     thank them for also being good role models in teaching young 
     people about Ataturk. Those are the only birthday parties I 
     attended where the person whose birthday we are celebrating 
     is missing in person. But I realize that Ataturk continues to 
     live in our hearts and minds. How many leaders do you know 
     who evoke such strong feelings of love and devotion in 
     people's hearts 72 years after they are gone? Not too many, I 
     assure you.
       As a child I attended Turkish school every Sunday. We would 
     learn grammar, history, and music, but most of all we would 
     be learning about Ataturk. His leadership and bravery as a 
     military genius were always highlighted. His achievements as 
     a statesman are unmatched. I do not know of any other nation 
     that has gone through and embraced the kinds of reforms 
     Ataturk introduced in Turkey. Creating a secular republic, 
     giving women the right to vote and be elected, changing the 
     alphabet to Latin letters almost overnight, changing the way 
     people dress are just a few of the incredible reforms he 
     promoted and established in Turkey.
       As I mentioned earlier, May 19th is dedicated to young 
     people, not only to those who are young in age, but also 
     those who are young in mind, meaning open to learning new 
     ideas and new things. I am happy to be celebrating this 
     important day with all of you.
       Thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak with you 
     tonight.

                          ____________________