[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 6]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 7647]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   COMMEMORATING MAY 19TH AS A HISTORIC DAY IN THE REPUBLIC OF TURKEY

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                            HON. STEVE COHEN

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 23, 2011

  Mr. COHEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring attention to a historic 
day in the Republic of Turkey. On May 19th, while Congress was in 
recess, the Republic of Turkey and Friends of Turkey commemorated the 
92d anniversary of the launching of Turkey's national campaign to 
establish an independent nation by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder 
of modern Turkey. Turkey also celebrates May 19th as the birthday of 
Ataturk.
  During his lifetime Ataturk was able to lift a country from the ashes 
of the Ottoman Empire and build a secular democratic nation located at 
the crossroads of Europe and the Middle East. His reforms were 
widespread including political, social, legal, educational, and 
economic. Some were monumental such as abolishing the caliphate and the 
sultan, recognizing equal rights for men and women, adopting a new 
alphabet and adopting secular law. Ataturk had a vision for the 
country, one of a pro-western secular and democratic state in which the 
rule of law would prevail. He swiftly but steadily advanced toward that 
goal with the confidence of a born leader and the support of the 
Turkish nation.
  Ataturk championed women's rights, and believed that education and 
scientific training was the key to advancement not only for the 
individual, but also for the country. During his tenure, women were 
encouraged to become doctors, lawyers, engineers, scientists, and enter 
into politics.
  The legacy of Ataturk is even more evident today, as the Arab Spring 
leads to dramatic changes in the Middle East and North Africa. There 
are lessons in Turkey's history which can be applied to the current 
situation around the world. With the right leadership and 
determination, democracy can take root and lay the foundations for a 
prosperous future in the region.

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