Observing November 10
64th anniversary of the passing away of Turkey's great leader, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk

Dear ATAA Members and Friends:

November 10th marks the 64th anniversary of the passing away of Turkey's great leader, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.

Let us commemorate this day by remembering Atatürk's achievements and explain to our children and American friends the legacy of the founder of the Turkish Republic.

Today, as in the days of Atatürk, Turkey faces monumental challenges, as well as great opportunities. We believe that the Turkish nation needs the spirit of national unity - Kuvayi Milliye Ruhu - as much now as it did when it rose out of the ashes of a lost Empire.

Atatürk's revolution accelerated Turkey's development decades ahead of many of its contemporary counterparts. His reforms lifted Turkey to the level of the civilized world in terms of democratic and civil rights, particularly women's rights, and the value given to science and knowledge in social development.

The founding tenets of the Turkish Republic, sovereignty by the nation for the nation, secularism, a spirit of revolutionary change, equal opportunity and upward mobility for the people, and patriotism that places the common good ahead of individual greed, must be preserved and is many ways rediscovered today.

As ATAA we are fully committed to these principals and determined to follow his path in solidifying Turkey's place in the modern world.

We wish peace upon the beloved leader of the Turkish nation.