MAY 7-MAY 13, 2019
THO NEWS
THO PRESIDENT ALI CINAR 2019 ELLIS ISLAND MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENT



THO President Ali Cinar met with many of the distinguished guests at the ceremony including Turkish-American Coca Cola Chairman of the Board of Directors Muhtar Kent.
Turkish Heritage Organization President Ali Cinar was awarded the Ellis Island Medal of Honor and was the youngest Turkish America to receive this distinction in over 30 years. The Ellis Island Medal of Honor is an American award founded by the Ellis Island Honors Society (EIHS) which are presented annually to American citizens whose accomplishments in their field and inspired service to the U.S. are cause for celebration.
THO UPCOMING EVENTS
UPCOMING: AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY IN THE MIDDLE EAST
Join THO on Wednesday May 22 as we host three distinguished experts to discuss U.S. Foreign Policy. We'll be joined by: Charles Kupchan, Professor of International Affairs at Georgetown University and former White House Official; Stephen Walt, Professor of International Affairs at Harvard Kennedy School of Government; and Ozgur Ozdamar, Visiting Fulbright Scholar at SAIS, Johns Hopkins University. This panel will be moderated by THO Nonresident Senior Fellow, Ipek Ariogul.
SAVE THE DATE: THO EVENT WITH RETIRED GENERAL OF US ARMY WESLEY CLARK AND ALTINBAS UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT CAGRI ERHAN
Stay tuned for more details as THO hosts General Wesley Clark and President Cargi Erhan on May 29, 2019. Stay tuned for more details, but in the meantime you can register to attend below.
THO OUTREACH
THO Congressional Outreach continued as THO President Ali Cinar met last week with Congressman Donald Payne.
THO Senior Fellow Ipek Ariogul connected with Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon.
THO President Ali Cinar met with Bahcesehri University MBA Students who are visiting the U.S.
Media Outreach also continued as THO President Ali Cinar was interviewed on CNNTurk, EkoTurk and TRT.
THO RECENT EVENTS
The Turkish Heritage Organization hosted a recent event with Turkish Admiral Cem Gurdeniz on the topic of Maritime Geopolitics at the National Press Club. To read more of the event and see his presentation click here .
U.S.-TURKEY NEWS
Three Turkish Americans Receive Ellis Island Medals of Honor

"Yesterday evening, the Ellis Island Honors Society (EIHS) hosted the 34th annual Ellis Island Medals of Honor Ceremony on Ellis Island, where ninety-four medalists were recognized for their leadership and service within their communities and professions while exemplifying the values of the American way of life. Three Turkish Americans got awarded as well. Former CEO of Coca Cola, Ali Cinar, President of Turkish Heritage Organization and Sinan Kanatsız, CEO of KCOMM."




Turkish-American Ellis Island Medal of Honor Award Winners



1




"I am honored to receive this prestigious U.S. award. It is a great honor both for me and for the Turkish-American community," said THO President Çınar, the youngest of the Turkish award recipients in 34 years."




SECURITY
NATO Secretary General Meets With U.S. Secretary of State

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo gathered to discuss a variety of security issues inlcuding Iran.





Turkish Forces Committed to Protect Nation: Defense Minister
Turkey's Defense Minister reiterated the commitment of the country's armed forces to protect the sovereignty, independence, rights and law of the nation.  

Pentagon Seeking Potential Replacements for Turkish F-35 Parts

The Defense Department is seeking alternate suppliers for parts of the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter currently provided by Turkish companies, as Turkey’s pursuit of a Russian air defense system threatens its continued participation in the jet program.

ECONOMY
David Meale Assumed Role of Deputy Assistant Secretary for Trade Policy and Negotiations, U.S. Department of State
Turkish Airlines Sells 4 Million Tickets on Mobile App
Turkey's national flag carrier Turkish Airlines sold over 4 million tickets through its mobile application in 2018, a statement released by the company said Monday.

EDUCATION




Hubert H. Humphrey Scholarship Program Application period opened, Deadline: 17 July 2019


For details, you can visit the website of the Fulbright Education Commission of Turkey or the link below!



Turkish University Opens Blockchain Center at Boston's Northeastern University
Turkish  Bahçeşehir University (BAU) has reportedly opened a  blockchain center at Boston's Northeastern University (NEU) to provide informational support on blockchain technology, Daily Sabah  reports  on May 7.

WHAT WE ARE READING
THIS WEEK'S FEATURED EVENTS AND INDIVIDUALS
THIS WEEK ON TWITTER
TURKISH-AMERICAN SUCCESS STORIES
Melih Abdulhayoglu, Founder, CEO of Comodo Internet Security
Melih Abdulhayoglu's Comodo, which he founded in 1998 in the U.K., produces digital security products, notably SSL certificates for websites.

Dr. Mehmet Toner, The Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences & Technology 
Dr. Toner is a Helen Andrus Benedict Professor, Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK