
TurkishPAC is organizing a fundraiser for Congresswoman Jean Schmidt in Houston, on June 20th, from 3:00PM to 5:00PM at the Pasha Restaurant. Jean Schmidt, who is the co-chairperson of the Congressional Turkish Caucus, has been working diligently getting our voice heard and supporting the Turkish causes. During the last election period, since she did not agree with and fought against the Armenian "Genocide" claims in the Congress, slander campaigns were carried out against her by her competitor, Ohio candidate David Krikorian. Jean Schmidt won the election and, with our support, sued David Krikorian for making false claims and insulting her and she urgently needs our financial support.
On this day, in 1981, an Armenian gunman assassinates Turkish Consulate Secretary, Mehmet Savas Yerguz, in Geneva, Switzerland, as he is leaving his office. Swiss authorities apprehend Mardiros Jamgotchian. Armenian Secret Army for the Liberation of Armenia (ASALA) claims responsibility for the assassination.
Sacramento, CA - National and grassroots Turkish American associations joined power to defeat California Assembly Bill 961, a proposed law that sought to punish companies who did business in the Ottoman Empire or do who business in Turkey today. The bill was introduced by Armenian Assemblyman Paul Krikorian and supported by nationalists Armenian groups. On the front line were activists from ATAA component organizations, the Turkish American Association of California (TAACA) and the Association of Turkish Americans of S. California (ATASC). Ergun Kirlikovali and Karahan Mete lead over 25 local Turkish Americans to provide statements at the public hearings of the Business and Professions and Judiciary Committees. An elderly Turkish American woman placed roses on the podium for each of her family members who were massacred during the Armenian Revolt (1885-1921), that caused the deaths and displacement of over 600,000 Muslims and Jews in Eastern Anatolia.
On this day, in 1982, an Armenian gunman assassinated Turkish Honorary Consul Orhan Gündüz in Somerville, Massachusetts, while he waits in his automobile in rush-hour traffic. The gunman escapes. JCAG claims responsibility.