10 LC
94 1902
Senate
Resolution 919
By:
Senator Unterman of the 45th
A
RESOLUTION
Recognizing
and commending the Istanbul Center; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS,
the Istanbul Center is a unit of Global Spectrum Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit
organization with headquarters in Atlanta and a branch location in Norcross,
Georgia; and
WHEREAS,
the Istanbul Center personifies the City of Istanbul, a city with 12 to 14
million people of various backgrounds, languages, religions, and cultures that
live together in peace; and
WHEREAS,
the City of Istanbul represents civilization and peaceful coexistence, is
located in an area of the world that connects the continents of Europe and Asia,
and has historically experienced intermingling of many ethnic backgrounds,
communities, and cultures; and
WHEREAS,
the Istanbul Center provides learning opportunities for students in grades K-12
in a variety of subjects, including language, science, and art and sponsors
annual art and essay contests for middle and high school students in partnership
with the United Nations, the Georgia Department of Education, and many other
local and national organizations; and
WHEREAS,
the Istanbul Center sponsors a Youth Leadership program with Fulton County and
organizes seminars and lectures for adults through partnerships with colleges,
universities and other institutions; and
WHEREAS,
national and international leaders are invited monthly to the center's
critically acclaimed Distinguished Speaker Series, which showcases government
leaders, ambassadors, best-selling authors, CEO's, and civic leaders to educate
metro Atlanta communities on local, national, and international affairs;
and
WHEREAS,
the Istanbul Center has facilitated greater cultural understanding between the
Turkish people and the people of Georgia by providing opportunities for dialogue
with community leaders, many of whom are of different cultures and faith
backgrounds, as evidenced by the center's 2009 international conference,
"Alliance of Civilizations: Turkey at the Crossroads of Cultures," which
emphasized peaceful coexistence and dialogue between people of all races,
creeds, and cultures; and
WHEREAS,
the Instanbul Center sponsors a monthly Istanbul Dialogue Night, which provides
a relaxed social environment where members of different communities can develop
friendships and understanding; and
WHEREAS,
members of the center are devoted to improving the lives of others, assisting
the Istanbul Center with relief programs for victims of natural and other
disasters, organizing donations and food drive programs, and encouraging others
in the Turkish-American community to volunteer at the Atlanta Community Food
Bank and several area homeless shelters.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body recognize
the Istanbul Center for its assistance to the State of Georgia in promoting
better understanding and closer relationships among diverse communities and
commend the center's programs that focus on dialogue through education, culture,
and humanitarian works.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed
to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to the Istanbul Center.