Gul attends May 19 reception in Chicago

President Abdullah Gul participated in the reception in Chicago, which was hosted by Turkish Ambassador to Washington Namik Tan on the occasion of the May 19th Commemoration of Ataturk, Youth and Sports Day.  Revealing his happiness to be with Turkish and Turkish-American citizens as well as Turkish relative communities, Gul reiterated the importance of the festival in and also remembered Ataturk, who has initiated the Independence War in the northern province of Samsun, his comrades in arms and all martyrs with gratitude and respect. Gul also addressed the Turkish-American citizens, referring to the saying, ‘United we stand divided we fall' and said they represent Turkey in the country. "You must realize how much Turkey has progressed and changed for the better in recent years. As you represent our country here with your successes in the business world, sports or the cultural life, you serve your homeland as well indeed," Gul added. Accompanying President Gul on his visit to the US on the occasion of the NATO Summit in Chicago, First Lady Hayrunnisa Gul participated in the program hosted by US First Lady Michelle Obama at the Gary Comer Youth Center. At the end of the program, First Lady Hayrunnisa Gul and her counterparts had a luncheon hosted by Mrs. Obama.