WASHINGTON – U.S. Representative Ed Whitfield (KY-01), co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on Turkey , is hosting a Turkish-born student this summer as an intern in his Washington , DC office.
“The ties that bind Turkey and the United States are strong and will continue to be strong as we combat threats to both our nations and work to bring stability to the Middle East ,” Whitfield said. “I have enjoyed having Yenal as a part of my Washington , DC office and look forward to continuing our discussions on the important relationship between Turkey and the United States .”
Yenal Kucuker, a second year graduate student at Binghamton University , is serving as an intern for Whitfield through the end of July. Kucuker, who received a Bachelor of Science from SUNY Geneseo in 2005, is currently studying geography of the Middle East in Binghamton . He has served as an interpreter and translator for four different organizations in New York and has completed an International Relations program in Moscow .
Kucuker comes to Whitfield’s office as part of the Turkish American Capitol Hill Summer Internship Program. The Turkish Coalition of America (TCA) and the U.S. Representative Office of the Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD-US) elected 10 young Turkish Americans to serve as interns in Congress this summer and Kucuker was selected as part of this exclusive group.
The program is designed as an opportunity for Turkish American students to live and work in Washington DC and become exposed to U.S. governmental bodies and policymaking processes. Through this program, TUSIAD-US and TCA intend to contribute to the preparation of future Turkish American political leaders and enhance the participation of the Turkish American community in American politics.
Whitfield has been an outspoken advocate for building a strong relationship with Turkey , a strategic ally in the Middle-East, and has worked to improve relations with the country through the Congressional Caucus on Turkey and the Congressional Study Group on Turkey . He welcomed the opportunity to host Kucuker for the summer to attend briefings, meetings and Congressional hearings on a variety of topics.
