August 27, 1999
Mayor Calls on Citizens to Aid Quake Victims in Turkey
(Washington, D.C.) Mayor Anthony A. Williams today called on residents and businesses in the District of Columbia to support victims of the August 17th earthquake in Turkey that has left more than 13,000 people dead and hundreds of thousands without medicine, fresh water, and shelter.
"This is not a tragedy just for Turkey—it is a tragedy for our global village," said Mayor Williams. "A disaster like this reminds us of the frailty of our own existence—and that the world is a very small place. Today, I urge all residents of the District of Columbia to lend their prayers, and to lend their support to the people of Turkey."
To make a monetary contribution to the quake victims, Washingtonians can consult the list of organizations accepting donations maintained by InterAction online at www.interaction.org. Donations for are being collected locally by the Turkish Embassy. Anyone wishing to make a donation should make the check payable to "Turkish Embassy," with "Turkish Earthquake Relief" in the memo section of the check and send it to: Turkish Earthquake Relief, Turkish Embassy, 2525 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20008.
Joining the Mayor at the press conference were Ambassador Baki Ilken, Republic of Turkey; Sarah Peck, Executive Director of the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C.; Monsignor Dillard, St. Augustine's Church; Mr. Tolga Cubukcu, President, Assembly of Turkish American Associations; Ms. Gunes Karhasan, President, American Turkish Association of Washington, D.C.; Mr. George Perlman, Executive Vice President, American Turkish Council; Mr. Abdullah Akyuz, President, Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association; Mr. Metin Camcigil, President, Ataturk Society of America; Ms. Pinar Tunc, Washington Turkish Women's Association; Ms. Oya Bayin, Editor, ATA News; and Levent Yanik, President, Assembly of Turkish Student Associations.
