OH-02 GOP Jean Schmidt: She Gives House Speech Praising May 19 National Holiday In Turkey; Turkish Lobby Gives $15,600

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- Is there a connection between campaign contributions and access to a Cincinnati-area Ohio congresswoman and the U.S. House of Representatives? The text of Republican Rep. Jean Schmidt's May 22 remarks about the celebration of a national holiday in Turkey, which she called a "very significant day," are as follows:

"SPEECH OF HON. JEAN SCHMIDT OF OHIO
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2008
Mrs. SCHMIDT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate May 19 as a very significant day in the history of our dear friend the Republic of Turkey. In Turkey, May 19 is celebrated as the commemoration of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the Founder of the Republic of Turkey.

It was May 19 in the year 1919 when Mustafa Kemal landed in the Black Sea port of Samsun and the war of independence began. Under his leadership less than a year later the Turkish Grand National Assembly was established and a few years later the Republic of Turkey was born a new nation. Ataturk had a vision for Turkey and he set about reforming her. His vision of a pro-western, secular, and democratic state under the rule of law quickly became reality.

President John F. Kennedy said, 'The name Ataturk reminds mankind of the historical accomplishments of one of the greatest men of this century. His leadership gave inspiration to the Turkish nation, farsightedness in the understanding of the modern world, and courage and power as a military leader.'

It was in 1934 that Ataturk demonstrated his commitment to the rights of women by giving them full political rights. He understood that a country can only flourish when it's people are truly free. My hero, General Douglas MacArthur described Ataturk better than most could ever attempt. 'He was a soldier-statesman, one of the greatest leaders of our era. He ensured that Turkey got its rightful place among the most advanced nations of the world.' May 19 is a very important day when it all began. On this day a great leader began his journey, a vision became reality and a great nation was born. We should all learn a lesson from this man's life. A leader with a vision coupled with determination can lay the roots for a great future. Turkey's neighbors who today wrestle with their own beginnings should take note."

If you follow this link from Matt Hurley's Weapons of Mass Discussion blog you will see Schmidt's latest report of campaign contributions filed with the Federal Elections Commission. Hurley says of the OH-02 Republican, "Schmidt has done a pretty good job of fundraising in what has been a difficult climate." The data in the Federal Election Commission report reveals these contributions from the Turkish lobby:

"Turkish American Heritage PAC613 Rancho Bauer Dr. Houston, Texas 770796821
06/11/2008
1500.00
2500.00
Receipt
Turkish Coalition USA-PAC1025 Connecticut Ave. NW Ste 1000 Washington, DC 20036
06/11/2008
1500.00
5700.00
Receipt
Turkish Coalition USA-PAC1025 Connecticut Ave. NW Ste 1000 Washington, DC 20036
06/22/2008
1700.00
7400.00
Receipt"

Schmidt is getting praise from Turkish groups for her speech. And there is this in the Turkish Daily News, and this in the Turkish Journal. Census data from 2000 (the most recent count)shows there are 3,159 Ohioans of Turkish ancestry in the entire state. There were 136,498 Turkish-Americans in the U.S. Meanwhile, Ohio was preparing to honor Lima Company on May 23. Lima Company included U.S. Marines from the state who died in Iraq.

OH-02 GOP Jean Schmidt: Turkish PAC Sends Her $1,000 Three Days Before Invasion

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- Republican U.S. Rep. Jean Schmidt's Federal Election Commission report shows she got a $1,000 contribution from the Turkish American Heritage PAC in Houston, Tex., earlier this week. The PAC has sponsored rallies and published material on its Web site that contends the Iraq-based Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK, is a terrorist organization. Schmidt, who faces a GOP primary March 4 in OH-02, accepted the PAC donation three days before Turkish troops crossed the border into Iraq and began ground operations against the Kurds.

Both the U.S. and European Union consider the PKK a terrorist organization. But Washington and Europe also worry that Turkey's incursion could escalate into a wider conflict in northern Iraq. The Kurds operate a stable semi-autonomous region in Iraq that is closely allied with the Americans.

The Associated Press reported today that "it is the first conformed ground operation by the Turkish military into Iraq since the U.S.-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein. It also raised concerns that it would trigger a wider conflict with the U.S.-backed Iraqi Kurds, despite assurances that its only target was the Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK."

The Turkish PAC that made the donation to Scmidt says the PKK "has been engaging in terrorist activities for more than 25 years now, and the war between the Turkish Army and the Kurdish terrorists still goes on; thanks to the support the PKK receives from numerous European and Middle Eastern countries; Denmark, Greece and Belgium to name just a few."