A Guide to the Gulen Movement's Activities in the US
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Winning over Texas politicians


January 11, 2011   last updated August 3, 2012

by C.A.S.I.L.I.P.S. - Citizens Against Special Interest Lobbying in Public Schools


Political contributions from Gulenists to Texas politicians
(this list is not comprehensive)

Contributor Employer Recipient Amount Date
Ahmadov, Ismayil Cosmos Foundation Allen, Alma A. 2000.00 04/05/2012
Ahmadov, Ismayil Azerbajani American Cultural Alliance Eissler, W. Robert 2000.00 05/23/2012
Ahmadov, Ismayil Azerbajani American Cultural Alliance Eissler, W. Robert 2000.00 05/23/2012
Ak, Akin Cosmos Foundation Allen, Alma A. 500.00 04/19/2012
Ak, Akin Cosmos Foundation/Finance Director Gene Green Congressional Campaign 500.00 06/01/2010
Ak, Akin Cosmos Accountant National Republican Congressional Committee 1000.00 10/14/2009
Aksoy, Kudbettin -- Al Green for Congress 1000.00 10/12/2010
Akyildiz, Ebru Self Employed/Business owner Lee, Sheila Jackson 1200.00 11/01/2010
Akyildiz, Ebru -- Al Green for Congress 1000.00 10/12/2010
Akyildiz, Ebru Self Employed/Business owner Lee, Sheila Jackson 1000.00 03/01/2010
Akyildiz, Ebru Self Employed/Business owner Lee, Sheila Jackson 2400.00 08/28/2011
Akyildiz, Yalcin & Ebru Harmony Schools Turner, Sylvester 1250.00 01/21/2012
Akyildiz, Yalcin -- Turner, Sylvester 1000.00 09/30/2011
Akyildiz, Yalcin Harmony Public Schools House Democratic Campaign Committee 500.00 10/26/2011
Akyildiz, Yalcin Cosmos Foundation Allen, Alma A. 500.00 04/19/2012
Akyildiz, Yalcin Harmony Schools/Finance Manager Lee, Sheila Jackson 1200.00 11/01/2010
Akyildiz, Yalcin Harmony Public Charter Schools/Supe The Reyes Committee, Inc 500.00 10/22/2010
Akyildiz, Yalcin Cosmos Foundation, Inc./Assistant Bill White for Texas 750.00 06/29/2009
Akyildiz, Yalcin Harmony Schools/Finance Manager Lee, Sheila Jackson 2500.00 11/14/2011
Akyildiz, Yalcin Harmony Schools/Finance Manager Lee, Sheila Jackson 2400.00 08/28/2011
Akyildiz, Yalcin Harmony Public School District/Educ Poe for Congress 2000.00 03/31/2011
Almus, Kadir -- Al Green for Congress 1000.00 10/12/2010
Almus, Kadir Harmony School for Excellence Principal Bill White for Texas 750.00 06/29/2009
Altinisik, Yakup Self Employed/Real Estate Broker Olson for Congress Committee 250.00 11/21/2009
Amirov, Gara Self Allen, Alma A. 1000.00 04/05/2012
Arslan, Guner -- Elliott Naishtat 100.00 11/25/2011
Arslan, Guner -- Elliott Naishtat 300.00 10/11/2010
Arslan, Guner -- Elliott Naishtat 60.00 10/28/2009
Arslan, Guner -- Elliott Naishtat 400.00 10/27/2006
Aslandogan, Yuksel North American College Ellis, Rodney G. 1000.00 10/12/2011
Ay, Fatih Cosmos Foundation/Director Pete Sessions for Congress 1300.00 10/21/2010
Caglar, Erdal Cosmos Foundation Allen, Alma A. 500.00 04/19/2012
Caglar, Erdal -- Bradley, J. David 1200.00 05/25/2012
Cakan, Erkan Cosmos Foundation IT Gene Green Congressional Campaign 500.00 06/01/2010
Celebi, Mursel Harmony Schools Turner, Sylvester 500.00 01/20/2012
Celepcikay, Oner Ulvi Univ. of Houston Computer Science Silvestre Reyes 500.00 10/22/2010
Celepcikay, Oner Cosmos Foundation Texans for Rick Perry 1500.00 09/22/2010
Celepcikay, Oner Cosmos Foundation Texans for Rick Perry 1500.00 09/22/2010
Celepcikay, Oner Ulvi Univ. of Houston Computer Science Poe for Congress 300.00 02/15/2010
Celepcikay, Oner Univ. of Houston Computer Science Gene Green Congressional Campaign 500.00 01/16/2009
Celepcikay, Oner Ulvi Univ. of Houston Computer Science Poe for Congress 300.00 12/31/2007
Celepcikay, Berna -- Culberson for Congress 200.00 03/28/2008
Celepcikay, Oner -- Culberson for Congress 200.00 03/28/2008
Cetinkaya, Coskun SharePoint Architect/Director Poe for Congress 300.00 2/15/2010
Cetinkaya, Coskun Texas Gulf Foundation/Executive Dir Olson for Congress Commmittee 250.00 11/21/2009
Dogan, Bulent School of Science and Technology Diaz, Maria 500.00 03/01/2010
Dogan, Mehmet Cosmos Foundation Allen, Alma A. 500.00 04/19/2012
Dogan, Yunus Atlas Texas Construction Culberson for Congress 500.00 03/28/2008
Dogan, Yunus -- Poe for Congress 1000.00 12/31/2007
Ekren, Metin Harmony School of Excellence/Principal Gene Green Congressional Campaign 800.00 06/01/2010
Erenkol, Ali Harmony School of Excellence Poe for Congress 500.00 02/15/2010
Gure, Ilker Cosmos Foundation Asst. Superintendent Lampson for Congress 500.00 10/21/2008
Gure, Ilker NASA engineer Poe for Congress 500.00 12/31/2007
Gure, Mr. and Mrs. Ilker NASA engineer Culberson for Congress 375.00 03/28/2008
Guvercin, Mustafa -- Howard, Donna S. 450.00 08/14/2008
Kocaeli, Fatih Harmony School of Excellence/Teacher Gene Green Congressional Campaign 500.00 06/01/2010
Namver, Mark Cosmos Foundation Director Gene Green Congressional Campaign 500.00 06/01/2010
Namver, Mark School of Science and Technology Bill White for Texas 750.00 06/29/2010
Okumus, Mehmet -- Allen, Alma A. 100.00 07/23/2010
Okumus, Mehmet Raindrop Turkish House Allen, Alma A. 2000.00 04/05/2012
Okumus, Mehmet -- Friends of Susan Combs 250.00 11/04/2011
Okumus, Mehmet -- Poe for Congress 300.00 02/15/2010
Okumus, Mehmet -- Olson for Congress Committee 250.00 11/21/2009
Okumus, Senol -- Friends of Susan Combs 250.00 11/04/2011
Oksuz, Kemal Turquoise Council/President Olson for Congress Committee 1000.00 12/21/2011
Oksuz, Kemal Turquoise Council/President Olson for Congress Committee 1000.00 12/21/2011
Oksuz, Mr. Kemal TDM Construction/Partner rickperry.org 2500.00 12/08/2011
Oksuz, Sevgi Homemaker/Homemaker Olson for Congress Committee 331.00 12/12/2011
Oksuz, Sevgi Homemaker/Homemaker Olson for Congress Committee 500.00 12/12/2011
Oksuz, Mrs. Sevgi -- rickperry.org 2500.00 12/08/2011
Ozer, Ozgur Texas Gulf Institute Texans for Rick Perry 2000.00 09/22/2010
Ozer, Ozgur Texas Gulf Institute Texans for Rick Perry 2000.00 09/22/2010
Ozer, Ozgur Harmony Science Academy Superintend. Poe for Congress 300.00 02/15/2010
Ozer, Ozgur -- Culberson for Congress 500.00 03/28/2010
Pecen, Fatma Cosmo Foundation/Finance & Grant Ma Sheila Jackson Lee 1500.00 11/01/2010
Pecen, Umit Cosmo Foundation/CFO Sheila Jackson Lee 1500.00 11/01/2010
Pecen, Umit Cosmos Foundation CFO Gene Green Congressional Campaign 700.00 06/01/2010
Pecen, Umit -- Al Green for Congress 1000.00 10/12/2010
Polat, Irfan Cosmos Foundation Allen, Alma A. 500.00 04/19/2012
Sel, Ibrahim JP Morgan Chase & Co./Administrator Elizabeth Ames Jones for Texas, Inc 500.00 09/30/2010
Sel, Mr. and Mrs. Ibrahim JP Morgan Chase & Co Culberson for Congress 750.00 03/28/2008
Sel, Ibrahim JP Morgan Chase & Co./Administrator Eddie Bernice Johnson for Congress 300.00 05/08/2007
Sumer, Ibrahim University of Houston/Lecturer Olson for Congress Committee 250.00 11/21/2009
Tamer, Bugra Helix Design and Production VP Olson for Congress 250.00 11/21/2009
Tamer, Bugra ALB/Blair Architects Culberson for Congress 375.00 03/28/2008
Tamer, Bugra ConRail/Manager Eddie Bernice Johnson for Congress 300.00 10/30/2006
Tarim, Cheryl University of Houston/lecturer Lee, Sheila Jackson (D) 1750.00 11/01/2010
Tarim, Cheryl Cosmos Foundation Allen, Alma A. 500.00 04/19/2012
Tarim, Cheryl Harmony Public School District/Education Poe for Congress ® 1500.00 03/31/2011
Tarim, Soner Harmony Schools Turner, Sylvester 500.00 01/21/2012
Tarim, Soner Cormes [sic] Foundation (misspelling of Cosmos Foundation) Texans for Rick Perry 5000.00 10/13/2010
Tarim, Soner Cosmos Foundation Inc Superintendent Olson for Congress 250.00 11/21/2009
Tarim, Soner Cosmos Foundation/Administrator Lee, Sheila Jackson (D) 1750 11/01/2010
Tarim, Soner -- Green, Alexander (D) 500.00 10/12/2010
Tarim, Soner Cormes Foundation/Superintendent [sic] Conaway, Michael ® 500.00 09/21/2010
Tarim, Soner Harmony Public Schools/Superintende White, Bill (D) 500.00 06/29/2009
Tarim, Soner Metro/Administrative Johnson, Eddie Bernice (D) 400.00 05/08/2007
Tiryakioglu, Yasar Helix Production and Design owner Lampson for Congress 500.00 10/21/2008
Tiryakioglu, Yasar Raindrop Turkevi President Poe for Congress 500.00 12/31/2007
Tosun, Ali Self Employed/Retail Business Owner Lee, Sheila Jackson 1000.00 03/02/2010
Tosun, Ali Onder Yalin/Manager Bill White for Texas 1750.00 06/29/2009
Ulusal, Elif Self Employed/Industrial Engineer Lee, Sheila Jackson (D) 1500.00 11/01/2010
Ulusal, Levent Solidarity Contracting/company pres Lee, Sheila Jackson (D) 1500 11/01/2010
Ulusal, Levent Solidarity Contracting/company pres Lee, Sheila Jackson (D) 2000 08/28/2011
Yavuz, Muhammet Cosmos Foundation Allen, Alma A. 500 04/19/2012
Yildirim, Gulsah -- Bolton, Valinda A. 50.00 10/22/2008
Yildirim, Yetkin University of Texas Austin Doggett for Congress 750.00 10/15/2010
Yildirim, Yetkin -- Howard, Donna S. 125.00 05/01/2010
Yildirim, Yetkin The Institute of Interfaith Dialog Bolton, Valinda A. 500.00 09/23/2010
Yildirim, Yetkin University of Texas/Faculty Pete Gallego 500.00 09/26/2011
Yildirim, Yetkin -- Howard, Donna S. 100.00 09/30/2010
Yildirim, Yetkin -- Naishtat, Elliott 300.00 10/11/2010
Yildirim, Yetkin -- Naishtat, Elliott 400.00 10/27/2006
Yuksel, Ekrem [sic] Harmony School of Excellence Financ. Gene Green Congressional Campaign 500.00 06/01/2010
Yuksel, Kerim Microcosm Services and Solutions/Co Rickperry.org Inc 1000.00 12/14/2011
Yuksel, Kerim ABT, Inc. Manager Eddie Bernice Johnson for Congress 1000.00 10/29/2010
Yuksel, Kerim Macrocosm. Management Pete Sessions for Congress 1100.00 10/21/2010
Yuksel, Zekeriya Harmony Science Academy House Democratic Campaign Committee 500.00 07/02/2010
Zirih, John Fatih Self employed/Realtor Pete Gallego 500.00 9/26/2011
Zirih, Fatih MRC Building Solutions, LLC Lloyd Doggett 800.00 10/15/2010
Zirih, Fatih Turquoise Council/Realtor Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee 1000.00 09/19/2009


Gulenist Turkey trips of Texas politicians and their staff

The Institute of Interfaith Dialog (I.I.D.), Turquoise Council of Americans and Eurasians (TCAE), and the Raindrop Turkish House (a.k.a. Rain Drop Foundation) are the main sponsors.  This list is just a sampling and is not comprehensive.
  • Alma Allen, State Representative
  • Eliott Naishtat, State Representative
  • Valinda Bolton, State Representative, June 2008 (I.I.D.)
  • Donna Howard, State Representative, June 2008 (I.I.D.)
  • Troy Fraser, State Senator, Oct 2010 (TCAE)
  • Leticia van de Putte, State Senator, Aug 2010 (Rain Drop Foundation)
  • Associate Judge Andy Hathcock  (Valinda Bolton's husband), June 2008 (I.I.D.)
  • Travis County Constable Bruce Elfant and his wife, Lisa Harris, June 2008 (I.I.D.)
  • David Wallace, former Mayor of Sugarland, Texas
  • Victoria Anne Palmer, Staff of Congressman John Carter, summer 2010  (TCAE)
  • Mark Ramon Williams, Staff of Congressman Sam Johnson, summer 2009  (I.I.D.)
  • Christopher Roper Schell, Staff of Congressman Ralph Hall, summer 2009 (I.I.D.)
  • Paul N. Balzano, Staff of Congressman Mike Conaway, summer 2009 (I.I.D.)
  • Christopher William “Chris” Alsup, Staff of Congressman John Carter, summer 2009 (I.I.D.)
  • Scott C. Graves, Staff of Congressman Mike Conaway, summer 2009 (I.I.D.)
  • Lindsey Ray, Staff of Congressman Sam Johnson, summer 2009 (I.I.D.)
  • Ryan D. Stalnaker, Staff of Congressman John Carter, summer 2009 (I.I.D.)
  • Will Wynn, Mayor of Austin, August 2006 (I.I.D.)



Gulenist events involving Texas politicians

In Today’s Zaman, Sep 30, 2010, Saim Orhan, who is affiliated with Samanyolu, a major Gulenist media outlet in Turkey, wrote about his trip to Austin:  “Our first stop was the Texas State Capitol, where we dropped in to meet some state representatives. We spoke with state representatives Donna Howard and Eliott Naishtat, both of whom knew a little about Turkey. Howard told us she had a chance to learn about the teachings of Fethullah Gulen, while Naishtat shared stories of his tour through Anatolia on a visit to Turkey and how impressed he was by both the land and the people.  //  Naishtat recalled his memorable trip through Turkey organized by the Raindrop Foundation and the Institute of Interfaith Dialogue. State representatives from Oklahoma were also in the party with them.” 
________

From the website of the Turquoise Council of Americans and Eurasians: “Turkish Delegation meets with Texas state officials.”  In attendance were:
  • State Comptroller Susan Combs
  • Commissioner of Education Robert Scott
  • Austin Mayor Lee Leffinwell
  • Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson
________

Congressman Louie Gohmert attended the Grand Opening Gala of the Turkic American Alliance (formerly ATAF), Washington DC, May 12, 2010, celebrating the inauguration of an umbrella organization with 180 member organizations, all linked to Fethullah Gulen.
________

US Congressman Honorable Louie Gohmert attended a lunch at the Raindrop Turkish House, Houston, Feb 28, 2008 organized by Raindrop Turkish House, The Institute of Interfaith Dialog (IID), The Institute of International Commerce and Partnership (IICP), Texas Gulf Institute (TGI), all Gulenist organizations.
________
 
Attending the 5th Annual Friendship and Dialogue Dinner of the El Paso chapter of the Institute of Interfaith Dialog (IID) Nov 27, 2010:
  • El Paso Mayor John Cook
  • El Paso Senator Eliot Shapleigh  ("received Institute of Interfaith Dialog Community Service award after serving 14 years in Texas State Senate")
  • Senator-Elect Jose Rodriguez
  • El Paso County Judge-Elect Veronica Escobar
  • Texas State Representatives Chente Quintanilla and Marisa Marquez
  • El Paso City Representatives
  • County Commissioners
  • Dictrict Judges
  • (The Institute of Interfaith Dialog  website says that "many other valuable guests participated the dinner."  The use of the word "valuable" in this statement is quite revealing.)
________

Attending the Institute of Interfaith Dialog's 8th Dallas Annual Friendship and Dialog Dinner, November 29, 2010:
  • Dr. John Harper, Mayor of City of Rowlett
  • Dwaine Caraway, Mayor Pro Tem at City of Dallas

The above list is only a sampling.


Return on investment

Below are just a few examples of the return on investment that Gulenists have received from Texas politicians:

Rep. Alma Allen's enthusiastic public support for Harmony Public Schools

As reported on the website of the Houston Chronicle in February 2012:
"Rep. Alma Allen, D-Houston, says she has 'a large Turkish community in my district and several Harmony schools in my district. I think they are fabulous....'  ....  Allen told Gerstenschlager she should 'underscore ‘stellar,’' [referring to the Harmony schools] and said she has visited Turkey twice..... And Allen, the Houston lawmaker, got in the last word during the public hearing. 'I am just dumbfounded,' she said. 'Of all the cultures.. I don’t know why we single out Turkey. I think the Turkish culture is wonderful. I hope they open up more schools.'"

State resolution 85 commending Fethullah Gulen

On January 25, 2011, the Texas Senate passed SR 85, a resolution "commending Fethullah Gulen for his contributions to the promotion of global peace."  While most Texans pay scant attention to such ceremonial gestures and would probably prefer that their elected representatives attend to more substantive matters, this resolution was treated as major news by all Gulenist media outlets.  For example, Today's Zaman ran a story on it.

The authors of the resolution, according to this Texas State Senate webpage, were Eddie Lucio Jr, Troy Fraser, Joan Huffman, Jane Nelson and Leticia van de Putte.  Notice how at least two of these individuals had been on a Gulenist Turkey trip (see above).


Houston Proclamation declaring "Gulen Institute - Dialog of Civilizations Day"

From the website of the Azerbaijanian American Cultural Alliance (a Gulenist organization), referring to a Jan 2010 event called "Dialog of Civilizations Platform":

"The honorary guest of the program was Congressman Al Green. He stated the Gulen Movement is a peace movement and the aid campaign of the Raindrop Turkish House for the Haiti Earthquake was something to be applauded.

"Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee and newly-elected Houston Mayor Annise Parker also sent messages to the Platform to show their support. Annise Parker issued a proclamation in which she declared 22-23 January as the 'Gulen Institute – Dialog of Civilizations Day'. "


Houston Mayor Bill White proclaims "Day of the Gulen Institute"

On Feb 23, 2008, the Gulenist TV network Ebru TV reported that
"Houston Mayor Bill White sent a letter of proclamation to the Gulen Institute executives wishing success, congratulations with their unique service to the Houstonians as well as declaring the February 21st as the Day of the Gulen Institute.
   US Congressman Ted Poe from the 2nd District of Texas and US Congressman John Culberson from the 7th District of Texas also sent letters of proclamations to the Gulen Institute executives recognizing the Institute and its initiatives wishing success and good will to their great endeavors."

Bill White, Ted Poe and John Culberson have all been recipients of Gulenist campaign contributions, as can be seen above.



Do your own investigating

Campaign finance reports for Texas state office candidates can be searched at the Texas Ethics Commission website.  Turkey trips are declared on these reports.  Federal campaign contributions can be easily searched, both by donor and candidate name, at the Newsmeat website.   Congressional Turkey trips can be searched at the Legistorm website.   The websites of Gulenist organizations such as the Raindrop Turkish House, Institute of Interfaith Dialog, Turquoise Council, and Gulen Institute show many short articles on events that Texas politicians have participated in. 






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This website has two companion websites:  Gulen Charter Schools  and  Gulen in the International Press