Ellis Island Medal of Honor Award  

The National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations Foundation (NECO) awarded our founder, Kaya Tuncer, the 2004 Ellis Island Medal of Honor at a gala ceremony on New York City’s Ellis Island for his contributions to international peace.

According to NECO, “each year NECO presents the Ellis Island Medals of Honor.  Designed to pay homage to the immigrant experience, as well as for individual achievement, medals are awarded to U.S. citizens from various ethnic backgrounds.”

“The honorees are remarkable Americans who exemplify outstanding qualities in
both their personal and professional lives, while continuing to preserve the richness
of their particular heritage.”

“We honor them because they create a better world for all of us in the future
by the work they do today.”

Mr. Tuncer was specifically recognized for his philanthropic work with Global Friendship Through Space Education (GFTSE), which connects international youth with their peers through space education. Mr. Tuncer was nominated by former medalist and Greek-American businessman Michael F.Parlamis.