Bergen County commemorated the founding of the Republic of Turkey Tuesday with a ceremony in Hackensack.

The ceremony was delayed nearly a month because of Hurricane Sandy.

Officials praised Turkish Americans for playing a significant role in the educational, economic and civic development of Bergen County.

"You know when you have a bigger pool of people and the experiences they bring," County Executive Kathleen Donovan said, "you've got a much richer society, a much more vibrant culture and you have a government that functions better because you have so many people contributing to it who have diverse points of view."

Donovan said next year the celebration will be held on the actual date of the founding of the Republic of Turkey, which is Oct. 29.