News from AHF [see all news]

6/30/2009 - Federation supports Hungarian Prime Minister visit after general elections and formation of new government... AHF Delivers Letter to President Obama... the Federation favors extending an invitation to Hungary’s prime minister, but believes that the most auspicious time for such a visit would be after the installation of a new Hungary government following next elections. Federation suggests that other Hungarian American organizations endorse letter. [read more]

6/30/2009 - Use of Hungarian ILLEGAL in Slovakia... Hungary's Foreign Ministry expressed regret and concern over the amendment to Slovakia's act on its official language approved in parliament on Tuesday. Under the amended act the use of the minority language in official communication would be punishable in towns and villages where the ethnic community makes up less than 20 percent of the total population. [read more]

6/29/2009 - Ethnic purges of local government services in Rumania... The UNPO (Unrepresented Peoples Organization) calls attention to purges of Hungarian civil service officers from local administration, including areas where Hungarians make up more the 85% of the population. The American Hungarian Federation urges the Rumanian government to adopt policies that end discrimination along ethnic lines, take steps to increase local autonomy, and strengthen inter-ethnic relations. [read more]

6/16/2009 - The Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation awards the Truman-Reagan Medal of Freedom to Hungarian human rights activist Bishop Laszlo Tokes. Bishop Tokes, an ethnic Hungarian, played an important role in the Rumanian Revolution of 1989 that toppled Rumania's communist leader Nicolae Ceausescu. [read more]

6/10/2009 - AHF helps organize CEEC Policy Seminar on the Obama/Medvedev Summit to be held on Capitol Hill. Co-President Frank Koszorus, Jr., moderates panel on “Security in Central and Eastern Europe on the Eve of the Obama/Medvedev Summit” [read more]

6/4/2009 - The 89th Anniversary of Hungary's Dismemberment... AHF Remembers Trianon. The statement reads, "Trianon is not a relic of the past to be ignored.  As several recent publications astutely suggest, Trianon, as part of a blunder of a massive scale, had far-reaching consequences that are still with us today and continue to affect both the lives of the Hungarian historical communities found in states neighboring Hungary and the region." [read more]

5/22/2009 - Globális egyesülés – A Kárpát-medencei egység után jövőre megalakul a Református Világközösség / "Global Unity:" Hungarian Reformed Churches Unite... On May 22, 2009 the Reformed Churches in the Carpathian Basin expressed their unity by accepting a common constitution. This is an tremendously symbolic action uniting Hungarian communities throughout the Carpathian Basin for the first time since Trianon. On a related note, the Budapest – Pannonhalma Magtár Művészeti Alapítvány is publishing a new leather-bound edition of the Vizsoly Bible with an accompanying DVD. [read more]

4/25/2009 - The American Hungarian Federation Participates in White House Meeting... On April 24, 2009, the Central and East European Coalition (CEEC) met with Jeffrey M. Hovenier, Director for Central and Eastern Europe, National Security Council, and Katherine M. Helgerson, Director for Southeast European Affairs, National Security Council. [read more]

4/2/2009 - American Hungarian Federation Actively Participates in Congressional Policy Reception in Honor of NATO and its Enlargement sponsored by the Central and East European Coalition (CEEC). AHF Co-President, Frank Koszorus, Jr., outlined the accomplishments of the CEEC. 2009 marked the 10th anniversary of Hungary's accession to the alliance. [read more]

3/24/2009 - As part of the Holocaust Memorial Month, the Embassy of Hungary is sponsoring the Carl Lutz and the Legendary Glass House in Budapest traveling exhibit in Washington, DC. The Carl Lutz Foundation, Hungarian American Coalition, Lantos Foundation for Human Rights and Justice, Mensch International Foundation and the Embassies of Switzerland and Israel are co-sponsors. The Federation believes it would be appropriate that the Embassy of Hungary, as a representative of all Hungarians, expand such exhibits to include Hungarian heroes of the Holocaust. [download the statement]

3/29/2009 - The American Hungarian Federation Co-Sponsors “Treasures and Highlights of Hungary’s Millenary Heritage” Exhibits... The first of three exhibits, “Treasures and Highlights of Hungary’s Millenary Heritage,” opened on March 28, 2009 at the Kossuth House in Washington, D.C. The three exhibits can be viewed in April and May, July and August,and October and November of 2009 [read more]

3/15/2009 - President Obama congratulates Hungary on its National Day and anniversary of its 1848 War of Independence... "Today we honor the courageous Hungarians who set their country on the path to freedom.The legacy of the revolution continues to inspire as Hungarians advocate for freedom's cause," he said. The American Hungarian Federation of Metropolitan Washington, D.C., joined Hungarian American communities worldwide and presented a program commemorating the Hungarian Revolution of 1848-1849. Speakers noted the significance of the revolution and how its ideals and goals relate to the political climate in today's Hungary. [read more, download the speeches and President Obama's letter]

2/6/2009 - The American Hungarian Federation Attends Reception Celebrating The Visa Waiver Program... On February 3, the Embassies of Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Malta and South Korea hosted a reception at the Hart Senate Office Building to celebrate the enlargement of the Visa Waiver Program (“VWP”).  The ambassadors of each country, including Hungarian Ambassador Ferenc Somogyi, greeted the guests. [read more]

11/23/08 - AHF Submits Letter Regarding Intolerance in Slovakia -- On November 21, 2008, the American Hungarian Federation submitted a letter to Slovak Foreign Minister Jan Kubis who was visiting Washington, D.C.  The Federation's letter raised concern over the intolerant and discriminatory policies and practices aimed at Slovakia's Hungarian minority. [read more]

11/10/2008 - Csanádi emléktábla Révai Miklósnak - Október 26-án, vasárnap, avatták fel Nagycsanádon Révai Miklós kegyesrendi pap, egyetemi tanár és költő, a magyar nyelv és irodalom nagy tudósa emléktábláját. Az emléktábla állítás kezdeményezője Velcsov Margit nagyszentmiklósi magyartanár, aki a Washingtoni Amerikai Magyar Szövetség anyagi támogatásával készíttette el a márványtáblát, valamint a Telbisz Mária vezette Révai Miklós Egyesület. [tovább]

11/6/2008 - AHF Submitted Questionnaire to Presidential Candidates -- The Federation submitted identical questionnaires to Sen. Obama and Sen. McCain on a strictly non-partisan basis and for educational purposes only, not as endorsement of or opposition to any of the candidates. Barack Obama responds to Hungarian American Community acknowledging need to "continue strengthening democratic institutions throughout Central and Eastern Europe...[and] build respect for human and minority rights in that region and throughout the world." Hungary's press reacts. [Read More]

10/24/08 - The American Hungarian Federation participates in CSIS conference as a General Sponsor.  On October 2, 2008, the Center for Strategic and International Studies ("CSIS") sponsored a conference, "New Allies and the New Administration: Priorities for U.S.-CEE Relations." The event examined "the strategic relationship between the United States and Central Eastern European states (CEE) with the purpose of generating concrete policy recommendations for the incoming U.S. administration." [read more]

10/24/2008 - The American Hungarian Federation Participates in White House Briefing and Ceremony for NATO Accession Protocols for Croatia and Albania... During a briefing at the White House on Friday, October 24, President George W. Bush thanked leaders from the Central and East European Coalition (the “CEEC”) for their support of NATO enlargement. The briefing preceded a ceremony in which President Bush signed NATO Accession Protocols for Croatia and Albania. Frank Koszorus, Jr. and Zoltan Bagdy, co-presidents of the American Hungarian Federation (the “Federation”) – an active member of the CEEC – attended both events. [read more]

10/17/2008 - President Bush Announces Hungary's Inclusion in the Visa Waiver Program...AHF leaders attend ceremony on Hungary’s inclusion in the Visa Waiver Program.  “I’m pleased to stand with the representatives of seven countries – the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia and South Korea – that have met the requirements to be admitted to the United States Visa Waiver Program,” said President Bush at the October 17, 2008 White House Rose Garden ceremony.  [read more]

9/22/2008 - Memorial Service for Rev. Imre Bertalan...A memorial service was held for the Reverend Dr. Imre Bertalan on September 6th, at the chapel of the Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington.  Members of his family, members of his church, leaders of the Hungarian American Reformed Church, representatives of Hungarian American organizations, friends and colleagues gathered to say good-by to a prominent churchman, an important, respected Hungarian American leader. [read more]

9/11/2008 - American Hungarian Federation Participates in Meeting with White House Officials on Crisis in Georgia... The American Hungarian Federation (“Federation”) along with other members of the Central and East European Coalition (“CEEC”) met on September 9, 2008 at the White House with officials from the National Security Council (“NSC”) to discuss the crisis in Georgia and related matters, including U.S. engagement in Central and Eastern Europe, NATO enlargement, aid to Georgia and other aid packages to the region and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. [read more]

9/7/2008 - September 6 Memorial Service for Reverend Dr. Imre Bertalan in Washington...The Reverend Dr. Imre Bertalan, past president and chairman of the American Hungarian Federation, died July 10, 2008 at Schenectady, New York, from complications of cancer, at age 90.  At the time of his death, he was the pastor of the Hungarian Reformed Church of Washington, D.C.  [read more]

8/15/2008 - American Hungarian Federation believes Hungary should accede to the joint declaration on the situation in Georgia signed by the presidents of the Baltic States and Poland; Federation also participates in CEEC press conference and demonstration in Washington, DC. Hungarians remember all too vividly the Soviet intervention in Hungary. AHF issues statement. [read more in English ] [tovább magyarul]

7/25/2008 - American Hungarian Federation Participates in CEEC Meeting with Senator Schumer: Discusses Russia "Hegemony" statement... The American Hungarian Federation and other members of the Central East European Coalition (CEEC) met with Senator Charles Schumer (D–NY) this week. The purpose of the meeting was to seek clarification of statements contained in Senator Schumer’s June 3rd Wall Street Journal article that were susceptible to the interpretation that he condoned Russian designs on Central and Eastern Europe. [read more]

7/12/2008 - The American Hungarian Federation is proud to have brought Gázsa - one of Hungary's best folk music bands - to Washington, DC for an extraordinary concert and tanchaz. The Gázsa Hungarian Folk Ensemble has accompanied the famous Budapest Ensemble for a decade. Together, they have performed in many countries, including the United States, Canada and Mexico, to critical acclaim.
[read more] and buy the Gázsa CD online.

6/30/2008 - American Hungarian Federation Participates In “Hungarian Americans Together” Conference... On June 26-27, 2008, the American Hungarian Federation (AHF) participated in a conference titled “Hungarian Americans Together,” held at Ligonier, Pennsylvania. The focus of the conference was the future health and security of domestic Hungarian organization. [read more]

6/19/2008 - American Hungarian Federation Helps Plan and Participates in Successful CEEC Congressional Policy Discussion on Central and Eastern Europe... the Central and Eastern European Coalition (CEEC) sponsored a foreign policy roundtable discussion and reception on Capitol Hill.  The purpose of the discussion was to analyze issues of interest to the members of the CEEC, including U.S. relations with Russia, enlargement of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and energy policies impacting the region. [read more]

[>> Go to full news archive]

INVITATION!
...to an extraordinary performance of the Tükrös Folk Band and Folkdance Ensemble

Saturday, July 11, 2009
– 6 PM
Cedar Lane Unitarian Church
9601 Cedar Lane, Bethesda, MD 20814
Tel: 301-493-8300
The concert will raise funds for the benefit of the sister Church of Dicsőszentmárton in Transylvania. [read more]

Sign up for the AHF mailing list.
Your personal information is not shared!

Shortcut to Features

• Looking Back: AHF Since 1906
• Featured Books and Articles
• Cultural News and Upcoming Events
• Member News and Featured Member
• Corporate Sponsors
• In Memoriam
• Famous Hungarian
• Find Your Representative

Looking Back: AHF Since 1906

The Kossuth Bust in the United States Capitol..."The spirit of our age is Democracy. All for the  people and all by the people. Nothing about the people, without the people. That is Democracy, and that is the ruling tendency of the spirit of our age." - Louis Kossuth, spoken before the Ohio State Legislature, February 16, 1852, more than a decade before Lincoln's Gettysburg Address. Kossuth was the leader of the 1848-1849 Hungarian War of Liberation against Austria commemorated on March 15th, Hungarian National Day.

To celebrate and commemorate the friendship and shared values between the people of the United States and those of Hungarian descent, the American Hungarian Federation commissioned a bronze bust of Lajos Kossuth and offered it to U.S. Congress. [read more]

Featured Books and Articles

AHF has begun featuring articles written by distinguished AHF members. AHF encourages all members to submit scholarly essays, books, and other materials which will be featured on our Publications page. 1956 Revolution-related materials are featured on www.hungary1956.com

The current selection is Banjin, the latest novel by acclaimed Emmy-nominated cinematographer Andrew Laszlo... One reader wote: "BANJIN picks up more than 200 years after Shogun. The year is 1843. Another shipwreck. A Japanese boy, Masahiro, is blown in storm away from his village to a desolate island, rescued by American whalers and brought to New Bedford, Massachusetts in a voyage that would make Conrad, Melville or Dana proud. As John Mong, the boy is well educated at Exeter, advises Congress, goes back to sea, joins the Gold Rush in California, and returns home to Japan. He becomes Lord Tanaka Masahiro, and helps open Japan to the west as a leading character in the Meiji Restoration.

There's enough action, intrigue, passion and character development to fill a half-dozen regular novels or Hollywood movies."
[read more and buy it!]

Cultural News and Upcoming Events
To announce a Hungarian cultural event, please contact the AHF Cultural Affairs Committee,
Zoltan Bagdy, Chair and see all [cultural news]
-----
June 6, 2009: New Brunswick, NJ
34th ANNUAL Hungarian Festival
Honoring the restoration of the Magyar Reformed Church and with St. Ladislaus Church Celebrate the 800th anniversary of the Franciscan Order
Saturday, 11 am - 8 pm [read more]
-----

March 20 - July 5, 2009:
Washington, D.C.
Hungarian Women Photographers,
1910-1946... The National Museum of Women in the Arts hosts an exhibit of Hungarian women photographers, during the 1910-1946 period. The exhibition explores the career of women photographers, from those who often filled the positions of male photographers who joined military service to those who dedicated their work to the pursuit of social justice by disseminating images of the poor during the economic crisis of the 1920’s. The museum is located at 1250 New York Avenue, NW., Washington, DC; telephone 202 783-5000.
[read more]
------
Pittsburgh PA, July 18, 2009:
William Penn Association Annual Scholarship Golf Outing...The Annual Golf Tournament is one of the most eagerly anticipated fraternal events sponsored each year by the Association.
[More Information]
-----
Rockwood, PA, August 2–8 2009: Hungarian Heritage Week - William Penn Association...As part of our commitment to promoting our Hungarian heritage, the Association sponsors a week-long Hungarian Language Camp each summer at Penn Scenic View. Each camp offers language instruction on two levels, beginner and intermediate, and is limited to a total of 25 students. [More Information]
-----
Rockwood, PA - September 12, 2009: William Penn Annual Fraternal Fest...The Annual Picnic is one of the Association's newest, fastest growing Hungarian fraternal events. Hundreds, and even thousands, of our members and guests from across the country gather for a day of Hungarian fellowship at Penn Scenic View in Rockwood, PA. Each year we prepare a special Hungarian menu but one thing that remains constant is that each year everyone enjoys good Hungarian food, music and dancing.
[More Information]
-----
Naxos releases magnificent CD of the Violin Concerto of Miklos Rozsa! Order it now on the AHF Amazon Store!

AHF Member News

Featured Member:

Andrew Laszlo was born László András on January 12, 1926 in Pápa, Hungary... His education in one of Hungary’s best private schools was interrupted by the German occupation of Hungary on March 19, 1944. Shortly after, Mr. Laszlo was conscripted into a forced labor unit of the Hungarian Army. He escaped twice and was recaptured and transported to the Bergen-Belsen Concentration Camp in Germany, and from there to the Theresienstadt Concentration Camp in Czechoslovakia. Having survived the camps but losing his family, he immigrated to the United States on January 17, 1947. He was the first person drafted from New York City during the Korean War and spent two years in the United States Army Signal Corps as a combat cameraman with the rank of Sergeant.

After being honorably discharged from the service he eventually established himself as a cinematographer and rose to prominence as one of Hollywood’s top cinematographers. His career in film and television spans nearly fifty years, from the original “PHIL SILVERS SHOW” (Sgt. Bilko) to Walt Disney Pictures “NEWSIES,” "RAMBO: First Blood," "POLTERGEIST II," and "STAR TREK V: The Final Frontier." Read more about him on [Featured Members]

AHF Thanks these Sponsors

Author Susanna (Zsuzsanna) Lápossy is a Freedom Circle Member of the American Hungarian Federation. Her book, the first part of a trilogy entitled "Life behind the iron curtain" contains lesser-known facts about 20th century Hungary as seen through a middle-class family. [Read more]

The Zala Springs Resort
Hungary's Zala Springs Resort is Hungary’s first master planned and biggest golf and thermal spa resort community, which is unique both in Hungary and in Central Europe. [read more]

In Memoriam

7/10/2008 - AHF Mourns the Loss of the Rev. Imre Bertalan, minister to our community, an inspired voice of unity, and selfless civic and community leader. He was President Emeritus of the American Hungarian Federation, former Chairman of the Board of the Hungarian Reformed Federation of America, and the founding Board member of the Hungarian American Coalition. [read more]
------
3/31/2009 - Leslie A. Kopari (Kopari Arpad Laszlo) Born in Pecs, Hungary on February 13, 1931, he immigrated to Duluth in 1957 and lived there until 1986 before relocating to the Twin Cities. He was a Hungarian freedom fighter in the Hungarian Revolution of 1956. [read more]

Find your Representative!

Find Federal Officials

Enter ZIP Code: or Search by State Find State Officials Enter ZIP Code: or Search by State Contact The Media Enter ZIP Code: or Search by State

Contribute or join online!

Site Design & Maintenance: BryanDawson.com
Site Hosting: DigitialPhenom