Latest News from Washington, DC

Grand Gala Commemorating
the 50th Anniversary of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution

October 20, 2006 (Washington, DC)
A GALA EVENING "In Honor of the Heroes of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution"

THE COSMOS CLUB GRAND BALLROOM

On Friday, October 20th, at 6:30 p.m.
2121 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C.

BY INVITATION ONLY (Please contact bryandawson@americanhungarianfederation.org at (703) 981-0800) Tickets are $150 per person. ($195.60 if purchased after October 10). Tickets held at the door. Black Tie / Valet Parking

Purchase Tickets Online at www.americanhungarianfederation.org/1956Gala.htm

PROGRAM (Music by the "Strolling Strings")

• 6:30 – Cocktails
• 7:00 – Dinner
• 8:30 – Hungary 1956: History Remembered
• Keynote Address
• Presentation of the “Col. Commandant Michael Kovats Medal of Freedom”
• State Resolutions Issued in Honor of the 1956 Revolt
• The Mission of the American Hungarian Federation
• 9:30 – Concluding Remarks

DIRECTIONS

The Cosmos Club is located at 2121 Massachusetts Avenue, Northwest, Washington, D.C. 20008. The telephone number is 202 387-7783. From DuPont Circle, go west on Massachusetts Avenue, the Club is located within a block, at the intersections of Massachusetts Avenue and Q Street. Metro stop (Red Line) is at DuPont Circle.

HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS

The following hotels are within walking distance of the Cosmos Club:

• Westin Embassy Row 2100 Massachusetts Avenue, 202 293-2100
• Hilton Washington at Embassy Row, 2015 Massachusetts Avenue, 202 265-1600
• Residence Inn by Marriott, 2120 P Street, 1-866 398-3633
• Jurys Washington Hotel, 1500 New Hampshire Avenue,
  202 483-6000
• Hotel Washington & Towers, 1919 Connecticut Avenue,
  202-483-3000
• Courtyard by Marriott, 1900 Connecticut Avenue, 202 332-9300

TRANSPORTATION

Airport Transportation

• Executive DC Flyer, Inc., 202 863-1136
• ABC Limo Service, 202 637-0405
• Admiral Limousine Services, 202 638-3006

City Transportation

• Yellow Cab, 202 829-4222
• Diamond Cab, 202 387-6200
• Empire Cab, 202 488-4844

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice hosts reception in honor of the 50th Anniversary of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution. American Hungarian Federation issues statement. "For 12 days in 1956, the Hungarian people caught a fleeting glimpse of their independence. Armed with little more than a love of liberty, the impatient patriots of Hungary rose up against the mighty Soviet empire," noted Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice during a commemoration of the 1956 Revolution at the Department of State's Benjamin Franklin Room on February 13, 2006. The American Hungarian Federation was represented by over 15 of its members. The Federation honors the true heroes of the 1956 Revolution -- those who were unwilling to compromise and who, against overwhelming odds and standing alone, made tremendous sacrifices for the cause of freedom, democracy and independence. [read more]

1956 Statue in the Nation's Capital... AHF's 1956 Commemoration Committee is seeking your help to erect a statue in Washington, D.C. devoted to the heroes of the Hungarian Revolution. The AHF plan calls for an actual-size statue to be placed prominently in Washington while we raise funds for its bronze replacement. Seen here, renowned sculptor Gyuri Hollosy unveiled his prototype design at the AHF meeting last April. Help us! Contact bryandawson@americanhungarianfederation.org and join the 1956 Commemoration Committee!

10/23/2005 - AHF's Dr. Emery Imre Toth attends the 1956 Revolution commemorations in Budapest. Events included a memorial at the famed Corvin Koz and a 1956 Grand Celebration at the Budapest Opera House. AHF would later present Gen. Bela Kiraly with its Col. Commandant Michael Kovats Medal of Freedom. Bela Kiraly was Commander-in-Chief of the Budapest National Defense Force during the ill-fated 1956 Hungarian Revolution. Bela Kiraly is also one of AHF's newest members. [read more]

10/20/2005 - Successful 1956 Commemoration, Congressional Reception & Awards Ceremony

AHF kicked off a year of events devoted to remembering the heroes of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution at it's Congressional Reception held on October 19. Congressmen Tom Lantos (D-CA) and Tom Tancredo (R-CO) were awarded the American Hungarian Federation’s Col. Commandant Michael Kovats Medal of Freedom for their “Leadership in Support of Democracy, Human Rights and Minority Rights in Central and Eastern Europe.” Col. Kovats was a founding father of the US Cavalry. Those donating at least $56.00 receive the mini-documentary on the 1956 Revolution shown here produced by AHF and member filmmakers Imre and Zsuzsa Toth who expertly enhanced and digitized the remarkable 10-minute DVD. [read more] or [see ALL AHF news stories]

9/10/2005 - BY INVITATION ONLY:
AHF 1956 Commemoration Congressional Reception set for October 19th, 2005!

AHF cordially invites you to a Congressional Reception honoring the heroes of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution. AHF is kicking off a year of events devoted to making sure Congress and the world remember Hungary's sacrifices for freedom. We will be awarding our Kovats Mihaly Medal of Freedom to Congressmen and private-sector Hungarian-Americans for their lifetime achievements and support of freedom and democracy.

AHF and member filmmakers Imre and Zsuzsa Toth produced a mini-documentary of the 1956 revolution (seen here) which will be shown at the event and given as a free gift to all who donate at least $56.00. Imre Toth was one of revolutionary Prime Minister Imre Nagy's last cabinet members to escape Hungary with his life.

In addition, we will have a 1956 book display featuring the works of internationally renowned members such as Prof. Peter Hargitai, Prof. Beverly James, Prof. Johanna Granville, Dr. Paul Szilagyi, Csaba Teglas, Bela Liptak, Hugo Tischler, and Gabe Kubichek.

The event takes place on October 19th at 6:30 pm in the Rayburn Building Dining Room on Capitol Hill. To help defray our costs, AHF is asking for a minimum donation of $56.00: the 1956 mini-documentary is a free gift at this level. Those giving at the Patron level ($195.60) and Kovats Circle ($1,956.00) receive special recognition.

Directions and additional details can be found on the [downloadable form].

NOTE: Make your reservations by October 9th since money cannot be exchanged in Capitol offices. Reserve your place [instantly online]

OR [download the form] and mail it in!

NOTE: You will need the free Adobe Reader to open the document. Click image to download.

7/28/2005 - AHF and member organizations spearhead letter urging president Bush to visit Budapest for commemoration of 1956 Hungarian revolution...The letter sent to President Bush suggested that the President consider traveling to Budapest next year to participate in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Hungarian Revolution of 1956. The document was signed by AHF National, AHF of Washington, D.C., the William Penn Association, the Hungarian Reformed Federation, the Hungarian Club of Colorado, and Eva Szorenyi of the Freedom Fighter's Federation. [read more]

7/26/2005 - The 1956 Portal (www.hungary1956.com) seeking additional photos, films, and other historical information related to the 1956 Hungarian Revolution.

The American Hungarian Federation is sponsoring the 1956 Portal as part of its goals to coordinate and assist member organizations across the country as it continues plans for kicking off a year of events leading up to October 2006. The 1956 Portal serves as a central information resource for 1956 activities as our community prepares for this important milestone.

6/28/2005 - www.hungary1956.com goes LIVE! The American Hungarian Federation is sponsoring the Hungary1956 Portal... as part of its goals to coordinate and assist member organizations across the country, as it continues plans for kicking off a year of events leading up to October 2006. The 1956 Portal will serve as a central information resource for all things 1956 as our community prepares for this important milestone.

6/20/2005 - AHF's 1956 Commemoration Committee continues meetings at its Washington, DC Headquarters at the National Press Building to plan for kicking off a year of events leading up to the 50th Anniversary of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution. Highlights include a Congressional Commemoration in October 2005.

Some of the other activities include:

• In cooperation with George Lovas and the Hungarian Freedom Fighters Federation, AHF, the New York Hungarian House, a coordinating committee was formed to plan for the 1956 50th anniversary commemoration events in New York. One event is the presentation of arias from the "Bank Ban" with Placido Domingo.
• Fundraising for the 1956 memorial statue by Gyuri Hollosi seen here.
• St. Patrick's Cathedral ecumenical mass with Cardinal Egon in New York City on Sunday, October 22, 2006.
• Commemoration and Gala on October 18th and 21st, 2006 in Washington, DC. Distinguished nominees again will be presented with AHF's Mihaly Kovats Medal of Freedom for Lifetime Achievements.
• Fundraising and Support for the "Lyukas Zaszlo" project / "Torn from the Flag" and debut in Washington, DC as part of commemoration activities.
• A "Golden Book" to commemorate the 50th "Golden" Anniversary of the Hungarian Revolution.
• Commemorative Stamps

Get involved - we need your HELP!

[Visit AHF's Website for more information ].

October 14 (Washington, DC)
Cold War Conversations: The Uprisings and Revolutions of 1956:
The Embassy of Poland, The Embassy of Hungary, the American Hungarian Federation, the Hungarian Technology Center, Fairfax County Development Authority, The Cold War Museum, and South County Secondary School invite you to participate in Cold War Conversations: The Uprisings and Revolutions of 1956. [read more]

AHF National 1956 Freedom Fund

Please help AHF suppport events across the country!

Suggested donations are $56.00, $195.60, and $1956.00. Those giving at least $195.60 receive the 1956 mini-documentary film produced by AHF with filmmakers Imre and Zsuzsa Toth as a free gift!

Those giving at the Patron Level ($195.60) and the Kovats Circle ($1,956.00) receive special recognition.

For fastest processing, donate securely online!

Or send a check or money order to:

American Hungarian Federation 1956 Fund
C/O Sandor Murray, Treasurer
2805 56th Place
Woodside NY 11377

Get your Free Website and get the word out about your 1956 50th Anniversary plans! AHF is calling on all local organizations to coordinate efforts to ensure that this important event receives national and worldwide attention.

Member organizations receive publicity on the AHF Website and eNewsletters. Importantly, AHF can serve as a central information resource for all. All are invited to help both local organizations and AHF in its own efforts at commemorating 1956 in the Nation's Capital!

AHF needs volunteers and funds to make our bold and far-reaching goals a reality...
Join AHF and help us coordinate events around the nation and the world. Contact info@americanhungarianfederation.org or Contribute or join online!

(You do not need to become a member to donate. The American Hungarian Federation is a tax-exempt 501c(3) organization.)

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