AHF
NATIONAL NEWS
6/14/2007
- Enduring Strains of Communism
in Central and Eastern Europe: A distinguished panel of experts convened
by Hudson’s Center for European Studies offered their perspectives.
Panelists included The Honorable Dr. János Horváth,
member of the Hungarian Parliament and Professor of Economics Emeritus
at Indiana’s Butler University; Keith Smith, senior associate
at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, consultant
on international energy affairs, and former diplomat to Europe for
over thirteen years, including a final posting as U.S. ambassador
to Lithuania; and Frank Koszorus Jr., former chairman of the private-sector
NATO Enlargement Working Group’s steering committee and co-president
of the American Hungarian Federation.[read
more]
6/14/2007
- "There are no Nationalities
in Romania?" The American Hungarian Federation Co-Hosts
Lecture by Bishop Arpad Szabo from Kolozsvar... The Federation
and the Hungarian Reformed Federation of America (HRFA) sponsored
a presentation by Dr. Arpad Szabo entitled "In Europe, but .
. ." at the HRFA Kossuth House. Bishop Szabo is the head of the
Unitarian Church in Romania and is in the United States to attend
the General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association. The
Federation’s program was the latest in its Central and Eastern
Europe Lecture Series.. [read
more]
6/12/2007
- President Bush dedicates the Victims of Communism
Memorial on Tuesday, June 12th. Washington's newest memorial
honors the 100 million people who have been killed by communist totalitarian
regimes worldwide. AHF is proud to have contributed to this great
effort. AHF leaders attended the Gala Awards Ceremony that same evening
where Bishop Laszlo Tokes delivered a stirring convocation. [read
more]
6/4/2007
- "Trianon: Tragedy, Dissolution,
and Remedy." Frank Koszorus, Jr. and the AHF International
Relations Committee release essay on treaty's 87th anniversary.
"...Ostensibly in the name of national self-determination, the
Treaty dismembered the thousand-year-old Kingdom of Hungary, a self-contained,
geographically and economically coherent and durable formation in
the Carpathian Basin and boasting the longest lasting historical borders
in Europe. It was imposed on Hungary without any negotiation by vengeful
leaders... it also transferred over three million indigenous ethnic
Hungarians and over 70% of the country's territory to foreign rule."
[read
more]
5/27/2007
- AHF lays wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
The American Hungarin Federation's 2007 Memorial Day Commemoration
Ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery included a wreath laying the
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. About 40 members and guests and throngs
of tourists
witnessed the special ceremony as AHF President Atilla Micheller was
escorted by Lt. Col. Steve Vekony (US Army) and the First Califiornia
Hussar Regiment. Arlington National is the final resting place for
a number of Hungarian American Congressional Medal of Honor recipients.
Following the wreath laying, the program included a remembrance and
walking tour of Hungarian-American gravesites. [read
more]
5/8/2007
- Representatives of the American Hungarian Federation
met with the Honorable Janos Horvath on May 2, 2007 in Washington,
D.C. at the Kossuth House.... Dr. Horvath generously spent
over three hours with representatives of the American Hungarian Federation
and gave a detailed presentation of his work and the situation in
Hungary, including why Hungary is not living up to its potential.
Part of the AHF Central and Eastern Europe Lecture Series. [read
more]
5/5/2007
- The Annual Hungarian May Ball - A very special evening
benefitting AHF's 100th Anniversary programs and the Hungarian Scouts
of Washington! A
very special evening that included 4 debutantes from the metropolitan
Washington area. This year's proceeds from the black-tie affair were
equally shared to help cover the costs of the Hungarian Scouts participation
in the 21st World Scout Jamboree in England and the Federation's 2007
100th Anniversary programs. [read
more]
Ongoing
- ACTION ALERT: Help build the Congressional Friends
of Hungary (CFH)... On February 12, Congressman Tom Lantos
(D-CA), Chairman of the U.S. Committee on Foreign Affairs, and Congressman
Christopher Shays (R-CT) circulated a "Dear Colleague"
letter inviting Members of Congress to join the Congressional Friends
of Hungary (CFH). The purpose of the caucus, as noted by the co-chairs,
is "to recognize the contributions of Hungarian-Americans to
the United States and to strengthen the ties between the United
States and Hungary."
How can you help?
1) Copy the sample letter below, paste it into a document and fill
in the blanks
2) Save the document to your hard drive, print it and sign it
3) Find your local state representatives by entering your zip code
in the tool on our Website at [ALERTS].
This legislative tool will provide addresses, emails, fax and phone
numbers.
IT IS BEST TO CALL and then FAX the letter.
What to Say?
"Hello, my name is _____. I am a constituent of Representative
_____ and also a member of the American Hungarian Federation. On
February 12th, Congressmen Tom Lantos and Christopher Shays distributed
a "Dear Colleague Letter" entitled
"Join the Congressional Friends of Hungary." I am calling
to ask the Congressman to join the CFH. I and the other Americans
of Hungarian descent in his/her district would be grateful for his/her
support. I will fax you a letter that also includes the contact
name in Congressman Lantos' office should you need more information."
The Letter:
The Honorable [name of your Congressman]
United States House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20210
Dear Congressman ________:
I am one of your constituents who lives in ______. I
call your attention to the "Dear Colleague Letter" distributed
on February 12, 2007 by Congressmen Tom Lantos and Christopher Shays,
titled "Join the Congressional Friends of Hungary." I
urge you to consider joining this Congressional Caucus, whose main
purpose is to strengthen the ties between the American and Hungarian
people and to recognize the Hungarian-American community. There
are a number of Hungarian-Americans in your district and our community
would be grateful for your support. Your wise counsel would be an
asset in the operation of this caucus, particularly in the areas
of human rights and minority rights. Maryamu Aminu in Congressman
Lantos' office (at x6-7766 or
maryamu.aminu@mail.house.gov) will be able to provide further information.
Sincerely yours,
[Your name]
Continuing
News: AHF continues call for support of a 1956 Statue
for 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 with his prototype
design is renowned sculptor Gyuri Hollosy, who was responsible for
the Boston Liberty Square memorial. At the recent Capitol Reception
honoring 1848, Congressman Tom Lantos mentioned his intent to place
a 1956 memorial in Washington. We must ensure this remarkable design
is selected! Contact bryandawson@americanhungarianfederation.org
and join the 1956 Commemoration Committee!
100
Éves a Nemzetközi Cserkészmozgalom!
Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of International Scouting: 1907
- 2007.
Scouting started in 1907 when Robert Baden-Powell, Lieutenant General
in the British Army, held the first Scouting encampment at Brownsea
Island in England for 20 boys from a wide variety of social backgrounds.
Today, Scouting is a million times bigger than when it first started.
It involves girls and boys, men and women from every race, religion
and culture, and nearly every country in the world.
The Magyar Cserkészszövetség, the primary national
Scouting organization of Hungary, was founded in 1912. Help AHF help
the Washington Scouts cover the costs of their participation
in the 21st World Scout Jamboree in England! [read
more]
Continuing news - A
Centennial Celebration! The American Hungarian Federation turned 100
- Join and help us represent the interests of our community!
The
American Hungarian Federation (AHF), was founded in 1906 in Cleveland,
Ohio. Among the oldest ethnic organizations in the US, AHF was established
as an association of Hungarian societies, institutions and churches
to "defend the interest of Americans of Hungarian origin in the
United States." The American Hungarian Federation strives to
unite the American Hungarian community through work that supports
common goals. AHF is a national, non-partisan, independent umbrella
organization representing the interests of the Hungarian American
community. [more
about us]
AHF Store
on 
Buy ALL your books, videos, electronics and other gifts on AHF's
Amazon Store. It costs nothing extra to you, but Amazon contributes
a small percentage to AHF. The AHF store features books and articles
written by AHF members on both our main
site and our 1956
Portal for publications devoted to 1956.
The latest member books added:
Professor
Peter Hargitai's Daughter
of the Revolution: A Novel (2006 - A story of a brave freedom
fighter - a 14 year-old girl) Buy it now on 
-
 Rebecca
McEldowney's "Soul of Flesh: A Novel of the 1956 Hungarian
Revolution" [ read
more]
-
 Dr.
Katalin Kadar Lynn's "Tibor Eckhard in His Own Words: An
Autobiography" [ read
more]
Buy all your products through our Amazon store and help AHF!
Strength
can only be found in unity! Please join AHF and work
together on common ground issues!
There are two easy ways to Join
and Support us!
1) Online Processing (fastest):
Join online! AHF accepts all
major credit cards and checks. AHF is a 501c(3) non-profit organization.
Your donations may be tax deductible. Your information is secure
not shared with anyone. [Join
Online Here]
2) The Old-Fashioned Way:
If you are uncomfortable or unable to process an Internet transaction,
download the AHF
Membership Registration Form and mail it in with your check payable
to "American Hungarian Federation." NOTE: If you are sending
a donation for a specific fund, please be sure to include that on
the form. (You do not need to become a member to donate):
American Hungarian Federation
C/O Sandor Murray, Treasurer
2805 56th Place
Woodside NY 11377
For technical assistance, contact bryandawson@americanhungarianfederation.org
© 2003 -
2007 American Hungarian Federation® All Rights Reserved
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AHF Special Announcements
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your membership! Only in unity can we find strength.
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We need your support! JOIN
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Hungary's Zala Springs Resort is Hungary’s first master
planned and biggest golf and thermal spa resort community, which is
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[read
more]
AHF
Members Corner!
Featured
Member
Balazs
Szabo, is a world-renowned artist and "1956 refugee #M14543."
In the aftermath of the bloody Hungarian Revolution, the Szabo family
was under Hungarian AVO house arrest. On November 20, they fled toward
the Austrian border. The turmoil of WWII and the Hungarian Revolution
and their impacts on him and his family influenced Balazs, the younger
son of one of Hungary's most celebrated young classical actors Sandor
Szabo, greatly. Balázs and his family fled the country separately
during the 1956 Revolution and were reunited in America. He has written
a historical memoir about his dramatic escape from Hungary "A
Knock In the Night."
His
father, Sándor Szabó, who learned English within a year,
became the best known actor of Hungarian descent on Broadway and went
on to a prolific 63-year career as a character actor in film and television.
His book "Országom, Visszanyertem eén..."
chronicles his escape from Hungary in 1956 and his life in New York
and Hollywood. See
Sándor's filmography on IMDB
Read more about Balázs on
[Featured
Members]
Florida
In Memoriam
AHF
mourns the loss of Dr. Paul J. Szilagyi, Father, Professor, Nagypapa,
AHF Leader, and Hungarian Freedom Fighter...
“Apuka,” “Pali,” Dr. Paul Szilagyi, passed
away suddenly, June 9th, of a heart attack at the age of 71. We will
miss his unique humor, wisdom, and precious, colorful life. His extreme
humility left much of his past hidden, even from me. I do know Paul
was a "Pesti Srac" (Kid from Pest), young Freedom Fighters
during the 1956 Hungarian Revolution.... [he] would become the only
Hungarian American to complete his Ph.D. under the tutelage of Dr. George
Olah, Nobel Prize Winner and fellow Hungarian with whom he would go
on to publish a number of scientific papers. "Dr. Szilagyi"
would become an expert in organic chemistry, but few know that he also
has numerous patents for his biomedical inventions.[read
more]
Memorial Services
12 pm, July 8, 2007
First Hungarian United
Church of Christ
2236 NW 14 Street, Miami, FL
There will also be an English mass on Saturday, September 1 at 4:30
pm.in New Brunswick, NJ at the St. Stephen's R.C. Magyar Church:
www.ststephenspassaic.org
223 Third Street
Passaic, NJ 07055
Ohio
June
16, 2007
Cleveland Hungarians dedicated a statue commemorating the
Freedom Fighter of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution at Cardinal Mindszenty
Plaza (11th and Lakeside).
The
bronze statue was commissioned by the 50th Anniversary Committee of
the Hungarian Revolution. The young freedom fighter in the statue is
holding a Hungarian Flag with the symbol of the Soviet Union cut out
- symbolizing the anti-Communist revolution. Its sister
statue was unveiled in Collier Country, Florida, at "Freedom
Memorial Park" on December 3, 2006.
Washington,
DC
The Hungarian Reformed Federation of America (HRFA)
hosted a performance of the Üsztürü Folk Ensemble from
Marosvásárhely, Transylvania, at the Anderson
House in the most elegant surroundings in Washington DC. A Táncház
followed at the HRFA Kossuth House. Funding was provided by AHF Co-President
(and HRFA President) Gyula Balogh, AHF Controller (and HRFA Treasurer),
Les Megyeri and other HRFA members.
The Üsztürü Ensemble was founded by young Hungarian
musicians in 1992. They were born in Transylvania and had close connections
to the communities where
Hungarian folk music was still a living tradition.
The members of the Üsztürü were fortunate to learn and
play with the greatest masters of Transylvanian music
which makes the members of the Üsztürü special bearers
of the musical heritage of this region. The members of the Üsztürü
are dedicated to assuring the continued survival of a folk art form,
which can
rarely be found even in its indigenous surroundings. The Ensemble is
also at home in performing all Hungarian folk musical dialects from
the Austrian
border to the Eastern slopes of the Carpathian Mountains.
Az ÜSZTÜRÜ zenekar 1992 májusában alakult
Kolozsváron. Alapitói a kolozsvári Major Levente
prímás (1973) és Könczei
Csongor brácsás (1974), valamint a korondi Szász
József brácsás (1970) és Szász Lorinc
bogos (1968) testvérek.
Késobb csatlakozott hozzájuk a marosvásárhelyi
Moldován Horváth István prímás (1962)
valamint a székelykeresztúri Demeter Erika énekes-táncos
(1971). Az ÜSZTÜRÜ rendszeresen muzsikál táncházakban,
néptánctáborokban és különbözo
rendezvényeken. Felléptek és fellépnek Európa
számos országában. A zenekar kiemelten foglalkozik
Erdély és elsosorban Közép-Erdély vonós
hangszeres zenéjével: Szék, Kalotaszeg, Mezoség,
Küküllömente és Székelyföld.
Az ÜSZTÜRÜ ars poeticáját saját
maguk fogalmazták meg leghívebben: Pályafutásunk
során gyakran találkoztunk olyan erdélyi adatközlokkel,
akiknek köszönhetoen egyre jobban elmélyült bennünk
a népi kúltúra iránti tisztelet, szeretet,
melynek következtében egyre nagyobb késztetést
éreztünk arra, hogy lakhelyükön, eredeti környezetben
is találkozzunk ezekkel az emberekkel, gazdagodjunk életszemléletükkel
is. Megszerzett élményeink olyan gondolatokat, érzelmeket,
hangulatokat
ébresztettek bennünk, amelyeket hangszereinkkel szeretnénk
kifejezésre juttatni.
The Hungarian Reformed Federation of America is a Non-profit Fraternal
Society
Chartered by the U.S. Congress in 1907
2001 Massachusetts Ave, NW
Washington, D.C. 20036-1011
E-mail: hrfa@hrfa.org
Pennsylvania
HRFA / Bethlen Home Golf Tournament On Saturday, July 28, 2007,
Champions Lake, Ligonier, PA.
The deadline to sign up is July 12. The
Golf Tournament is July 28. Picnic is July 29.
* Proceeds go to HRFA Student Aid Fund and the Bethlen Communities
(50-50%). For more details, go to www.hrfa.org
---
The Darr Mine Disaster is known as one of the worst in US history.
On December
19, 1907 a gas and dust explosion killed 239 coal miners in the dark
tunnels of the Darr Mine. The majority of the dead were Hungarian-American.
The American Hungarian Federation (then known as the Hungarian American
Federation) placed the memorial seen here in 1909. An inquiry into the
disaster afterwards concluded, as was usually the case in that period
of Pennsylvania coal mining, that the Pittsburgh Coal Company was not
at fault. But within six months the US Geological Survey created the
Mine Accidents Division and on July 1, 1910 an Act of Congress established
the US Bureau of Mines. AHF is still in planning stages. Please contact
Rev. Imre Bertalan, Jr. of the Bethlen Home and get involved! [revimre@bethlen.com]
or (724) 238-2235
For more about the disaster, see the US
Mine Rescue Association and on Rootsweb
with photos and some names of those who died.
Featured
Link
The Hungary Page's "Nobel Prize Winners and Famous Hungarians"
at www.thehungarypage.com
[ >
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