AHF eNews - January - September 2012: The American Hungarian Federation

London 2012 saw Hungary repeat its historic Olympic excellence. Some have called Hungary's 2012 Olympic performance a "miracle," but in reality, the miracle has been Hungary's historic performance since 1896. Hungary's 17 medals and incredible 8th ranking in total Gold in London is exemplary of where Hungary has been for the last century! Hungary ranked 5th in Gold per Capita!

As we celebrate the Spirit of the Games and the success of Hungary and all the Olympic athletes and express our gratitiude for their excellence and to their families who have sacrificed so much, we also also take the opportunity to congratulate Hungarian-Americans Rebecca Soni (Sőni) (2 Golds and a Silver with 2 World Records) and Susan (Zsuzsanna) Francia (Gold Medalist and 5-time World Champion!), and Julie Zetlin, (the United States’ only representative forRhythmic gymnastics and the first and only rhythmic gymnast to qualify from the United States since 2004) on their fantastic London 2012 performances for the United States! We also congratulate the Hungarian Paralympians who earned an additional 14 medals (2 gold, 6 Silver, and 6 Bronze!)

As of 2012, Hungary Ranks 8th in Gold Medals! More than Russia, Australia and Japan! Hungary also Ranks 8th Overall! More than China, more than Russia! [read more] on Bryan Dawson's "Nobel Prize Winners and Famous Hungarians."

8/21/2012 - AHF sends letter to Romanian Ambassador and Chairmen of the US Helsinki Commission regarding the Szekely-Miko Case: AHF is "deeply concerned that the prosecution of former state secretary Attila Marko, Silviu Vlim and Tamas Marosan in connection with the restitution to the Reformed Diocese of

8/31/2012 - Amerikai magyarok is tiltakoznak a Mikó Kollégium ügyében: „A magyar kisebbség érthető okok miatt nem csupán egy restitúciós problémát lát a sepsiszentgyörgyi Mikó Kollégium ügyében, hanem egy közösség elleni célirányos tevékenységet, az intolerancia, diszkrimináció megnyilvánulását. A bigottság, az intolerancia a demokráciában hívő emberek meggyalázása, és sérti a nyugati értékeket, normákat” [tovább]

22.08.2012 - Indokolatlannak tartja a sepsiszentgyörgyi Székely Mikó Kollégium restitúciója ügyében érintett személyek elleni bűnvádi eljárást az Amerikai Magyar Szövetség (AMSZ). Tízezres nagyságrendben várnak tüntetőket Sepsiszentgyörgyre a Székely Mikó Kollégium visszaállamosítása elleni tüntetésre szeptember elsején. [tovább]

AHF is deeply concerned that the prosecution of former state secretary Attila Marko, Silviu Vlim and Tamas Marosan in connection with the restitution to the Reformed Diocese of Transylvania of the Szekely Miko Evangelical Reformed College (“MEC”) is a baseless and blatant attempt by the authorities to further stall and reverse the lawful restitution of church properties seized by the communists

7/17/2012 - AHF releases statement, "Romania: Reversing Lawful Church Property Restitution, Through Criminal Prosecution." AHF is deeply concerned that the prosecution of former state secretary Attila Marko, Silviu Vlim and Tamas Marosan in connection with the restitution to the Reformed Diocese of Transylvania of the Szekely Miko Evangelical Reformed College (“MEC”) is a baseless and blatant attempt by the authorities to further stall and reverse the lawful restitution of church properties seized by the communists. [read more]

17.07.2012 - Aggódik az Amerikai Magyar Szövetség a Székely Mikó Kollégium ügye miatt. [tovább]

18.07.2012 - Mikó ügy: tisztességes és gyors restitúciót akar az Amerikai Magyar Szövetség [tovább]

Col. Ferenc Koszorus, posthumously promoted to the rank of General by Prime Minister Antall after the fall of Communism, who volunteered his services and mobilized the 1st Armored Division under his command to militarily intervene on July 5, 1944 to stop Laszlo Baky, a secretary of state in the Ministry of Interior for “Jewish Affairs," from deporting the approximately 200,000 plus Jews from Budapest.

6/8/2012 - Hungarian Review publishes article, "The Soldier Who Saved the Lives of Budapest's Jews: Col. Ferenc Koszorus." The courageous intervention of Col. Ferenc Koszorus and his loyal First Armored Division on July 6, 1944 blocked the deportation of the more than 250,000 Jews of Budapest. [read more]

6/12/2012 - In a related story, Heti Valasz publishes: "Emlékezzünk a magyar hősökre is! A Wallenberg-év lehetőségei": Mindent el kell követni, hogy Kelet-Európa valós második világháborús szerepe rögzüljön a nyugati és az amerikai köztudatban. [tovább]

5/29/2012 - AHF participates in drafting CEEC Policy Brief on minority rights and NATO expansion and issues multiple action alerts including: Supporting S. 2177, the NATO Enhancement Act, introduced by Sen. Richard Lugar to encourage further enlargement of NATO and to deepen U.S. strategic partnerships with NATO allies. [read more]

AHF Co-President Gyula Balogh joins US Ambassador Kounalakis in laying wreath on the 200th Anniversary of the Death of Col. Commandant Michael (Mihaly) Kovats de Fabricy

5/22/2012 - AHF Co-President Gyula Balogh joins US Ambassador Kounalakis in laying wreath on the 200th Anniversary of the Death of Col. Commandant Michael Kovats de Fabricy. US Ambassador to Hungary, Eleni Tsakopoulos Kounalakis, spoke at the May 11th event, held in Col. Kovats' birthplace, Karcag. Kovats is considered a Founding Father of the US Cavalry who gave his life in the American War for Independence while leading the Continental Army cavalry he had trained in Hungarian hussar tactics against a British siege of Charleston. [read more]

"Classrooms of Tomorrow:" AHF Donates Laptops to Zalabér Elementary School. Erika Fedor, AHF Social Committee Chair, presented the laptops to Albert Kiss, principal of the Zalaber Middle School. Also attending was AHF Associate President, Gyula Balogh and Zsuzsa Dreisziger heads of the Hungarian American Club (Amerikai Magyar Klub www.amkl.org) in Hungary, AHF's sister organization.

5/12/2012 - AHF's AMOKA program Donates Laptops to Zalabér Elementary School. Erika Fedor, AHF Social Committee Chair, presented the laptops to Albert Kiss, principal of the Zalaber Middle School. The donation is part of the "Classrooms of Tomorrow" project that bridges Hungarian students in Zalaber with American counterparts at McIntosh Middle School in Sarasota, Florida. The program's objective is to have students in Hungary work directly on scientific and agricultural topics with their US counterparts via teleconferencing. [read more]

5/11/2012 - Budapest conference to mark 90th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Hungary and the US. Lecturers at the May 9th conference included US political scientist Prof. Andrew Ludanyi, member of the AHF International Affairs Committee, as well as Katrina Lantos Swett, president and CEO of the Tom Lantos Institute. The conference was concluded with speeches by Hungarian Ambassador to the US Gyorgy Szapary and US Ambassador to Hungary Eleni Tsakopoulos Kounalakis. [read more]

The American Hungarian Federation and the Hungarian Scouts of Washington sponsored the Jótékonysági Est (Benefit Event) to support its programs and, this year, a very unique educational program promoting scholarly exchange between middle-school students in Sarasota, Florida, and Zalaber in Hungary. This year's event was held in the Ballroom of the Sheraton Premier in Tyson's Corner.

5/1/2012 - The 7th Annual Hungarian Charity Ball raises funds for worthy causes... The annual Jótékonysági Est (Benefit Event) is sponsored by the American Hungarian Federation and the Hungarian Scouts of Washington. This year, the Ball supported a very unique educational program promoting scholarly exchange between middle-school students in Sarasota, Florida, and Zalaber in Hungary. This year's event was held in the Ballroom of the Sheraton Premier in Tyson's Corner. [read more]

On April 16, the Hungarian Holocaust Remembrance Day, Deputy State Secretary Gergely Prőhle, Members of Congress, the Lantos family, representatives of various Embassies - including from Wallenberg's native Sweden and Israel - AHF representatives and friends of Hungary gathered in the Capitol to pay tribute to Wallenberg's heroic efforts in saving the lives of thousands amidst inhumanity. The commemoration, organized by the Hungarian Embassy, was part of a series of events highlighting the role of Holocaust rescuers during the Wallenberg Centennial Year.

4/16/2012 - Holocaust Memorial Month - Raoul Wallenberg Remembered on Capitol Hill. U.S. Congressman Harris recalls Col. Ferenc Koszorus, Sr., Hero of the Holocaust. AHF honors the millions of lives lost and the untold suffering caused by Nazism and Communism. Hungarian Deputy State Secretary Gergely Prőhle, Members of Congress, the Lantos family, Embassies, AHF representatives, and friends of Hungary gathered in the Capitol to pay tribute to Wallenberg. [read more]

Members of the the The 4th Bátori József Hungarian Scouts Troop of Washington, DC, provided a major part of the program

3/11/2012 - AHF commemorates Hungarian National Day and the 1848 War of Independence. The commemoration emphasized Hungary's revered history of standing up for freedom and liberty against great odds, including in 1848 – 1849, and urged that this history not be defamed through political expediency. Bryan Dawson, AHF Executive Chairman, delivered the 2012 Keynote Address entitled, "Novus Scotus Viator: A Case for a Kossuth-style Worldview in 2012." [read more]

3/5/2012 - AHF has Follow-Up Capitol Hill Meeting on Recent Congressional Trip to Hungary and Slovakia. Prior to the delegation’s trip the Federation submitted background information on Hungary and Slovakia to the CODEL. “At a time when there is considerable misinformation being disseminated about Hungary and so little known about the discrimination against the Hungarian minority in Slovakia, we believe such fact-finding missions are most useful, welcome and greatly appreciated,” said Mr. Koszorus. [read more]

2/17/2012 - AHF briefs top professional staff advisor to Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Europe and Eurasia on the eve of congressional delegation (CODEL) trip to Hungary and Slovakia. The Federation submitted a letter to the Chairman and Ranking Member along with significant background materials on Hungary and Slovakia and called their attention to recent harsh and often politically motivated and unfair criticism of Hungary and the anti-Hungarian attitudes,

policies and practices in Slovakia [read more] and join the discussion on Politics.hu!

1/24/2012 - AHF reacts to what it sees as politically motivated, unmerited, biased criticism of Hungary. "...the Federation urges and calls for objectivity and evenhandedness bereft of partisan politics when judgments are made about the state of democracy in Hungary and the region. Hungary has a revered history of standing up for freedom against great odds, and it is not to be defamed through political expediency." [read more]

Featured Books & Articles
AHF presents 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

T. Zane Reeves: "Shoes Along the Danube." Based on a true story, this amazing book follows the lives of two extended Hungarian families, the Rézlers and the Földes, one gentile and the other Jewish, through three decades. The story begins in pre-World War II Budapest, as increasing fascism and anti-Semitism lead Hungary to become an ally of Germany. In 1944, Germany invades Hungary to exterminate Europe’s last remaining group of Jews at the infamous Auschwitz death camp. The story builds through the siege of Budapest, the Russian occupation of Hungary, and separation by exile. It includes the story of Col. Ferenc Koszorus and the battle against Nazi forces. Buy [his books] and other products on the AHF Amazon Store
[read more] about Zane and "Shoes Along the Danube"
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Through an American Lens, Hungary, 1938: Photographs of Margaret Bourke-White. Kadar Lynn's recently discovered a treasure trove of mostly unpublished photographs taken during the artist's month-long trip to Hungary in 1938 by Life Magazine's most renowned photojournalist, Margaret Bourke-White. The photographs not only furnish us with a look at pre-WWII Hungary and its people, but because Bourke-White took unsentimental portraits of the major political figures in Hungary, from the far right to the far left, Communists, Fascists, Socialists, Social Democrats, Smallholders, as well as the primary government officials, it provides us with an insight into these individuals and history provides us with the consequences of their actions. Purchase this book on [read more]
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Deborah Cornelius’ Hungary in World War II: Caught in the Cauldron (Fordham University Press, New York 2011) gives an excellent overview of the events leading up to and the horrendous events of World War II in Hungary. Hungary in World War II: Caught in the Cauldron by Deborah Cornelius, Fordham University Press, New York, 2011. Csaba Zoltani writes: "Deborah Cornelius’ Hungary in World War II: Caught in the Cauldron (Fordham University Press, New York 2011) gives an excellent overview of the events leading up to and the horrendous events of World War II in Hungary. The effect of the Treaty of Trianon, that without plebiscites, truncated Hungary and deprived it of its natural resources and forced a sizeable portion of its population to live under alien jurisdiction, set the political and sociological climate in Hungary from the 1920's on. Cornelius gives an excellent overview of the readjustment that expressed itself in the politics and led to the belief that revision of the treaty was only possible through German intervention." [read more] Buy it now on AHF's Amazon Store!
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Meet Zsuzsa Hanto, author of "Kitiltott Családok" (Banished families. Communist repression of "class enemies" in Hungary) New Zsuzsa Hanto, book published: "Kitiltott Családok" (Banished families. Communist repression of "class enemies" in Hungary) Hantó Zsuzsa az elszenvedők és visszaemlékezők emlékeit is magában foglaló könyv történész szerzője nem kevesebbre vállalkozik, mint az 1950-ben és 1951-ben vidékről és Budapestről a kommunista rezsin által kitelepített, kitiltott családok szenvedéseit, megpróbáltatásait, nem egyszer pusztulását mutatja be. [tovább]
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Tokaji Wine: Fame, Fate, Tradition: A Journey into Tokaji Wine History - By AHF's Miles Lambert-Gocs. This is a book that Wine Spectator called "the most comprehensive reference book on Tokaji available in the English language."

How did a wine from a remote corner of Europe gain unparalleled fame worldwide? This is the central question answered on virtually every page of Tokaji Wine: Fame, Fate, Tradition, a new book that promises to be a touchstone for all future writing on Tokaji. The world's first botrytis wine, Hungary's Tokaji won an enviable reputation centuries ago. But never before have the development of its winetypes and the story of its ups and downs in fame and prestige been presented so fully in English. [read more] or Buy his books now on the AHF Amazon Store
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Scarlett Antaloczy's "FREEDOM ’56: True Stories of the Hungarian Revolution"... is a timely compilation of true accounts of the Hungarian freedom fight of 1956. What started out as a personal family tribute to Scarlett’s parents blossomed into a worldwide journey leading to a host of discoveries and the posing of serious questions about civilization, global domination and political agendas. FREEDOM ’56 is derived from a wealth of interviews and submissions of first-hand information from survivors and friends of the Hungarian Revolution of 1956 against the Soviet occupation and the Hungarian Communist party. These are the personal experiences and reflections of individual contributors, from all walks of life and from all over the world, who looked back across more than fifty years of history to share their still-vivid memories of the Revolution with readers of FREEDOM ’56. [read more] and Buy her book now on the AHF Amazon Store

AHF Store on
Help AHF by purchasing all your products using the AHF Amazon Store! You pay nothing more and AHF earns a small percentage! Start your search [here]!

More member books on AHF's Amazon Store:

Miles Lambert-Gocs: "Tokaji Wine: Fame, Fate, Tradition: A Journey into Tokaji Wine History." Wine Spectator called it "the most comprehensive reference book on Tokaji available in the English language." [read more] and Buy his books now on the AHF Amazon Store

"The Porcelain Figurine" (A Porcelánbaba) by Eva Mecs. [read more] and Buy her book now on the AHF Amazon Store

Kitty Gogins: "My flag Grew Stars" by [Read more] about the book or purchase the book on

Lapossy, Susanna (Zsuzsanna):
Life Behind the Iron Curtain. [Read more] about thebook or purchase the book on

Simon, Paul M: "The Old lady and the Fawn," the first bilingual edition of "Öreg néne ozikéje" (Hungarian)