®

The American Hungarian Federation® (AHF), a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, was founded in 1906 in Cleveland, Ohio. The largest Hungarian-American umbrella organization in the United States, AHF is also among the oldest ethnic organizations in the country. 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."

Over the past 100 years, AHF's mission has broadened to include support of people of Hungarian descent on both sides of the Atlantic and in the successor states of the Carpathian Basin. 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 its member organizations and the Hungarian American community.

Common Ground, Inclusivity, Reaching Out
Miért van ez Angolul?

AHF believes in focusing on common ground issues and working with ALL Hungarian-American individuals and organizations, regardless of political, religious, or other affiliation. We have all heard, "a nyelvben él a nép" (in the language lives the people). While positive in principle and important historically as a measure of national identity, today there are many Hungarian Americans who feel strongly about their heritage but may not speak the language. Many of these individuals have felt alienated. With the lack of educational opportunity, others never had a chance to learn Hungarian properly. AHF feels these individuals represent an important and largely untapped resource or new energy. AHF's President ex-Officio, Stephen Varga, who doesn't speak Hungarian states, "I dare anyone to find someone that feels more Hungarian than I do." If you know him, you know not to dare him.

AHF strives to make sure its communication includes English to 1) reach out to 2nd and 3rd generation Hungarian-Americans who may have lost their ability to speak Hungarian, but who have a love for their heritage and desire to work toward a better future for their people; and 2) to communicate our message to the Western Media and to the world. Hungarian causes have been largely unknown outside the Hungarian community. Hungarians Rather than tell each other about our problems in Hungarian, we must make others aware of our issues and seek friends and allies who may have been unaware of our concerns due to poor communication or exclusive use of Hungarian.

Hungarian and American - from the start!

AHF's Motto, "Fidelissimus ad Mortem" (Faithful Unto Death), was taken from a letter to Benjamin Franklin written by the Father of the US Light Cavalry when he offered his sword in service to the United States. The former Hussar Officer, Col. Commandant Mihaly Kovats, whose life and service is celebrated annually by US Military Cadets at the Citadel Military Academy, died in battle against the British in Charleston, S.C. in 1779. Our Motto reflects our virtues and historically and inextricably ties Hungarians and Americans together and symbolizes Hungarians' contribution to America right from the start.

A Brief History

In 1902 a movement started to build a Kossuth statue in Cleveland. The movement was spearheaded by the "Szabadsag" Hungarian language newspaper and its editor Kohanyi Tihamer. The needed funds were raised within few short weeks. Some 60,000 people attended the unveiling, but there were no representatives from Hungary. As a sign of unity and to symbolize that Hungarians and Americans were tied together inextricably from the start, Hungarian American leaders conceived an idea to place a statue of George Washington in Budapest. AHF's "Statue Committee" was organized and the collection started with the Szabadsag's donation of $100. Fundraising was again successful and construction began on a site in Budapest's beautiful City Park (Város Liget). In 1906, several hundred American Hungarians traveled to Hungary for the unveiling led by AHF's first President, Kohanyi Tihamer. The group laid wreaths on the statues of Szechenyi, Petofi and visited the last resting place of Kossuth.

With the aftermath of WWI and the tragic consequences that befell Hungary at the Treaty of Trianon, the American Hungarian Federation organized the 1st Hungarian American National Congress, a grand assembly of all Hungarian organizations held on May 29, 1929 in Buffalo, New York. The Federation obtained full support and was recognized by the United States government as the official spokesman of Hungarian-Americans. One of the American Hungarian Federation's early purposes was to coordinate efforts for the revision of the Treaty of Trianon and bring to the attention of politicians and lawmakers the importance of such a revision. With its new mandate, a few months later in Budapest, AHF became a founding member of the Hungarian World Alliance at the first International Congress of Hungarians whose members included representatives of Hungarian communities from many parts of the world and friends of Hungary from foreign countries. One of the more spectacular projects aimed at calling attention to the plight of Hungary after her dismemberment at Trianon was the historic trans-Atlantic flight named "Justice for Hungary," marking the first time that an airplane crossing the ocean had radio contact both with the starting and landing aerodromes and also the first time such a flight was used for political purposes.

AHF's original mission was:

"...to direct immigrants of Hungary into such parts of this country where they are mostly needed; to further the cultural development of Americans of Hungarian birth or decent; to spread the knowledge of American Institutions among them, so as to further their Americanization; to give material and moral aid to those who need it; to get free legal advice aid to American-Hungarians without means; to promote cordial commercial relations between this country and Hungary; to defend the good name and reputation of Hungary against attacks and defamations; and to organize branches for the purpose of accomplishing the several aims of the Federation." But With the tragic events unfolding in Europe in WWI, WWII, and then again in 1956, AHF's mission evolved. 

The reluctant player in WWI was punished heavily, paying a price no other modern nation had ever before been subjected to. The French, despite American protests and calls for plebiscites, with troops in Northern Hungary in violation of the peace, pushed through the Treaty of Versailles (Trianon) which cost Hungary 2/3 of it territory, 1/3 of its Hungarian population, and up to 90% of its resources, railroads, and industry. Although Rumania, herself created only in 1862, switched to the French side almost at the very end of the war, she gained all of Transylvania and majority of the Banat. The Czechs got all of Northern Hungary to create Czechoslovakia, the Serbs got Southern Hungary (Vojvodina) and Croatia, and most amazingly, the Austrians who were responsible for getting Hungary into the war in the first place, got Western Hungary (Burgenland). AHF was instrumental in organizing the American Hungarian Community in efforts to influence US policy in order to illuminate the unjust dismemberment of Hungary at Trianon and seek re-unification.

In the aftermath of WWII, AHF worked closely with the Hungarian Reformed Federation of America and started the first Hungarian Relief Program. A total of $1,457,743.00 was sent to the needy people of Hungary in the form of money, clothing and medicine.

In 1956 the American Hungarian Federation activated the second Hungarian Relief program for the refugees of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution, providing $512,560.00. With the support of the American Hungarian Federation, over 65,000 refugees arrived in the USA.

The AHF has been a stalwart supporter of freedom both at home and abroad, often sending memoranda to the US President and Congress, as well as testifying before Congress on the "Desperate Plight of the Hungarian People."  On December 13, 1974 a bill was passed in the Senate, in response to energetic lobbying by the American Hungarian Federation, on the basis of the text drafted by Szabolcs Mesterhazy. The bill provides that any country desirous of acquiring the status of the "most favored nation" must agree to allow the free emigration of its citizens who wish to join their relatives in the United States. This bill was submitted by Jesse Helms (R-North Carolina) and is humorously referred to as "the Hungarian Amendment." In 1974, AHF published a two volume set containing the speeches and correspondences of various distinguished members of the US Senate and House of Representatives with references to the Hungarian questions. 

In 1990 March 15, a Lajos Kossuth Bust was dedicated by the leaders of the American Hungarian Federation in the United States Capitol Rotunda. The welcoming text was delivered by Honorable Tom Lantos (D-CA). The sculpture was unveiled by the sculptor, Csaba Kur of Youngstown, OH. The "Father of the Rumanian Revolution," Rev. Tokes of Transylvania, was also present. After the Ceremonies there was a reception given by the Hungarian Reformed Federation (HRFA), the William Penn Association and the Congressional Human Rights Foundation in the Statuary Hall of the US Capitol.

Despite many successes, the situation for millions of Hungarians, especially in those areas lost after WWI at the Treaty of Versailles (Trianon), remains grim. Oppressive language laws in Slovakia and Rumania, the lack of formal education opportunities in the mother tongue, the forced confiscation of private and church/synagogue property in Rumania, and Serb vandalism and violence in Vojvodina are but a few indicators that there is much work still to do. The pathetic story of the tiny Hungarian village called Szelmenc that was literally divided in two by two successor states sums it all up very well.

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The 1907 Kohányi Szózat (Appeal)

“Amerika egy millió magyarja, nemcsak hogy követeljük, de keresztül is visszük azt, hogy Magyarország népének ugyanabban a szabadságban, ugyanabban az igazságban, ugyanabban a jólétben legyen resze, mint a mely szabadság, igazság, es jólét abban az Amerikában van amelynek lakósai, polgárai vagyunk.”

“We, America’s 1 million Hungarians, do not just demand, but will work to ensure that the people of Hungary may partake in the same freedom, the same justice, the same prosperity as we, citizens of America, partake.”
- Kohanyi Tivadar, AHF President, 1907

National Headquarters [see more]:

The American Hungarian Federation
Atilla Kocsis, National Office Director
809 National Press Bldg
Washington, DC 20045
tel (202) 737-0127
fax (202) 737-8406

The National Press Building is two blocks from the White House at the corner of 14th and F Streets, NW. The office is easily accessible from the Metro Center station on the Red Line.

Click the image for a more detailed map or to get directions on Google Maps.

Email inquiries to info@americanhungarianfederation.org

Presidents Emeritus:

• Dr. Rev. Bertalan Imre Sr.
• Rev. Dr. Miskolczy Kálmán
• Dr. Nádas Gyula Sr.
• George K. Haydu †

President:

• Attila Micheller, National President
• Stephen J. Varga, Ex-Officio President

Co-Presidents:

• Gyula Balogh
• Frank Koszorús, Jr. J.D.
• Zoltán Bagdy

Vice Presidents:

• Rev. Imre Bertalan Jr.
• Rev. Sándor Havadtöy
• Miklós Kossányi
• László Megyeri, J.D.
• László Papp
• Kálman Nagy
• Csaba Téglás
• Dr. Dénes DeTörök
• Yvette Gorog-Boone

 Board of Directors:

Executive Committee

• Bryan Dawson-Szilágyi, Chairman

The Board

• Ákos Nagy, Chairman (NJ)
• Gyula Balogh, Vice-Chairman (DC)
• Imre Beke, Jr. Vice-Chairman (NY)
• Lajos Balogh, Vice-Chairman (NJ)
• Frank Dobos (FL)
• Chris Cutrone (TX)
• Bártucz Lajos (NJ)
• Aladár Bauer (NJ)
• Gyula Bikkal (NY)
• Prof. Béla Bognár (OH)
• Dr. Zsuzsa Fráter (RI)
• Zoltán Bagdy (DC)
• Zoltán Körössy (DC)
• Attila Kocsis (VA)
• Dr. Ferenc Korompai (TX)
• John Nagy (OH)
• Miklós Péterváry (NY)
• Paul Tarkó (CT)
• Dr. Tibor Vass (CO)
• János Kiss (PA)
• Árpád Drótos (NY)
• Dr. Károly Balogh (MA)
• Andrew Evva (FL)
• Prof. Lászlo Gutay (IN)
• Péter Vadász (CA)

Treasurer:

• Sándor Murray
• Atilla Kocsis (Asst.)

  Comptrollers:

• Zoltán Bagdy
• Dr. Les Megyeri

National Secretary:

• Csilla Banyai
• Atilla Kocsis (Asst.)

More detail about those members with Websites can be found on [links]. Some of these have been [Featured Members]. If we missed you, please let us know!

(alphabetically)

1. 1956 World Federation of Freedom Fighters in Mid-America
   - Professor László Gutay, Ph.D.
2. The American Foundation for Hungarian Youth and Culture
   - Andrew Evva
3. American Hungarian Citizens League of Garfield NJ
   - Grósz Ádám
4. American Hungarian Executive Circle (AHEC)
   - Horváth László
5. American Hungarian Federation of Washington, DC
   - Dr. Koszorus Ferenc
6. The New Brunswick Hungarian Citizens League
   - Judit Tormasi
7. AHF Tennessee Chapter
   - Dr. Steven Csorna
8. AHF Texas Chapter
   - Chris Cutrone
9. AHF Virginia Chapter
   - Steve Vekony
10. AHF Arizona Chapter
    - Elaine Landau
11. American Hungarian Foundation
    - Prof. Molnár Ágoston
12. American Hungarian
    Reformed Federation HRFA
    - Gyula Balogh
13. Assumption Catholic Church
    - Father Miskolczy Kálmán OPD
14. The Atlanta Hungarian Language Meetup Group
    - Joseph Értavy
15. The Bethlen Home
    - Rev. Dr. Bertalan A Imre, Jr.
16. Catskill Hungarian Club
    - Beke Imre, Sr.
17. Fathers and Sons of the Revolution
    - v. Juhász Ferenc
18. Fiatal Magyarok Kozossege
    - Beke Imre, Jr.
19. First United Hungarian Church of Christ of Miami
    - Revs. Lászlo and Dr. Lukácsi Éva
20. First Hungarian Hussar Regiment of California
    - Ferenc (Frank) Bakonyi, Colonel
21. Friends of United Way, Hungary
    - László Buda
22. Honorary Hungarian Consulate of Houston - Philip Aronoff,
    Honorary Consul General
23. Honorary Hungarian Consulate of Miami - George de Pozsgay, Esq.,
    Honorary Consul General
24. Honorary Hungarian Consulate of Seattle - Helen Szablya,
    Honorary Consul General
25. Honorary Hungarian Consulate of Los Angeles - Eva E. Voisin,
    Honorary Consul General
26. Hungarian Association of Cleveland
    - Dr. Nádas Gyula Sr.
27. The Hungarian America Foundation
    - Dr. Végh Sándor
28. Hungarian Christian Society / Venice Hungarian House / Petofi Kulturalis Egyesulet
    - President: Kovács Maria
    - Honorary President: Nagy Kálmán
29. Hungarian Club of Colorado
    - Vass Tibor
30. Hungarian Club of Orange County
    - Vass Ildikó
31. Hungarian Cultural Association of Houston - Eva Stubits
32. Hungarian Cultural Foundation
33. Hungarian Freedom Fighters Federation of America (Magyar Szabadságharcos Szövetség)
    - Bendeghuz Virág
34. Hungarian Freedom Fighters Federation of New York (Magyar Szabadságharcos Szövetség New York-i Szervezete)
    - Mr. George Lovas
35. Hungarian Friends Society
    Elyria, Ohio
36. Hungarian Historical Association
    - Bauer, Aloysius
37. Hungarian Historical Society, NJ
    - George Redey
38. Hungarian Ladies' Guild of NJ
    - Erdösi Margit
39. Hungarian Reformed Church of New York
    - Rev. Drótos Arpád
40. Hungarian Reformed Church of
    Washington, DC
    - Rev. Dr. Bertalan Imre Sr.
41. Hungarian Scholarship Fund
    - Prof. Béla Bognár
42. The Hungarian Society of Massachusetts
    Massachusetts-i Magyar Egyesület
    - Dr. Károly Balogh
43. Hungarians of Southwest Florida
    - Frank Dobos
44. Hungarian Memorial Park,
    N. Olmstead, Ohio
    - Arpád Dobolyi
45. The Hungarian Multicultural Center
    - Beáta Széchy
46. Hungarian Round Table of NJ
    - Micheller Attila
47. Linden Hungarian Club
    - Micheller Attila
48. Loraine County Memorial Association, Ohio
    - Lena Dohanyos / John Peters
49. Lorantffy Zsuzsanna Home
    - Mrs. Dömötör Erzsébet
50. Louisiana Hungarians
    - Dr. Stephen Gergátz and Julia Bika
51. The Lyukas Zaszlo "Torn From the Flag" Project
    - Kovács Klaudia
52. Magyar Studies of America
    - Zsuzsa Lengyel
53. Magyar Szo / a Hid
    - István Pétermann
54. Meszaros International Center of Entrepreneurship (MICE) (Buffalo, NY) - Mészaros Lászlo "Les"
55. The MetroPlex Magyar Cultural Circle
    - Imre Gazda
56. Hungarian Multicultural Center
    - Beáta Széchy
57. Miami Hungarian Workshop
    - Dr. Szilágyi Pál
58. Perth-Amboy Reformed Church
59. Vitézi Rend
    - András Simon
60. Philadelphia Hungarian Club
    - Kiss János
61. The Royal Hungarian Gendarmerie Veterans Association (A Magyar Királyi Csendörség Bajtársi Közösség)
    - Zoltán Körössy
62. Saint Laszlo Hungarian Reformed Church of Lorain Ohio
    - Rev. Tóth Péter
63. Saint Stephen's Roman Catholic Church of NY
    - Ft. Csorba Dömönkös
64. SARA (Sharing America's Resources Abroad) / Ohio United Church of Christ
    - Rev. Dr. Szilágyi István
65. Society of Hungarian Philately
    - Alan Hoover
66. Transylvanian Committee / Erdélyi Bizottság
    - Dr. Rev. Sándor Havadtöy
67. United Hungarian Committee of Lorain, Ohio
    - John E Peters
68. United Hungarian Fund
    - Dr. Papp Gábor
69. William Penn Association
    - Stephen J. Varga