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The 20th Anniversary of the US Capitol Dedication of the Bust of Louis Kossuth

The American Hungarian Federation commisioned a bronze bust of Lajos Kossuth and presented it to U.S. Congress. AHF and members of the community joined Congress, the Hungarian Embassy, and the Lantos Foundation in a commemoration of the 20th anniversary of its unveiling.3/16/2010 - 20th Anniversary of the Dedication of the Kossuth Bust in the US Capitol... To celebrate and commemorate the friendship and shared values between the people of the United States and those of Hungarian descent, Left to right: Bryan Dawson (AHF Executive Chairman) and Frank Koszorus (AHF President) on the 20th Anniversary of the Dedication of the Kossuth Bust in the US Capitolthe American Hungarian Federation commissioned a bronze bust of Lajos Kossuth and offered it to U.S. Congress in 1990. AHF leaders and members of the community joined Congress, the Hungarian Embassy, and the Lantos Foundation in a commemoration of the 20th anniversary of its unveiling in the US Capitol.

The AHF Display - Kossuth Lajos (b. 1802, d. 1894, pronounced co-shoot luh-yôsh) was Governor of Hungary during the 1848-1849 War of Liberation for independence and democracy which was eventually defeated by the union of the royalist Austrian Habsburg and Russian Czarist Armies (1848 - 1849). Kossuth envisioned a federation in the Kingdom of Hungary in which all nationalties participated in a vibrant democratic system based on fundamental democratic principles such as equality and parliamentary representation.Kossuth Lajos (b. 1802, d. 1894, pronounced co-shoot luh-yôsh) was Governor of Hungary during the 1848-1849 War of Liberation for independence and democracy which was eventually defeated by the union of the royalist Austrian Habsburg and Russian Czarist Armies (1848 - 1849). Kossuth envisioned Left to right: Bryan Dawson, Marta Kur Brooks, Dr. Kay King, Frank Koszorus, Tomicah Tillemann, Bela Szombati, Dennis Kucinich, Annette Lantos a federation in the Kingdom of Hungary in which all nationalties participated in a vibrant democratic system based on fundamental democratic principles such as equality and parliamentary representation. Seeking US help to revive the fight for Hungarian freedom, he remarked before the Ohio State Legislature, "The spirit of our age is Democracy. All for the people and all by the people. Nothing about the people, without the people. Congressman Dennis KucinichThat is Democracy, and that is the ruling tendency of the spirit of our age." - His "all for the people" speech from which the above excerpt is taken was given over a decade before Lincoln's famed "for the people, by the people" speech given at Gettysburg in 1863. KossuthAmbassador Bela Szombati was the first foreign Statesman officially invited to the US since the Marquis de Lafayette. Louis Kossuth, spoken before the Ohio State Legislature, February 16, 1852, more than a decade before Lincoln's Gettysburg Address.

Annette Lantos, wife of the late Congressman Tom Lantos from California, who, with Dr. Kay Atkinson King, was instrumental in making the 1990 dedication possible, recalled the emotional Dr. Kay Kingunveiling of the bust. Kay A. King, Ph.D., former Lantos Senior Policy Advisor and now Director of Interparliamentary Affairs, United States House of Representatives shared her very personal and emotional experiences at the 1990 dedication and commented on the how the the event represented more than Hungary's 1848 fight for democracy and Louis Kossuth remarkable impact on the US. She reminded the audience that 1990 saw the fall of the Berlin Tomika (Tomicah) Tillemann, Ph.D., the Lantos' grandson and Speechwriter and Special Assistant to the U.S. Secretary of StateWall, the overthrow of Nicolae Ceaucescu and new governments through Central and Eastern Europe. She recalled the emotion of hearing Bishop Laszlo Tokes share his experiences and his major role in the Rumanian revolution.

Additional speakers included Hungarian Ambasador Béla Szombati; Tomika (Tomicah) Tillemann, Ph.D., the Lantos' grandson and Speechwriter and Special Assistant to the U.S. Secretary of State; Márta Kúr Brooks, daughter of the late sculptor Csaba Kúr; and AHF President Frank Koszorus. Lydia Nyerges, member of the the 4th Bátori József Hungarian Scouts Troop of Washington, DC, performed a flute solo of the "Kossuth Hymn" or "Kossuth Lajos Azt Uzente." The audience followed Mrs. Lantos' lead in singing the hymn.

AHF PresidentMr. Koszorus commented on the inextricable ties between the United States and Hungary. He said Kossuth's dream of ethnic tolerance in the Carpathian is not yet realized and thanked Congressman Kucinich an the Lantos Foundation for their support on issues such as the Slovak Language Law. The full text is below or available for [download].

Mr. Koszorus commented on the inextricable ties between the United States and Hungary. He said Kossuth's dream of ethnic tolerance in the Carpathian is not yet realized and thanked Congressman Kucinich an the Lantos Foundation for their support on issues such as the Slovak Language Law. Click to [download]."I am delighted to be here representing the American Hungarian Federation and to share with you a brief history of the beginnings of this marvelous bust of Lajos Kossuth.

Our Federation, one of the oldest ethnic organizations in the United States, was founded in 1906 in Cleveland, Ohio, and has served its community and the causes of democracy and human and minority rights ever since.

The American Hungarian Federation (AHF) established the Colonel Commandant Michael Kovats Medal of Freedom to honor outstanding individuals and recognize their life's achievements, dedication to freedom and democracy, promotion of transatlantic relations, and meritorious contribution to society. The award, AHF's highest honor, is open to Hungarians and non-Hungarians alike.The Federation’s motto, “Faithful Unto Death,” was taken from a letter written by Col. Mihaly Kovats de Fabriczy to Benjamin Franklin.  Kovats, known as the Father of US light cavalry, offered his sword in service to the United States and died in battle against the British in Charleston, South Carolina in 1779. [AHF's highest honor is the Col. Commandant Michael Kovats de Fabricy Medal of Freedom]

Our motto also recognizes the service of Hungarian generals who came to the United States following Hungary’s defeat by Austria and Russia in 1849 and fAHF President Frank Koszorus and Congressman Dennis Kucinichought to preserve the Union during the Civil War.

Just as Kovats’ life and service is celebrated, the Federation’s motto expresses the historical and inextricable ties between Hungarians and Americans, while symbolizing Hungarians’ contributions to America. 

Continuing the Federation’s strong sense of service and in order to celebrate and commemorate the friendship and shared values between the people of the United States and Hungarians and to acknowledge the incredible, far-reaching and historic changes that were then unfolding in Hungary and the region, the American Hungarian Federation commissioned the bust of Lajos Kossuth and offered it to U.S. Congress twenty years ago. 

I am happy to note that the artist, Csaba Kur, was also a member of the board of directors of the Federation.

Well, the rest is history as they say – thanks to the indefatigable efforts of Congressman Tom Lantos and especially of Annette Lantos, we are here celebrating the 20th anniversary of the dedication of the bust of Lajos Kossuth in these hallowed halls of the United States Capitol.

Annette Lantos with Martha Kur BrooksThe Federation is both humbled and proud to have been able to make a contribution to this extraordinary event 20 years ago, which enables us to better remember a great Hungarian patriot and champion of liberty and reminds us all that there is work yet to be done, such as promoting inter-ethnic harmony and tolerance in Central and Eastern Europe.

Thank you Congressman Kucinich, Annette and the Lantos Foundation for your support on this issue also."

A wreath-laying ceremony at the Kossuth Bust concluded the event. [Additional Photos] also courtesy of Dr. Imre Nemeth

[< Back to the historic 1990 Unveiling]
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Dedication by the United States Congress of a Bust of Lajos (Louis) Kossuth: Proceedings in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda - with a forward by Rep. Tom Lantos [Download 4.5Mb]
Dedication by the United States Congress of a Bust of Lajos (Louis) Kossuth: Proceedings in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda - with a forward by Rep. Tom Lantos [Download 4.5Mb]

AHF 100 YEARS DISPLAY
at the 2007 AHF Congressional Reception
(click on image for a larger version)

AHF 100 YEARS DISPLAY: AHF and the Kossuth Bust in the US Capitol
AHF and the Kossuth
Bust in the US Capitol

Read More AHF History


Shortcuts:
Famous Quotes

"the house of Habsburg-Lorraine, perjured in the sight of God and man, had forfeited the Hungarian throne."
Hungary, April 1849

"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."
Spoken before the Ohio State Legislature,
February 16, 1852


More About Louis Kossuth

Portrait of Louis Kossuth that hung in the office of Representative Tom LantosKossuth Lajos (b. 1802, d. 1894, pronounced co-shoot luh-yôsh) was Governor of Hungary during the 1848-1849 War of Liberation for independence and democracy which was eventually defeated by the union of the royalist Austrian Habsburg and Russian Czarist Armies (1848 - 1849). Kossuth envisioned a federation in the Kingdom of Hungary in which all nationalties participated in a vibrant democratic system based on fundamental democratic principles such as equality and parliamentary representation. The bloody conflict eventually led to a great compromise known as the "Austro-Hungarian Empire," in which Hungary gained some autonomy. although Kossuth would have no part in it and demanded full indepependence until his death.

"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.His "all for the people" speech from which the above excerpt is taken was given over a decade before Lincoln's famed "for the people, by the people" speech given at Gettysburg in 1863. Kossuth was the first foreign Statesman officially invited to the US since the Marquis de Lafayette. His upcoming speech in the Congress of the United States made the pre-civil war joint house nervous due to his democratic views on equality of all men. Kossuth learned English while in prison and exile and spoke to half the population of the US who enthusiastically greeted and flocked to hear him. Despite Hungary's epic struggle and Kossuth's brave and noble efforts, the US, the "Bastion of Democracy" turned him away, empty handed. Hungary was alone again in its fight for democracy in 1956, and didn't regain freedom until 1989.

Today, there are many reminders of Kossuth's impact on America and the worldToday, there are many reminders of Kossuth's impact on America and the world. In North America, there is a Kossuth County in the state of Iowa, a town with his name in Indiana, Ohio and Mississippi, a settlement with a Kossuth Post Office is in Pennsylvania. In addition, there are Kossuth statues and plaques in New York, Cleveland, Akron, New Orleans, Washington, and Ontario, Canada. The Hungarian Reformed Federation's building on Dupont Circle, in Washington, DC is called Kossuth House with a memorial plaque commemorating his speech on democracy. See the picture gallery and memorials on Louis Kossuth in North America.

Kossuth in New York 1851-1852The renowned Ralph Waldo Emerson said in greeting Kossuth on his arrival at Concord, MA, May 11, 1852:

"[we] have been hungry to see the man whose extraordinary eloquence is seconded by the splendor and the solidity of his actions."

Kossuth was greeted with wild enthusiasm across the country. He was only the second foreign leader (second to Lafayette) to address a joint session of Congress.


Audio Resources

Hear Louis Kossuth Speak!Hear Louis Kossuth Speak! [Click Here] and follow the transcript below - This is the speech of Louis Kossuth which he gave for the dedication of the statue for the 13 Hungarian generals, who were executed at Arad, Hungary, on October 6, 1849 (Arad is in Rumania today after annexation due to the Treaty of Trianon in 1920 ). Louis Kossuth was exiled after the fall of the Hungarian Liberation Fight of 1848 and made his permanent home in Torino (Turin), Italy. This is the speech of Louis Kossuth which he gave for the dedication of the statue for the 13 Hungarian generals, who were executed at Arad, Hungary, on October 6, 1849 (Arad is in Rumania today after annexation due to the Treaty of Trianon in 1920 ).He could not attend the dedication of the monument at Arad, without risking arrest, so he recorded his speech in Turin, and sent it to Arad using the new technology of sound recording, called the phonograph.

The recording was made on September 20, 1890, when Kossuth was 88 years old. It is a sad fact that the monument Kossuth sent his speech for was torn down by the Rumanian government when they annexed Transylvania, along with Arad, in 1920, after World War I.

The original recording on two wax cylinders for the Edison phonograph survives to this day, although barely audible due to excess playback and unsuccessful early restoration attempts. Lajos Kossuth is the earliest born person in the world who has his voice preserved. Since the audio is of such poor quality, here is it is transcribed in Hungarian and translated to English (special thanks to Louis Kossuth in North America)

Hungarian
English

"A világ bírája a történelem fog e kérdésre felelni. Legyenek a szentemlékû vértanúk megáldottak poraikban, szellemeikben a hon szabadság Istenének legjobb áldásaival az örökkévalóságon keresztül; engem ki nem borulhatok le a Magyar Golgota porába, engem október 6-a térdeimre borulva fog hontalanságom remete lakában látni a mint az engem kitagadott Haza felé nyújtva agg karjaimat a hála hû érzelmeivel áldom a vértanúk szent emlékét hûségükért a Haza iránt, 's a magasztos példáért, melyet az utódoknak adtanak; 's buzgó imával kérem a magyarok Istenét, hogy tegye diadalmassá a velõkig ható szózatot, mely Hungária ajkairól a Magyar Nemzethez zeng. Úgy legyen Ámen!

Turin
September 20 1890
Kossuth Lajos

"The judge of the universe, history, will decide over this question. Should the saintly remembered martyrs be hallowed in their ashes, in their spirit with the highest blessings of the Lord of Liberty and through eternity; I can not pay my sympathies to the ashes of the Hungarian Golgotha, but October 6 will find me on my knees in this reclusive home of exile, as I open my arms to my disowning homeland. With gratitude's faithful sentiments, I bless the martyrs' sacred memory for their faith in their homeland and for the sublime example they left to their heirs: with ardent prayer I beg the God of Hungarians to make their appeal which echoes from the lips of Hungaria to the Hungarian Nation. So be it, Amen!

Turin
September 20 1890
Louis Kossuth


The Kossuth Anthem:
Hear Louis Kossuth Speak!
Click to hear the recording:
"Kossuth Lajos azt üzente,
elfogyott a regimentje.
Ha még egyszer azt üzeni,
mindnyájunknak el kell menni,
Éljen a magyar szabadság,
Éljen a haza !
Esik esõ karikára,
Kossuth Lajos kalapjára.
Valahány csepp esik rája,
Annyi áldás szálljon rája,
Éljen a magyar szabadság,
Éljen a haza!"

Links

  • AHF commemorating 1848:
    2009, 2007, 2006
  • President Bush Honors 1848 and Hungary's Contributions to Democracy
  • Kossuth in America [visit]
  • Select Speeches of Kossuth, Condensed and Abridged, with Kossuth's Express Sanction [visit]
  • Louis Kossuth, Mason And Apostle Of World Democracy [visit]
  • Count Apponyi's Oration on the Death of Louis Kossuth [visit]
  • Wikipedia - [visit] and add your thoughts!
  • Louis Kossuth in North America [visit]
  • Kossuth County, Iowa [visit]
  • Kossuth County, Iowa statue dedication
    [visit]
  • Dedication of statue to replace one destroyed by Rumanian occupation forces in 1921: Gyergyócsomafalva, Transylvania [visit]

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