Successful
AHF Meeting on April 2nd, 2005 in Washington, D.C.
Over 40 Members came together representing organizations
from all over the country at the Marriott Crystal City to review the past
year and plan for the future. 
The
Meeting, chaired by Dr. Paul J. Szilagyi, was organized by the Executive
Committee. Members were welcomed by AHF President Stephen Varga who introduced
Rev. Imre Bertalan, Jr., for the invocation. The new found energy was
apparent both at the dinner / reception the evening before and at the
meeting.
Sandor
Murray provided a financial report, noting that donations have risen significantly.
AHF has also donated to a number of important causes from university scholarships
to the Torn from the Flag project
(a documentary film about the 1956 Freedom Fight) by AHF member Klaudia
Kovacs. Bryan Dawson-Szilagyi presented highlights of the last year's
activities as well as an overview on AHF communications and use of technology.
He remarked that AHF was on the right track as both visitors to the Website
and additions to the AHF mailing list continue to grow dramatically. Membership
has also grown as the Hungarian American community becomes increasingly
aware of AHF's activities and direction. New members have also taken advantage
of the AHF Website's online eCommerce system to
pay member dues.
Atilla
Kocsis provided a status report on the National Headquarters, which
is located in the National Press Building. 
AHF
1st VP, Frank Koszorus, summarized both recent and upcoming activities
for the Political Affairs committee. He read the most recent public statement
signed by AHF and a cross-section of the American Hungarian community
and others condemning former President Ion Iliescu’s shocking statement
on March 25th blaming Hungarians of Tirgu Mures (Marosvasarhely) for the
violence in March 1990 when ethnic Rumanians brought in by trucks viciously
attacked ethnic Hungarians who were seeking rights denied them by the
dictator Ceaucescu In keeping with AHF's goals of media outreach, the
statement was written in English,
Hungarian,
and Rumanian.
See "Related Downloads" on the right to download the letter.
Tibor
Purger provided a synopsis on AHF participation in the Szabadka
Forum and offered an excellent analysis on its outcomes and future
developments. He noted that AHF participated in a truly historic occasion
as the forum held in Szabadka (Subotica in Serbo-Croatian) marked the
first time ethnic Hungarian political parties met without the support
or participation of the Hungarian government in Budapest. Read more and
view the joint declaration by clicking [here].
One
of the highlights of the meeting included Rev. Dr. Stephen Szilagyi's
stirring presentation on his organization's charitable activities. SARA
has already provided over 30 million dollars of medical supplies and countless
services to the poor in former Hungarian territories such as Carpatho-Ukraine
(Karpatalja) and now around the world. 
In
addition to distributing medical supplies, SARA develops a network of
doctors, dentists, and other service providers to provide medical care
and surgery to those who cannot afford it. AHF presented to Rev. Dr. Szilagyi
its second "Tako Geza Award" given to individuals of outstanding
character and contributions to the Hungarian people.
Acclaimed
poet-performers Mihaly Czinkota and Kinga M. DeChapelle recited some of
their poems reflecting on the tragedies and triumphs of the 1956 revolution.
Their uniquely choreographed presentation echoed each others thoughts
and provided a bi-lingual glimpse into their words and ideas.
Dr.
Paul J. Szilagyi introduced a new project code-named "Fulgur"
or "lightning" in Latin. Fulgur was
the title of a children's book about Hungary and its historic borders.
Like its namesake, the Fulgur project aims to develop programs to support
the survival of Hungarian communities in former Hungarian territories.
Bryan Dawson-Szilagyi promoted the idea of supporting ethnic Hungarian
organizations through sponsorship of technology and other innovations
that can contribute to effective communication and coordination in former
Hungarian territories. He commented there is a lack of centralized information
and community outreach and that AHF can help provide that. Rev. Imre Bertalan
Jr. added that Fulgur can also target ethnic Hungarians in the United
States through educational opportunities and information dissemination.
Dawson-Szilagyi added that the lack of full-time elementary education
as well as a strong national presence in Washington that could offer internship
and other government related educational opportunities are a major concern.
Those interested in participating, are invited to join
us!
Finally,
AHF Director Attila Micheller formally announced AHF's plans to commemorate
the 1956 Revolution's 50th Anniversary and called on members to join in
the "1956 Commemoration Committee." 
Renowned
artist and sculptor Gyuri Hollosy, gave a presentation of his work and
ideas for a 1956 memorial. His sculptures are already standing in Liberty
Square Boston, Cleveland, Akron and New Brunswick. Member organizations
around the country are joining in this important milestone. 
AHF
is seeking ways to support these local organizations, coordinate activities
to increase media impact, and ways to make a permanent mark in Washington
DC. AHF formed a 1956 Commemoration Committee and all are invited to join
us and participate. If you are a local organization making plans for this
event, please let
us know how we can help!
[join us!] [< Back to all AHF news]
Next
AHF National Meeting on April 2nd, 2005 in Washington, DC in the Marriott
Crystal City at Reagan National Airport. Members receive special
room rates. [join us!]. All
members and prospective members are invited to join AHF and participate
in this important meeting that continues discussions on the commemoration
of the 50th Anniversary of the 1956 Revolution as well as strategy on
building upon the significant success of the past year.
DETAILS:
Marriott Crystal City at Reagan National Airport
1999 Jefferson Davis Highway
Arlington, VA, 22202
Tel: (703) 413-5500
Fax: (703) 413-0192
[CLICK
to view map and directions]
Refer to American Hungarian Federation for discount. Discounted rooms on first-come, first-served basis. For more information contact Dr. Paul Szilagyi at (305) 919-7159.
Andy
Grove
(b 1936, Budapest)
President/CEO, Chairman, and Co-Founder of
Intel Corporation:
Time's Man of the Year for 1998. The second Hungarian awarded the honor. The
first was the Hungarian Freedom Fighter in 1957!
See more Famous Hungarians on
The Hungary Page
Join online!
