AMERICAN HUNGARIAN FEDERATION
ONGOING CONGRESSIONAL ACTION ALERT
Strengthen the Hungarian-American Congressional Caucus – Make Your Voice Heard in Washington!
The American Hungarian Federation calls upon Hungarian-Americans and friends of Hungary throughout the United States to encourage their elected representatives to join and actively support the bipartisan Hungarian-American Congressional Caucus in the U.S. Congress.
Originally established in 2003 by the late Congressman Tom Lantos, the Hungarian-American Congressional Caucus provides an important voice for Hungarian-American interests in Washington and promotes stronger relations between the United States and Hungary.
Currently co-chaired by Representatives Andy Harris (R-MD) and Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), the Caucus offers an important bipartisan forum for addressing issues of mutual concern to the American and Hungarian peoples.
The American Hungarian Federation (AHF), founded in 1906 and the oldest Hungarian-American nonprofit organization in the United States, believes that a strong and active Congressional Caucus is essential to ensuring that the interests, heritage, and contributions of Hungarian-Americans receive appropriate recognition in Washington.
WHY THIS MATTERS
Hungarian-Americans have made extraordinary contributions to American society, from the American Revolution and the founding of our nation to science, education, business, culture, and public service.
The AHF encourages congressional engagement on issues including:
- U.S.–Hungary Relations: Strengthening diplomatic, economic, cultural, and strategic ties between the United States and Hungary.
- Human Rights and Minority Rights: Supporting the rights of historic Hungarian communities living in neighboring countries throughout the Carpathian Basin.
- Religious and Cultural Heritage: Protecting Hungarian cultural identity, historic institutions, religious communities, and educational opportunities.
- NATO and Regional Security: Encouraging constructive cooperation between the United States and Hungary as NATO allies.
- Hungarian-American Heritage: Recognizing the historic contributions of Hungarian-Americans to the founding, development, and defense of the United States.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
1. Contact your U.S. Representative.
Ask your Representative to join the Hungarian-American Congressional Caucus if he or she is not already a member. If already a member, encourage continued participation and active leadership.
2. Contact your U.S. Senators.
Although the Caucus is a House congressional organization, Senators can also be encouraged to support stronger U.S.–Hungary relations and issues important to the Hungarian-American community.
3. Make your voice heard.
Call, email, or write your elected representatives. Personal communications from constituents can help bring important issues to the attention of congressional offices.
4. Share this Action Alert.
Forward this appeal to Hungarian-American organizations, churches, community groups, friends, and colleagues. Encourage them to participate in this nationwide effort.
FIND YOUR ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES
U.S. House of Representatives:
https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative
U.S. Senate:
https://www.senate.gov/senators/senators-contact.htm
Hungarian Embassy – Congressional Relations and Caucus Information:
https://washington.mfa.gov.hu/en/congressional-relations
WHAT TO SAY WHEN YOU CALL
“Hello, my name is __________. I am a constituent of Representative __________ and a member/supporter of the Hungarian-American community.
I am calling on behalf of the American Hungarian Federation to encourage the Representative to join and actively support the bipartisan Hungarian-American Congressional Caucus, currently co-chaired by Representatives Andy Harris and Marcy Kaptur.
The Caucus plays an important role in strengthening relations between the United States and Hungary and representing the interests of Hungarian-Americans.
I would appreciate it if the Representative would consider joining this important bipartisan effort. If the Representative is already a member, I would encourage continued active participation.
Thank you for your time and consideration.”
SAMPLE LETTER TO YOUR CONGRESSMAN OR CONGRESSWOMAN
The Honorable [Representative’s Name]
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Representative [Last Name]:
As your constituent and a member/supporter of the Hungarian-American community, I am writing to encourage you to join and actively support the bipartisan Hungarian-American Congressional Caucus.
Originally established by the late Congressman Tom Lantos, the Caucus serves as an important forum for strengthening the historic friendship between the United States and Hungary and recognizing the contributions of Hungarian-Americans to our nation.
The Hungarian-American community has a proud history of service to the United States. From the American Revolution to the present day, Americans of Hungarian descent have made significant contributions to our country’s military, scientific, cultural, educational, and economic life.
The Caucus also provides an important opportunity for Congress to address issues affecting historic Hungarian communities throughout Central Europe, including human rights, minority rights, religious freedom, and the preservation of Hungarian cultural heritage.
As a NATO ally, Hungary remains an important partner of the United States. Strong congressional engagement can help promote constructive diplomatic, economic, cultural, and strategic relations between our two countries.
I respectfully ask you to join the Hungarian-American Congressional Caucus if you are not already a member and to support its continued work. Your participation would demonstrate recognition of the Hungarian-American community and its longstanding contributions to the United States.
Thank you for your consideration and for your service to our country.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your City and State]
A MESSAGE FROM THE AMERICAN HUNGARIAN FEDERATION
The American Hungarian Federation encourages all Hungarian-Americans and friends of Hungary to participate in this ongoing effort. Our community has a proud history in America, and we should ensure that our voices are heard in the halls of Congress.
A stronger Hungarian-American voice in Washington begins with you!
American Hungarian Federation
Founded in 1906
The oldest Hungarian-American nonprofit organization in the United States.
Website: https://www.americanhungarianfederation.org/
Related
How to help?
Call, write, or Fax your Representative and ask for their support! Use these links to find your representative and senators
Find your U.S. Representative · Find your U.S. Senators
The significance of congressional caucuses is described in an essay by Frank Koszorus, Jr., AHF President and Chairman of the International Relations Committee of the American Hungarian Federation:
THE ROLE OF CONGRESSIONAL CAUCUSES IN POLICY MAKING: DON’T IGNORE THEM
Frank Koszorus, Jr., May 2003
This essay briefly discusses congressional caucuses, the important role they play in policy making, and why interest groups that want to expand their contacts on Capitol Hill should not ignore them.
Congressional caucuses can be defined as “voluntary groups of members of Congress with shared interests.” Publisher’s Note, Congressional Caucuses in National Policymaking, Susan W. Hammond, Johns Hopkins University Press (1998). They are “prime players in influencing policy and setting the legislative agenda.” (Emphasis added) Id. Within caucuses, “members share information, coordinate legislative plans, seek ways to influence colleagues, and even strategize on agenda setting.” Id. Caucuses also lobby for specific legislation and meet with the Speaker of the House and other influential members in furtherance of their legislative agenda. Erin M. Prangley, “Congressional Caucus for Women’s Issues,” Informal Congressional Caucuses & the Policy Process, A Woodrow Wilson Center Policy Seminar, November 19, 1998. These efforts are often successful because caucus membership “has an independent effect on floor votes ‘at a statistically significant level.’” Hammond. Id. At a minimum, caucuses serve as an information clearinghouse for members of Congress, “furnishing them with taking points on . . . legislation and attempting to clear up misinformation.” Andrew Bernstein, “Congressional Member Organization for the Arts.” Id.
Several ethnic groups have recognized the value of congressional caucuses to advance their interests. In this process, “[c]ongressional caucuses may also be critical actors in proposed legislation . . . . The purpose [for caucuses], quite simply, is to have significant political players in Congress committed to the agenda of an ethnic community, for the critical concern is to ‘become part of the system’ by having ‘a place at the table’ where decisions are made.” Tony Smith, Foreign Attachments: The Power of Ethnic Groups in the Making of American Foreign Policy (Harvard University Press, 2000).
Over the past several Congresses, there have been over 250 caucuses formed. They range from the Ad Hoc Congressional Committee for Irish Affairs to the Zero Capital Gains Tax Caucus. Among the better known caucuses are the Congressional Black Caucus, The Coalition (“The Blue Dog Democrats”), the Congressional Caucus for Women’s Issues and the Republican Study Committee.
A number of caucuses focus on foreign affairs. These include: Senate Friends of Norway Caucus; Friends of Switzerland Caucus; House Republican Israel Caucus; House Portuguese American Caucus; Congressional Ukrainian Caucus; Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues; Baltic Caucus; and the Congressional Caucus on Central Europe.
Examples of the purposes for which such caucuses are formed are the House Republican Israel Caucus, i.e., “meet to educate Members on the importance of U.S./Israel relations” and the Congressional Ukrainian Caucus, i.e., “[t]he Congressional Ukrainian Caucus is a bipartisan group of legislators dedicated to strengthening U.S. – Ukrainian relations.”
In sum, interest groups value caucuses because caucuses offer them an easy way to get their message out to a dedicated and bipartisan congressional group that is interested in their issues.