Go to AHF's Homepage Founded in 1906, AHF is one of the nation's oldet ethnic organizations Read all AHF news Buy books and see articles written by AHF members See member links and external resources AHF Action Alerts - get involved! Unity is strength Join AHF, Donate and help AHF help our community
Search Search WWW Search AHF

AHF Centennial Congressional Reception and Awards Ceremony, 2007

The American Hungarian Federation's October 25 commemoration started with wreath laying at the Victims of Communism Memorial near the US Capitol11/1/2007 - Congressional Reception for AHF Centennial... AHF celebrated it's 100th Anniversary, honored the heroes of 1956 on the 51st anniversary of the Hungarian Revolution, and unveiled its plans for a 1956 National Memorial in the Nation's Capital. AHF recognized Congressmen Dan Lipinski (D - IL), Thaddeus AHF members and guests commemorate the 1956 Hungarian Revolution at the Victims of Communism Memorial in Washington, DCMcCotter (R- MI) and Dr. Lee Edwards (Chair of the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation) for their support of AHF initiatives, human rights and democratic development in Central Europe. Each received a plaque and a copy of the book, "Daughter of the Revolution" by renowned poet and author, Prof. Peter Hargitai.

Dr. Lee Edwards honors the Freedom Fighters of the Hungarian Revolution of 1956 at the Victims of Communism Memorial in Washington, DCThe October 25 commemoration started with wreath laying at the Victims of Communism Memorial near the US Capitol. The Victims of Communism (VOC) Memorial was dedicated by President George W. Bush in a morning ceremony on Tuesday, June 12, 2007. Washington's newest memorial honors the 100 million people who have been killed by communist totalitarian regimes worldwide. AHF is proud to have contributed to this great effort. Dr. Lee Edwards, Chair of the VOC Memorial Foundation) addressed the audience on this cold, rainy day reminiscent of those fateful days in Budapest 51 years ago.

Congressman Dan Lipinski rose to congratulate the Federation on its centennial. His Chief-of-Staff read the Congressman's statement: "Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the American Hungarian Federation on their 100th anniversary. The Rayburn House Office Building was the site of the reception where more than 100 guests viewed a display of AHF history. Guests included Hungarian Ambassador Ferenc Somogyi, members of the Polish-American Congress, and members of the Central and East European Coalition (CEEC). Frank Koszorus, Co-President and Chair of the International Affairs Committee opened the awards ceremony introducing the Congressman and Dr. Edwards and distinguished guests.

Zoltan Bagdy presents Congressman Dan Lipinski's Chief of Staff with a plaque thanking him for his supportThe day before, in the House of Reprentatives, Congressman Dan Lipinski rose to congratulate the Federation on its centennial. His Chief-of-Staff read the Congressman's statement: "Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the American Hungarian Federation on their 100th anniversary. This group, formed in 1906 as a vehicle to advance and protect the interests of Hungarian-Americans, is one of the oldest ethnic organizations in the United States. Hungarians have been outstanding contributors to our republic since the days of its inception, when Col. Commandant Mihaly Kovats, the Dr. Lee EdwardsHungarian officer who led the first American cavalry into battle, died fighting the British at Charleston, S.C. in 1779. Their exceptional service and patriotism were again exemplified in 1906 when Hungarian-Americansraised funds for the erection of a statue of George Washington in Budapest, one of the first acts of the newly-formed American Hungarian Federation." [download the Lipinski Congressional Record] Zoltan Bagdy, AHF Co-President, presented the award plaque to the Chief of Staff.

Frank Koszorus and Congressman Thad McCotterAkos Nagy, AHF Chairman, introduced Congressman Thaddeus McCotter who gave a stirring speech honoring those that have stood up to brutal dictatorship and thanked theFreedom Fighters of 1956 for their sacrifices. Both Congressmen Lipinski and McCotter have been strong supporters of democratic development inFrank Koszorus presenting award to Congressman Thaddeus McCotter Central Europe and support the Federation and its work with the Central andEastEuropean Coalition (CEEC).

Bryan Dawson, Chair of the Executive Committee, with Congressman Thaddeus McCotter at the 2007 Congressional Reception honoring the 100th Anniversary of the American Hungarian FederationDennis Kucinich (D-OH) had also honored the American Hungarian Federation of Cleveland, the city of AHF's founding, in March. Congressman Kucinich remarked, "For more than one hundred years the AmericanHungarian Federation has worked to unite and to support Americans of Hungarian origin in the United States, regardless of political, religious, or other affiliation. It has also been a strong supporter of freedom both at home and abroad. They played an integral role in providing aid for a Hungarian people in need after World War II, as well as efforts to aid refugees of The Revolution of 1956." [download the Kucinich Congressional Record].

Frank Koszorus and Hungarian Ambassador SomogyiFollowing the awards ceremony, Hungarian Ambassador Ferenc Somogyi reflected on the significance of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution. Bryan Dawson, Chair of AHF's Executive Committee, closed the reception looking back at AHF's 100 years of proud service,Hungarian-American contributions to the United States, and called on the community to unite as we look forward to the next 100 years. "Hungarians have an insatiable thirst for freedom and adventure. Their love of democracy has manifested itself in countless battles and political decisions. Bryan Dawson, Chair of the Executive Committee closed the reception looking back at AHF 100 years of proud service, Hungarian-American contributions to the United States, and called on the community to unite as we look forward to the next 100 years. The nation that once elected kings, first codified freedom of religion, saved Christianity in Europe, and tore the Iron Curtain, would lose millions of its fighting men and women and come under the domination of Austrians, Germans, and Russians. But each of these occupying forces would soon contend again with a new wave of determined Freedom Fighters such as Rakoczi in 1703, Kossuth in 1848, and the Freedom Fighters of 1956 we commemorate today. The thirst for freedom and individual liberty would bring Hungarians and their talents to the shores of many nations and tie the histories of Hungary and the United States together inextricably from the very start... Our work is not done." [dowload Bryan Dawson's full remarks]

AHF selected the beautiful design "Sprint of 1956," scene here, by renowned artist Gyuri Hollosy who was also responsible for the Boston Liberty Square memorial to 1956 and many commissioned works across the country.Dawson then unveiled AHF's plans for a National Memorial to the Heroes of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution in the Nation's Capital! AHF selected the inspiring "Spirit of 1956," seen here, by renowned artist Gyuri Hollosy whose works have been acclaimed across the nation. The memorial depicts an angel, rescuing a Freedom Fighter, as he clutches the hollow flag of the revolution. [read more] about the memorial and get involved!!

See our events commemorating the 1956 Hungarian Revolution from 2005 and 2006.

Congressional Reception for AHF Centennial... AHF celebrated it's 100th Anniversary, honored the heroes of 1956 on the 51st anniversary of the Hungarian Revolution, and unveiled its plans for a 1956 National Memorial in the Nation's Capital. AHF's October 25 commemoration started with wreath laying at the Victims of Communism Memorial near the US Capitol. Dr. Lee Edwards addressed the audience on this cold, rainy day reminiscent of those days in Budapest 51 years ago.

Congressional Reception for AHF Centennial... AHF celebrated it's 100th Anniversary, honored the heroes of 1956 on the 51st anniversary of the Hungarian Revolution, and unveiled its plans for a 1956 National Memorial in the Nation's Capital. Congressional Reception for AHF Centennial... AHF celebrated it's 100th Anniversary, honored the heroes of 1956 on the 51st anniversary of the Hungarian Revolution, and unveiled its plans for a 1956 National Memorial in the Nation's Capital. AHF100_Congress_BryanDawson_ThaddeusMcCotter

Congressional Reception for AHF Centennial... AHF celebrated it's 100th Anniversary, honored the heroes of 1956 on the 51st anniversary of the Hungarian Revolution, and unveiled its plans for a 1956 National Memorial in the Nation's Capital. Gyuri Hollosy with his "Spirit of 1956" - the National Memorial to 1956 Congressman Thaddeus McCotter and Ambassador Somogyi Congressman Thaddeus McCotter

Congressional Reception for AHF Centennial... AHF celebrated it's 100th Anniversary, honored the heroes of 1956 on the 51st anniversary of the Hungarian Revolution, and unveiled its plans for a 1956 National Memorial in the Nation's Capital. Akos Nagy with Ambsassador Somogyi AHF100_ThaddeusMcCotter_AmbassadorSomogyi

Anikio Gaal Schott Bryan Dawson and Alex Murray Frank Koszorus

Imre Toth, Teca Takacs Jules (Gyula) Balogh Frank Kapitan, Viktor Szederkenyi, Les Megyeri

The Spirit of 1956 Memorial Frank Koszorus presenting the book "Daughter of the Revolution" to Dr. Lee Edwards Marianne Keller and Gyuri Hollosy

Priola_Balogh_Rozsa_LeeEdwards Ambassador Somogyi and Sandor Nagy Zoltan Nagy at the buffet table

Akos Nagy presents the AHF plaque to Congressman Thaddeus McCotter Zoltan Bagdy awarding the AHF plaque to Congressman Dan Lipinski's Chief of Staff Congressional Reception for AHF Centennial... AHF celebrated it's 100th Anniversary, honored the heroes of 1956 on the 51st anniversary of the Hungarian Revolution, and unveiled its plans for a 1956 National Memorial in the Nation's Capital.

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 Tihamer, AHF President, 1907

AHF 100 YEARS DISPLAY
(click on each image for a larger version)

AHF 100 YEARS DISPLAY: AHF in the Beginning
AHF in the Beginning:
1906 and Budapest's
George Washington Memorial

AHF 100 YEARS DISPLAY: AHF and the "Justice for Hungary" movement
AHF and the "Justice for
Hungary" movement calling
attention to the tragedy
of Trianon

AHF 100 YEARS DISPLAY: AHF, Tibor Eckhardt, and the "Free Hungary Movement"
AHF, Tibor Eckhardt, and
the "Free Hungary Movement"
seeking to extract Hungary
from the Axis sphere

AHF 100 YEARS DISPLAY: AHF Honoring our Heroes at the Arlington National Cemetery
AHF Honoring our
Heroes at the Arlington
National Cemetery

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

AHF 100 YEARS DISPLAY: AHF as a watchdog for human rights in Rumania
AHF as a watchdog for
human rights in Rumania

AHF 100 YEARS DISPLAY: AHF as a watchdog for human rights in Vojvodina and the MAERT movement
AHF as a watchdog for
human rights in Vojvodina
and the MÁÉRT movement

AHF 100 YEARS DISPLAY: AHF as a watchdog for human rights in Carpatho-Ukraine: The Divided Village of Szelmenc
AHF as a watchdog for
human rights in Carpatho-Ukraine:
The Divided Village of Szelmenc

AHF 100 YEARS DISPLAY: AHF relief efforts during WWII
AHF relief efforts during WWII

AHF 100 YEARS DISPLAY: AHF relief efforts during the 1956 Hungarian Revolution
AHF relief efforts during
the 1956 Hungarian Revolution

Join Us Online!
Join Us Online

  • 1956 Portal - www.hungary1956.com - The American Hungarian Federation is helping to coordinate events across the country! Join Us!
  • The 1956 Institute, (1956-os Intézet), headed by Dr. Janos Reiner, is a great site devoted to exploring the 1956 Hungarian Revolution in English and Hungarian.
  • Magyar Radio Online - includes many audio files and an analysis in Hungarian: "Ki húzta meg a ravaszt eloször 1956. október 23-án?" "Who was the first to pull the trigger?"
  • Time Magazine's gave Hungarian Freedom Fighters the title "Man of the Year" on July 1, 1957. "The Freedom Fighters filled the empty bottles with gasoline and corked them with table napkins, making what they called 'benzine flashes."
  • The Hungary Page - offers information on 1956, the 1956 Olympics, the popular "Nobel Prize Winners and Famous Hungarians," resources on Trianon, Transylvania, History, Music, and more.
  • Wikipedia - the free, online encyclopedia that allows readers to manage its content!
  • The 1956 Hungarian Revolution Historical Documentation and Research Foundation in Hungary - a source for thousands of photographs from the period
  • The National Security Archive at The George Washington University provides a wealth of information on the 1956 Revolution available for download in PDF.
  • The 1956 Hungarian Revolution - a short chronology of events with pictures
  • Pal Maleter on Wikipedia - the military leader of the Hungarian Revolution
  • www.sulinet.hu has as site that transcribed many of the various speeches given before, during, and after the revolution - a fascinating chronology from Nagy to Mindszenty. (Hungarian)
  • Az 1956-os Magyar Forradalom igaz története - in Hungarian. "What the history books left out." Published by the 1956 World Federation.
  • Az 1956-os forradalom története Esztergomban - The Revolution in Esztergom (in Hungarian)
  • Arcok és sorsok - a great site with photos and biographies of some 1956 Freedom Fighters
  • Nagy Imre október 23-án: Nagy Imre október 23-án eleinte hallani sem akart arról, hogy a Parlamentbe menjen és szóljon a tömeghez. Ám mégis megtette. Döbbenetet érezhetett, amikor lenézett a Parlament ablakából, s akkor is, amikor kifütyülték az „elvtárs” megszólítást. Beszéde az alant álló ismeretlen erovel szembeni aggodalmát és szorongását mutatja.

Sign up for the AHF mailing list.
Your information is not shared!

Subscribe Unsubscribe

DISCLAIMER: The American Hungarian Federation does not necessarily endorse the content or opinions expressed by its individual members
and member organizations. © American Hungarian Federation®, All Rights Reserved