October 2000
Vol. 9, No. 3
Hungarian Millennium - One Thousand Years of Statehood
This Year of the Millennium holds special significance for 15 million Hungarians the world over. On
August 20, 2000, St. Stephen's Day, a thousand years of statehood were celebrated not only in
Hungary, but in neighboring countries and Western countries where more than 5 million ethnic
Hungarians live. In honor of this remarkable anniversary new memorials were raised, old ones were
decorated with wreaths, dozens of cities and villages received official Millennial flags in solemn
ceremonies. Historic pageants, concerts, exhibits and theatrical performances abounded as the survival
of a nation through its turbulent history was celebrated by Hungarians with great pomp,
circumstance and joy.
In the United States many Hungarian American organizations staged well-attended celebrations, some
of which are described in this Newsletter. Congressmen Frank Pallone of New Jersey, who
represents over 20 thousand Hungarian-Americans, and Ernest Istook of Oklahoma, who is of
Hungarian extraction, introduced the following Concurrent Resolution, which was cosponsored by
29 other House members. The House passed the resolution on October 2nd, its Senate approval is
imminent at the time we publish this newsletter.
House Concurrent Resolution 400
Congratulating the Republic of Hungary on the millennium of its foundation as a state.
Whereas the ancestors of the Hungarian nation, 7 tribes excelling in horsemanship and handicrafts,
settled in the Carpathian basin around the end of the 9th century;
Whereas during the next century this tribal association had accommodated itself to a permanently
settled status;
Whereas the ruler of the nation at the end of the first millennium, Prince Stephen, realized with great
foresight that the survival of his nation depends on its adapting itself to its surroundings by becoming a
Christian kingdom and linking its future to Western civilization;
Whereas in 1000 A.D. Stephen, later canonized as Saint Stephen, adopted the Christian faith and was
crowned with a crown which he requested from Pope Sylvester II of Rome;
Whereas, by those acts, Saint Stephen, King of Hungary, established his domain as 1 of the 7 Christian
kingdoms of Europe of the time and anchored his nation in Western civilization forever;
Whereas during the past 1,000 years, in spite of residing on the traditional crossroads of invaders from
the East and the West, the Hungarian nation showed great vitality in preserving its unique identity,
language, culture, and traditions;
Whereas in his written legacy, Saint Stephen called for tolerance and hospitality toward settlers
migrating to the land from other cultures;
Whereas through the ensuing centuries other tribes and ethnic and religious groups moved to Hungary
and gained acceptance into the nation, enriching its heritage;
Whereas since the 16th century a vibrant Protestant community has contributed to the vitality and
diversity of the Hungarian nation;
Whereas, particularly after their emancipation in the second half of the 19th century, Hungarians of the
Jewish faith have made an enormous contribution to the economic, cultural, artistic, and scientific life
of the Hungarian nation, contributing more than half of the nation's Nobel Prize winners;
Whereas the United States has benefitted immensely from the hard work, dedication, scientific
knowledge, and cultural gifts of hundreds of thousands of immigrants from Hungary; and
Whereas in this year Hungary also celebrates the 10th anniversary of its first post-communist free and
democratic elections, the first such elections within the former Warsaw Pact: Now, therefore be it.
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That the Congress-(1) congratulates the Republic of Hungary, and Hungarians everywhere, on the one thousandth
anniversary of the founding of the Kingdom of Hungary by Saint Stephen; and
(2) commends the Republic of Hungary for the great determination, skill, and sense of purpose it
demonstrated in its recent transition to a democratic state dedicated to upholding universal rights
and liberties, a free market economy, and integration into European and transatlantic institutions.
Coalition's Tenth Annual Meeting and Board Meeting to be Held in Washington, DC
It is hard to believe, but this year will be the tenth time our Coalition members gather in Washington,
DC. You will soon receive your formal invitation from our office. But until then: PLEASE SAVE
THE DATE and join us for the following events:
Saturday, December 2, 2000 - at the Kossuth House,
9:30-11:30 a.m. - Annual Meeting: ALL MEMBERS WELCOME!
1:00-6:00 p.m. - Board Meeting including Election of Officers
COALITION PROJECT UPDATE
CSIS and Coalition Co-Sponsor Conference on Vojvodina
Together with the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), the Hungarian American
Coalition will co-sponsor an international conference in Washington, DC, on November 30December 1, 2000, entitled "VOJVODINA: FINAL PIECE OF THE YUGOSLAV PUZZLE."
The purpose of the conference is to focus the attention of American policy makers on Vojvodina, the
last remaining multi-ethnic province in former Yugoslavia. Its population, comprised of 65% Serbian,
35% other ethnic groups, including 17% ethnic Hungarian, now has a historic opportunity to consider
2 ● Hungarian American Coalition ● October 2000
viable options for its future, including the reinstatement of the province's autonomy revoked in 1988 by
Milosevic.
We hope to see as many Coalition members as possible attending this conference that promises
to be a most interesting discussion of the much-awaited democratization of former Yugoslavia.
White House Internship Program
SBC Communications, Inc. awarded a $10,000 grant to the Coalition's White House Internship
Program. Steven Gyeszly, of College Station, Texas was the sixteenth intern sponsored by the
Coalition since 1996. After participating in the 2000, Summer Session, he sent the following letter to
the Hungarian American Coalition:
"I interned for the Special Envoy to the Americas, who was the President's counselor on issues
concerning the Western Hemisphere. From free trade to human rights issues, I was able to gain an indepth look into how government policy is formulated and implemented in our hemisphere…I could not
have achieved if it had not been for the Hungarian American Coalition and SBC Communications."
Those interested in participating in the Spring, 2001 Session, please contact the Coalition office at
(202) 296-9505. According to the result of the November 7th elections, we should soon know if the
White House Internship Program continues in its present form.
Dr. Elemer Kiss Scholarship Program Awards Three Scholarships
Four years ago the Hungarian American Coalition established the Coalition Scholarship Fund for the
purpose of providing stipends to outstanding Hungarian students for their study at American colleges
and universities. This year, the Coalition received a large number of contributions from family and
friends in honor of Dr. Elemer Kiss, who died in January. Thus, it was decided by the Executive
Committee to rename the Fund, "The Dr. Elemer Kiss Scholarship Program."
We are delighted to announce the recipients of three scholarships of $1,000 each for 2000-2001.
They are:
Miklos Orban, Georgetown University Law Center, Master of Law;
Beata Suranyi, Western Maryland College, Business;
Sandor Vegh, University of Maryland, Ph.D. in American Studies.
Hungarian American Coalition Participates in Bucharest Conference:
"The Romanian Model of Ethnic Relations: The Last Ten Years, The Next Ten Years"
On July 7-8, 2000 in Bucharest, Romania, the Hungarian American Coalition was represented by Dr.
Andrew Ludanyi in a conference devoted to examining the treatment of minorities in Romania.
Prime Minister Mugur Isarescu stressed the importance of interethnic relations. He offered this as an
alternative to the Milosevic "model" on ethnic cleansing and minority oppression in former
Yugoslavia. U.S. Ambassador James C. Rosapepe said that "the forces of democratization in
Romania were healthy even if there are significant problems that have to be addressed."
3 ● Hungarian American Coalition ● October 2000
Participants included representatives of the government coalition, of significant opposition parties, the
numerically most important minorities of Romania, scholars and human rights activists from Western
Europe and the United States, (U.S. Congressmen: Rep. Joe Pitts, R. from PA and Rep. Benjamin
Cardin, D. from MD), Foreign Minister Petre Roman, as well as other important officials, including
Teodor Melescanu, Gyorgy Tokay, Hildegard Puwak, and Horia Rusu.
The first panel, that focused on the international context of Romania's policies toward its minorities,
was moderated by Carl Siebentritt, former Consul at the US Embassy-Cluj/Kolozsvár Office. The
panel included presentations from representatives of the Helsinki Committee of Romania, Gabriel
Andrescu, the Swiss Ambassador to Romania, Jean-Claude Joseph, and NGO representatives from
the United States, Armand Scala (President of the Congress of Romanian Americans), and Andrew
Ludanyi (Hungarian American Coalition).
Andrew Ludanyi of the Hungarian American Coalition stressed that because Romania is home to two
million co-nationals the Hungarian-American community has its own window of concern regarding
Romania's treatment of its minorities. Ludanyi stated that: "The leading elements of Romanian society
must become more committed to defending the rights and the interests of all. Politics must
become a win-win proposition, and not just a winner-take-all process. It is the responsibility of the
Romanian elite to communicate this to the rest of society, because Romania as a whole has everything
to gain by becoming a positive model."
The conference's sponsors were USAID, the Ethnocultural Diversity Resource Center, World
Learning, and the U.S. Embassy in Bucharest.
Hungarian American Coalition Approves $80,000 Grant for Flood Relief in Hungary
Town of Vamosujfalu to Rebuild Public Administration Building
The Hungarian American Coalition has voted to approve an $80,000 grant to aid reconstruction of the
administration building of Vamosujfalu (pop. 900). This Eastern Hungarian town, devastated by
massive flooding last spring, was chosen based on recommendations by Hungarian flood relief
officials, USAID, and an on-site field visit by Zsolt Szekeres, Treasurer of the Coalition.
The grant will be used to rebuild Vamosujfalu's public administration building, which was totally
destroyed. It is expected that construction will be completed in Fall of 2000. In addition, the Coalition's
grant has acted as a catalyst to release $800,000 in funds from the Hungarian government, which
will be used to build a floodwall to protect the town against future flooding. The Coalition's grant
stems from a major contribution by an anonymous donor to the Coalition's Tisza Flood Victims'
Relief Fund, set up to help mitigate the damage and suffering caused by the Tisza River flooding
earlier this year.
HAC Continues its Annual Support of Madach Posonium in Slovakia
The Madach Posonium (Hungarian-language publishing house in Slovakia), is a major force in
publishing Hungarian books, four monthly periodicals and the weekly newspaper, "Szabad Ujsag".
Madach Posonium also maintains 7 bookstores in towns with the highest number of Hungarian
residents in Southern Slovakia. The Slovak government provides minimal financial assistance to Madach
4 ● Hungarian American Coalition ● October 2000
Madach Posonium, in spite of its pledge to support the cultural programs of national minorities. For the
past three years the Hungarian American Coalition has made a significant contribution to help
maintain Madach Posonium's commitment to the publication and promotion of Hungarian
literature in Slovakia.
Teenage Music Festival in Temerin, Vojvodina
The Hungarian American Coalition is delighted to sponsor the 9th Annual Teenage Song-and-Dance
Competition in Temerin, Vojvodina. Along with having fun, the purpose of the competition is to
identify and support those talented young Hungarians who may represent pop music in Vojvodina and
abroad. A further aim of the festival is to encourage the successful appearance of young Hungarians of
Vojvodina at "Ki mit tud?" ("Who knows what?"), a famous Hungarian talent-contest.
HAC Leaders Press for Minority Rights During Roundtable Discussion with
Former Romanian President Ion Iliescu
On September 12, 2000, Coalition Chairman, Edith Lauer, and Executive Committee members Dr.
Edward Chaszar and Frank Koszorus, Jr. attended a Roundtable Discussion organized by Center
for Strategic and Intenational Studies for Mr. Iliescu. The purpose of Iliescu's trip was to polish his
image in Washington, promote Western investments, and posture Romania as a strategic partner of the
United States. Out of approximately ten questions, three focused on issues affecting the Hungarian
minority.
Frank Koszorus, Jr. asked Mr. Iliescu whether he supports the recently adopted "urgent
ordinance" against discrimination. In his answer, Mr. Iliescu referred to Romania as a unitary
state, which, he said, prevented him from supporting territorial autonomy. He also asserted that
Romania's record was superior to Hungary, ignoring that the latter gives far-ranging local autonomy,
local representation, and generous financial assistance to minority communities and their institutions in
Hungary.
Edith Lauder asked the former Romanian President if he recognized that there was a major
problem in the area of church property restitution, and if elected, what would he do to address
this problem? Mr. Iliescu sidestepped the question by stating that property restitution was a general
problem in Romania, where people should not expect to have unreasonable claims satisfied by
"going back to the Austro-Hungarian Imperium".
NEWS FROM OUR MEMBERS
Hungarian Communion of Friends Installs 19 Satellite Dishes in Romania
Since 1995, the Hungarian Communion of Friends (MBK) has installed satellite dishes in 19
communities and institutions in Romania, predominantly in Transylvania. The project was initiated by
MKB`s former President, Balazs Somogyi. These needy and isolated communities with no access to
cable-tv, sometimes without access to the standard Romanian media are now able to receive Hungarian
5 ● Hungarian American Coalition ● October 2000
TV\Radio and international broadcasts, with emphasis on Duna TV Hungarian language programs.
About 20 more parabola dishes are planned to be donated to Hungarian communities and institutions
located in Croatia, Serbia and Ukraine.
Hungarian Scouts Association Abroad
Nearly 700 Hungarian scouts (boys and girls) from all over the world attended the "King St.
Stephen Jubilee Camp" last August in the Sandor Sik Scout Reservation, in Fillmore, N.Y. In
addition to celebrating the Hungarian Millenium, the camp also commemorated the 90th
Anniversary of the founding of scouting in Hungary, and the 55th Anniversary of Hungarian
scouting abroad.
While most of the campers were from the United States and Canada, about 75 of the participant came
from Europe, South America, and Australia. What made the festive gathering even more special
was the presence of 75 from the Hungarian Scout Associations of Hungary, and also Slovakia,
Ruthenia, Transylvania, Vojvodina, Croatia. Their attendance was made possible by the generous
help of H.S.A.A. (Hungarian Scouts Association in Exteris).
Divided into age groups, each of the boys` and girls` subcamps was named after a "varmegye" (county)
of St. Stephen`s times, with its own "var" (fortress) built by the campers, its own coat of arms and
imitation weapons. All the people of St. Stephen were dressed in period costumes. Pageantries staged
by the campers featured historic events, such as the crowning of King Stephen, and defending the
Crown against Emperor Konrad in a mock battle.
Laszlo Bojtos Honored by Cleveland Magyar Club
On September 23, 2000, The Magyar Club of Cleveland honored Laszlo Bojtos, Honorary Consul
of the Republic of Hungary, at its annual dinner. During the evening, organized and chaired by former
Club President, Frank Dobos, the 130 guests heard a wonderful presentation by Rev. Kalman
Szabolcs about the many contributions made by Laszlo Bojtos to the Hungarian American community
during the past four decades. Ambassador Geza Jeszenszky presented Mr. Bojtos a Medal of 1956,
paying tribute to his role in Hungarian American organizations, and for his past seven years of service
as an Honorary Consul. In a special greeting from Pozsony (Bratislava), Slovakia, Hungarian writer
and former politician, Laszlo Dobos, spoke for the many friends and admirers Mr. Bojtos has made in
the Carpathian Basin. He stressed the significance of the accomplishments of Mr. Bojtos and other
1956 immigrants, who not only became successful in their American life, but also chose to serve their
homeland by keeping alive the ideals of freedom and justice, at the very time these ideals were
absent in communist-dominated Hungary.
Coalition Assists Regnum Catholic School Students;
Geauga Society, the Magyar Club of Cleveland and the Cleveland Hungarian Heritage Society
Welcome Boys' Bicycle Group
The hosting of the Regnum Catholic School Bike Tour was a truly integrated Coalition effort with
participation by dozens of our members. Over a year ago, Coalition Chairman, Edith Lauer, was asked
6 ● Hungarian American Coalition ● October 2000
by Regnum Principal, Csaba Borsai, to recommend Hungarian host communities along Lake Erie
where bike tour participants could be hosted for the night, and entertained during the day. Enthusiastic
hosts included Dr. Peter Forgach in Buffalo, N.Y., and Col. John Weeks and Father Ed at St.
Peter's Catholic Church in Huron, Ohio.
Members of the Geauga Magyar Cultural Society hosted the group as they passed through
Painesville, Ohio, during their 1,000 mile bicycle tour around the Lake Erie. The tour was in
commemoration of the Hungarian Millennium. The boys and their chaperones were greeted with a bag
full with goodies, and the Geauga group, together with St. Stephen's Club and the Hungarian
Reformed Church provided them delicious palacsinta and pizza. Geauga and St. Stephen's Club also
made a donation of $ 100 each to the Regnum School.
The boys presented their art work and photographs at a well-attended reception given by the
Cleveland Hungarian Heritage Society at the Hungarian Heritage Museum. Ohio Senator,
George Voinovich, welcomed the cyclists to Ohio with a proclamation and stayed to hear the
recitation of poems and songs by the Regnum students.
To assist with the considerable expenses of the trip, the Magyar Club of Cleveland made a generous
donation to cover the cost of tickets and meals for the group at Cedar Point Amusement Park. The
Coalition underwrote the group's tickets for the ferry trip to Leamington, Canada.
Eventful Summer for the Minnesota Hungarians
The Minnesota Hungarians (M-H) were busy during the summer. Laszlo and Agnes Fulop of the M-H
helped Hungarian distributors of a Minnesota based hearing aid manufacturing and distributing
company who had been invited to a weeklong conference by their firm. The Fulops translated for the
group and took them on a day-long excursion to visit remarkable features of the Twin Cities.
Deki Lakatos Sandor Jr. led Gypsy Orchestra gave a concert of traditional Hungarian instrumental,
song and classical music in the International Institute of St. Paul. The evening was a huge success, as
the audience enthusiastically celebrated the artists, with several standing ovations.
The Annual Picnic at Golden Lake of Circle Pine, MN was attended by about 70 people this
summer. Tennis, horseshoe tossing, delicious "szekelygulyas", good conversation and light games
made the gathering unforgettable.
In mid-August, Jozsef Jankovics, literary critic and historian from Hungary, gave an interesting
presentation about the late years of the famous romantic novelist, Mor Jokai and of his second wife
Bella Nagy to a group of friends in mid-August, in Minneapolis.
Hungarian Club of Colorado celebrates St. Stephen's Day and Donates Computers
The Hungarian Club of Colorado celebrated St. Stephen's Day on top of Genesee Mountain with an
outdoor Hungarian Mass followed by a picnic. The event was attended by about 150 people,
including many first time young participants.
The Club's members are now assembling the 5th shipment of computers to Hungary and surrounding
7 ● Hungarian American Coalition ● October 2000
Hungarian areas. So far the Club has distributed over 1000 used computers to schools and
institutions.
Cleveland Hungarian Heritage Society Celebrates the Hungarian Millennium
On August 20th, about 350 Northeast Ohio Hungarians and friends were treated to a most memorable
celebration of the Millennium at the Hungarian Heritage Museum. A special exhibition included a
dazzling porcelain replica of the Holy Crown, fabricated by the world-renowned Herend Porcelain
Factory of Hungary. Dr. Laszlo Imre, Vice President of the University of Debrecen was the special
speaker. The choirs of the West Side Hungarian Reformed Church, the West Side Hungarian
Evangelical Lutheran Church as well as members of the Mindszenty Chorus performed Hungarian
hymns.
The celebration also included a dramatic reading by Rev. Szabolcs Kalman, Pastor of the West Side
Hungarian Reformed Church, from the epic poem,"Istefan," about the life of St. Stephen.
Hungarian Americans for Human Rights in Delvidek Raise Funds for Scholarships for
University Students
This Chicago-based group, under the leadership of President Sandor Kremer, continues its past
efforts to raise funds for scholarships for Hungarian university students in Delvidek. Last year
HAHRD raised $8,300, which was divided among 42 recipients.
They stress the special need for help this year, when all of former Yugoslavia, but in particular, the
economy of Hungarian-inhabited areas is in ruins. Parents are hard put to provide food, much less
educational assistance for their children. If you want to help educate Hungarian university students
in Delvidek, please make your tax-deductible contribution (of appr. $20/month) to HAHRD
Scholarships, and send it to the attention of Mr. Frigyes Kormoczy, 1916 Darnell Str., Libertyville,
IL 60048, Frederickkormoczy@hotmail.com.
HRFA - Toledo Convention
The Hungarian Reformed Federation of America held its Quadrennial Convention in Toledo, Ohio,
on September 25-29,2000. The Federation elected Dr. Richard Aros as Chairman, and a new Board
of Directors to serve for the next four years. In order to improve its effectiveness in the competitive
world of fraternal insurance, the Federation made changes in its by-laws that provide for the selection
by the Board of the organization's future President/CEO and Treasurer/CFO.
New Bethlen Home Building To Be Built
Plans for construction of the new Bethlen Home continue to move ahead on schedule. The $20 million
construction project is scheduled to begin in the spring of 2001 and is expected to be finished the
following summer. Every bit of space that will make up the new structure is being analyzed for its use
and efficiency. Every effort is being made to assure excellent care of our residents and good working
8 ● Hungarian American Coalition ● October 2000
conditions for our staff. The old building will continue to serve as a cultural and conference center.
The new Bethlen Home's character will reflect our love of God and our compassion for God's children,
the Hungarian heritage, for which we are grateful, and the strong Reformed Christian faith, by which
we live.
New Book Documents History of the Hungarian Alumni Association
Emigransok kuldetesben (Emigrants with a mission) is a case study of forty years of volunteer
mission by the members of an American Hungarian community in New Jersey, published by Prof.
Karoly Nagy. Émigré university students of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution founded the Hungarian
Alumni Association in 1960 at Rutgers University in NJ. The Association maintained a school and an
oral history program, and published ten books. Its lecture series provided a forum for more than 260
outstanding Hungarian writers, scientists and artists from Hungary and from the other countries of
the Carpathian Basin.
In addition to detailed historic accounts, the richly illustrated volume contains facsimiles of a large
number of archival documents including correspondence with government and other officials,
newspaper articles and recently declassified secret reports of the Hungarian political police. These
reports reveal how the communist officials attempted to spy on, to impede and to obstruct the
Association's activities.
The book can be obtained from the Coalition Washington office, at a cost of $15.00 including
shipment.
Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra's Trip to Pecs
Sixty four members of the Seattle Youth Symphony traveled to Hungary in July where they
performed four concerts in Budapest and Pecs. The trip was organized by the Seattle Pecs Sister City
Association. Their first concert was held on the 4th of July at the American Embassy in Budapest,
where Ambassador Peter Tufo had invited them to perform at the afternoon reception. Their second
concert, given in the atrium of Eotvos Lorand University, was also considered very successful.
Next the Symphony traveled to Seattle's Sister City, Pecs, which is the oldest university town in
Europe. The Seattle Symphony's performance was the final event at the International Music Festival.
They surprised the guests by playing the Hungarian National Anthem, which was not on the announced
program. The musicians put their heart and soul into it; the audience responded with great enthusiasm.
The last concert of the Orchestra, that took place at the 14th century Siklos Castle, was a joint
performance with the Pecs Youth Symphony and the Krakow Youth Symphony. After these
unforgettable concerts and other adventures, the orchestra went on to Prague and spent several
enjoyable days there.
Kossuth Club of Sarasota and its Leadership Receive Recognition
The Director of the Liszt Academy in Budapest, Sandor Falvai, presented a certificate of recognition
to Eva Kisvarsanyi and Dr. Geza Kisvarsanyi during the Academy commencement. The certificate
9 ● Hungarian American Coalition ● October 2000
thanks the Club for its extraordinary assistance in organizing several outstanding concerts in Sarasota
for Liszt Academy student performers. In recognition of their contribution, a seat in the Great Hall of
the Academy has been formally named in honor of the "Kossuth Club of Sarasota".
Wonderful Travel Adventures in Transylvania
Hungarian American community leaders from Seattle, Washington, Lucy and Tibor Fueresz, Helen
and John Szablya and their grandson, Steve took an unforgettable trip to Erdely (Transylvania) this
summer. During their twelve-day-tour they visited 45 localities. They explored museums, natural
wonders, famous historical monuments, fortified churches and production of folkart. The participants
of the journey were housed in private homes, where they enjoyed loving service and fantastic food.
They took part in the annual, famous pilgrimage to Csiksomlyo on Saturday before Pentecost. A
crowd of more than 200,000 people flocked to the mountain. An altar was set up under a shelter for
Holy Mass that lasted for almost two hours. People were singing old Hungarian songs of Mary, the
Hungarian National Anthem and the Szekely Anthem.
If you are interested in the excellent report of Lucy Fueresz about this trip, please call the
Coalition office to request a copy.
IN MEMORIAM
Myra (Casimira) Lenard
(1924-2000)
We were deeply saddened by the passing of Myra Lenard, long-time Executive Director of the
Washington Office of the Polish American Congress. For nearly 20 years she was the much respected
and revered force representing Polish Americans in the nation's capital. From the difficult days of
Solidarity and Martial Law through the ratification of Poland's membership in NATO, and the recent
conversion of the proceeds of the Polish American Enterprise Fund into the Polish American Freedom
Foundation, Myra led the battles in the US Congress and the White House, organizing grass roots
support for issues vital to Poland and Polish Americans.
Myra and her husband, Caz, were wonderful friends and advisors during the founding of the Coalition
ten years ago. She gained the love and respect of many Coalition members. She will be remembered
with deep admiration.
Agnes Maticza
(1925-2000)
Agnes Maticza, who died recently at the age of 75, was a long-time leader of the Los Angeles
Hungarian American community. She settled in the area in 1955, and for 38 years worked with the
International Institute of America, rising to Executive Director of the organization. She was an active
leader in the Friends of Hungarian Scouting and of her Church, and organized many informational and
fund-raising events for the benefit of Hungarian minorities in the Carpathian Basin. Her energy,
humor, and joy of life will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
10 ● Hungarian American Coalition ● October 2000
CALENDAR OF EVENTS OF MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS
Board of Directors
November 4-5
Hungarian Scouts Association Abroad.
Scoutleaders` Conference. Buffalo, N.Y.
North
American
November 15
Minnesota Hungarians - Annual Membership Meeting at the
International Institute of St. Paul, MN
November 25
Hungarian Scouts Association Abroad. Gala Banquet to celebrate
fifty years of Hungarian scouting in Venezuela. Caracas,
Venezuela
December 3
Christmas Party organized by Hungarian Club of Chicago.
Contact: Paul Varga, Tel. (847) 541-1567
December 13
Minnesota Hungarians` Christmas. Organizer: Agnes Fulop.
Hosts: Rozy Nemeth and Ilona Fillyaw.
January 3-13
Hungarian Scouts Association Abroad. "Szent Istvan" Jubilee
Camp for Hungarian scouts in South America, celebrating the 90 th
Anniversary of scouting in Hungary; the 55 th Anniversary of
Hungarian scouting abroad; and the Hungarian Millennium. Minas
Gerais, Brazilia.
For information about the scout events, please, call (973) 772-8810, or fax to (973)
772 5145.
For information about the Minnesota Hungarians` events, please, e-mail
Laszlo.G.Fulop-1@tc.umn.edu
SOME FACTS ABOUT THE COALITION
The Hungarian American Coalition is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization,
registered in Washington, DC on August 20, 1991.
OUR MISSION: The Coalition was established to mobilize and coordinate the talents and
resources of its members and to promote the interests of Hungarian-Americans.
OUR GOALS
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
To identify and promote the concerns and interests of the Hungarian-American
community;
To foster interest and appreciation in the United States for the history, education, and
culture of Hungary, including its literature, arts, and scientific achievements;
To encourage cultural and educational interaction between the people of the United
States and Hungary;
To protect and preserve the human and minority rights and cultural heritage of
Hungarians throughout the world;
To support democratic institutions and economic development in Hungary.
ORGANIZATION AND MEMBERSHIP: The Coalition consists of organizational and
individual members and operates in accordance with its Articles and Bylaws, under
direction of its Board of Directors. (These documents are provided upon request).
For additional information, please visit our homepage at: http://www.hungary.com/hac
Newsletter editor: Janos Szekeres Graphic Designer: Gabriella Kereszty. We are grateful to all those who contributed
articles or information to this Newsletter. "Nothing printed here is to be construed as an attempt to aid or hinder the
passage of any legislation before the Congress of the United States or any other legislative body in the U.S. or abroad."
Honorary President
Rev. Imre Bertalan
President
George Dózsa
Chairman of the Board
Edith K. Lauer
Vice Presidents
Imre Lendvai-Lintner
Rev. István Mustos
Dr. Balázs Somogyi
Rev. Dr. Francis Vitéz
Secretary
Julius Várallyay
Treasurer
Zsolt Szekeres
Legal Counsel
Géza Kádár, Jr., Esq.
Budapest Liaison
Szabolcs Szekeres
Board of Directors
ORGANIZATION MEMBERS
American-Hungarian Catholic Clergy Assoc.,
Rev. István Mustos
American-Hungarian Federation (AMSZ),
Frank Kapitan
American Hungarian Fed. of Metropolitan Washington,
DC,
Frank Koszorús, Jr., Esq.
The Bethlen Home,
Rev. Paul Kovács
Calvin Synod of the United Church of Christ,
Rt. Rev. Louis Medgyesi
Committee for Danubian Research
Julius Várallyay
Hungarian Alumni Assoc.-Bessenyei Assoc.
Dr. Károly Nagy
Hungarian American Cultural Assoc., Inc.
Dr. Sándor Csizinszky
Hungarian Americans for Human Rights in Délvidék,
Sándor Krémer
Hungarian (Magyar) Club of Chicago, IL,
Paul Varga
Hungarian Club of Colorado,
Eugene Megyesy, Jr., Esq.
Hungarian Communion of Friends,
László Böjtös
Hungarian Club of Toledo,
The Hon. Peter S. Ujvági
Hungarian Human Rights Foundation,
László Hámos
Hungarian Reformed Church of America,
Bishop Sándor Forró
Hungarian Reformed Federation of America,
George Dózsa
Hungarian Scouts Association Abroad,
Kathleen Avvakumovits
Magyar Club of Cleveland,
Frank Dobos
Minnesota Hungarians, Inc.,
László Fülöp
National Committee of Hungarians from Slovakia,
Prof. George Olgyay
Seattle-Pécs Sister Cities Association,
Helen Szablya
INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS
Anne C. Bader
Rev. Imre Bertalan
Paul Fekete
Stephen Füzesi
Géza Kádár, Jr.
Edith K. Lauer
Prof. András Ludányi
László Papp
George Pogan
Zsolt Szekeres
Charles Vámossy
Dr. Ágnes Húszár Várdy
Dr. László Varjú
BECOME A MEMBER OF THE HUNGARIAN AMERICAN COALITION
Join this growing network of organizations and individuals!
Individual membership
Organizational membership
Student
Regular
Sponsor
Patron
Benefactor
$200
$500 - $1000
$1,001 - $2,500
$2,501 - $5,000+
$25
$50 ($100 family)
$250 - $500
$501 - $1000
$1,001 - $2,500+
Non-membership contribution $ _____________________
Name (or organization): ________________________________________________________________________
Address: ____________________________________________________________________________________
City: _______________________________
Phone: _______________
State: ________________________ Zip: ______________________
Fax: __________________
E-mail address: __________________________
Please send this form with your annual membership fee to:
Hungarian American Coalition
818 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 850
Washington, DC 20006
Tel: (202) 296-9505
Fax: (202) 775-5175
Hungarian American Coalition
818 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 850
Washington, DC 20006
ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED
Go to the World Wide Web and check out the latest information on our Coalition at
http://www.hungary.com/hac