Amerikai Magyar Hírlap, 2005 (17. évfolyam, 2-50. szám)

2005-12-23 / 50. szám

AMERICAN

Hungarian Journal

U.S. House of Representatives Passes Resolution in Recognition of the 1956 Revolution

On December 6, the U.S. House of Representatives passed House Resolution 479 in recognition of the 50th Anniversary of the Hungarian Revolution that began on October 23, 1956 and reaffirming the friendship between the people and governments of the United States and Hungary. The resolution, which was sponsored by Rep. Tom Lantos (D-CA) commends the people of Hungary as they mark the 50th anniversary of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution which set the stage for the ultimate collapse of communism in 1989 throughout Central and Eastern Europe, including Hungary, and two years .later in the Soviet Union itself. Below is the text of the resolution.

H. Res. 479 - In the House of Representatives, U.S., Representative Tom Lantos December 6, 2005

Whereas on October 23, 1956, university students marching through the streets of Budapest were joined by workers and others until their numbers reached some .100,000 Hungarian citizens protesting against the communist government of Hungary and its domination by the Soviet Union, whereupon the Hungarian Security Police opened fire on the crowd and killed hundreds;

Whereas the Hungarian government under Prime Minister Imre Nagy released political prisoners, including major church leaders, took steps to establish a multi-party democracy, called for the withdrawal of all Soviet troops from Hungary, announced Hungary’s withdrawal from the Warsaw Pact, and requested United Nations assistance in establishing Hungarian neutrality;

Whereas the Soviet Union launched a massive military counteroffensive against the revolt on November 4, 1956, sending tens of thousands of additional troops from the Soviet Union and launched air strikes, artillery bombardments and coordinated tank-infantry actions involving some 6,000 tanks which, remarkably, the outnumbered and under-equipped Hungarian Army and Hungarian workers resisted for several days;

Whereas Prime Minister Imre Nagy was seized by Soviet security forces despite assurances of safe passage for him to leave the Yugoslav Embassy in Budapest where he sought asylum, and he was taken to Romania and was subsequently tried and executed;

Whereas an estimated one thousand two hundred Hungarians were tried and executed by the post-1956 Hungarian government;

Whereas an estimated 200,000 Hungarians fled their country in the aftermath of the Soviet suppression of the Hungarian uprising, and over 47,000 of these people eventually were able to settle in the United States, where they have contributed to the cultural diversity and the economic strength of this country;

Whereas the uprising of the Hungarian people in 1956 dramatically confirmed the widespread contempt in which the Hungarians held the Soviet Union and the underlying weakness of the communist system imposed by Soviet authorities in Central and Eastern Europe, as well as the strength of popular support for democratic principles and the right of the Hungarian people to determine their own national destiny;

, Whereas on October 23, 1989, the Republic of Hungary proclaimed its independence, and in 1990 the Hungarian Parliament officially designated October 23 as a Hungarian national holiday, indicating that the legacy of the 1956 Revolution continues to inspire Hungarians to this day;

Whereas the people of Hungary are beginning a year-long celebration to mark the 50th anniversary of the Hungarian Revolution of 1956;

Whereas on March 12, 1999, the Government of Hungary, reflecting the will of the Hungarian people, formally acceded to the North Atlantic Treaty and became a member of NATO and on May 1, 2004, Hungary became a full member of the European Union; and

Whereas Hungary and the United States continue to expand their friendship and cooperation in all realms: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the House of Representatives* * *

(1) commends the people of Hungary as they mark the 50th anniversary of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution which set the stage for the ultimate collapse of communism in 1989 throughout Central and Eastern Europe, including Hungary, and two years later in the Soviet Union itself;

(2) expresses condolences to the people of Hungary for those who lost their lives fighting for the cause of Hungarian freedom and independence in 1956, as well as for those individuals executed by the Soviet and Hungarian communist authorities in the five years following the Revolution, including Prime Minister Imre Nagy;

(3) welcomes the changes that have taken place in Hungary since 1989, believing that Hungary’s integration into NATO and the European Union, together with similar developments in the neighboring countries, will ensure peace, stability, and understanding among the great peoples of the Carpathian Basin; and

(4) reaffirms the friendship and cooperative relations between the governments of Hungary and the United States and between the Hungarian and American people.

Passed the House of Representatives December 6, 2005.

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December 23,

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Christmas Message in 2005

Once again we are to celebrate the birth of the child Jesus. This is the festival of the family, the celebration of love and hope. Yet in the Christmas story the name of Herod, the soldiers, the massacre of the children are also there, casting a shadow over our joy. As we celebrate Christmas today, we live in the same climate of violence, death, and tragedy as that first Christmas. How can we celebrate joyfully when so many people all over the world are weeping helplessly and in despair as violence and death triumph? Indeed, the conditions then included a police state, a totalitarian dictatorship, a cruel government. Into such a setting was Jesus born.

Or, take another inconsistency, right here in America. Glance across the lovely carol, “O Little Town of Bethlehem, “ and recall its date of composition - 1868.

That was a year of political unrest, of unresolved hate, of carpetbag influence, of ill-named reconstruction just after the Civil War. Still Phillips Brooks could hear the angels’ song, for he wrote: “Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light.”

So this year, whether your circle be complete or not, whether you sing or read the carols, as your family together participates in a home service or public religious worship, let the song of the angels be your very prayer. In the child of Bethlehem, we are given the key that will help us to confront the tragic situations of yesterday and today.

As we look backward for Christmas, we soon discover that the past is not just my story or yours, not even just humanity’s story: the past is His story... A story which lives in our hearts no matter how much we deny it or seek to rationalize it always as a myth or a legend, no matter how much we sugarcoat it with commercial grab or greed... a story that we would not, maybe even could not, be without. Jesus is the reason for the season. He comes not only to those who are ready for Him, but also to those who need Him most. God bless your Christmas celebration!

Rev. Bela D. Bónis, Ph.D., Prof of Philos., CSULB

A Past Katrina Christmas

Excerpts from a letter by the Hungarian Consul and his wife in New Orleans

2005 has been a momentous year for us and we can hardly wait to ' get into 2006. Julia and I survived the calamities. We lost our home, the Hungarian consulate and the editorial office of the Nyugati Hírlevél, Julia’s electronic newsletter. We are now living in a small apartment in Uptown New Orleans, an island in a sea of devastation.

When Julia returned to New Orleans October 7 after the August 29 catastrophe she lived in a room with a family in Metairie for 1 1/2 weeks followed by me for a 2 week residence. Our host family, the Brems, adopted us, fed us and even did our wash. Julia was able to salvage many of our belongings just in five days by asking friends to bring their trucks, boxes, etc. and store our belongings in three different sites. I ripped out the sheetrock, doors and cabinets by myself with an occasional help.from friends. Now the first floor of our former house is a shell. Louis Armstrong’s song „St. James Infirmary” comes to my mind when I think of my old home. The roof was damaged and we are waiting for a free blue tarp from FEMA to cover the roof. Our flood insurance, USAA is stalling with payments. They refuse to respond to certified letters or complaints to federal authorities.

Our Toyota Camry was vandalized during the flood. The Toyota RAV4 was sideswiped in front of our second home. Mail service is very slow. We got our water bill late at our second home. We paid it after the past due date, however It was too late and our water was turned off. It’s back again after apologies from the Water Board. We could not heat our house for a couple of weeks because the chimney (heat vent) was blown off. This could be repaired only by a roofer for an exorbitant price. My handyman and I repaired the chimney.

We have no cable or television. To use the computer, Julia goes onto the street or sometimes the porch to find a wireless connection to send or receive e-mails. Our electricity is often on the blink, because of circuit overload. Julia drove to IKEA furniture store in Houston to pick up furniture suitable for a small apartment. They have very clever designs. We now have a small dining table in our kitchen. Our new home is half the size of our previous one. Downsizing is our motto and we like it.

I work at the main campus of Ochsner Clinic in Metairie and I like it. I have used up all my vacation and personal days this year and next and have a negative balance for my off days. I tried to get a job in New Jersey, Manhattan or Connecticut while evacuated without success.

We were evacuated for six weeks to New Jersey, where my sister lives. Her family gave us shelter, food and clothing and provided us with diversions to forget our troubles. Many friends offered us their homes, some of which we used as rest stops during our trip to and from New Orleans. The Hungarian Embassy in Washington also hosted us for one day and helped Julia salvage her computer data.

Now resettled in New Orleans, we are adjusting to a very different lifestyle. It is a schizophrenic, depressed city. Adding Prozac to the city’s water supply may be a good try. We are losing things, forgetting things and hunt for important papers in various boxes. Compared to other flood victims we were lucky by the volume of personal belongings we salvaged and how fast we landed on our feet.

We can hardly wait for 2006. Wishing all our relatives, friends and neighbors Happy Holidays and a Prosperous New Year!

Stephen Gergatz and Julia Bika Gergatz

New address: 1417 Bordeaux St., New Orleans, LA 70115 (504) 867 5628 * E-mail: bikajuli@cox.net