Hungarian American Coalition News, 2000 (9. évfolyam, 1-3. szám)
2000 / 1. szám
Continuing the tradition of honoring those in the Hungarian American community who have shown tireless dedication to Hungarian causes, this year’s Hope Gala Ball honored Ms. Gabriella (Merni) Mauthner of New York City and Dr. Otto Hamos of New Jersey. Hungarian language elementary schools in the Kaloteszeg region of Transylvania, Romania, will benefit from the proceeds of the Ball. Activities of the Minnesota Hungarians in 1999 The Minnesota Hungarians (M-H) had another eventful year in 1999. The Farsang Dinner and Summer Picnic, the Commemoration of March 15, 1848, and of October 23, 1956, and the Magyar Christmas have become annually recurring programs. The focus of the October 23 celebration was two Chicago poets: Ferenc Mozsi, who gave the festive address and István Pálinkás, who read of his poems in the program. The M-H also collaborated with the AP1C (Association of Practitioners in Infection Control) and of the State Department of Health professionals to accommodate Hungarian health professionals visiting Twin City infection control facilities and studying US practices in the field. For two weeks in July the M-H assisted the Budapest Egressy Vocational and High School soccer team that participated in the annual US. Cup International Soccer Tournament in Blaine, MN. In November Dr. Géza Jeszenszky, Ambassador of the Republic of Hungary to the US visited the Twin Cities and besides his other programs met with the Minnesota Hungarians. At the Annual Membership Meeting he presented the awards of the California Ethnic Leadership Council for outstanding work on NATO Enlargement to Dr. John Radzilowski, President of Polish American Cultural Institute of Minnesota, Paulette Will, President of Czech-Slovak Center, Agnes Fulop, President-, and László Fulop, Secretary of the Minnesota Hungarians and HAC Board Member. Hungarian Club of Colorado The Hungarian Club of Colorado held a Mikulás party for Hungarian children. It was attended by over 75 children, parents and grandparents. The appearance of Mikulás and Krampusz was a good opportunity to share this custom with the youngest Hungarian American generation. The New Year's Eve ("Szilveszter") dinner dance was attended by close to 200 Hungarians and many American friends. It was particularly gratifying to see so many young people enjoying the evening. The Club with the dedicated support of the Benko family and others continues its computer donation program to Hungarian schools. So far over 1,000 computers have been shipped. It is now in the process of shipping a semitruck load of winter clothing to the Ukraine (Karpataija) and Transylvania. In February the Club hosted a trio of young Hungarian musicians visiting from Hungary. The March 15th also commemorated the first anniversary of Hungary's joining the NATO alliance and it featured Ambassador Jeszenszky. Future plans include millenium celebrations designed to instill pride in their Hungarian heritage in the next generation and to draw the media's attention to our history. American Hungarian Federation of Metropolitan Washington, D.C. Raises the Issue of Vojvodina On December 30, 1999, the Federation's president, Frank Koszorús, Jr., submitted a letter to Ambassador Chris Hill, Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Southeast European Affairs, concerning the "Sense of the Congress with Respect to Ethnic Hungarians of Vojvodina." The letter inquired whether the President had taken any of the actions urged by the nonbinding Sense of the Congress resolution concerning the Hungarian community of that region. The Federation also mobilized an ad hoc coalition to write joint a letter to 7 • Hungarian American Coalition • March 2000
