Hungarian American Coalition News, 2002 (11. évfolyam, 1-2. szám)
2002 / 2. szám
Hungarian American Coalition 4. Continued Legal Inconsistencies between the Law on the Use of Minority Languages and International Norms The Minority Language Law needs to be amended to bring it into full compliance with the European Charter on Regional or Minority Languages, which Slovakia ratified in June 2001, the last country with a Hungarian minority to do so. The Hungarian Coalition Party voted against the Minority Language Law adopted in July 1999 because of its serious shortcomings. Yet, a law who’s ostensible intention is to benefit minorities can actually be passed in Slovakia over and above the objection’s of the largest minority, representing ten percent of the population. There is no indication on the part of the Slovak government that it intends to reverse the discrimination contained in the law. 5. Failure to Adopt a Law on National Minorities Board of Directors Honorary President Rev. Imre Bertalan Chairman of the Board Edith K. Lauer Vice Presidents George Dózsa 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 Legislation has not even been drafted, let alone adopted which would establish an institutional system to promote and preserve national and ethnic minority culture. All other countries in East Central Europe with Hungarian minorities have adopted, or in the case of Yugoslavia, at lest drafted such a law. In addition, funding for minority culture has not been institutionalized and is subject to annual haggling during budgetary debates. 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. To identify and promote the concerns and interests of the Hungarian-American community; 2. To foster interest and appreciation in the United States for the history, education, and culture of Hungary, including its literature, arts, and scientific achievements; 3. To encourage cultural and educational interaction between the people of the United States and Hungary; 4. To protect and preserve the human and minority rights and cultural heritage of Hungarians throughout the world; 5. 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.hungarv.com/hac Newsletter editor: Janos Szekeres Graphic Designer: Ajna Pfenninberger. 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." ORGANIZATIONAL MEMBERS American Hungarian Catholic Clergy Association, Rev. István Mustos. American Hungarian Federation of Metropolitan Washington, DC, Frank Koszorús, Jr., Esq. Calvin Synod of the United Church of Christ, Rev. Bela Poznan. Cleveland Hungarian Heritage Society, Theodore J. Horvath. Hungarian (Magyar) Club of Chicago, IL Paul Varga. Hungarian Alumni Association - Bessenyei Kör, Miklós Ruschák. Hungarian American Cultural Association, Inc. (Kossuth Club), Dr. Sándor Csizinszky Hungarian Americans for Human Rights in Délvidék. Sándor Krémer. Hungarian Club of Colorado, Eugene F Megyesy, Jr., Esq. Hungarian Communion of Friends, László Bojtos. Hungarian Human Rights Foundation, László Hámos. Hungarian Reformed Federation of America, George Dózsa. Hungarian Scouts Association Abroad, Imre Lendvai-Lintner Magyar Club of Cleveland, Ildikó Kőrössy Minnesota Hungarians, Inc. László Fülöp National Committee of Hungarians from Slovakia, Dr. Edward Chaszar. Seattle-Pécs Sister Cities Association, Helen Szablya. The Bethlen Home, Rev. Imre A. Bertalan, Jr. INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS Anne C. Bader Rev. Imre Bertalan Dr. Stephen Füzesi Géza Kádár, Jr., Esq. Dr. Péter Kovalszki Edith K Lauer Prof. Andrew Ludányi George Pogan Dr Géza Simon Zsolt Szekeres Maximilian Teleki Dr. László Varjú Charles Vámossy Julius Várallyay Eva E. Voisin
