Hungarian Heritage Review, 1987 (16. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1987-03-01 / 3. szám
'Mül CM Piagíjmgtim ^Report AL “There are no limits to the American Dream. I believe this very strongly. As a nation, we trust in democracy and put our faith in the individual. This makes us strong and resourceful. It also gives us the ability to meet any challenge that comes our way.. .to solve any problem.. .to reach any goal. This is what America is all about — people. In Congress, I’ll fight for what this country stands for. I’m not ashamed to say that!” Ernie Konnvu U.S. Congressman CONGRESSMAN ERNIE KÖNNYŰ JOINS CONGRESSIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS CAUCUS Congressman Ernie Könnyű (R.Saratoga, Calif.) recently announced his membership in the Congressional Human Rights Caucus, a bipartisan legislative service organization established under the auspices of the U.S. House of Representatives. “The Caucus”, Congressman Könnyű explained, “has played an important role in addressing human rights concerns in Congress and making human rights a more visible and vital issue on Capitol Hill. My deep concern for the persecuted, particularly AMONG THE 2.8-MILLION HUNGARIAN MINORITY IN ROMANIA, as well as the memory of the Holocaust, were the key motivating factors in joining the Caucus.” There are over 150 Congressional members in the Caucus and Könnyű, who will serve in a leadership position, added: “At the request of the Caucus Co-Chairman, Congressman Tom Lantos (D.—San Mateo, Calif.), I have agreed to serve as a member of the Caucus’ Executive Committee.” The Congressional Human Rights Caucus was founded in 1983 by Congressmen John Porter and Tom Lantos. The organization is open to the full membership of the Congress to encourage bipartisan attention to human rights abuses throughout the world. In the short time since its inception, the Caucus has become a leading national voice on human rights issues, according to Könnyű. “The Caucus is founded on the rights granted to Americans in the U.S. Constitution”, he said, “and is motivated by the belief that human rights know no national frontiers — that the denial of fundamental freedoms and human rights anywhere is a threat to free men and women everywhere. The Caucus is an influential voice speaking for the victims of political, religious, ethnic, and racial persecution around the world.” Könnyű, who represents the 12th Congressional District in California, added: “Human rights are America’s legacy to the world. The Congressional Human Rights Caucus is a key organization supporting and maintaining that legacy!” EDITOR’S NOTE: Now that Congressman Ernie Könnyű and Congressman Tom Lantos are together on the Congressional Human Rights Caucus, it will be interesting to follow developments in connection with the Romanian abuse of the human rights of the Hungarian minority in Transylvania, which is an issue of great concern to the Hungarian community in America. MARCH 1987 HUNGARIAN HERITAGE REVIEW 7
