Itt-Ott, 2002 (35. évfolyam, 1/137. szám)
2002 / 1. (137.) szám
We have representatives of the Hungarian American Communities from Cleveland, Toledo, Ada, Columbus,Canton-Akron, Cincinnati and Dayton. Peter Ujvagi addresses the Ohio Legislature It is particularly appropriate that we take this action today, the birthday of President Abraham Lincoln, and during Black History Month, because in many ways it is as a result of Dr. Martin Luther King that the respect for diversity has taken root on our nation. It was his efforts, that have made it acceptable to be both American as well as fiercely proud of your heritage. We are no longer a melting pot where our identity disappears, but rather we welcome the diversity of many people, many cultures. Over the years, just as with Louis Kossuth, the people of Ohio took us in, made us welcome, nurtured our hopes and aspirations and ultimately helped us become Americans - Hungarian-Americans - because we are fiercely proud of our heritage and our history. As an immigrant to this country, as a “refugee,” I am particularly proud to be standing before you today. In this bicentennial year of our state, it is fitting and proper to recognize the diversity of our people and the contributions that they have made to Ohio. You know, a dear friend and mentor of mine, Msgr. Geno Baroni, used to say: “Immigrants came to this country thinking the streets were paved with gold. When they got here they found out that the streets were not paved with gold, in fact they were not paved at all... and they would have to pave them.” You will find us in all of your districts. Hungarian Americans have put down roots in this great state. Strong roots that will nurture generations. It is fitting and proper that we honor them. In almost every city in Ohio there is a Kossuth Street. There is even a small settlement in Auglaize County named for Kossuth. Here in Columbus you can find Kossuth Street, parallel to High, just a few blocks before Plank’s Beer Garden. Some of the representatives might recall where that is. With this resolution I ask you to honor an ideal, the ideal of liberty and democracy. The ideal of the role that America has played, can play and must play in the world and the ideal and the reality that our democracy, our republic, is based on the power of the people. Even 150 years ago, those in whose breast burned the yearning for democracy turned to America. The 12 resolutions that formed the basis of the Hungarian Manifesto of Kossuth Lajos-excuse me, Louis Kossuth -were rooted in our Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights. To this day we continue to be a beacon in the world. But, we must take that responsibility very seriously. We must not make commitments as a nation that we cannot keep. We must not promise our support to people struggling for freedom unless our nation is united and we know we can deliver on the promises we make. Louis Kossuth, standing before the Ohio General Assembly, having heard that the legislature was about to pass a resolution of specific material aid to support his efforts to liberate Hungary, said the following: It will be a day of consolation and joy in Hungary, when my bleeding nation reads these resolutions, which I ivill send here... They will spread like lightning over the gloomy land, and my nation unbroken in courage, steady in resolution, firm in confidence, will draw still more courage, more resolution, more confidence from them, because it is well known, that the legislature of Ohio would never pledge a word of which it were not sure, that the people of Ohio, will be in case of need as good as that word. Kossuth’s words were in response to a resolution proposed by the Ohio Senate that said, in part: “Resolved by the General Assembly, that the Governor of Ohio be authorized, and is hereby instructed to deliver to Louis Kossuth, the constitutional governor of Hungary, on loan all public arms and munitions of war belonging to the State, which remains undisturbed, to be returned in good working order, upon the achievement of Hungarian liberty.” The resolution was ultimately not supported by the House. But Ohio’s offer of support was finally met 140 years later when in the 1990’s ITT-OTT 35. évf. (2002-2003), 1. (137.) SZÁM 57
