Magyar News, 1999. szeptember-2000. augusztus (10. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

1999-11-01 / 3. szám

DESIGN

BY

LÁSZLÓ

ISPÁNKY

II. AMERIKAI MAGYAR NEMZETGYULES

Seventyfive years past since the first Convention was held in Buffalo, New York. Somehow it was put on the backburner and as time started ticking away it slowly left the back burner. Not that it was forgotten, though many Hungarians who came at a later period to this country never heard of it, or never payed attention to it.

I was puzzled when I saw a photograph about three feet wide with many people in it, and the script on the bottom referred to a Convention 75 years ago. This photograph was among many old pictures at the United Church of Christ in Bridgeport, a church founded by Hungarian protestants. Therefore I thought it was a church event.

Just recently have 1 learned that this Convention was a nationwide gathering of Hungarians to show their unity and work out matters that are important to the Hungarian people both in Hungary and here. Now this gathering will take place more often, with only a few years between. We were all pleased at this decission.

The honorary chairman was George Pataki, co-chaired by the leaders of the leaders of the two major religious groups. Elected as honorary patrons were Géza Jeszenszky, Hungarian Ambassador to Washington, and Peter Tufo, American Ambassador to Budapest. The chairman of the organizing committee was Dr. Tamás Hilbert.

Friday. From late morning into the afternoon a Symposium was held for the business community, hosted by the

Hungarian American Chamber of Commerce. The invited speakers were János Martonyi, Foreign Minister of Hungary, and George Pataki, Governor of New York State. Throughout the day, and the following ones, exhibits were open ending with wine tasting and live entertainment.

Saturday was pretty much filled with activities. The morning was taken up by information, discussions and decisions. This was organized in two groups. The Hungarian Section had the leaders’ summit; the English Section went generation to generation. At the English Section Dr. August Molnár gave a very interesting overall report on the history of Hungarian immigration. Rev. Imre Bertalan, Jr. told the heart warming story through an old photo album. Concluding: Be active in old and new Hungarian organizations; unity of Hungarian organizations; new generation, new character and traditions; cultural cooperation between Americans and Hungarians. Frank Koszorús, Esq. talked about the Displaced Persons, President Truman’s effort to liberate Hungary with military force, then about Trianon, Communism and 1956 called attention to the barrier that the language has in politics and underlined the grassroot importance to influence American Policy favorable to Hungarians.

Dr. Elizabeth Kiss from Duke University summarized her speech with three points; tell the story of ‘56; connect the youth in the diaspora; have a coalition

across the board among Hungarian organizations.

Following the discussions was the Plenary Session, Hungarian and English groups together. The Resolutions of the Convention were presented and accepted. As Dr. Molnár pointed out, the organisors of the next Convention will be made up of the leaders of the younger generation , the speakers at the English Section.

Introducing two members of the “Golden Team”brought back memories . They were Gyula Groshics and Buzsánszky Lóránt. Both recalled how happy they felt bringing world wide attention to the Hungarian People.

In the afternoon a patriotic show took place. “Cantus Hungaricus” created by Lajos Illés presented the Hungarian history in music and dance. Six professional singers, 50 strong, dancers and members of the youth choir performed.

Hungarian women were honored for bringing up two children who spoke Hungarian. After, following the various cocktail parties, the Gala Banquet took place. Some more speeches and a good dinner kept the over five hundred guests happy. At the end of the dinner a wall separating the dining area from the stage, opened up. A selected group of civic and community leaders were called upon and presented with a Medal of The Honor Roll for their services. The one I received is on top of this page. Sunday closed with an Ecumenical Worship Service.

Joseph F. Balogh Page 1