Magyar News, 2002. szeptember-2003. augusztus (13. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

2003-07-01 / 11-12. szám

Dr. István Deák, of the Columbia University, makes a point "How to Write History of Hungary" for Non-Hungarians".

I am not to refer to any individuals (dead or alive), be name; I shall not describe anybody by personal attributes or characteristics; I am only interested in delineating trends and patterns of developments. I do not wish to be in the position to chastise or second guess anybody, especially since I am convinced that there is enough blame to go around for all of us. If we are to believe the definition by Webster's New World Dictionary "umbrella organization" is defined as "any comprehensive, protective organization, alliance or device." It appears that representation is also implied by this definition.

The organizational framework for Hungarian-Americans had a promising beginning actually. A parliamentary crisis developed in Hungary during 1906. As a political response, a large-scale meeting was called for February 27th, of the same year, in Cleveland, Ohio. The American Hungarian Federation (Magyar Amerikai Szövetség, or as it has been lovingly called by the abbreviation AMSZ) was bom. The bylaws of AMSZ included a set of lofty, impressively progressive ideals. It was stated and I quote: "The American Hungarian Federation will provide for the continuous unification and unity of Hungarians living in the United States, it will provide means of protecting them against any injustice and will strive to promote the independence of Hungary, in accordance with the spirit, aspirations and institutions of the freedom-loving American nation." The American Hungarian Federation was to become an umbrella organization capable to represent the beginning of the twentieth century. According to an admittedly cynical contemporary anecdote, the newly arriving Hungarian immigrant had three immediate concerns and responsibilities: 1. He was to sign a contract condemning him to spend 25 years of his life at hard work in a West- Virginia mine of a highly contaminated, Page 4

poisopous atmosphere. 2. He joined the Democratic Party. 3. He disembarked from the ship. And now, in addition, he had the option of joining the American Hungarian Federation. I indicated already that the American-Hungarian Federation was organized in response to a political development in the mother country .When the political, parliamentary crisis was successfully resolved and a coalition government was formed, the initial enthusiasm surrounding AMSZ had started to ebb somewhat. Despite of the same, the American Hungarian Federation survived and even flourished to an extent. It goes without saying, the organization had to face a number of crisis situations. In 1929, for instance, an emergency meeting was convened in Buffalo, NY. The immediate concerns at that time included the question of relevance of the organization, the question of desirability to maintain its Hungarian characteristics and the pressing need to involve younger American - Hungarians in organizational activities. An ambition, I am sure, we can all sympathize with in 2003 also. Irrespective of the "ups and downs" the American Hungarian Federation, under the guidance of strong and respected leaders, had provided a representation for American Hungarians, had become an "umbrella" organization. It had maintained representation and support until the end of the seventies- early eighties.

Upon the retirement of its president, a leadership vacuum evolved and discord arose in the ranks. Two competing factions developed, and in addition, a separate entity, the American Hungarian National Federation (Amerikai Magyar Országos Szövetség or AMOSZ) was established by a dissenting group. It appears that more than one letter, the letter "0" separated these two groups; a bitter and protracted legal battle ensued. At the end, the court declared AMSZ the "true heir". By that time, however, both organizations, and a third fringe group, called MAOSZ, had been weakened and were too anemic to provide any organizational heft.

I feel it is appropriate, at this point, to refer to two outstanding fraternal affiliations, established by Hungarians in the United States. Naturally, I am referring to the Hungarian Reformed Federation and the

Our panel participants _ included left to right AdAm Tolnay of Georgetown University; Bob Kränyik, retired University of Bridgeport professor and dean; Mártha Preszlényi of John Carroll University,

András Kiséry of Columbia University, panel chair;

Helen Turkewicz-Sanko also of John Carroll University, and Col. Dick Németh, U.S.

Air Force Retired.

William Penn Society. Both of these two associations were organized to provide life-insurance and insurance to guarantee illness benefits for their members; they have also written insurance coverage with annuity benefits. Both the Hungarian Reformed Federation and William Penn supported the American Hungarian Federation, at least to the late seventies, early eighties.

These groups had become financially stable and prosperous; their overall membership had shrunk somewhat over the years, members, while William Penn claims 30-35,000 insured policyholders on its membership rolls. The late 1980's, especially the year 1989, may be considered a remarkable watershed period resulting in the end of a "bipolar world", terminating Hungary's occupation by the Soviet Army and the declaration of Hungary as an independent republic - these were euphoric, intoxicating times, indeed! The reincarnation of the World Federation of Hungarians (Magyarok Világszövetsége -MVSZ) followed quickly. The potential possibilities appeared endless and far-reaching. A truly representative Hungarian super-umbrella organization was to emerge. Following, emotional organizational meetings in Budapest during 1989 and 1992, regional and national councils were organized in Europe, Hungary, Slovakia, Transylvania, Trans-Carpathia, Délvidék, Australia, South America, United States and Canada.

Most unfortunately, internal dissensions, competing agendas and competing cliques had also developed quickly. A disadvantageous "contra-selection" process materialized: small groups with vocally shrill and intolerant ideology surfaced, and by the late 90-s MVSZ was no more than a sad shadow of its former, promising self. Today, the World Federation of Hungarians does not get the any financial support from the Hungarian Parliament, a support it had fully enjoyed in the past.

It has become painfully obvious that a dichotomy developed in American- Hungarian organizational life: 1. There is no comprehensive umbrella organization, fully representative and responsive to Hungarians, in existence. 2. Many small" specialty" associations, groups are func-