Fraternity-Testvériség, 1956 (34. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1956-10-01 / 10. szám
12 FRATERNITY HONORING GEORGE WASHINGTON HOW AMERICANS FROM HUNGARY BUILT A STATUE IN BUDAPEST From the eye-witness account of the late churchman-historian: Rev. Dr. Alexander Kalassay Editor Tihamér Kohányi called together representatives from several Cleveland organizations, outlining to them his plans to have as many American Hungarian communities lined up as possible for a novel idea. He had just secured a charter from the State of Ohio, dated February 13, 1905, for “The Budapest Washington Monument Association”. By having the aims of this newly formed group carried out, there, in the capital city of the Old Homeland, would be erected a bronze statue for George Washington. Everyone present was overenthused, for the monument would serve a two-fold purpose. It would carry the torch of liberty, equality and fraternity high in a land the people of which made such genuine sacrifices for these human ideals. Furthermore, it would forever enlist the goodwill and friendly interest of the world’s newest great power, the United States of America. These, indeed, were worthy and practical aims. After it was unanimously decided to broaden the scope of activities to all parts of the country, Kohányi reported that he collected, through his daily newspaper, “Liberty-Szabadság”, $2,259.97 for the monument. He had also secured pledges for another $915. Those present expressed approval and gratitude to Editor Kohányi for his noble efforts, vowing to enlist the cooperation of church and social groups to vigorously step up further collections, in order that the Washington statue may be unveiled on July 4th of the following year, that is, in 1906. It was also moved and seconded that as soon as the necessary sum is brought together, a Statue Committee proper should deal with the respective details. In the meantime, however, Tihamér Kohányi was requested to get in direct touch with the municipal authorities of metropolitan Budapest, order to secure a desirable spot for the projected Washington monument. The meeting then elected the executive committee as follows: Tihamér Kohányi, president; Daniel Stefurák, of the United Fraternal Societies, vice-president; Alexander Kalassay, president of the Hungarian Reformed Federation, secretary; Joseph L. Szepessy, treasurer. Members of the control committee were: Joseph Pipi, president of the Patrona Hungáriáé Roman and Greek Catholic Federation; Andrew Németh, and Youngstown businessman Gustav V. Hámory. The executive committee worked unselfishly and thus was able to reach the goal set for itself. A pleasant surprise of the meeting was the offer of the internationally known violin prodigy, Ferike Vécsey, who, through his manager, volunteered to give a benefit concert in Cleveland on behalf of the fund. Thus was the start of this movement, the result of which stands in Budapest today, the statue in bronze, honoring George Washington. The Monument Association continued its work vigorously. It had
