Fraternity-Testvériség, 1969 (47. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1969-05-01 / 5. szám
1 HUNGARIAN REFORMED FEDERATION WAS AWARDED THE THEODORE VON KARMAN AWARD Acceptance Remarks by László Eszenyi: Public recognition of outstanding services always gives great satisfaction to any organization. It is especially gratifying if it comes from sucli a distinguished László Eszenyi accepted the award in behalf of the Federation from Stevan Dohanos. society as the American Hungarian Studies Foundation. Our Federation takes pride in accepting your much- coveted Theodore von Karman Award, granted for our philanthropic achievements Someone may raise the question, “Just what has an insurance company to do with philanthropy?” At this festive occasion may I remind you, ladies and gentlemen, that our fore-fathers did not intend to establish a business corporation when they laid down the foundation of our Federation some 73 years ago. They organized a fraternal benevolent society. According to Webster philanthropy is benevolence: the willingness and ability to like and serve mankind. According to our concept true fraternalism is philanthropy in action. Profit gained through insurance operations was always used to promote charitable, cultural and patriotic aims. We established and maintain one of the most admired charitable institutions, the Bethlen Home in Ligonier, Pa. We gave a helping hand to our congregations, regardless of their denominational affiliation, to build their churches and educational buildings. We willingly contributed to every social, cultural and political organization loyal to this country and faithful to our Hungarian national heritage. This spirit explains why the Federation has given dynamic leaders to the American Hungarian Community, such men as the late Stephen Molnár, our General Secretary, Francis Újlaki, Emery Király, George E. K. Borsliy, Zoltán Beky and many others. I wish to pay tribute to them who were primarily responsible for those past accomplishments which attracted your attention and gained this award today. With these thoughts I accept the award in behalf of the National Officers, Members of the Board of Directors and our membership, and I express our grateful appreciation for your fine and noble gesture. Thank you. Bishop Beky’s Acceptance Speech — continued deserve such a great honor was done because of my unquenchable love of the Hungarian people or Nation. I always attempted to do all in my power for our people in the life of the Christian Church in the American political life or in the several world-wide congress I have the honor to speak and represent our people whether it be to America, in Europe or in the Middle East or in India. I love our people more than anything else in this world and to serve their cause was my most important concern in all my public life. There are no other people who need more of our help, service and dedication than our subjugated and enslaved Hungarian people. I firmly believe that God ordained us people of Hungarian descent living now in the free World for a special purpose and it can not be anything less than to do everything in our power to work for the liberation of our nation with the armor of science, culture, scholarship, spirit and arts. We cannot rest until our captive Hungarian people will be free and independent again. I am very grateful to the Hungarian Study Foundation which renders such a magnificent contribution for the preservation and cultivation of the Hungarian language, literature and culture. I wish to express my greatest admiration for the splendid work done by the leaders of the Hungarian Studies Foundation especially Mr. Dohányos, Prof. Molnár, Dr. Maday, Mrs. Porcéi. I accept this award with a very grateful heart and firmly pledge myself to the same goods and principals as promoted by the Hungarian Studies Foundation May Almighty God bless the work of this outstanding Institution of our American Hungarian Community. 14
