Fraternity-Testvériség, 1976 (54. évfolyam, 1-4. szám)
1976-07-01 / 3. szám
“Special Meeting” of the Board of the Bethlen Home for April 27. The meeting elected Rev. Paul Kovács from Sharon, Pa., to be the new Assistant Administrator. DECEASED MEMBERS First, with sorrowful heart I report the death of our Director and former Vice President Gazel Ves- premi, who was also one of our most successful Branch Managers. With the same sorrow I also report the sudden death of our former Legal Counsellor, The Honorable Judge Albert A. Fiok. Their departure is a great loss to our Federation. We also mourn several outstanding members like Rev. Alexander Mircse, Col. Ferenc Koszorús (President of Branch 300), Louis Wargo, Cleveland, Rev. Arpad Bakay, Rev. Joseph Marsalko, Mrs. Margit Levay Szabó, Mrs. Tibor Halo and many others. During the past four years 1,520 of our members have passed away. Let us pay our respect to the memory of our blessed dead by a minute of silent, standing prayer. THE DUTIES OF THE PRESIDENT The duties and privileges of the President are described in paragraph 44 of our By-Laws. I have already reported many of my activities during my present report. A special committee will have the opportunity to look into the work of my office in detail and therefore, I wish to mention only a few items: As President, I have supervised all offices and departments of the Home Office. I have examined and countersigned all deeds, certificates, checks and drafts. I called and presided over the Executive Committee meetings, when such were necessitated by important Federation matters, such as purchase and sale of bonds, mortgage investment, etc. I have exercised my cultural and fraternal responsibilities in accordance with our By-Laws. I held many lectures and wrote articles for church and secular magazines and papers. I have made the required reports. VARIOUS MINISTRIES Our official magazine — Fraternity — was published quarterly. My fellow-officers as co-editors were great help to me in editing our paper. We held worship services on every great Christian and national holidays in Washington, D. C. Both the Secretary and I conducted these services and we also served holy communion with accordance of the church year. 8 We maintained good and cordial relationship with the churches and ministers regardless of their denominational affiliations. At the more important celebrations either the Secretary or I have actively participated in the services. GENEVA AND NAIROBI I have to mention my important journeys and ministries to Geneva and to Nairobi: there are some “friends” who spread rumors that I have traveled at the expense and at the time of the Federation. My God is my witness, that I have not received a single penny for this purpose either from the Federation or from the American Hungarian Federation. I used my vacation time to serve the best interest of the oppressed Hungarian brethren in Transylvania and with success I brought it to the attention of the highest world forums. During my trip to Nairobi I suffered a kidney bleeding and it has almost cost me my life. Yet I am grateful to God that I could speak in behalf of our suffering brethren and I could accomplish my mission. It was the very first time that the case of our suffering Transylvanian brethren was brought to the attention of the world’s public opinion and there are some indications that my mission achieved some results. This difficult ministry enhanced the good name of our Federation as well. At every instance where I appeared or spoke next to my name it was indicated that I am the president of the Hungarian Reformed Federation of America. THE OPENING OF THE CONGRESS It was for the fourth time this year that I received the honor to participate in the opening worship and communion service, with four other Reformed denominational leader prior to the opening of the U.S.A. Congress. The President of the United States, most senators and representatives, members of the Cabinet and the judiciary have attended this worship service. It was a recognition not only for me, but also that of the Federation. I do not say these things to boast but to underline the fact that our Federation is represented at the highest forums of our nation and of the world. RESPONSIBILITIES Our Convention is faced with a large number of problems to be solved. Our National Officers and Board of Directors have prepared the materials and will present it to the various committees. We believe that the delegates are aware of their responsibility and will decide wisely on the proposals. We are convinced that these decisions will affect not only the future of our Federation and its membership, but also that of the entire American Hungarian Community.
