Fraternity-Testvériség, 1976 (54. évfolyam, 1-4. szám)
1976-07-01 / 3. szám
FINAL REMARKS I leave it as a testament to you never to abandon this precious inheritance, the Hungarian Reformed Federation of America and our persecuted Hungarian people from which your father’s came. I have served and struggled for them all my life with your help, and brought their case to the highest authorities of the United States and to international forums. You would be denying your own blessed heritage if you were to discontinue the fight for our Federation and for justice, human rights and our oppressed Hungarian brethren in the Carpatian Basin. No matter how dark the future is Don’t let go of each others’ hands # * # The night is dispersing, the dawn is breaking and with God’s help and your effort we will soon see liberty anti freedom for our Hungarian people. Inspired by this faith I am asking God’s rich blessings upon the delegates and officials of our Convention. Dr. Zoltán Beky President TELEGRAM TO THE PRESIDENT Dear Mr. President. We are grateful to you for your kind greeting to the Quadrennial Convention of our Hungarian Reformed Federation of America meeting in Ligonier, Pa. June 28- July 4. We pray the blessings of God upon your life and work as you lead our country in the search for justice and peace in the world. We sincerely hope your leadership ivill be decisive in the struggle for the right. May God guide and keep you as you and our nation seek to do His will. We especially thank you for your ivords of appreciation regarding the work of our president Bishop Zoltán Beky. Very sincerely, The Officers and Delegates of the Quadrennial Convention SECRETARY’S REPORT for the years of 1972 - 1975 This is my second Convention report as Secretary, i consider it a privilege to report to the delegates of the 1976 Convention about my work during the past four years. My aim is to present a detailed report of the Secretary’s department, which includes three employees in the Home Office, 26 to 30 District and Section Managers, 71 Branch Managers and 82 Collecting agents. The Federation is recognized as a fraternal organization. Its fraternal, Christian, charitable and humanitarian goals are stated in the by-laws. The history of the past eight decades is a documented testimony that the Federation year after year disbursed large amounts of money to live up to the goals set by our forefathers when they founded our organization. During the past eighty years the Federation had the privilege to give fraternal, charitable service and financial aid to four generations. The Federation is also recognized as a fraternal insurance organization. We can only practice Christian charity and make financial sacrifices to preserve our heritage if we succeed as a fraternal insurance organization. The 1972-1975 period was not ideal for life insurance promotional work. The United States armed forces were withdrawn from Vietnam. The number of unemployed persons was increased by the large number of discharged soldiers seeking jobs. In 1973 and 1974 we had a gas shortage and an increase in price of gas. Our Field Force members wasted much time searching for gas stations selling gas and then staying in line to get a limited number of gallons of gas. They hesitated to plan longer trips because the uncertainty of getting gas. The price of stamp was raised from 10 to 13 cents. All the economy experts agree that the 1972-1975 period was the severest and longest maxi recession the United States had since the post World War I great depression. The symptoms of the present recession are: unemployment and inflation. At our District meetings the Section and Branch Managers complained that in Bridgeport, Cleveland and New Jersey areas the number of unemployed persons were much higher than the national average. During the past four years many factories and banks were closed. Many insurance companies were the victim of inflation. Cities and states are facing financial crisis. States are rapidly running out of welfare and unemployment compensation funds. Naturally, under these conditions our promotional work was made more difficult. In 1975 we also had a late start in selling our new insurance plans. In spite of these difficulties the amount of our insurance in force increased substantially. Even the best salesman cannot sell insurance to an unemployed person. Insurance is the first victim of unemployment. The unemployed person will either lapse his new policy or cash surrender the old. The elimination of cash surrender requests would solve by itself alone our problem of holding the number of our membership. During the last three decades the HRFA extended and expanded its services to our Catholic brethren and to other 9 T
