Fraternity-Testvériség, 1980 (58. évfolyam, 1-4. szám)
1980-07-01 / 3. szám
ÁRPÁD GEORGE: President’s Report of the THIRTY-FIRST CONTENTION On June 23rd, Monday morning at 10:00 o’clock the opening service of the convention was held in the chapel of the Bethlen Home in Ligonier, Pa. The Rt. Rev. Dr. Stephen Szabó, honorary Vice President of the Federation preached the sermon. Rev. Imre Bertalan sang solo. Mrs. Margaret Saltzer was the organist. The minister members of the Board of Directors and the Board of Managers of the Bethlen Home also participated in the worship service. The Rt. Rev. Bishop Desmond D. Parragh dedicated the first retirement cottage of the Retirement Center. The dedication service of the administrator’s home was conducted by Rev. Stephen Csuto- ros. Rt. Rev. Bishop Dezső Abraham dedicated the new administration office, museum, archive, library and fellowship hall. The cost of the three buildings exceeds the amount of $300,000. Refreshments were served in the fellowship hall by the Federation. The famous Hungarian salami and sausage donated by Mr. Miklós Bende and Son was served as entree. The members of the convention were the guests of the Bethlen Home for lunch. Vice President William Szuch led the veteran members of the convention to the center of Ligonier to place a wreath on the war memorial monument. The plenary session opened at 2:30 P.M. in the new fellowship hall of the Bethlen Home. Mrs. Stephen Csutoros led the members in singing the National Anthem and the Hungarian “Himnusz”. The members were led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States by Mr. Louis Bartalos. Mr. William Aros, chairman of the Credential Committee reported that the credentials of the 72 voting members of the convention were in order. The roll call established that a quorum was present. The convention agenda presented in a printed booklet format by the President was adopted. Rev. Koloman Karl Ludwig and William B. Puskas, Jr. were elected secretaries. The quadrennial reports of the President, Executive Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Legal Counsellor, Administrator of the Bethlen Home, Accountants, Medical Director and Board of Directors were received and forwarded to the following committees: The Executive and Organization Committee, the Administrative and Auditing Committee and the Finance Committee. On Tuesday the committees held their respective meetings at the Bethlen Home and the Holiday Inn. The banquet was held on Monday evening at the Holiday Inn. The opening prayer was said by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Desmond D. Parragh. Greetings wert extended by Mr. Adalbert Erdmann, mayor of the city of Ligonier; Rt. Rev. Dezső Abraham bishop of of the HRCA; Rt. Rev. Desmond D. Parragh bishop of Calvin Synod; Rev. Stephen Csutoros of the Presbyterian Ministers Conference; Rev. Paul Kovács administrator of the Bethlen Home; Rev. Dr. Arthur Ludwig president of the Ministerial Association; Rt. Rev. Tibor Dömötör chairman of the Board of Directors of AHF; Daniel Zornan president of the Lutheran Society and Dr. Tibor Köss of the Stephaneuin in California. Miss Maria Alexa Szabolcsi, member of the Danish Royal Operaliouse and Mr. John Taba owner of the Old Budapest restaurant in Fairfax, Va., sang beautiful Hungarian songs. Mrs. Margaret Saltzer was the piano accompanist. Mr. Elmer E. Vargo in behalf of the Board of Directors presented plaques to President George and Mr. László L. Eszenyi Executive Vice President in recognition of their faithful and dedicated services to the HRFA. This was also expressed by the members of the convention at the second plenary session. Mr. Elmer Charles President of the William Penn Association was the main guest speaker. He extended the greetings of the William Penn Association and the State Fraternal Congress of Pennsylvania. He introduced the representatives of the William Penn Association. He spoke about the advantages of the consolidation of the two national Hungarian fraternal benefit organizations. The prayer of benediction was said by Rev. Emil Nagy, Bridgeport, Connecticut. The second plenary session was held on Wednesday. The meeting was opened by devotion led by Deputy Bishop Rt. Rev. Tibor Dömötör. The recommendations of the Administrative and Auditing Committee concerning the salaries of the National Officers and Board of Directors were unanimously approved. Mr. László L. Eszenyi Executive Vice President was 4
