Fraternity-Testvériség, 2001 (79. évfolyam, 1-4. szám)
2001-04-01 / 2. szám
FRATERNITY Page 11 KOSSUTH CELEBRATED IN IOWA “Kossuth on State” The Third General Assembly of the Iowa Legislature established Kossuth County, Iowa, on January 15, 1851. Kossuth County was named in honor of Lajos (Louis) Kossuth, the Hungarian Patriot and Statesman who had dedicated his life to freedom and liberty for his country. Kossuth’s exploits to free his country in 1848-1849 stirred the emotions of the people of the United States and his struggle for freedom was the reason that the Iowa Legislature felt that it would be fitting to name a newly created county in his honor. Kossuth County, Iowa, has the distinction of being the only county in the United States named Kossuth. In the early months of 1999, Kossuth County’s Courthouse Department Heads met with the Kossuth County Board of Supervisors to discuss plans to commemorate the upcoming 150th anniversary of the establishment of Kossuth County. In September of 1999, the department heads once again met with the board of supervisors to discuss ideas for the 150"’ anniversary celebration. It was decided at that time that a volunteer committee should be formed and that they should work with the Kossuth County Historical Society to develop a project for the 150lh anniversary celebration. A call for volunteers was made at that time and the 150"1 Anniversary Committee was formed. After just a few meetings, the committee decided that a life-size bronze statue of Lajos Kossuth, placed in front of the courthouse, would be the ideal project that would satisfy the goals that had been established by the committee. It was envisioned that the statue would be placed on a granite base and would be surrounded by a patio area composed of engraved bricks and granite pavers, which would be sold to fund the project. The committee then contacted local award winning artist, Wayne Thompson of rural Swea City, Iowa, to see if he would be interested in creating a bronze statue of Lajos Kossuth. Mr. Thompson was very receptive to the idea and told the committee that he would be most willing to create the statue. After more than two years of dedicated work by the committee members, the statue and patio area have been completed. Unveiling of Kossuth Statue in Iowa Flags flying, a military band and the roar of two F-16s overhead provided the opening sentence for a ceremony to celebrate the 150"’ anniversary of Kossuth County and present its residents with a gift - a statue of Louis Kossuth, the county’s namesake. “This is the 150th birthday of a place many of us have called home for years,” said master of ceremonies Dan Peterson. The dedication ceremony included visits from the Hungarian ambassador to the United States and Gov. Tom Vilsack. Gov. Vilsack told the crowd of about 500 gathered on the Kossuth County Courthouse lawn Friday, July 13, that among his memories of watching television were scenes of people of Hungary fighting in the early 1950s. That was 100 years after Kossuth began his battle for liberty to the eastern European nation. After the large version of the Hungarian flag was pulled off the statue to reveal it to the crowd, members of the Kossuth on State committee officially presented it to the Kossuth County Board of Supervisors and the county. Kossuth’s own country was represented at the statue dedication also, with Ambassador Géza Jeszenszky speaking to the crowd and reading a letter from the president of Hungary. “This is certainly a great moment not only for me, but for the people of Hungary.” Ambassador Jeszenszky said. “The fact that a county in Iowa is named after Kossuth is more than a sign of respect for his personality,” the letter read. “It is a connection between the two countries.” As a teacher by profession, the ambassador said he loves to see people learning. “In the last few months, the citizens of Algona have had an opportunity to learn about the man whose name this county bears,” the ambassador said. “It must be a source of pride for you that your county is named after such a statesman.” The statue, he said, is not just a memorial to Kossuth, but is also a credit to the determination of the people who settled in Iowa, including a community of Hungarians who settled in the southeast comer of the state. “Let this statue be a reminder of Hungary and its straggle - and of Hungarians who escaped communism to the United States in that time,” he said. “Millions of Hungarians looked up to the United States for inspiration and support over the last two centuries.” “Long live the freedom of Hungary and long live our countries.” Ambassador Jeszenszky said. The Algona Upper Des Moines The Hungarian Reformed Federation of America was one of the sponsors of the Kossuth statue, and was represented at its unveiling by HRFA Director Joseph Kovács and his wife Maria.
