Fraternity-Testvériség, 2010 (88. évfolyam, 1-4. szám)
2010-04-01 / 2. szám
Fraternity I Testvériség What advice would you give to others who are considering an HRFA life insurance policy? HRFA’s policy is reliable, offers many options and is inexpensive. I have recommended to many of my friends that they purchase a policy and become active in the organization. I encourage the new generation of Hungarian-Americans to consider joining HRFA and purchasing a policy. Is it important to you that HRFA supports the Hungarian language, culture, and religions of Hungarians in America? Absolutely. My membership in HRFA is mostly based on my support for the preservation of the Hungarian culture, language and churches in the United States. I have the highest regard for what the Hungarian community has achieved and what it has contributed to American society. Why purchase from a faith-based organization instead of a commercial company? Many people are not aware of the noble beginnings of this organization. HRFA was established by Protestant Hungarian immigrant workers who believed in social justice. It is my conviction that religious fraternal organizations like HRFA symbolize and serve the sense of solidarity that should bind us all together. How important is it to you that the Kossuth House is located in the Nation’s Capital? What impressions do you have when you visit the Home Office and attend its cultural programs? Over four years, the Kossuth House became one of my homes in Washington. I spent so many great evenings there with my friends, whether it was HRFA celebrating Hungarian National Day or watching movies with Hungarian-America Foundation members or organizing the Carl Lutz Exhibit with the Hungarian American Coalition. I even spoke to a class of Hungarian language students there two years ago. Of course, the best memory I have about this wonderful gathering place is the fantastic Farewell Reception HRFA hosted for me where my friends from the Hungarian community and from my personal and professional life came together to honor me and my service for U.S.-Hungarian relations. My mother even traveled from Budapest to attend. Thank you to everyone at HRFA for that evening that I will never forget! How were you impacted by the fact that HRFA was founded over loo years ago and that its charter was signed by President Theodore Roosevelt? I am proud to be a member of this honorable and legendary organization. I will continue working to build bridges between Hungary and America as well as between Hungary and the Hungarian American community, always including HRFA. What do you think of the personnel and quality of service you receive from HRFA’s Home Office? I am proud to call everyone at the Home Office “my friends.” They are not only always professional but also kind and thoughtful. I wish to express my thanks especially to Les, Petra, and Melinda for what they have done for me personally. More importantly, they have always worked toward the best possible relations with the Embassy and with Hungary, and I was happy to partner with them. What do you recommend that HRFA do to increase public awareness of its products? I highly commend the personnel for seeing the important value of the organization’s website. As a pioneer and active practitioner of e-diplomacy, I cannot stress enough the significance of the new media—the Internet-based tools of communication—in today’s social and economic environment. If HRFA wants to reach a new generation of members and make them new policyholders, it should continue to focus and improve its website as a major outreach for public affairs and the Kossuth House is one of their most precious assets. Millions of other community organizations would love to have a headquarters like this. You personify the youth and vitality that our organization needs to flourish in the future. How can HRFA appeal to more new, young Hungarians as they arrive here? Trying to keep the Kossuth House is just one aspect. HRFA should continue keeping an open door at the Kossuth House for many events and cooperate with an ever-widening array of groups and organizations. This precious home should always serve as a natural meeting place for young and older Hungarians, especially for newcomers who are looking for understanding, support and a healthy social life. 23 Zoltán Fehér and Stephen Colbert
