The Eighth Tribe, 1975 (2. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1975-03-01 / 3. szám
Page Sixteen THE EIGHTH TRIBE March, 1975 YES—WE DO REMEMBER OR DO WE? This message is of concern to all those who possess our Hungarian heritage. Last year in Ligonier, the American Hungarian Reformed Presbyters’ Association proposed that the Annual Conference in 1976 be designated to honor the 300th anniversary of Hungarian Galley Slaves. A tribute to those Hungarian ministers and teachers, who suffered and were tortured and sold as galley slaves rather than to denounce their faith and beliefs. To plan for this coming event, a committee was formed. We are trying to secure committee members from ALL church bodies that belong to the American Hungarian Reformed Presbyters’ Association. So far the committee has had two meetings and the progress is excellent. For this 300th anniversary celebration, on behalf of Presbyters’ Association we are proposing that a bronze plaque, containing the names of those surviving galley slaves and art work depicting their ordeals be installed at the Bethlen Home in Ligonier. To prepare financially for this project, we are proposing that Sunday, May 4th, 1975 be set aside in all churches in our Association as Galley Slave Sunday. On this special Sunday, all the churches will use special Sunday folders, and envelopes being prepared by the committee. The financial assistance that we will receive from all the churches that belong to the American Hungarian Reformed Presbyters’ Association will determine the success of our undertaking. In the hearts of the Presbyters’ Association, May 4th, 1975 is a special Sunday for a tremendous cause. I hope the thoughts of the members of all the Hungarian churches will be the same as presbyters’ and express YES — WE DO REMEMBER! Richard Heyz Vice Pres. American Hungarian Reformed Presbyters’ Association Chief Elder, Hungar. Ref. Church of Duquesne, Pa. Bicentennial Ethnic Groups Meeting The three-day Bicentennial Ethnic Racial Council (BERC) Conference brought racial and ethnic spokesmen from across the nation together with representatives of federal agencies, private corporations and foundations, and national Bicentennial planners to increase racial and ethnic participation in the Bicentennial observance. Nearly 400 delegates to the Conference heard American Revolution Bicentennial Administration (ARBA) director John Warner pledge in return his “firm commitment to support in every way possible” what he regards as “a powerful new entity”. Conference co-chairmen James 0. Gibson, chairman of the District of Columbia Bicentennial Commission and Assembly, and Msgr. Geno Baroni, head of the National Center for Urban Ethnic Affairs, whose organizations convened the BERC Conference echoed Warner’s sentiments. A keynote address was given by John D. Rockefeller. The meeting was attended by Dr. Albert Wass, chairman of the Cultural Committee of the American Hungarian Federation, Dr. Zoltán Beky, president of the Hungarian Reformed Federation and Dr. Andrew Pogány, president of the Freedom Fighters Federation. Col. Michael De Kovats Commemoration Medal Will Be Issued By The Government For The Bicentennial Senator Harrison Williams of New Jersey introduced a Bill to provide for the striking of MEDALS commemorating the contributions by individuals of various ethnic backgrounds who contributed to the founding of the United States of America. In the Special Bill, Senator Williams stated about Col. Kovats: “The news of the American colonies struggle also reached Michael Kovats, a 52-year-old Hungarian cavalry officer who had already had a full and distinguished military career in Europe. Inspired by the cause of freedotn, he volunteered in a letter to Benjamin Franklin ‘to serve and die in everlasting obedience.’ His words were borne out all too soon. As colonel of Pulaski S. cavalry corps, he recruited and trained his troops in New Jersey, then led them to the defense of the beleaguered port city of Charleston, S. C. There the Americans won the battle, but lost their brilliant Hungarian leader, who gave his life for their independence.” The bill, S. 371, was unanimously approved by the Senate.
