Verhovayak Lapja, 1955 (38. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

1955 / Verhovay Journal

June 15, 1955

Verhovay Journal

PAGE 5

Merger Agreement Approved by Large Majority

(Continued from~page 1)

18. William Rakaczky (1); 19. Ladislaus Csenger (IB): 20. George Boszilkov (1-C); 21. James Siket (1-C); 22. Stephen Sipos (1-C); 23. Joseph Bokor (2); 24. James Emody (2); 25. Michael Puskas (2); 26. John Zakopcsan (2); 27. Prank Radvany (2-B); 28. Géza Nagy (3); 29. Frank Toth (3); 30. John Gyermeli (4); 31. Stephen Horvath (4); 32. Stephen Toth (4-B); 33. Peter Toth (4-C); 34. John Kopachy (5): 35. Wendell Petrovicz (5); 36. Anthony Rocz (5-B); 37. William A. Sari (6); 38. Frank Bodnar (7); 39. Stephen Sutch, Jr. (7-B); 40. Moses Bokor (8); 41. Stephen Borovich (8); 42. Anthony Borsody (8); 43. John Demko (8-C); 44. Julius Telegdy (8-D); 45; Peter Suprak (9); 46. Alexander Chobody (10); 47. Joseph Miller, Jr. (11); 48. George Modock (11); 49. Frank Debreczeni (121; 50. Charles Kun (12); 51. Stephen Illés (12-B); 52. Stephen Ivan (13); 53. Daniel Matto (13); 54. Louis David (14); 55. James E. Szuch (14); 56. Moses Domokos (15); 57. Stephen Petho (16); 58. Valentine Konyha (16-B); 59. John Bokor (17); 60. John Bumbulucz (17); 61. Frank J. Molnár, Sr. (17); 62. Emery Sera (17); 63. John Kosztyo (17-B); 64. Stephen Horvath, Sr. (17-C); 65. John Bozsvay (18); 66. Frank Pinter (18); 67. Joseph Szalay (18); 68. Frank Komjati (19); 69. Louis Balogh (19-B); 70. Joseph Drotos (19-B); 71. Bela Takacs (20); 72. Nicholas Beregszászi (21); 73. George David (22); 74, John P, Kelemen (23); 75. John Palotas (23); 76. John Denes (24); 77. Joseph L. Gross (24); 78. Joseph Heck (24); 79. Joseph Marczis (24); 80. John Mokri, Sr. (25); 81. Joseph Boldizsár, Sr. (25); 82. Stephen Csaby (25-B); 83. Joseph Letenyei (25-B); 84. Louis Mazik (25-C); 85. Julius J. Danch (26); 86. Joseph Ho'dits (26); 87. Bela Horvath (26); 88-. Anthony Lachman (26); 89. Frank Balint (26-B); 90. Julius Hessler (26-B); 91, Ladislaus Locsi (26-B); 92. Nicholas Palla (26-C); 93, Joseph Rohaly (27); 94. Louis C. Fodor, Jr. (27-B); 95. Frank Tinich (27-C); 96. Julius Wank (28); 97. Mrs. John Pocsik (29); 98. Julius Kerekes (30); 99. Andrew Szladics (30-B); 100. Mrs. Julia K. Cher ^31); 101. Andrew Bagos (32); 102. John Korintus (32); 103. Philip S. Houser (33).

The Merger Agreement and Resolution were not approved by the following:

1. Dr. Andrew Kovács, Vice President; 2. John Sabo, National Auditor;

3. Charles A. Young (33); 4. Moses jCsomor (29); 5. Charles S. Smith (21);

6. Joseph Hattayer (1-C).

Among those who approved the Merger Agreement and Resolution, the following made these comments:

M illiam C. Kohut, Auditing Committee Secretary; “This is a much needed occurrence; it will be a great step forward for all the Hungarians. May it succeed.”

Gáspár Papp, Auditing Committee Chairman: “I approve the agreement with the exception of the provision which would keep a certain section of our Bylaws in full- force and effect until the Convention convenes in 1971.” Géza Nagy (3): “I am in favor of this very much.”

Peter Toth (4-C): I do approve and hope it will be soon.”

Wendell Petrovicz (5): “I approve the merger. However, I do not Approve either the name'change or the ^»ension. The coming National Convention should act on these latter two points.”

William A. Sari (,6): “I believe that the delegates would be interested in the financial statements of the two Associations for the sake of comparison if such statements were available.”

John Demko (8-C): “I would like to be present at the merger culmination.”

Julius Telegdy (8-D): “I approve the Merger Agreement. However, the entire Merger Agreement should have been presented to the National Convention for detailed debate.”

Joseph Miller, Jr. (11): “I agree on the merger 100r/c but do not agree on the section which pertains to the election of National Officers, etc. I believe in a democratic form of government. Since we are in the process of forming a new organization, William Penn Fraternal Association, let’s all start from the bottom and give all members equal rights regardless of previous affiliation. Thank you.”

George Modock (11): “The pension agreement and the amount of the pension should be determined by the delegates of the 1955 National Convention.”

Frank Debreczeni (12): “The Merger Agreement is good and satisfactory for both sides.”

Louis David (14): “1 do understand why the hands of the 1955 National Convention are tied in regards to the provision on page 3, amending a section of our Bylaws. However, I can not understand why the hands of the National Conventions after 1955 have to be tied. This matter should be left to the delegates of each ensuing National Convention.”

Moses Domokos (15): “May God grant that everyone vote for the merger and that it be successful.”

John Bumbulucz (17): “I find the merger satisfactory and wish it much success.”

Frank Pinter (18) : “It is my opinion that it is not proper to tie the pension question to the Merger Agreement. The proper step would have been for the joint convention delegates to debate this matter.”

Frank Komjati (19): “Adoption of the merger of the Association to me means more strength to our Association.”

Louis Balogh (19-B): “I am not satisfied with the society’s new name.” Bela Takacs (20): “A better or brighter idea than this name came to light. I hope and believe the merger will succeed.”

Michael Beregszászi (21): “The one provision I do not regard as proper is the one giving the pensioners such a big pension.”

Joseph Heck (24): “Only with reservations do I accept provisions 6 and 7 regarding amendments to our Bylaws relative to the 1971 National Convention.”

John Mokri, Sr. (25): “No extra assessment can be put into effect for the present Verhovay members, Adult or Juvenile.”

Joseph Boldizsár, Sr. (25): “I approve the Merger Agreement. However, I am not satisfied with the above.”

Stephen Csaby (25-B): “The Merger Agreement makes me very happy.” Louis Mazik (25-C): “I would like to vote approval many times. Please have the results appear in the Hungarian and English publications, showing how each delegate voted.”

Julius J. Danch (26): “Congratulations! Both groups should be highly

complimented for a fine job.”

Bela Horvath (26): “The merger is O.K. but I protest against the name change. Only previously convicted persons and questionable firms are ashamed of their names. Anyone who is ashamed of his Magyar name is not a good Hungarian.”

Anthony Lachman (26): “As I see it, this is the most beautiful and most important matter which we accomplish with the merger. Every soberthinking member knows that in unity there is strength.”

Julius Hessler (26-B): “I extend to the National Officers and to the members of the Board of Directors my sincere congratulations. I pray for God’s, bountiful blessings on the future developments.”

Nicholas Palla (28-C): “I have no objections in regards to the merger; the Hungarians long ago should have joined together to stay together.” John Korintus (32): “This will be a great achievement for the Verhovay Fraternal Insurance Association and, as the William Penn Fraternal Association, we will have the greatest success ever.”

Those who did not approve the Merger Agreement and Resolution made the following comments:

Dr. Andrew Kovács, Vice President:.‘‘I am 100% in favor of the merger of the Verhovay Fraternal Insurance Association and the Rákóczi Aid Association of Bridgeport, Connecticut. There can be no question about this!!!! However, as I protested at the special meeting of the Verhovay Board of Directors held in Pittsburgh on February 19, 1955, I again wish to go on record that this referendum is not the proper medium to be used in connection with such an important event in our society’s life.

John Sabo, National Anditor: “Under date of April 14 I received a letter signed by each of you requesting me to review the Rakoczi-Verhovay Merger Agreement and Resolution and to mark the Ballot and return it to the above office on or before May 14, 1955.

“After giving much thought to this matter I have marked the Ballot and am returning it enclosed, with the following comments:

“In unity there is unquestionably more strength and it is strength that is usually achieved when two societies merge to form a large organization. The history of fraternalism clearly indicates that it was the custom to form many societies, practically each nationality having one or more, the Hungarian-Americans presently having four larger ones. Some of these societies grew to large size accumulating millions of dollars of assets, covering thousands of lives witjj life and disability insurance. Some societies not as progressive remained small. Many smaller societies, to safeguard the interests of their members, joined with larger organizations. They were aware of the fact that the best opportunities would be had by a larger organization. It was and still is good business to merge two societies and this fact no one can reasonably dispute, and to this I subscribe.

“LET IT BE THEREFORE FULLY UNDERSTOOD, that I am in favor of this merger. As mentioned in the previous paragraph this is a situation where two societies are endeavoring to unite to bring about advantages to the membership of both societies. In accomplishing this merger it is important that at all times we keep in mind the rights and interests of our membership so as to achieve a merger that will endure; that the proceedings develop along the lines outlined by the provisions of our By-laws; that proper respect and equal consideration be given to our members!

“Consequently, while I am in favor of this merger I do not favor the unusual means used to secure a vote on the terms and conditions of the Agreement and Resolution. I am conscious of the fact that as a national officer of this organization I am a servant of the members of the Verhovay Fraternal Insurance Association. I -am also aware of the OATH that I .took to be faithful to my society, to respect and obey its laws. It is my sincere opinion that when one Convention ends the authority and powers of the delegates of that Convention ends likewise, unless they are called back together in a Convention as provided by the Constitution and the By-laws. I am aware of the fact that we have not done this and I feel that I must make this stand, even if I stand alone.

“These comments are respectfully submitted, keeping in mind that in a democratic way of life such as we, as individuals, and collectively as members of fraternal societies, enjoy in our great country of the United States of America, every one has the inalienable right to voice his opinion. May God give us the wisdom to find the LIGHT we seek.”

Joseph Hattayer (1-C): “I have no objection to the merger. However, I can not subscribe to the common burial of two old, established large Hungarian fraternal societies.”

Charles S. Smith (21): “I believe the merger would be very good for both Associations and I hope it eventually will come to pass, but I can not agree to it under the way it is now presented.”

Moses Csömör (29): “After carefully reading the Merger Agreement I object to provision #9 pertaining to the pension question. I feel that only the national Convention is qualified to dispose of this matter.”

Charles A. Young (33): “I fully approve the merger but I can not consent to Section 9 of the Merger Agreement. Why deprive our old members of possible dividends by disbursing funds which could be diverted to aged certificate holders?”

The following delegates did not exercise their voting privileges:

1. John A. Nameth (8-B); 2. John Uszko (12); 3. Alexander Debreczeni (12); 4. George Pogány, Jr. (16); 5. Mrs. Emery Pálinkás (19); 6. John L. Horvath (26-B); 7. Leslie Monos (33).

DECLARATION

I hereby bring to the attention of our members that in connection with the matter pertaining to the merger with the Rákóczi Aid Association, I, as President of the 1951 National Convention, could exercise my right to vote only in the event of a tie-vote. I wish to inform everyone that I am wholeheartedly in favor of the merger, and that if I could have exercised my right to vote, I naturally would have voted for the Merger Agreement and the Resolution without any exceptions.

(Signed) JOHN BENCZE, National President