William Penn Life, 1980 (15. évfolyam, 1-4. szám)
1980-01-01 / 1. szám
Pennsylvania Fraternal Congress L. to R.: Gus G. Nagy, Gay B. Banes, Insurance Commissioner Bartle, Albert J. Stelkovics, John P. Balia and Stephen T. Szilagyi. The Pennsylvania Fraternal Congress, which has a membership of 75 fraternal benefit societies, met in the historic city of Philadelphia, Pa. in November, 1979. The William Penn Association, a longstanding member of this Congress, was represented at the meeting by Mr. Elmer Charles, National President who was unanimously elected to serve as President for the year 1980. Mr. Charles had previously served on the Executive Board and most recently as first Vice President of the Pennsylvania Fraternal Congress. Congress President Nicholas A. Cipripni, of the Order Sons of Italy, opened the business sessions. Commenting upon the ethnic heritage of many fraternal societies he noted, "America is not a melting pot, but a mosaic". Guest speakers included Honorable Harvey Bartle, III, Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner, and Ambassador to the United Nations for Human Rights Edward Mzvinski. There are now 75 member societies in the Congress, making it the largest in the nation, comprising over 900,000 individuals in the fraternal benefit system. Receiving the 1979 Fraternal Insurance Counsellors Award was George F. Zifchak, Greek Catholic Union, for his support of the FIC program. The meeting closed following a panel discussion by Pennsylvania Insurance Department representatives Mary Ellen Shope and Sally Engle. About 290 fraternalists attended the convention banquet Monday night. Hon. Nicholas A. Cipriani received a recognition award from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, presented by State Senator Michael O'Pake. Keynote speaker was Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas Judge Paul A. Tranchitella, Italian Sons and Daughters of America. He urged fraternalists to "take positive steps to preserve families". Albert J. Stelkovics, a 40 year Officer of the William Penn Association, was presented the John Upchurch Award for outstanding service to fraternalism. Presiding over the installation of officers was Joseph J. Miller, Supreme President of the Catholic Knights of St. George. Officers of the 1980 Pennsylvania Fraternal Congress are: President Elmer Charles, William Penn Association; First Vice President George J. Kostelnik, Slovak Catholic Sokol; Second Vice President Daniel M. Zornan, United Lutheran Society; and Secretary-Treasurer William R. Balaban. Elmer Vargo, National Secretary of the Hungarian Reformed Federation of America was elected to the Board of Directors. The final session included reports of the committees and the presentation by representatives of the Pennsylvania Ethnic Heritage Studies Center from the University of Pittsburgh. Addressing the subject of "Membership in a Changing World" was National Fraternal Congress of America Executive Vice President Raymond A. Klee. Chairman of the Legislative Committee is Gay B. Banes, J.D. General Counsel, William Penn Association and serving on the Legislative Committee is National Vice President John P. Balia. The 1980 Pennsylvania Fraternal Congress will meet in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Happy Birthday! M William Penn Association February 21, 1980 is the date on which the WILLIAM PENN ASSOCIATION observes the 94th anniversary of its founding by 1 3 immigrant, Hungarian coalminers in the anthracite region, in Hazleton, Pennsylvania. This is a happy anniversary, because at the 29th General Convention last September, the delegates unanimously voted that the Association, true to its heritage, should go back into the field of American-Hungarians to map its future plans for growth primarily among our own ethnic people. This Association became great, mainly because of its Hungarian membership. This is the decade, some 6 years hence, when the Association will celebrate the first one hundred years of fraternal service to its membership and to the Community, State and Country. The Officers and Board of Directors have set our aims and goals high, and already are making plans to implement the decision brought about by the Delegates. All William Penn Association members are earnestly and respectfully requested to join with us in this program of re-kindling our zeal and enthusiasm for our Magyar heritage which we inherited from the founding Fathers, so that by the time our Centennial celebration rolls around we can enter the second century as a thriving, successful Hungarian fraternal benefit society. HAPPY BIRTHDAY WILLIAM PENN ASSOCIATION! 2
