William Penn Life, 1987 (22. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1987-10-01 / 10. szám
October 1987, William Penn Life, Page 5 31st General Convention Convention "All these are not just pipe dreams but realities we must strive to achieve,” President Danko said. This call to action was repeated often during the three-days of the Convention and served as the underlying theme of the meeting. This theme was touched upon in the invocation, delivered by the Rev. Danial Borsay, chaplain of the William Penn Association and pastor of the Springdale United Church of Christ. "We pray for the William Penn Association, a human institution, composed of men and women who strive to do something good in this world and for this world,” Rev. Borsay said. President Emeritus Elmer Charles reminded the national officers — and all in attendance — of the awesome responsibilities involved in continuing such good works. At the same time, Mr. Charles expressed his confidence in the abilities of the administration to lead the Association and its members to the successful attainment of its goals. "This is a new step forward... I am sure that it will mean progress,” Mr. Charles said. His confidence was echoed in a speech delivered at the Convention banquet by Paul Pulitzer, executive vice president of the Rákóczi Foundation-International (USA) and executive editorpublisher of the Hungarian Heritage Review. "It is our considered opinion,” Mr. Pulitzer said, "that the William Penn Association is the only organization in the United States today best qualified, in many respects, to provide the kind of leadership and expertise needed to help safeguard what our older, Hungarian-born generations brought with them to America.” By meeting the challenges of the future, the William Penn "is bound to emerge as the leader of and spokesman for the Hungarian community in America,” he said. The renewed effort to unify the American Hungarian community was symbolized by the presence at the Convention of leaders from several Hungarian organizations. The Rev. Imre Bertalan, president of the Hungarian Reformed Federation of America, addressed the Convention banquet in the Hungarian language. Dr. Jeno Rande, secretary gen-National President Stephen G. Danko (left) receives a $5,000 contribution to the Association's scholarship fund from Helene and William C. Kohut as National Secretary E. E. Var go looks on. (Photo by Louis Fodor) Scholarship -John S. Molnár made a $500 contribution in memory of Mr. Molnar’s mother, Julia. As of press time, $27,626 in donations and pledges were sent to the Home Office by delegates Alternate National Directors Michael Tomcsak Stephen Szatmári Anthony C. Beke Jennifer M. Emri George Mirkovich Steve Vargo Louis Roka Julius Nadas, Jr. Frank J. Kobli, Sr. Judith A. Walewski John F. Woodworth Edward Rietske Alternate National Auditors Albert Furedy Joseph Hamari Frank Tima, Sr. James Lochinger Kenneth E. Walewski eral of the World Federation of Hungarians, offered his organization’s assistance in planning and implementing William Penn projects in Hungary. And, Prof. August J. Molnár, president of the American Hungarian Foundation, thanked the Association for its pledge of $200,000 towards the construction of the Foundation’s Heritage Center in New Jersey. In addition to celebrating their role as part of the American Hungarian community, the delegates also took time during their meeting to celebrate their role as citizens of the United States. Delegate Edward Behuncik of Branch 1 Bridgeport, Conn, read a prayer asking the delegates to remember the spirit of the U.S. Constitution whose 200th anniversary was celebrated on Sept. 17. He then led the Convention in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. The Convention also took time to remember those who could not be present at the meeting due to illness, including Advisory Board member John P. Balia and Steven Gall Jr. A special memorial service was conducted by Rev. Borsay and Directors 352 Coraopolis, Pa. He is coowner and vice president of Deci Corp., a consulting engineering firm located in Bridgeville, Pa., where he has been a project engineer for 18 years. He attended the University of Pittsburgh. He and his wife Barbara live in Pittsburgh. Michael J. Hrabar. Mr. Hrabar served the Association as a national auditor until his recent election to the Board. He has been the longtime president of Branch 16 Perth Amboy, N.J. He works as a sewage treatment foreman for the Township of Woodbridge, N.J. and attended Rutgers University where he received certification in fire arson investigation, building code and code enforcement. He and his wife Anna have two chidren. John S. Molnár. Mr. Molnár is vice president of Branch 18 Detroit. He is the owner of the John Molnár Funeral Home and attended Wayne State University in Detroit. He lives in Southgate, Mich, with his wife Helen and daughter Angela. The Association’s three new national auditors are: Dale Cole. Mr. Cole is vice president of Branch 22 Roebling, N.J. and has served as a branch auditor. He was recently swornin as the chief-of-police in Pemberton Borough. He is a graduate of the Burlington County Police Academy and attended Burlington County College. He lives in Florence with his wife Nancy and their two children. Stephen P. Danko. Mr. Convention Chairman John T. Lesko opens the Convention. Mr. Emri in honor of those distinguished members who had passed away since the last convention. (A special article on the memorial service appears elsewhere in this issue.) The memorial service remind-Zoltan B. Emri elected as new vice president Zoltán B. Emri was elected the Association’s new national vice president by the newly elected Board of Directors during the 31st General Convention. He served as a national director from 1971 to 1987 and as a national auditor from 1967 to 1971. In additional to his national service, he has been the branch coordinator of Branch 22 Roebling, N.J. since 1962 and was a branch auditor from 1956 to 1962. He is an active member of his community where he is a member of VFW Lodge 8838, the American Hungarian Civic Association, Column Lodge 120 FA&.M and Scottish Rite. He attended the University of Miami, the Franklin School of Science and Art and Rider College. He and his wife Audrey have three children, Nancy, Barbara and Jennifer. Danko is an auditor for Branch 18 Detroit where he is a past vice president. An electrician by trade, he is an Illustrious Member of the Association. He and his wife Helen have a son, John Paul, who is attending the University of--------From Page 1 ed the delegates of not only the people who helped build the Association during its first 100 years but also the spirit which drove them to serve the Association with tireless dedication. President Danko called upon the Convention delegates to keep that spirit alive for the next 100 years. "As American Hungarians we can not, we must not, forget from where we came,” he said. "The only principle we will follow is Magyarnak születünk, magyar vagyunk mamma, Magyar lesünk holnap. In addition to a new Board of Directors, the Convention also elected a new Auditing Committee. Re-elected to the committee were Chairman Louis Fodor of Branch 349 Weirton, W.Va., Vice Chairman Michael Kara of Branch 34 Pittsburgh and Charles Fabian of Branch 48 New York. The three new auditors are Dale Cole of Branch 22 Roebling, N.J.; Stephen P. Danko of Branch 18 Detroit; and William Kovach of Branch 159 Phoenixville, Pa. Mr. Kovach will also serve as secretary of the Auditing Committee. From Page 1 Tampa. William J. Kovach. Mr. Kovach is president of Branch 159 Phoenixville, Pa. He is employed as a substitute teacher in the Methacton School District. He and his wife Caroline have three children. While welcoming these new members of the Official Family, the Convention also bid farewell to seven dedicated national leaders: Albert J. Stelkovics who served as national secretary from 1956 to 1980 and as national vice president from 1983 to 1987; Stephen Lang Jr. who served as a national director from 1963 to 1983 and as national vice president from 1983 to 1987; William C. Kohut who served as a national auditor from 1947 to 1971 and as a national director from 1971 to 1987; Albert G. Kertesz who served as a national auditor from 1968 to 1971 and as a national director from 1971 to 1987; John T. Lesko who served as a national director from 1979 to 1987 and as chairman of the 31 st General Convention; Emma Beganyi who served as a national auditor from 1971 to 1987;and Violet B. Lenart who served as a national auditor from 1977 to 1987. They will be remembered for their devotion and service to our Association and for the fine example they have set for our new leadership. —From Page 1 and guests at the Convention. A complete list of these contributions will appear in the November issue of the William Penn Life.
