William Penn Life, 2003 (38. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2003-04-01 / 4. szám
Branching Out with Endre Csornán Honoring Louis Kossuth, Hungarian Americans and shared ideals By Peter Ujvági, Member, The Ohio House of Representatives On Feb. 12,2003, the Ohio General Assembly commemorated the 151st anniversary of Lajos Kossuth's address before the Ohio legislature. Chairman of the Board Anthony C. Beke and I were proud to represent the WPA at this event. What follows is a speech presented by Ohio State Rep. Peter Ujvági, delivered in support of a resolution honoring Kossuth. — EC I RISE BEFORE YOU TODAY TO honor a man, a community, and an inextinguishable ideal. One hundred fifty one years ago, on Feb. 6,1852, a man named Louis Kossuth stood before this House of Representatives, and with words of thanks recognized the significant role that Ohio had played in his liberation. He also spoke with passion and fire about liberty and the democratic ideal. With this resolution I ask you to honor Louis Kossuth, considered the father of a free nation by Hungarians and a citizen of the world by many. There was a brief time in 1848 when there were only two republics on the face of the earth: the United States and Hungary. While Hungary's republic fell, the spirit it was bom from-the spirit of democracy and freedom and the inalienable rights of men— nurtured by America's example, ultimately prevailed. With this resolution today I ask you to honor the thousands of citizens of Ohio of Hungarian American descent who, with the sweat of their brow, the toil of their hands, and the product of their minds, have helped to make Ohio great over the last century and a half. We have representatives of the Hungarian American Communities from Toledo, Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and Dayton. It is particularly appropriate that we take this action today, the birthday of President Abraham Lincoln, and during Black History Month, because in many ways it is as a result of Dr. Martin Luther King that the respect for diversity of our nation has taken root. It was his efforts that have made it acceptable to be both American as well as fiercely proud of your heritage. We are no longer a melting pot where our identity disappears, but rather we welcome the diversity of many people, many cultures. Over the years, just as with Louis Kossuth, the people of Ohio took us in, made us welcome, nurtured our hopes and aspirations and ultimately helped us become Americans—Hungarian-Americans—because we are fiercely proud of our heritage and our history. As an immigrant to this country, as a "refugee," I am particularly proud to be standing before you today. In this bicentennial year of our state, it is fitting and proper to recognize the diversity of our people and the contributions that they have made to Ohio. You know, a dear friend and mentor of mine, Msgr. Geno Baroni, used to say: "Immigrants came to this country thinking the streets were paved with gold. When they got here they found out that the streets were not paved with gold, in fact they were not paved at all...and they would have to pave them." You will find us in all of your districts. Hungarian Americans have put down roots in this great state. Strong roots that will nurture generations. It is fitting and proper that we honor them. In almost every city in Ohio there is a Kossuth Street. There is even a small settlement in Auglaize County named for Kossuth. Here in Columbus you can find Kossuth Street, parallel to High, just a few blocks before Plank's Beer Garden. Some of the representatives might recall where that is. With this resolution I ask you to honor an ideal, the ideal of liberty and democracy. The ideal of the role that America has played, can play and must play in the world and the ideal and the reality that our democracy, our republic, is based on the power of the people. Even 150 years ago, those in whose breast burned the yearning for democracy turned to America. The 12 resolutions that formed the basis of the Hungarian Manifesto of Kossuth Lajos-excuse me, Louis Kossuth-were rooted in our Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights. To this day we continue to be a beacon in the world. But, we must take that responsibility very seriously. We must not make commitments as a nation that we cannot keep. We must not promise our support to people struggling for freedom unless our nation is united and we know we can deliver on the promises we make. Louis Kossuth, standing before the Ohio General Continued on Page 17 'Hungarian Americans have put down roots in this great State-strong roots that will nurture generations. It is fitting and proper that we honor them.' --Peter Ujvági Willi« Fill Life, April 2003 3
