William Penn Life, 2010 (45. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2010-11-01 / 11. szám
Magyar Matters Open letter to the Hungarian-American Community On October 4, 2010, Hungary was shaken by the largest ecological disaster the country has ever seen. The human, material and natural losses of the spill are devastating. More than 600,000 cubic meters of toxic red sludge covered about 800 hectares of land, three Hungarian villages have been buried, nine people have died, and hundreds had to relocate in search of a new home. The Hungarian government took swift action to manage the crisis and repair the damage that the catastrophe left behind. More than 800 people are on the ground to help, a new commissioner appointed by the government will make sure that those responsible for this disaster will be held accountable. The relief efforts will take weeks if not months and it will take years to turn back life to normalcy in the region. Hungarians both near and afar were hit hard by this tragedy and pulling together now is essential. It sends the very strong message that assisting those in great need trangresses borders and even oceans. Hungarians have historically been known for their formidable ability to support each other during the most difficult times and American culture has a strong heritage of Christian charity starting with the early puritans and continuing to the present. I would now like to personally ask for your gracious support and solidarity to help the efforts of Governor Pataki, who is coordinating the fund raising efforts within the Hungarian- American community and find any channel you feel fit to make donations to help the relief efforts. It is in times of great necessity that the goodness of the heart can truly reveal itself and Hungarian-Americans have been great models of charity helping their motherland afar. I therefore very much count on the support of the Hungarian diaspora within the United States. Sincerely, János Martonyi Minister of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Hungary ■■■■■■■ Conference builds network among Hungarian Americans by Anne Marie Schmidt, National Director CHICAGO — WPA members from the Midwest were among representatives from 22 organizations attending the fifth Hungarian Americans Together Conference held in Chicago Oct. 9 and 10 at the Norridge-i Magyar Református Templom. Representing WPA were: National Director Anne Marie Schmidt and her husband, Branch 249 Auditor Mark Schmidt; Branch 15 President László Corba and his wife Terézija; Branch 15 Treasurer József Marocsik and his wife Anna; and Branch 129 member Arthur Bartfay. The conference was co-sponsored by WPA and the Hungarian American Coalition (HAC). The goals of the conference were to continue the network of communication and cooperation among Hungarian American organizations in the United States, and to continue the development of a strategy for strengthening and saving our Hungarian American institutions to promote our Hungarian heritage, culture and mutual interests. The agenda focused on issues relevant to both the Hungarian American community and of Hungarians living in Hungary and the surrounding countries. Among the topics discussed were:- educational activities, including scholarship and internship programs; Representing WPA at the Hungarian Americans Together Conference were (l-r): József Marocsik, treasurer of Branch 15 Chicago, III.; Anna Marocsik; Mark Schmidt auditor of Branch 249 Dayton, Ohio; National Director Anne Marie Schmidt Terezisa Corba; and László Corba, president of Branch 15 Chicago, III. (Not pictured, Arthur Bartfay of Branch 129 Columbus, Ohio.)- saving and enriching Hungarian American institutions, such as museums, churches and cultural centers;- communicating and protecting our cultural interests in the U.S.;- community response to the current environmental catastrophes; and- strengthening ties between Hungarian Americans and Hungarians from the Carpathian Basin. The conference was hosted by the Hungarian Club of Chicago; the Hungarian Society of Chicago; St. Stephen, King of Hungary Catholic Church; the Transylvanian Association; the Hungarian Communion of Friends; the Hungarian Cultural Advisory Council; and the Hungarian-Americans for Human Rights in Délvidék. Our hosts provided a wonderful breakfast and lunch, along with a dinner, tour and cultural program at St. Stephen King of Hungary Church. The WPA representatives sincerely appreciate the opportunity to participate in this critical and comprehensive conference. We are proud of the support WPA provided for this important endeavor. The conference created an environment conducive to meeting fellow Hungarian Americans, and to sharing similar values, experiences and new ideas. We extend special thanks to the members from Branch 15 for their heart-warming welcome and hospitality during our visit to Chicago. □ William Penn Life 0 November 2010 0 13
