Bethlen Almanac 1997 (Ligonier)

The Hungarian Reformed Federation of America

Where does this enthusiasm and dedication for Kossuth and the Hungarian revolution come from among ethnic Hungarians? Why did the Federation name its headquarters here in Washington, D.C. after Louis Kossuth? Perhaps these questions can be answered with an incident that I was a witness to in New Brunswick, New Jersey, during the visit of the late Cardinal Mindszenty to this country in the mid-70s. Prior to the dedication of the newly refurbished St. Ladislaus Roman Catholic Church in town, Cardinal Mindszenty visited all Hungarian establishments, including the Hungarian American Athletic Club.When greeted by the club’s president and leadership in front of their building on Somerset Street, the Cardinal looked up at the facade of the building and noticed the Kossuth emblem. He was curious enough to ask the president of the club, “Why is the crown of St. Stephen missing from the emblem?” Without going into any elaborate explanation about the emblem and the crown, the president gave the following simple answer, “Bíboros úr, mi Kossuth pártiak vagyunk.” (Your Excellency, we are the bearers of the spirit of Kossuth and the 1848 revolution here in America.) You have to know something about this club, namely that it was established by 13 sports loving Hungarian immigrants in 1913.

The Federation was organized and built by individuals similar to those thirteen young men and their ministers 101 years ago. So what is the spirit that we foster among ourselves in ethnic America almost 150 years later? It is the genuine desire to pay reverence to the name of Kossuth and to keep the spirit of 1848 alive in America.”

Placing a wreath at the Kossuth Bust in the U.S. Capitol.

L. to r.: Frank Kapitan, American Hungarian Federation, Endre Csornán HRFA Secretary, Suzanne S. Virgulák, HRFA Treasurer, George Dózsa, HRFA President, his wife Matilda, Dr. Elemer Bako, retired librarian.

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