Fraternity-Testvériség, 1996 (74. évfolyam, 1-4. szám)
1996-07-01 / 3-4. szám
FRATERNITY Page 13 Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of The Hungarian Reformed Federation of America in Conjunction with the 35th Convention September 15-19, 1996 Delegates and guests of the 35th Convention assembled Sunday, September 15, 1996, 3:00 p.m. at the Hungarian Reformed Church of Trenton, New Jersey, for a worship service to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of our society. Mr. Gabriel Csapó, Chief Elder of the Hungarian Reformed Church of Trenton, welcomed the delegates and guests to the City of Trenton, where the Federation was founded one hundred years ago. Participants in the liturgy were: Rev. Dezső Abraham, Bishop Emeritus and interim Pastor of the Hungarian Reformed Church of Trenton; Rt. Rev. Alexander Forro, Bishop of the Hungarian Reformed Church in America; Rev. Albert Kovács, Dean, Eastern Classis, Calvin Synod, UCC; Rt. Rev. Dr. István Mészáros, Bishop of Miskolc, Hungary; Rt. Rev. Dr. Stephen Szabó, Bishop Emeritus; Rev. Dr. Anthony Szilagyi, President of the American Hungarian Reformed Ministerial Association; Rt. Rev. Zoltán Szucs, Bishop Emeritus; Rt. Rev. Stefan M. Torok, Dean, Hungarian Reformed Church in America. After the church service, greetings were extended to the assembly by President George Dózsa; H.E. György Bánlaki, Ambassador of Hungary; Mr. István Szabó, Chief Elder of the Hungarian Reformed Church in America; Rev. Albert Kovács in behalf of the Calvin Synod, UCC; Mr. Leslie Martin, President of the American Hungarian Reformed Presbyters’ Association. Senator LaRossa from the State of New Jersey read the Senate Resolution, copy of which was transmitted to the Federation. The delegates and guests were invited by the Federation to a reception at the Beky hall. The Beke family and the ladies of the church prepared the exquisite delicacies served at the reception. The 35th Convention of the Hungarian Reformed Federation of America was officially opened by President George Dózsa on Monday, September 16, 1996, at 9:10 a.m. at the Hyatt Regency in New Brunswick, New Jersey. The Rt. Rev. Dr. Stephen Szabó offered the opening prayer. Members of the Convention recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America and sang the National Anthem and the Magyar Himnusz. Yolan Varga was seated as Secretary of the Convention. Rev. Nicholas Novak was appointed Parliamentarian. Chairman of the Credential Committee, Vice President László Lipoczky, reported the findings of the committee in the matter concerning Louis Reszoly, Delegate Br. 63, Bridgeport, Connecticut. The committee recommended to the Convention that Mr. Reszoly be seated as the official delegate of the branch. Mr. Lipoczky also reported that all credentials were in good order and that the following alternates be seated as delegates: Ernest P. Virgulák, first alternate for grouped Branches 52 and 214 (Connecticut), replacing Linda VanBuskirk. Rev. Imre A. Bertalan, first alternate for Branch 21 (Ohio), replacing Mary Bacho. Clare Balog, first alternate for grouped Branches 45,215, 269, 313, 368 (New Jersey), replacing Rev. Ambrose Batiz. President Dózsa called upon the Secretary of the Convention to read the official list of delegates. Based upon the roll call, the 49 delegates present constituted the 35th Convention. The agenda was presented, and it was moved and passed by motion that the reading of the reports of the President, Secretary and Treasurer be waived and referred to the respective committees. Vice President John K. Morey gave the report of the Board of Directors which was accepted by motion. The reports of the Medical Director and Financial Advisors were also referred to the respective committees. The representative of LIMRA reported on their services. A condensed report of the Strategic Planning Committee on the evaluation of the Bethlen Home was presented by Rev. Imre A. Bertalan, chairman of the committee. The report was accepted by motion. Rev. István Nyeste, co-director of the youth, presented his report. President Dózsa called for a motion to accept the standing committee and appointed committee assignments. Motion passed. William B. Puskas, Jr., Esq., legal counsellor of the By- Law committee, presented recommendations for By-Law changes. As the meeting was beyond adjournment time, motion was made to table the issues until the following day. The banquet, attended by over 150 people, was held Monday evening in the Ballroom of the Hyatt Regency. Prayer was given by Rt. Rev. István Mészáros, Bishop from Miskolc, Hungary. Greetings were extended by Dr. György Bánlaki, Ambassador of Hungary and Rev. Paul Kovács of the Bethlen Home. Speaker of the evening was Rev. Dr. Imre Bertalan, past president of the Federation. Master of Ceremonies was William B. Puskas, Jr., Esq. The pictures on the next pages capture the events that took place and reflect the pleasant, fraternal spirit that reigned throughout the evening. The banquet was closed with a prayer by Fa. Alfonse Skerl, Pastor of the Holy Trinity Hungarian Catholic Church of East Chicago, Indiana. The Convention convened the following days with meetings of the three standing committees: Executive and Organization; Administrative; Finance and Auditing. Upon
