Fraternity-Testvériség, 2006 (84. évfolyam, 1-4. szám)
2006-01-01 / 1. szám
Page 13 Fraternity- Testvériség Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice “A Tribute to Freedom Fighters” Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice Commemorates the 50 Anniversary Of the Hungarian Revolution By Kathy ‘Megyeri In a solemn I event titled “A Tribute to Freedom Fighters,” ' held in the Benjamin Franklin Room of the State Department, Washington, DC on February 13th, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice honored the thousands of Hungarian citizens who, half a century ago, fought and died in a courageous attempt to restore freedom and democracy to Hungary. Rice honored the freedom fighters and remembered the sacrifices they made to advance the cause of liberty. As she spoke, she appropriately stood between the flag of NATO, which Hungary joined in 1999, and the torn flag of the Hungarian ’56 Revolution. She said, “For 12 days, there was hope, and people around the world found inspiration. The people’s will to resist grew stronger as they resisted oppression to the end.” She paid tribute to the rule of law, equal justice, religious freedom and free enterprise that has currently brought Hungary the success that comes with freedom and democracy. She praised Hungary’s support for the freedom of others, particularly now that a Center for Democratic Transition has opened in Budapest. She concluded, “History can be delayed, but not denied. Liberty once achieved is not to be horded, but shared. The U.S. values its Hungarian partner.” Congressman Tom Lantos, a long time advocate for Hungary, said that ’56 was not a failed revolution but a “delayed triumph.” “To me, ’56 is a preamble to America’s foreign policy in 2006.” He recalled the time he took a resolution to Hungary’s President to pay respect to the heroes of ’56. He also confessed to experiencing three global struggles in his lifetime: (1) September 1, 1939 when World War I began, (2) the Cold War that took 4 decades in which Hungarians played a small but pivotal role, and (3) the Hungarian Revolution itself. He went on to praise Hungarians because “they wanted complete and total democracy, and that’s why joining NATO and the European Union are such milestones.” The Archbishop of Washington, Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, recalled meeting Cardinal Mindszenty in 1946 when Cardinal Spellman took him through St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City. Then, McCarrick remembered touring Mindszenty’s quarters at the American Embassy in Budapest. He also spoke of the possibility of having a Mindszenty chapel erected in Washington. The program concluded with Rev. G. Wilson Gunn, General Presbyter of the National Capital Presbytery, who said, “We have enjoyed a long and fruitful association with the Reformed Church of Hungary. Thanks be to Hungarians for their good works of peace.” A short reception followed the ceremony, and many were grateful that HRFA was represented at this function by HRFA Board of Director László Hamos, President Jules Balogh, Secretary/Treasurer Les Megyeri and his wife, Kathy, and Branch 300 President Frank Kapitan. Also, present was Professor Molnár, President of the American Hungarian Foundation, New Brunswick, NJ. Congressman Tom Lantos: ’56 was not a failed revolution but a “delayed triumph.” ____________________________________ J^y.athy Megyeri is a regular monthly contributor to FRATERNAL MONITOR. Her husband, Les Megyeri, is the CFO of the Hungarian Reformed Federation of America. Kathy is a writer, education consultant and has won numerous awards for her work in education. She also writes for the CHICKEN SOUP series. She can be reached at Megyeri@Juno. com. Thanks to Kathy’s articles, our Fraternity has become more colorful, and she brings in new perspectives to our readers. We truly appreciate and highly value her continuous support.
