The Eighth Hungarian Tribe, 1982 (9. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

1982-09-01 / 9. szám

Page 6

THE EIGHTH HUNGARIAN TRIBE

September, 1982

REPORT ON THE HERITAGE CONFERENCE AUGUST 20, 21, 22, 1982

Like last year, so it was this year, that no one could tell how many people will show up for the Heritage Conference. But people started to arrive on Thursday afternoon from Hlinois, Indiana. Maryland and Virginia. One person arrived already on Wednesday afternoon.

Unfortunately, we were faced with the same problem as last year: the speakers did not arrive on time, so the presentations had to be made accordingly.

The Conference opened with the singing of the National Anthems, saying the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by Invocation by Rev. Francis E. Luddy, Jr. pastor of St. Mary’s Hungarian Roman Catholic Church of Windber, Pa. A Hungarian prayer was said by Rev. Paul Kováts, Bethlen Home, Ligonier, Pa. Greetings were extended by Rev. Paul Kovács in behalf of the Bethlen Home; Rev. Béla Oláh from Budapest, Hungary: Mr. Gus G. Nagy Secretary-Treasurer of the William Penn Association. Later on Mr. Nagy gave a brief presentation on the History of the William Penn Association: An association of many Hungarian Beneficial Societies.

Lunch was served at the Bethlen Press.

On the afternoon session Mr. Andre A Shishman of Virginia Beach, Virginia, Vice President of the Hungarian Data Center made his presentation on “Hungary and Hungarians: the thousand year History”, prepared by Dr. Andrew A. Halacsy, President of the Hungarian Data Center, Reno, Nevada.

Supper was served at the Picnic Grove of the Bethlen Home, where everybody had an enjoyable evening, listening to Hungarian music and getting acquainted, despite the rainy weather.

Saturday morning, August 21st, after a short prayer by Rev. Luddy, Mr. Arthur A. Battfay of Columbus, Ohio; Networks and Media Coordinator, Ohio State University, made an oral and visual presentation: “Travelling through Hungary”. For over 2a/2 hour those who were present saw many parts of Hungary, from small villages, where they are still living in the old ways; to the modern big cities and Budapest.

Lunch was served at the Picnic Grove of the Bethlen Home, it was prepared by the ladies from the Free Magyar Reformed Church of McKeesport, Pa.: Mrs. Rose Bartos, Mrs. Erma Balogh, Mrs.

Mary Brindza and Mts. Mary Fedor. The baking for all the meals were done by Mrs. Julia Chomos, and for Saturday noon by Mrs. Mary Brindza. Friday's evening supper was prepared by Mr. Elias C. Chomos. At Sunday’s lunch we enjoyed Mrs. Mariska Cossa’e ‘Fried Chicken’. Our thanks to the Bethlen Home for use of the Picnic Grove.

Saturday afternoon Dr. Andrew T. Udvardy, President of the Col. Michael Kováts de FalVriczy Historical Society, made his presentation on: “Hungarians served in the Revolutionary War 1776—81.” The audience learned that besides Col. Kováts, there were others holding commands in George Washington’s Army: Count János László Polereczky, Count Ferenc Benyovszky, and 400 Hungarian Huszárs served in the Lauzon Legion with Count János László Polereczky as their commandant.

At 3:30 o’clock the parliamentary meeting of the Hungarian Eighth Tribe Foundation was held. The Executive President reported that a Charter was granted by the State of Pennsylvania. A copy of the Charter is now being circulated amongst the Board Members for their signatures. Dr. Tibor Bodi, Secretary, who is also on the Ethnic Commission for the State of Pennsylvania; and Louis L. Ambrose, one of the Vice Presidents addressed the Conference. A letter of greetings was read from Dr. August Molnár. President of the American Hungarian Foundation, New Brunswick, N. J.

Additional Board Members were elected: Rev. Francis E. Luddy. Jr., pastor of St. Mary's Hungarian Roman Catholic Church of Windber, Pa. Also, the Colonel Michael Kováts de Fabriczy Historical Society, represented by its current chairman.

Dr. George C. Szegő of Arlington. Va.. also a Board Member, recommended an increase effort to reach all people of Hungarian ancestry in the U. S. and Canada so the potentials of the Foundation and the Magazine can be achieved.

Everybody was disappointed, that not one Reformed or Catholic Church was represented by either the pastor or even one member, besides the Windber St. Mary’s Hungarian Roman Catholic Church, represented bv 5 members. Also the question was raised: Wh ere are all the Hungarian Social and Fraternal organizations? It is a very interesting question.

Because of shortness of time, the meeting was adjourned and continued Sunday morning.

The Saturday evening Banquet was attended by all, also by the members of the Magyar Folk Dancers and Paprika Dancers of McKeesport-Pittsburgh, Pa. Area. The Dancers performed after the Banquet for