William Penn Life, 1986 (21. évfolyam, 1-6. szám)

1986-07-01 / 4. szám

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Banquet

quet. In his remarks, Ambassador Hazi called on the guests to remember not only the 13 founders of the Association but also the more than one million Hungarians of that generation who came to America in search of a new life.

“All of those Hungarians here tonight, through their parents or grandparents, are part of that generation...and I call on you to preserve your ancient culture as well as your present culture, both Hungarian and American,” he said.

U.S. Representative William Coyne of Pennsylvania said the event was a symbol of the “type of solidarity shown in Washington last year that preserved the tax-exempt status of fraternal societies.”

Pennsylvania State Sen. Edward Zemprelli echoed Rep. Coyne’s and Ambassador Hazi’s comments in an empassioned speech which drew loud applause from the banquet guests.

The questioned posed that night, Zemprelli said, was if there is still a need for society’s like the William Penn.

“If there was a need in 1886, there is a more critical need in 1986,” he said in answer to his own question.

“If we do not teach the second, third and fourth generations...than we have lost the key virtues of a great heritage,” State Sen. Zemprelli said.

The high spirits of the affair seemed to have a strong effect on a number of the speakers. Richard Sebastian of the Pennsylvania Insurance Department told the crowd that, although he is a first generation Italian, “tonight I feel like an honorary Hungarian.”

The evening’s main speaker was Mary V. Mochary, deputy legal advisor for the U.S. State Department and a Hungarian immigrant. She likened the Association to a large family, noting that “no goal, no support, no reinforcement is more important than the support one gets from one’s own family.”

She also drew a parallel between the Association and the United States. “Just as the William Penn (Association) has survived by individuals banding together to solve their own problems, so has our nation survived.”

While others honored the Association, the Association itself honored some of its most dedicated members and those who have worked diligently to preserve their Hungarian heritage.

Thirteen guests were presented the Association’s Distinguished Service

This traditional Hungarian dress was just part of a display of Hungarian folk arts and crafts set up in the ballroom lobby. The display was donated by the World Federation of Hungarians.

William Penn Life, July-August 1986, Page 9 ------------------------------------------------From Page 1

Dr. Jeno Rande, general secretary of the World Federation of Hungarians, presents a wooden statue of a Hungarian coal miner to National President Gay B. Banes.

Degree. They were:

William J. Arbanas, president of Branch 8020, McKees Rocks, Pa.;

Elmer Charles, former national president and member of the advisory board;

Julia Danko, secretary of Branch 18, Detroit;

Stephen Danko, Branch 18 president and member of the advisory board;

Frances A. Furedy, administrative assistant to the national president.

Prof. August J. Molnár, president of the American Hungarian Foundation;

Dr. Victor Molnár, host of a Hungarian radio program for more than 25 years;

Judge Leonard C. Staisey of Allegheny County (Pa.) Common Pleas Court;

Albert J. Stelkovics, national vice president and former national secretary;

Frank J. Wukovits, Sr., advisory board member; and

National Directors Albert G. Kertesz, William C. Kohut and Frank J. Radvany.

Speaking on behalf of the degree recipients, Judge Staisey said that whatever they have done to receive the award, they “have done it because we like to do it...and because of our belief, our faith and our confidence in the William Penn Association.”

The ethnic spirit of the banquet was bolstered by a display of Hungarian folk arts and crafts in the ballroom lobby. The display was provided through the courtesy of the World Federation of Hungarians.

At one point during the banquet program, Dr. Jeno Rande, general secretary of the foundation, presented to President Banes a wooden statue of a Hungarian coal miner, representing the men who founded the Association.

The Association also did

its part to help preserve Hungarian culture in America. President Banes presented Prof. Molnár with the first installment on the Association’s $60,000 pledge to help construct the American Hungarian Foundation’s Hungarian Heritage Center in New Brunswick, N.J.

In accepting the check, Prof. Molnár said a meeting

room in the center will be named in honor of the Association.

Following the banquet program, guests were entertained by Hungarian singers Apollonia Kovács and Deszo Sándor Hodos and the Santa Ferenc Gypsy Orchestra. Guests crowded around the stage to hear the musicians perform renditions of their favorite Hungarian songs.

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Now, each time you write a letter to a friend, you will be holding a momento of our Association’s 100th birthday.

' CENTENNIAL PEN & PENCIL SET I ORDER FORM

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William Penn Association, 709 Brighton Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15233

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