William Penn Life, 2010 (45. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2010-05-01 / 5. szám
Hungarian American Coalition honors Pataki during annual gala In Brief WASHINGTON - The Hungarian American Coalition honored former New York Governor George Pataki during its sixth annual Gala Dinner April 22 at the House of Sweden in Washington, D.C.. The Coalition recognized Mr. Pataki for his ongoing interest in Hungary and pride in his Hungarian American heritage and for his thorough understanding and empathy for the human rights issues of Hungarian communities in surrounding countries. Maximilian N. Teleki, president of the Coalition, introduced Mr. Pataki, "who was named after George Washington, as his brother, Lewis, was named after Lajos Kossuth...two fathers of democracy-fighting for freedom, justice, and independence." He lauded Mr. Pataki's achievements and his "highest success in the fields of public service, diplomacy and business.. .while remaining true to his Hungarian heritage." In accepting the award, Mr. Pataki recalled his personal experiences in Peekskill, N.Y., that included a strong work ethic, small-town family values and traditional Hungarian bacon roasting on Sundays. He urged those present to become actively involved in passing on Hungarian culture and identity to the next generation, BUDAPEST - Hungary's center-right party reclaimed the right to govern in April, winning more than 50 percent of the vote and handing the ruling Socialists a humiliating defeat. Extreme rightists backed by black clad paramilitary troops took more than 15 percent to come in third. Although widely forecast, the strong gain of the extreme right Jobbik party represented the greatest political shake-up of the election, shattering Hungary's traditional postcommunist status quo of a parliament dominated by the center right and the left. Fidesz's landslide victory had been expected by pollsters and its result of and to help provide more access to opportunities for Hungarian talent to develop Hungary's economy. He also denounced the Slovak Language Law, which violates human rights of minorities, declaring it to be "the most anti-democratic law that has been introduced in Europe in the last decade." Representing the WPA at the gala were Chairman of the Board Stephen J. Varga, who also currently serves as chairman of the Coalition; Vice Chairman of the Board E. E. (Al) Vargo; National Director William J. Bero; and National Vice President-Fraternal Endre Csornán. Banquet guests also viewed a clip from "Incubator," a documentary film by Coalition member Réka Pigniczky. This Coalition project explores how Hungarian parents passed onto their U.S.-born children their own strong ethnic identity. After dinner, a video presentation highlighted the Coalition's Congressional Internship Program. Several former interns described the significance of their four-month-internship to their professional and personal development, and how their time in Washington had significantly changed their views of politics and society in Hungary. □ 52.8 percent in the first round translated into 206 seats for now in the 386-seat legislature. The governing Socialists, who many Hungarians blame for their dismal economy, were far behind with 19.3 percent and 28 seats, followed closely by the far-right, anti-Gypsy Jobbik with 26 seats and 16.7 percent, more than three times as much as any other far-right party since the country's return to democracy from communism in 1990. The Socialists' fall is reflected in a comparison of their present showing to that of the last election four years ago, when they garnered 43 percent support. □ The Hungarian Room Committee of the University of Pittsburgh recently announced that Andrew Behrendt has been awarded this year’s Dr. Samuel C. Gomory Memorial Scholarship Award. Behrendt is pursuing his doctorate degree in history at the university and will use the award to finance his studies in Hungary this summer. □ For the first time, the Museum of the American Hungarian Foundation is exhibiting material from its own collection of Hungarian Folk Art. The museum has been collecting art and objects related to Hungarian culture since 1957. This exhibition, rather than attempting to present a comprehensive survey of Hungarian Folk Art, is presenting instead a “taste” of this genre, allowing the museum to display the best of its collection and to showcase recent gifts. For museum hours and further information, call the AHF at 732-846-5777 or visit its website: www.ahfoundation.org. □ The Dalai Lama is to visit Hungary’s capital Budapest from Sept. 17 to 20, 2010, according to a recent report on the website caboodle.hu. His itinerary reportedly would include meetings with members of Parliament and a public address in a sports hall. The Dalai Lama last visited Hungary 10 years ago and will return for the seventh time. □ Hungarian President László Solyom has signed a law making Holocaust denial punishable by three years in prison. The law was approved last month by Hungarian lawmakers, after more wide-ranging versions of the law had been rejected by courts for limiting free speech. Center-right Fidesz party reclaims majority; far-right Jobbik party takes third place 18 ° May 2010 ° William Penn Life
