William Penn, 1964 (47. évfolyam, 5-21. szám)
1964-10-21 / 20. szám
PAGE 2 William Penn October 21, 1964 JUDGE FIOK HONORED (Continued From Page 1) “Keep ancient lands, your storied pomp!” cries she > With silent lips. “Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!” Now followed the address by Justice Henry X. O’Brien of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. Adding further praise to the career of Albert A. Fiok, gentleman, scholar and public servant, Justice O’ Brien brought attention to the honored guest’s role as Major in the European Theatre during World War II, specializing in Military Intelligence. Upon his return to civilian life, he resumed law practice and soon won general admiration for his ability and integrity. In particular, judges and lawyers noted the fine traits of this rising young man. Justice O’Brien emphasized that Fiok has always respected humari rights and recognized the dignity of men. Even as District Attorney Fiok did not hesitate once to say so when the evidence was against the Commonwealth. Then Justice O’Brien turned to the theme of Mayor Barr, expressing the many possibilities open to immigrants and the children of immigrants in this land of ours. The speaker mentioned that his parents also were immigrants, from Ireland whose people had suffered persecution for seven hundred years, millions of whom came to America and have carved for themselves a lasting niche in the history of this country. Justice O’Brien called the judgeship not a job, not a career, but a way of life. A judge has little time that he can call his own. Justice O’Brien closed his address with these words: “We salute you as an honored son!” Attorney Karlowitz, toastmaster, now introduced the Rev. Alexander Babos, Pastor, First Hungarian Reformed Church of Pittsburgh, Pa., who in the Hungarian language gave a biographical sketch of Judge Fiok. The minister especially addressed his words to the Judge’s mother, wife and children. Briefly, Albert A. Fiok was born November IS, 1913 in the principal City of Kassa, County of Abauj-Torna, Hungary. He began his schooling in Hungary and his first teacher is now his father-in-law. With his parents he immigrated to Cleveland, Ohio in 1921. He hasi lived in Pittsburgh since 1923. He attended the University of .^Pittsburgh from 1932-36, receiving an A.B. degree, and in 1940 an LL.B. from the same university. He opened his law office in 1941, then entered the military service, and in 1945 reopened his law practice. He was Allegheny County Assistant District Attorney 1952-55; in 1956 was Law Secretary of Superior Court; and in' 1963, on September 6, became Judge of the Common Pleas Court of Allegheny County. In private life Judge Fiok is married to the former Kathleen Király whom he wed in 1943. The Fioks have three children: Kathleen, 17; Albert, 16; and Robert, 14. The next address was by the Rt. Rev. George E. K. Borshy, President of the Hungarian Reformed Federation of America, who organized the Reformed Synod in McKeesport, Pa. shortly after his arrival in The United States. In humorous vein he noted that for the past forty years he has made many speeches, but feels that he is a strange kind of speech surgeon who cuts out of his honored guests only the best, leaving behind the unusable parts! Until his appointment to the bench, Judge Fiok was Legal Counsel for The Hungarian Reformed Federation of America. The minister stressed that Albert A. Fiok is a loyal American, a practicing Christian and a fine man, or, “the whole man isi good!” Then a judicial robe and a gavel were presented in the name of the Federation. The following address was by Elmer Charles, National President of the WILLIAM PENN FRATERNAL ASSOCIATION. Said Mr. Charles to Judge Fiok: “More than 60 years ago at the 15th Huszár Regiment, my father presented to your father a sword, then a symbol of peace but now a symbol of war.” Now the William Penn leader presented to the honored guest a historical gavel that came from the land of Fiok’s birth, and one of the high lights of the program was the history of this gavel. Last summer, Michael J. Kara, president of William Penn Branch 34, Pittsburgh, Pa., visited his home town, the village of Dorog, a coal mining center. This gavel had been used since 1853 by five of the Lord Mayors of the town, and in 1915 it was placed in the town museum. When Mr. Kara told the village fathers that he was from Pittsburgh, and that an American of Hungarian descent had become a Judge there, the village elders decided to send the gavel to Judge Fiok with this message: “May this be an instrument of peace and represent LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.” Miss Julia Orosz, whom we earlier introduced as the announcer of the Hungarian program on WAMO, and Stephen Kovács, Battalion Fire Chief of Pittsburgh, were introduced as representing the 40,000 people of Hungarian extraction in Western Pennsylvania. They presented to Judge Fiok a watch with this inscription: “From the Hungarians of Western Pennsylvania — September 12, 1964.” Miss Orosz delivered a message of felicitations. At this point Attorney Karlowitz, the toastmaster, was faced with the introductions of guests, representatives from County and City, Judges and members of the Bar Association, and the reading of organizations and churches, which follow: Justice Henry X. O’Brien, Supreme Court of Pennsylvania; Hon. Harry M. Montgomery, Superior Court of Pennsylvania; Dr. William D. McClelland, Chairman Allegheny County Commissioners; John E. McGrady, Blair Gunther, Allegheny County Commissioners; Mrs. Blair Gunther; Hon. Joseph M. Barr, Mayor of Pittsburgh; Hon. Hugh C. Boyle, President Judge of Orphans' Court; Hon. Benjamin Lencher, President Judge of County Court; Hon. Walter P. Smart, Hon. William F. Cercone, Hon. Ralph H. Smith, Jr., Hon. David Olbum, Hon. Ruggero J. Aldisert, Hon. John G. Brosky, Hon. Anne X. Alpern, Hon. Arthur Wessel, Jr. Judges of Court of Common Pleas; Hon. Lois Mary McBride, Judge of County Court; Hon. David B. Roberts, Prothonotary of Court of Common Pleas; Richard B. Tucker, Jr., School District of Pittsburgh; Frederic W. Dunkle, Chief Minute Clerk; John Harp Vaugh, Boxing Commissioner. First Hungarian Self-Culture Club of Duquesne and Auxiliaries; First Hungarian Reformed Church of Hazelwood and Auxiliaries; Hungarian Reformed Church of Duquesne, Branch 34 of the William Penn Fraternal Association; First Hungarian Lutheran Church of Hazelwood; “Garden of Hungarian Songs,” Radio Station WAMO; Magyar Social Club of McKeesport; Hungarian Independent Singing Society, North Side; Amalgamated Meat Cutters Union, Local No. 590; American Hungarian Social Association and Daughters of Hazelwood; First Hungarian Self- Culture Society of Homestead and Auxiliaries; Hungarian Singing Society, East Pittsburgh; Hungarian Professional Society of Pittsburgh; Free Hungarian Reformed Church of McKeesport and Ladies’ Auxiliary; Hungarian Reformed Church of Homestead; St. Margaret’s R. C. Church of Munhall; St. Elias Greek Catholic Church of Homestead; Hungarian R. C. Church, Brownsville, Pa.; Ellwood City Hungarian Club; 15th Ward Chamber of Commerce, Hazelwood; United Magyar Civic Association; First Hungarian Self-Culture Society and Auxiliary of Homestead; St. Ann’s R. C. Church, Hazelwood; William Penn Fraternal Association, Headquarters, Pittsburgh; The Hungarian Reformed Federation of America, Washington, D. C.; Elks Club of North Side. Final introductions were of the family and close relatives of Judge Fiok: Mrs. Albert Fiok, mother: Emory Király, father-in-law; Mrs. Albert A. Fiok ,wife; Kathleen Fiok. daughter; Albert and Robert Fiok, sons. The final speech was made by the guest of honor himself, Judge Albert A. Fiok, who, first in Hungarian and then in English, spoke with eloquence but modestly: “It is difficult for the mouth to say what the heart feels. I have deep appreciation for your coming here. I feel very humble. I am proud of the feeling of the Hungarians that at long last a Hungarian achieved an honored position. This is my parent’s achievement, who raised charcter in me. I remember my father’s words, ‘Son, character can not be bought; it can not be sold. Don’t forget to be honorable!’ Those who are first or second generation Hungarian-Americans — we’ve reached the stage that the American way of life is open to all. Polish, Italians and others will attest to the fact that opportunities are present under our way of life. Can you imagine any of us returning to Hungary and taking a position as Judge? It won’t happen. It can only happen here in The United States.” Then Judge Fiok pausing, continued: “I, an American citizen by naturalization, can’t dispense justice in Hungary — where in the long ago the cradle of liberty existed! for many years ... I can not adequately express my feeling — feeling of thanks for your good wishes and affection . . . My sincere thanks, Ladies and Gentlemen.” Benediction was given by the Rev. Frank Dismachek, Pastor, St. Ann’s R. C. Hungarian Church, Pittsburgh. The program was concluded by the singing of the Hungarian national anthem. Afterwards, friends and well-wishers personally went to Judge Fiok to extend their congratulations' and good wishes. Nearing the end of this long article, we must in this para(Continued on page 6)
