Verhovayak Lapja, 1943. július-december (26. évfolyam, 26-53. szám)
1943-09-30 / 40. szám
Page S September 30, 1943 Verhovayak Lapja Convention Notes The Twentieth regular Convention of the VERHOVAY FRATERNAL INSURANCE ASSOCIATION opened at 9:00 A. M., Monday, Sept. 13, 1943, at the Fort Pitt Hotel, Cor. of Penn and Tenth Aves., Pittsburgh, Penna., with one hundred and nineteen delegates present. At 9:05 A. M., the Directors, Control Committee, Home Office Officials and Supreme President, Joseph Darago, arrived. Out of respect'for the Supreme President, the delegates rose and applauded him, for he had served the Verhovay Fraternal Insurance 'Association for three four-year terms, totaling twelve years. Joseph Darago announced: “I now make known why I will not open the Twentieth Convention of the Verhovay Fraternal Insurance Association. My reason for not opening the Convention, is that last Saturday, on Sept. 11th, I tendered my resignation to the Directors; and they accepted my resignation — which I was forced to make, due to age and ill health. Since my operation last spring, my health has not been what it should be. Therefore, I do not want any office in this Convention. Another reason for my resignation is that the Verhovay Fraternal Insurance Association has now attained its fifty thousandth member. This was my goal, and since we have reached this goal, I am happy to say that I have not lived in vain. I sincerely served the Verhovay Fraternal Insurance Association, and performed my work to the best of my ability. In farewell, I ask God to bless you all.” Director Frank Brogley spoke in the name of the second generation. He verified that Joseph Darago had always worked in the interest of the Second generation, for he knew that the Verhovay Fraternal Insurance Association’s future lies in their hands. John Bencze, Supreme Secretary, in the name of the Home Office Officers, thanked Joseph Darago for his work, while the delegates rose to applaud. The eyes of the delegates were tearfilled as Director Albert Ari escorted Joseph Darago to the door, Joseph Szalay, vice president, now elected president, opened the Convention, saying: “Respected Convention Delegates, good morning! Respected Delegates, guests of the Convention and members of the Press! We have reached the point in the fifty-eight year life of the Verhovay Fraternal Insurance Association’s 20th regular Convention. Today’s convention is outstanding, due to the fact that after twelve years of presidentship, Joseph Darago resigned his office at the last minute, due to ill health and age. This responsible work has become my duty to perform. This is a great responsibility, especially now, when the whole world is thrown in the flames of a war; and we, as citizens of the United States of America, have duties toward our adopted country. We have always done oar share in every type of Works and now we work diligently, in order that our adopted country may bring the war to a quick and victorious end. “We know we shall conquer, we know the Allied Nations through unity will conquer, and that after the victory, the men who make the peace-treaty will not forget that it was through Nazi pressure that poor, but ever hopeful Hungary was enslaved. “Respected fellow-delegates, I welcome you in God’s Name to the 20th regular Convention of the Verhovay Fraternal Insurance Association. “Respected Delegates, let us rise and sing the American hymn, “My Country ’Tis of Thee’” Then he called upon Rev. Leslie John Papp, evangelist from Buffalo, N. Y., to invoke the Almighty for His blessings, and to give the Convention Delegates strength to carry on their work to the best of their ability. The Convention Officers were elected and they planned their work in advance, so as to bring the convention to a quick and successful conclusion Frank Radvanyi, from the 11/B District, was elected Convention President, by a majority of 38 votes. The Hungarian branches elected for vice president, Coloman Kolozsvári, who at one time had been supreme president of the Verhovay Fraternal Insurance Association. The English branches elected for vice president, John Sabo, president of Br. 395, Me Keesport, Penna. Leslie Dienes Ikefalvi and Rev. Leslie John Papp were elected to serve as secretaries during the Convention. Frank Radvanyi, Convention President, stated that he will do all in his power to bring the Convention to a quick, succesful end. Coloman Kolozsvári gave a talk on the same subject. John Sabo spoke in Hungarian, also in English; asking the delegates to rise and honor the Verhovay soldiers who given their life while in the service of the United States Armed Forces. Senator James Davis gave an excellent speech. He said that he is a descendant of an immigrant father. He remembers when the factory sites were but raspberry patches; and when he and several others used to play their childish games, pointed at the immigrants and called them foreigners. He gave the reason for the war we are now engaged in; and mentioned the 4200 Verhovay boys who are now serving in the United States Armed Forces, and he honored the 18 Verhovay boys who have made the supreme sacrifice. Senator James Davis is looking forward to the day when men will lay down their arms and the world will be at peace again. At this time the Convention Delegates paid tribute to the late Michael J. Varga. The following were representatives of the Hungarian Press at the 20th Convention of the Verhovay Fraternal Insurance Association: Izsó Székely, Amerikai Népszava; Andrew Fay Fisher, delegate, Szabadság; Leslie Dienes Ikafalvi, delegate, secretary of the Convention, Perth Amboyi Híradó; Mrs. Eugene Pataki, of South Bend, Ind.,_ Városi Elet; Joseph J. Réthy, Magyarok Vasárnapja; George Szecskay, Jó Pásztor; Paul Acs, Newarki Hírlap and the Trentoni Függetlenség; Ódon Bohner, New Brunswick Magyar Hírlap and the Passaic Szabad Sajtó; Martin Benedek, Magyar Tribune and the Iras; Arpad Tarnoczy, St. Louis and Vidéke; Alex Kalman, Wisconsin! Magyarsag and the Otthon; John Kelemen, Magyar Híradó; Albert Fiók, Magyarsag; Dr. Leslie Pólya, Akroni Magyar Hirlap; John Nagy, Magyar Jövő; Amelia Nyers, English Section, Verhovay Journal; and Wolfgand Rettman, Hungarian Section, Verhovay Journal. The Press members accepted the honor extended to them by the Convention Delegates to remain as guests of the 20th regular Convention of the Verhovay Fraternal Insurance Association. GOOD-WILL MESSAGES READ At this time, several messages from various branches and famous people were read. The first of these was a message from the president of the United States of America, Franklin D. Roosevelt. The president expressed his high opinion of fraternal associations, and added his wishes for the successful convention of the Verhovay Fraternal Insurance Association. Cornelius D. Scully, mayor of Pittsburgh, Penna., also sent a message of greeting to the Convention members. A warm greeting was sent to the Convention Delegates from Gov. Martin, of Penna. Greetings came from PFC William C. Kohut, Verhovay columnist, and member of Br. 430, Homestead, Penna., now stationed at Camp Geo. G. Meade, Md. Stephen Huzianyi, of Br. 503, Chicago, Illinois, Verhovay columnist, also extended greetings to the Convention. The different committees were formed, and then they began their work, looking over the various books, examining the financial status of the Verhovay Fraternal Insurance Association. Director Julius Macker informed the Convention Delegates that the three directors appointed to look for new offices for the Verhovay Fraternal Insurance Association, had located one building that might be suitable for the Association. It is a building located at 600 Grant St. Eight men were elected to examine the new office rooms and see whether or not they would be suitable for the Home Office. Mr. Hitchcock, of the U. S. Treasury Department, Washington, D. C., was to be the next guest speaker; but since it was impossible for him to attend, Mrs H. J. Heinz, of the famous * “57” varieties, spoke in his stead. Her talk was interesting, for she said we are all Americans, either by inheritance or adoption. Her own grandfather had immigrated to America, She further stated that when fraternal societies first were organized, it was difficult to bring new members into the organization, due to the fact that advertising was not done on as large a scale as it is today, because of the lack of radio, magazine advertising, etc. Therefore, several men decided to ask their wives to talk about the societies. Since women like to talk anyway, why not give them something interesting to talk about. So the women began to talk about insurance and fraternal organizations. In this way the societies became better known, and gradually grew into the large fraternal associations they are today. Mrs. Heinz purchased $45,000 worth of War Bonds at the American Hungarian booth when it opened. Mrs. G. Cronin, representing the American Red Cross, gave an interesting, lengthy talk on the work of the Red Cross. According to estimates, there are six nurses to every one thousand men, a quota that has not been met. Due to the rumor that the war would be over by Christmas, Mrs. Cronin stated the blood donor volunteers dropped down appallingly. More blood is needed, and those who can, should give. Mrs. M. Tarnopowitz gave a short talk on the War Bond drive, saying the Hungarians have certainly proved their patriotism, by purchasing more than their share. At this time, the Convention Delegates voted to purchase $30,000 worth of War Bonds, thereby bringing the Verhovay Fraternal Insurance Association’s purchase up to half a million dollars invested in War Bonds. Director Frank Brogley proposed that each delegate purchase a $25 War Bond on the last day of the Convention; for which the Verhovay Fraternal Insurance Association will receive credit through Mrs. Heinz. THE AMERICAN HUNGARIAN FEDERATION Dr. Bela Mark, Emery Király and Dr. George Borsi-Kerekes, of Washington, D. C. wer* speakers at the Convention i» behalf the American Hungarian Federation. Dr. Ferencz Ujlaky, of Ohio, spoke of the various rumors circulating concerning the American Hungarian Federa- j tion. He said the Federation is j going through a period similar j to what the Master underwent j in the Garden of Gethsemane, j For when enemies attacked him, 1 Peter stayed behind and went to sleep. The Master reproached him, saying: “Peter, Peter, could you not bear with me this one hour?” In like manner, he stated, the American Hungarian Federation is being persecuted by unscrupulous people. The delegates expressed their opinions, pro and con, regarding the American Hungarian Federation; but no action was taken until the committee had completed its examination of records. Then a vote was taken, and the American Hungarian Federation was accepted by the Verhovay Fraternal Insurance Association by a majority of votes — 90 to 29. BANQUET IN HAZELWOOD On Thursday evening, Sept. 16th, the Supreme Officers of the Home Office, and the Directors, gave a banquet for the Convention Delegates and the Home Office employees, at the Verhovay Home in Hazelwood, Penna. Director Frank Brogley acted as master of ceremonies. Various speakers were on the program, all of whom expressed their views regarding the present world war; each voiced his hopes and prayers that it will soon be over, so that no more of our boys would be called upon to make the supreme sacrifice. The eighteen Verhovay boys who have already given their lives for our country, were honored; as well as the 4200 Verhovay boys now serving in the Armed Forces of the United States of America. The St. Anne’s Boys’ Choir gave an excellent performance; their repertoire consisted of Hungarian and American pieces, among them was the well“Back The Attack!"
