 6/12/2008 - Victims of Communism Memorial 1st Anniversary... Tom Lantos honored. U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez and U.S. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer topped the list of speakers and guests from Capitol Hill and Washington's diplomatic corps at the wreath laying ceremony at the Victims of Communism Memorial. Former California Congressman Tom Lantos was awarded the Truman-Reagan Medal of Freedom (posthumously) during the ceremony.
The ceremony marked the first anniversary of the dedication of the memorial. AHF is proud to support the foundation. AHF's October 2007 Congressional Reception in honor of its 100th anniversary began with a wreath laying at the memorial. [read more]
 6/11/2008 - Sen.  Schumer suggests return of Russia's hegemony in Central and East Europe... AHF (and Central and East European Coalition) sends letter and calls on community to express its concern. On June 3, 2008, Senator Schumer (D-NY) published an article in The Wall Street Journal entitled "Russia Can Be Part of the Answer on Iran." In this article, Sen. Schumer suggests that stronger economic sanctions would help deter Iran from developing nuclear weapons. The effectiveness of the sanctions, according to Sen. Schumer, will require Russia's cooperation. [read more] and get involved!
 6/4/2008 - The 88th Anniversary of Trianon. AHF issues Statement entitled, "Overdue Autonomy for Minority Hungarians!
Time to Bury Trianon and Resurrect Democracy." The European order imposed after World War I and then re-imposed following the Second World War collapsed almost within months at the end of the Cold War. One ethnic group after another throughout the region seized the opportunity to realize their own objectives to exercise external self-determination, even as some of them denied internal self-determination to their Hungarian co-nationals. For example, after Slovakia broke away from Prague’s perceived dominance in the peaceful divorce of 1992, it wasted little time to gerrymander the country’s historic administrative division in 1996 so as to eliminate most of the districts which had a Hungarian majority population. [read more]
 4/7/2008 - American Hungarian Federation Raises Visa Waiver at America Abroad Media Town Hall Meeting: "Foreign Policy and the Presidential Election: America's Image Problem" (Washington, D.C.) The American Hungarian Federation attended a special town hall discussion, presented by WAMU 88.5, America Abroad Media, and The American Interest magazine, and senior foreign policy advisors from the presidential campaigns of Senators Hillary Clinton, John McCain, and Barack Obama. The participants discussed strategies  for improving America’s standing abroad. INCLUDES AUDIO
[read more]
 Ongoing
- ACTION ALERT: Help build the Congressional Friends
of Hungary (CFH)... On February 12, the late Congressman Tom Lantos
(D-CA), Chairman of the U.S. Committee on Foreign Affairs, and Congressman
Christopher Shays (R-CT) circulated a "Dear Colleague"
letter inviting Members of Congress to join the Congressional Friends
of Hungary (CFH). The purpose of the caucus, as noted by the co-chairs,
is "to recognize the contributions of Hungarian-Americans to
the United States and to strengthen the ties between the United
States and Hungary."
How can you help?
1) Copy the sample letter below, paste it into a document and fill
in the blanks
2) Save the document to your hard drive, print it and sign it
3) Find your local state representatives by entering your zip code
in the tool on our Website at [ALERTS].
This legislative tool will provide addresses, emails, fax and phone
numbers.
IT IS BEST TO CALL and then FAX the letter.
What to Say?
"Hello, my name is _____. I am a constituent of Representative
_____ and also a member of the American Hungarian Federation. On
February 12th, the late Congressmen Tom Lantos and Christopher Shays distributed
a "Dear Colleague Letter" entitled "Join the Congressional Friends of Hungary." I am calling
to ask the Congressman to join the CFH. I and the other Americans
of Hungarian descent in his/her district would be grateful for his/her
support. I will fax you a letter that also includes the contact
name in Congressman Lantos' office should you need more information."
The Letter:
The Honorable [name of your Congressman]
United States House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20210
Dear Congressman ________:
I am one of your constituents who lives in ______. I
call your attention to the "Dear Colleague Letter" distributed
on February 12, 2007 by Congressmen Tom Lantos and Christopher Shays,
titled "Join the Congressional Friends of Hungary." I
urge you to consider joining this Congressional Caucus, whose main
purpose is to strengthen the ties between the American and Hungarian
people and to recognize the Hungarian-American community. There
are a number of Hungarian-Americans in your district and our community
would be grateful for your support. Your wise counsel would be an
asset in the operation of this caucus, particularly in the areas
of human rights and minority rights.
Sincerely yours,
[Your name]
 Continuing
News: AHF continues call for support of a 1956 Statue
for the Nation's Capital...AHF's 1956 Commemoration Committee
is seeking your help to erect a statue in Washington, D.C. devoted
to the heroes of the Hungarian Revolution. The AHF plan calls for
an actual-size statue to be placed prominently in Washington while
we raise funds for its bronze replacement. Seen here with his prototype
design is renowned sculptor Gyuri Hollosy, who was responsible for
the Boston Liberty Square memorial. At the recent Capitol Reception
honoring 1848, Congressman Tom Lantos mentioned his intent to place
a 1956 memorial in Washington. We must ensure this remarkable design
is selected! [read
more]
Continuing news - A
Centennial Celebration! The American Hungarian Federation turned 100
- Join and help us represent the interests of our community!
 The
American Hungarian Federation (AHF), was founded in 1906 in Cleveland,
Ohio. Among the oldest ethnic organizations in the US, AHF was established
as an association of Hungarian societies, institutions and churches
to "defend the interest of Americans of Hungarian origin in the
United States." The American Hungarian Federation strives to
unite the American Hungarian community through work that supports
common goals. AHF is a national, non-partisan, independent umbrella
organization representing the interests of the Hungarian American
community. [more
about us]
AHF Store
on 
Buy ALL your books, videos, electronics and other gifts on AHF's
Amazon Store. It costs nothing extra to you, but Amazon contributes
a small percentage to AHF. The AHF store features books and articles
written by AHF members on both our main
site and our 1956
Portal for publications devoted to 1956.
The latest member books added:
 Lapossy,
Susanna (Zsuzsanna):
Life
Behind the Iron Curtain. [Read
more] about the book or purchase the book on
 Simon,
Paul M: "The Old lady and the Fawn," the first
bilingual edition of "Öreg néne ozikéje"
(Hungarian)
 Rebecca
McEldowney's "Soul of Flesh: A Novel of the 1956 Hungarian
Revolution" [ read
more]
 Dr.
Katalin Kadar Lynn's "Tibor Eckhardt in His Own Words:
An Autobiography" [ read
more] |
Looking
Back... AHF History:
AHF, Tibor Eckhardt, and
the "Movement for Independent Hungary," 1941 - 1942: Seeking to extract Hungary
from
the Axis sphere - by Bryan Dawson and Katalin Kádár Lynn, Ph.D.
 On the 31st of
December 1940, the Amerikai Magyar Népszava, the most
influential Hungarian language daily at the time, published a front-page editorial headlined “The Hour has Struck.” The
editorial proclaimed that it was the “the historic mission
of Americans of Hungarian origin to give voice to the
cries of the silenced people of Hungary and to give their
whole hearted effort to the liberation of their mother
country which is clubbed into submission by the Nazi terror.”
The editorial called upon the American Hungarian
Federation to unfurl the banner of a Free Hungary
Movement without hesitation or delay. We did! [read more]
AHF
Members Corner!
Featured Member
 AHF's
Tako Geza Award-winning Dr. Stephen Szilagyi, founded SARA, "Sharing America's Resources Abroad. SARA is a Christian
ministry offering medical assistance to improve lives around
the world. From humble beginnings, SARA has distributed millions
of dollars in medical supplies, services, and medical care,
establishing a network of doctors and suppliers ready to assist
the needy. SARA is NOW accepting registrations to accompany
their delegation on their Transcarpathia Mission to help the poor. The mission begins Monday, September 5, as
it departs Cleveland to Budapest. Contact
him to donate your time and talents and accompany the group
to this former Hungarian territory.
[See
More Featured Members]
Upcoming Events/Cultural News
To announce a Hungarian cultural event, please contact
the AHF Cultural Affairs Committee,
Zoltan Bagdy, Chair and see all [cultural
news]
Washington,
DC
 Washington, DC: July 12, 2008: INVITATION
AHF Presents...
The GÁZSA Folk Music Band and Táncház!
The American Hungarian Federation is proud to bring Gázsa - one of Hungary's best folk music bands - to Washington, DC for an
extraordinary concert and tanchaz.
When: Saturday, July 12th, 2008, 6pm
Where: Alliance Dance Institute
Landmark Mall, Suite E-200
5801 Duke Street
Alexandria, VA 22304
The Gázsa Hungarian Folk Ensemble has accompanied the famous
Budapest Ensemble for a decade. Together, they have performed in
many countries, including the United States, Canada and Mexico, to
critical acclaim.
On this tour, the Ensemble will consist of five musicians and two
dancers (Erika Demeter and Calin Orza). A professional dancing
couple from Transylvania, wearing gorgeous folk costumes of several
geographic areas, will enhance the appreciation of the wonderful
music. [READ MORE] and buy tickets and the Gázsa CD online!
Entrance fee: $25 - adults
$15 - children under 12
Tickets can be bought in advance through the American Hungarian
Federation's website
*** Donations are greatly appreciated
The Landmark Mall has 24 hrs secured parking availability.
For more information contact Noemi Toka at noemitoka@yahoo.com
Featured
Link
The Hungary Page's "Nobel Prize Winners and Famous Hungarians"
at www.thehungarypage.com
This Month's
Famous Hungarian
 Stefan Hatos
(b. Aurora, Illinois, on 8/ 20/1920, d. Toluca Lake, California 1999)
Television producer of "Let's Make a Deal"
Stefan Hatos was a first generation American with Hungarian parents. His father was an iron peddler by trade. Stefan was the second of three sons and a daughter. He began playing piano and oboe at age eight. While attending college on a music (and basketball) scholarship, he played Oboe and English Horn with the Detroit Civic Symphony and also played Tenor & Bass Saxophone in dance bands to work his way through school. He got his start in media when he became staff announcer at a Detroit radio station and later on the NBC radio network.
He was always more interested in writing and production than in performing. While an announcer, he wrote episodes of The Lone Ranger (1940), The Green Hornet, and a psycho-thriller Hermit’s Cave. After serving 37 months as commanding officer of PT 328 during WWII, and surviving being wounded twice, he returned to CBS Radio as a Staff Director and Writer in New York and Chicago. He next joined ad agency Foote, Cone & Belding as staff Producer-Director for radio shows Readers Digest with big name stars and The Wayne King Show (CBS Radio). He directed Lucky Strike Hit Parade for NBC Radio.
 He moved into television in 1949, and created and produced one of the first nighttime game shows on the first inter-connected network of seventeen TV stations on ABC-TV. The name of the show was Fun for the Money. He produced numerous radio and television shows and hit it big with "Let's Make a Deal" with Monty Hall which debuted in 1963 and ran for over 4,600 shows and continues today in syndication!
Trivia:
- He was among those photographed for LIFE magazine at the liberation of a Prisoner of War camp at Kuching, Sarawak, Borneo in August, 1945
Read more on the Official Let's Make a Deal Website or read more about him and other great Hungarians on The Hungary Page's
"Nobel Prize Winners and Famous Hungarians" at www.thehungarypage.com
Thanks to the following Sponsors:
 The
Zala Springs Resort
Hungary's Zala Springs Resort is Hungary’s first master
planned and biggest golf and thermal spa resort community, which is
unique both in Hungary and in Central Europe.
[read
more]
 Author
Susanna (Zsuzsanna) Lápossy is a Freedom Circle Member of the
American Hungarian Federation. Her book, the first part of
a trilogy entitled "Life behind the iron curtain" contains
lesser-known facts about 20th century Hungary as seen through a middle-class
family.
[Read
more]
[ >
GO to all AHF news]
Strength
can only be found in unity! Please join AHF and work
together on common ground issues!
There are two easy ways to Join
and Support us!
1) Online Processing (fastest):
Join online! AHF accepts all
major credit cards and checks. AHF is a 501c(3) non-profit organization.
Your donations may be tax deductible. Your information is secure
not shared with anyone. [Join
Online Here]
2) The Old-Fashioned Way:
If you are uncomfortable or unable to process an Internet transaction,
download the AHF
Membership Registration Form and mail it in with your check payable
to "American Hungarian Federation." NOTE: If you are sending
a donation for a specific fund, please be sure to include that on
the form. (You do not need to become a member to donate):
American Hungarian Federation
C/O Sandor Murray, Treasurer
2805 56th Place
Woodside NY 11377
For technical assistance, contact bryandawson@americanhungarianfederation.org
PRIVACY NOTICE: AHF will not share
its mailing list with anyone...Period. AHF also uses this list SPARINGLY.
DISCLAIMER: The American Hungarian
Federation does not necessarily endorse the content or opinions found
in the external sites found this eNewsletter or those expressed by its
individual members and member organizations...
© 2008 American Hungarian Federation,
All Rights
Reserved |
