|  4/25/2006
- AHF shows unity and elects new leadership at National
Meeting. The American Hungarian Federation held its National
Convention at the Garfield Hungarian Club in New Jersey on April 22nd.
Members from across the United States met to ensure unity and common purpose
and successfully elected a new leadership to lead the organization  in
its Centennial Year.
2006 is an all-important year for AHF as it prepares numerous events
for the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution.
2006 is also important as it marks the 100th anniversary of its founding
in 1906 (AHF was incorporated in 1907). After the President Istvan Fedor's
and Chairman Akos Nagy's overviews, various committees presented their
reports. One of the first orders of business was the acceptance of new
members and the establishment of Texas, Virginia, and Tennessee Chapters.
 Sandor
Murray, AHF Treasurer, presented the financial report showing
that AHF has made significant strides in both membership and financial
strength. He noted that numerous new members joined at the Michael Kovats
level ($1956.00). He mentioned that Laszlo Papp is willing to match such
a donation if two others also donate $1956.00. One such donation happened
just last week with the generosity of Bobbie Kalman (author and owner
of Crabtree Books). The New York 1956 Commemoration Committee has also
made significant strides in fundraising, already raising much of the funds
needed for the Carnegie Hall celebrations on Oct. 15, 2006 featuring the
Yale Orchestra and selections from the Bánk Bán.
 Atilla
Kocsis, Director of the National Office located two blocks from
the White House in the National Press Building, gave an update on office
affairs. He reported that public inquiries have increased significantly
and described AHF's new Voice over IP (VoIP) telephone and voicemail messaging
system. Atilla also mentioned that while AHF had its first National Office
intern, Soma Jobbagy, who has helped greatly, additional help is needed
to meet our rapid growth.
 Bryan
Dawson-Szilagyi, head of the Communications Committee, gave participants
a glimpse into the multi-faceted approach AHF is taking on outreach and
information dissemination. He detailed the success of AHF's Websites and
communication tools. His overview included:
- Providing statistics on AHF Websites
- Main site (www.americanhungarianfederation.org, www.amsz.org,
www.ahf.cc) which saw 200,000 hits in Dec. 2005 alone, and
- The 1956 Portal (www.hungary1956.org)
providing Videos / Photos and information resources for all member
organizations
- AHF eNewsletter now reaching over 4000
subscribers
- Books and other items sold on the AHF Store
via Amazon
- Partnership with the Amerikai
Magyar Szo / a Hid newspaper
- Disaster Relief Funds which
raised $6500.00 for Katrina and Transylvania Flood Victims from Website
alone
- Supporting local organizations, such as the Leadership
Conference held in Venice Hungarian Club in Florida
- New Chapters formed – Texas, Tennessee, Virginia!
"AHF has seen tremendous success over the past few years largely
due to its focus on common ground," Dawson-Szilagyi said. "We
can no longer do business the way we used to do business. We must communicate
effectively, reach out to a new generation of leaders, maximize our potential
through technology, and choose issues that unite rather than divide. We
must be an inclusive organization not divided on political affiliations
or language preferences, but one that is focused on common gorund issues,"
he added.
 Dr.
Paul Szilagyi, chair of the AHF 1956 Committee, and former chair
of the Executive Committee, gave a report on the numerous activities currently
planned for the 50th Anniversary of the Hungarian Revolution. Activities
the American Hungarian Federation is undertaking include:
 May
20th Gala Fundraiser to benefit the AHF 1956 Fund and the Hungarian
Scouts of Washington, D.C.- May 29th Arlington Cemetery Memorial Day ceremony
- October 20th Grand Gala and Commemoration
- 1956 Book by AHF's Prof. Peter Hargitai
- October 15 Carnegie Hall Celebration in New York
- October 15 Requiem Mass at New York's St. Patrick's Cathedral
- 1956 Memorial Statue by AHF's Gyuri Hollosy
seen here
- 1956 Resolutions in all state houses
 Dr.
Szilagyi also mentioned the 1956 mini-documentary produced by AHF's Zsuzsa
Kiss Toth and noted that all that join or donate at the $195.60 level,
receive a complimentary copy. He then mentioned the successful Congressional
Reception honoring 1956 last October and called attention to the 1956
Booklet by AHF's Csaba Teglas which was handed out to all participants
and is intended for wide distribution. Les Megyeri, AHF
controller (and Treasurer of the Hungarian Reformed Federation of America
- HRFA), added that
the May 29th Arlington Cemetery event is of particular importance since
he  was
involved with the Hungarian Freedom Fighters Federation in bringing the
remains of Civil War hero and former Kossuth hussar Alexander Asboth,
Commander of the 2nd Division, Army of Southwest, to Arlington National
where he was re-interred on October 23, 1990, the 34th anniversary of
the 1956 Hungarian Revolution. Asboth was
acknowledged as a brilliant leader. After his wounding fighting confederate
forces ended his career in 1864 he was appointed as ambassador to Argentina
and Uruguay where he died. He was buried in 1868 at the old English cemetery
in Buenos Aires. Bryan Dawson-Szilagyi referred participants to his "Hungary
Page" and the section on "Nobel Prize Winners and Famous
Hungarians" that features Asboth and hundreds of other influential
Hungarians.
Dr. Szilagyi also reported on the Hungarian-American
Scholarship fund which AHF has supported over the past 3 years.
"In 2002, I was tasked to re-organize and rejuvenate an ailing organization,"
Dr. Szilagyi said. "Through a lot of personal sacrifice from many
of us here today, we have come a long way since that meeting in Sarasota.
We are no longer the same AHF. We have grown to almost 250 dues-paying
members and we must continue to grow. The 50th anniversary of the 1956
Hungarian Revolution gives us a unique opportunity to unite our community
under this historic umbrella. Can we gain 1000 members by October?"
The 1000 members challenge led to sharp discussion on the role of individual
members in AHF. Dr. Szilagyi made a strong argument in favor individual
membership given the declining strength of many local Hungarian American
organizations many of whom need to focus on their own survival. "AHF's
recent history shows us that individual members have contributed more
to the organization than many organizations," Dr. Szilagyi added.
"The individuals that paid their dues and worked hard to get us where
we are today deserve a vote as does any other dues-paying member."
While most agreed, others argued that AHF, by definition as a "Federation,"
should not accept individuals, but rather encourage those individuals
to form chapters or join AHF through local organizations. The by-laws
subcommittee will tackle the issue as it too moves toward modernizing
the now 100-year-old by-laws.
 Frank
Koszorus, Jr., head of the Public Affairs Committee, gave an
overview of past actions and future strategies, calling attention to important
issues from Visa waivers for Hungarians to increasing our influence at
the grassroots level. Actions from 2005 and early 2006 included:
With committee reports complete, members moved on to the important business
of electing AHF's new leadership. The goal of the meeting was unity and
the leadership slate reflected that unity. While Stefan Fedor and Akos
Nagy were re-elected in their capacities as National President and Chairman
of the Board, there were significant changes to AHF's leadership. AHF
congratulates the new leadership and looks forward to another successful
year under their management:
National President: Stefan (István) Fedor
Associate Presidents: Imre L.
Tóth, Attila Micheller, Frank Koszorús, Jr., Esq.
Chairman of the Executive Committee: Bryan Dawson-Szilágyi
Vice Chairman of the Executive Committee: István
Pétermann
Chairman of the Board: Ákos Nagy
Vice-Chairmen of the Board: Gyula Balogh (President,
HRFA), Imre Beke, Jr.
Treasurer: Sándor Murray, CPA
Secretary: Ildikó Vass
Assistant Treasurer: Atilla Kocsis
Comptrollers: Zoltán Bagdy, Les Megyeri, Esq.
Assistant Comptroller: Sylvia Fedor
National Secretary: Erika Fedor
Assistant National Secretary: Atilla Kocsis
National Office Director: Atilla Kocsis
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Do you need a Website to help you get the word
out on your 1956 plans?
www.hungary1956.com
The American Hungarian Federation is sponsoring
the Hungary 1956 Portal as part of its goals to coordinate and
assist member organizations across the country as it continues plans for
kicking off a year of events leading up to October 2006. The 1956 Portal
will serve as a central information resource on 1956 as our community
prepares for this important milestone. Includes many photos as well as
Audio and Video files!
Featured Video
Note: You will need the free RealAudio
Player to see these videos. Click [here]
to download.
 "Five
Days of Freedom in Budapest" - "Budapest is in revolt. With
uncontrolled fury, crowds set fire to Russian flags... The impossible
has happened. A handful of heroes has shaken the communist world to its
foundations." (5.2 Mb)
[See more audio and video
files]
[See www.hungary1956.com]
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