March 20, 2008

Hungarian Pilgrims Honor The Memory of Hungarian Governor Lajos Kossuth

A group of 17 people, headed by Dr. László Mezei, Chairman of a Hungarian Foundation, created to cultivate the memory of Hungarian Governor and Freedom Fighter Lajos Kossuth, visited New York and Washington between March 15 and 20. The delegation of the Wreath of Lajos Kossuth Foundation included the Chancellor and leaders of the Miklós Zrínyi University of National Defense of Budapest, mayors from the Hungarian cities Óbuda, Oroszlány and Nyírábrány, and many others.

On March 18, the group met Robert King, Chief of Staff of the Foreign Relations Committee, and his wife, Kay King, responsible for international relations of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. The delegation laid a wreath with Ambassador Ferenc Somogyi at the Congressional statue of Hungarian Governor and Freedom Fighter Lajos Kossuth.

Ambassador Ferenc Somogyi and László Mezei laid a wreath at the Congressional statue of Hungarian Governor Lajos Kossuth

Afterwards, the group enjoyed a guided tour in the main building of the United States Congress, and the Jefferson and Madison Buildings of the Library of Congress. 

Kay King, Robert King with Ambassador Ferenc Somogyi in the Cupola Hall of the US Congress

This was followed by a luncheon reception at the Embassy of Hungary. Members of the delegation discussed many aspects of the Hungarian-American bilateral relations with the diplomats of the Embassy.

Diplomats of the Embassy and members of the delegation

On March 19, László Megyeri, Secretary of the Kossuth House in Washington, DC, introduced the group to the history of the Kossuth House. On behalf of the Embassy, Deputy Chief of Mission Viktor Szederkényi and Cultural Attaché Béla Gedeon laid a wreath at the plaque of Hungarian Governor Lajos Kossuth along the with members of the group.

Wreath-laying at Kossuth House

The delegation of the Wreath of Lajos Kossuth Foundation returned to Hungary on March 20.