March 18, 2009

National Day Reception on the 161st Anniversary of the 1848-1849 Revolution and War of Independence

The Embassy of Hungary hosted her annual National Day Reception on the 161st Anniversary of the Revolution and War of Independence of 1848/49 on Monday, March 16 at 6:30pm.

After the Hungarian and American national anthems, Ambassador Ferenc Somogyi read the Hungarian Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsány's and US President Barack Obama's messages for the National Day. He then solemnly presented high level Hungarian official awards to the following personalities:

James Morrison, Diplomatic Editor of the Washington Times was presented with the knight’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Hungary for his documentation of the significant events of Hungarian-American relations, his American presentation of democratic Hungary and of the efforts by Hungarian diplomacy, and his assistance to strengthen an authentic and positive image of Hungary;

Gail Scott, Diplomatic Correspondent of Washington Life and Washington Diplomat was presented with the OFFICER’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Hungary for her contributions to strengthening the cultural, communications and human dimensions of U.S.-Hungarian relations, for promoting the Hungarian culture in the United States, and for her outstanding support for the activities of Hungarian diplomacy in the United States;

Sally Painter delivering her acceptance speech

Sally Painter, Principal and Managing Director of Dutko Worldwide with the OFFICER’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Hungary for her promotion of NATO enlargement, and her assistance in support of Hungary’s inclusion in the Visa Waiver Program of the United States of America;

Max Teleki delivering his acceptance speech

and Max Teleki, President of the Hungarian American Coalition with the OFFICER’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Hungary for his promotion to maintain the unity and traditions of the Hungarian American community, his role in deepening U.S.-Hungarian relations, and his actions supporting ethnic Hungarians living abroad.

From right to left: Ambassador Ferenc Somogyi, President Max Teleki, Principal Sally Painter, Press Attaché Zoltán Fehér, Journalist Gail Scott, Editor James Morrison, Cultural Attaché Béla Gedeon

Ferenc Somogyi, Andrea Bors Somogyi, Gail Scott, Military Attaché COL István Pásztor, Mrs. István Pásztor Photo by Kyle Samperton

Diplomatic columnists James Morrison and Gail Scott with the Embassy's Press Attaché, Zoltán Fehér Photo by Kyle Samperton

The wife of the Ambassador, Mrs. Andrea Bors Somogyi and Embassy Chef Lázár Kovács presenting the highlight of the buffet reception