October 24, 2007

National Holiday Reception at the Embassy of Hungary

The Embassy of Hungary hosted its annual October 23 National Holiday Reception on the 51st Anniversary of the 1956 Revolution and the 18th Anniversary of the Proclamation of the Republic of Hungary.

White House Chief of Protocol Nancy G. Brinker surrounded by Ambassador Ferenc Somogyi and Andrea Bors Somogyi

Ambassador Ferenc Somogyi and his wife, Andrea Bors Somogyi greeted the guests of the evening at the entrance along with Military Attaché István Pásztor and his wife. After the Hungarian and American national anthems, Ambassador Ferenc Somogyi delivered his solemn speech about the historic heritage of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution.

Ambassador Ferenc Somogyi delivering his speech

He was followed by Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee Zsolt Németh, who gave his ceremonial speech about the significance and impact of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution on the current status of Hungary.

Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee of the Hungarian Parliament, Zsolt Németh, delivering his speech

Thereafter, on behalf of the President of the Republic of Hungary, Ambassador Ferenc Somogyi solemnly decorated Geophysicist and Oceanographer István Gereben with the Nagy Imre Order of Merit of the Republic of Hungary for his exemplary patriotism, and for his active promotion of Hungarian independence, social dialogue, social peace, realization of the unity of the nation, and peaceful transition and consolidation of Hungary;

István Gereben delivering his acceptance speech

and David A. Lovenheim, Former Chief of Staff of United States Congressman Frank Horton, with the Officer’s Cross Order of Merit of the Republic of Hungary for his active promotion of the Hungarian-American relations and for the cultivation of the memory of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution in the United States of America.

David A. Lovenheim delivering his acceptance speech