The Embassy of Hungary hosted a National
Day reception yesterday, remembering the 1956 revolution against tyranny and
the occupying Soviet forces on October 23 of that year. This year's guest
speaker was Mr. Zsolt Németh, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of
the Hungarian National Assembly.
On
the occasion of the national Day, Ambassador Simonyi presented the Order
of Merit, Commander's Cross to Dr. Blaise Pásztory and Prof. August Molnár.
Dr.
Pásztory was honored by the President of the Republic for "his
endeavors in enhancing Hungarian-American business and investment
relations and promoting a new era in the field of professional
cooperation," while Prof.
Molnár was awarded the decoration "in recognition of his decade-long
endeavors in preserving the cultural identity of Hungarians in the
United States and promoting Hungarian-American cooperation in the field
of science."
He also
announced that he has recommended to the President the decoration of Mr.
Charles Gati, professor at SAIS, Johns Hopkins University, Washington,
DC.
Click
here for Ambassador Simonyi and Mr. Zsolt Németh's speech.
Amb. Simonyi and Mr. Zsolt Németh presented Prof. August
Molnár and Dr. Blaise Pásztory with the Order of Merit, Commander's
Cross
Mr. Zsolt Németh delivering the keynote speech
Local Hungarian-Americans at the reception
Amb. Simonyi with Prof. Charles Gati and Ex-Im Bank
president and chairman Mr. Philip Merrill
Ambassador and Mrs. Simonyi with former defense secretary
Frank Carlucci
Amb. Simonyi with Ms. Mary Masserini, protocol press
officer of the State Department
