March 15, 2007

Celebration of Hungary's National Holiday in the Capitol and at Kossuth House

Hungarian Americans in the Washington metropolitan area celebrated Hungary's National Holiday and the 159^th anniversary of the 1848-49 Revolution and Freedom Fight.

Hungarian-born Congressman Tom Lantos (D-Ca.), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Ambassador András Simonyi and the leaders of the Hungarian American organizations laid a wreath at the bust of Lajos Kossuth in the Capitol. Kossuth was a leader of the Revolution, later elected Governor of Hungary, and was forced into exile after the crushing of the Hungarian freedom fight.
 

Congressman Lantos and Ambassador Simonyi (middle) with Leslie Megyeri (left) and Jules Balogh (right), of the Hungarian Reformed Federation of America, laying a wreath at the Kossuth bust in the Capitol

The Hungarian Reformed Federation of America commemorated the Revolution at Kossuth House with commemorations, songs and prayer. Ambassador András Simonyi delivered his remarks to the audience of Hungarian Americans. He said that 1848 serves as an inspiration to all of us today. He also expressed hope that the 21^st century will be the Hungarian century.
 

Ambassador Simonyi commemorating the 1848-49 revolution at Kossuth House

 

Ambassador András Simonyi and Jules Balogh, President of the Hungarian Reformed Federation of America, at Kossuth House