Ambassador Somogyi, Secretary Gutierrez, Several Congressmen Attend First Anniversary of Victims of Communism Memorial Dedication – Hungarian-Born Late Congressman Tom Lantos Honored

The MC of the event, Don Ritter, former Congressman

On June 12, Ambassador Ferenc Somogyi laid a wreath and spoke at the event marking the 1^st anniversary of the dedication of the Victims of Communism Memorial. U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez and U.S. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer topped the list of speakers and guests from Capitol Hill and Washington’s diplomatic corps attended a June 12 wreath laying ceremony at the Victims of Communism Memorial.
 

Congressman Dana Rohrabacher, an earlier recipient of the Medal of Freedom, with Don Ritter

Congressman Thaddeus McCotter, Don Ritter

Congressman Steny Hoyer, Majority Leader, House of Representatives

Featured speakers included Rep. Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI); Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH); Rep. Steve King (R-IA); Rep. Shelley Berkley (D-NV); Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA), Rep. Eliot Engel (D-NY); Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-CA) and former Rep. Don Ritter (R-PA). 
 

Invocation by Pastor Anita Varsbergs Paza, Latvian Evangelical Lutheran Church

The representatives of the diplomatic community, with Ambassador Somogyi (middle)

Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez

Congressman Dennis Kucinich

The ceremony marked the first anniversary of the dedication of the memorial. During the 2007 event, Tom Lantos joined President George W. Bush and Rep. Dana Rohrabacher as dedication speakers before an international crowd of nearly one thousand. According to Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation Chairman, Dr. Lee Edwards, "the memorial honors the more than 100 million people who died under communism."
 

President of the Victims of Communism Foundation Lee Edwards

Edwards added that the outpouring of support by Members of Congress and the diplomatic corps for this first anniversary had been “phenomenal.” In all, 23 nations and peoples were represented at the event.
 

Congressman Eliot L. Engel

Congresswoman Anna Eshoo

Former California Congressman Tom Lantos was awarded the Truman-Reagan Medal of Freedom (posthumously) during the ceremony. The Medal is given to individuals who have distinguished themselves in opposing communism and tyranny. His wife, Annette Lantos, who was to accept the Medal on his behalf, was introduced by Mrs. Edith Lauer, Chairman Emerita of the Hungarian American Coalition. To honor the legacy of the Hungarian-born Congressman, Ambassador of Hungary Ferenc Somogyi, President of the Hungarian American Coalition Maximilian Teleki, Mrs. Lantos’ daughter and granddaughters were in attendance.

Edith Lauer, Chair Emerita of the Coalition, introducing Mrs. Annette Lantos and presenting the Truman-Reagan Medal of Freedom

Mrs. Annette Lantos receiving the Truman-Reagan Medal of Freedom on behalf of the late Congressman Tom Lantos

Ambassador Somogyi with Mrs. Lantos and her granddaughter, Charity Sunshine Tillemann-Dick

Ambassador Somogyi, President of the Hungarian American Coalition Maximilian Teleki, Mrs. Annette Lantos, Don Ritter and Edith Lauer, Chair Emerita of the Coalition

Ambassadors and diplomats from an array of formerly communist nations, along with the leaders of numerous American-based groups and representative from the still communist nations of Cuba, China, Vietnam and captive Tibet, laid memorial wreaths. On behalf of the Republic of Hungary, Ambassador Ferenc Somogyi laid a wreath at the memorial.
 

Ambassador Somogyi laying Hungary's wreath at the Memorial

Benediction by the representatives of the International Campaign for Tibet

Following the ceremony, a preview of the upcoming online Global Museum on Communism was presented at a luncheon reception at the Georgetown University Law Center. At the reception and preview, Ambassador Somogyi emphasized the importance of remembrance and the education of future generations. The preview highlighted exhibits on the former USSR, China and Tibet and is slated to launch January 2009.

The Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation is dedicated to educating this generation and future generations about the history, philosophy and legacy of communism.
 

Ambassador Somogyi speaking at the luncheon and preview

Karl Altau, Managing Director of the Joint Baltic American National Committee, with Ambassador Somogyi and Hungarian Press Attaché Zoltán Fehér at the reception

The participants of the anniversary celebration