HON. STEVEN C. LaTOURETTE

OF OHIO

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Friday, June 24, 2011

• Mr. LATOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I am congratulating Hungary on the series of events which pay tribute to the lasting idea of freedom and the principles of liberty. Hungary will erect a statue in commemoration of the centennial anniversary of President Ronald Reagan's birth. Hungary will honor President Reagan for his contribution toward ending the Cold War and promoting democracy and liberty in Central Europe. In addition, Hungary is hosting the Hungarian Freedom Dinner and establishing the Hungarian Freedom Award.

• I also note that Hungary formally and symbolically overcame the legacy of Communism by having recently passed a new Constitution, replacing its previous, temporary Constitution rooted in the Soviet era, to solidify the rule of law.

• In addition, I recognize Hungary as an important strategic partner of the U.S. in Europe, and commend the country for reaffirming its commitment to transatlantic values, the principles of constitutionalism, and republican government; and contributing to the stability of the region.

• Hungary is a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and is an ally of the U.S. Hungary has been an important ally of the U.S. in Iraq and Afghanistan, and recently gave invaluable assistance in freeing the two American journalists captured in Libya.

• Historically, Hungarians have fought for the ideals of freedom, popular sovereignty, the rule of law, and the cause of liberty at home and abroad, most notably in 1848, 1956 and 1989. Michael Kovats de Fabriczy fought for, and died defending America's independence during the American Revolution in Charleston, South Carolina. In the Revolution and Freedom fight of 1956, Hungarians rose up against communist rule first within the eastern bloc countries. In 1989, Hungary was the first country to open its border and allowed refugees from East Germany to cross. Hungary became the first among the former Soviet bloc countries to transition to a Western-style parliamentary democracy.

• In transatlantic relations, between 1995 and 2004, Hungary played a critical role in implementing the Dayton Peace Accords in the Balkans by allowing its airbase at Taszár to be used by coalition forces transiting the region. Between April 2003 and December 2004, Hungary helped stabilize Iraq by deploying a 300-strong battalion to Iraq as part of the Multi-National Force, and in 2003 allowed the Taszár airbase to be used for training the Free Iraqi Forces.

• Since 2006, Hungary has led a Provincial Reconstruction Team in Afghanistan and has also deployed an Operational Mentoring and Liaison Team, which operates in partnership with the Ohio National Guard and other United States military personnel in Afghanistan.

• More recently, Hungary's military has taken over command of a joint battalion on the Balkans in support of NATO missions, and Hungary's Pápa Airbase is the home base of the Strategic Airlift Consortium's C-17 operations for NATO missions.

• The United States and Hungary share common values of democracy, rule of law, separation of powers, cultural diversity, religious tolerance, and social mobility; and the United States is home to approximately 1.5 million Hungarian-Americans.

• I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Hungary on the commemorative events to honor the legacy of Ronald Reagan in the region; recognizing Hungary as an important strategic partner of the United States in Europe; and commending Hungary for reaffirming its commitment to transatlantic values, the principles of constitutionalism, and democracy; and contributing to the stability of the region. We wish Hungary a prosperous future.

END