[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 137 (Saturday, September 28, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1778]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE HUNGARIAN REVOLUTION

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 27, 1996

  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, 40 years ago, on October 23, 
1956, students in Hungary protested against the Russian and Marxist-
Leninist classes which had been imposed by the Soviet Union. The 
Hungarian Revolution had begun. Students and the Writers' Union then 
publicly supported the Polish anti-Soviet movement, and workers joined 
them in calling to reinstate as Premier the Communist Party reformer 
Imre Nagy. Within days, despite hard-liner Premier Hegedus' plea to the 
Soviet Union for assistance, the Communist Party reinstated Nagy and 
his reform efforts were allowed to resume. The Hungarian people wanted 
more, and pushed for an end to the dominance of the Communist system 
itself. With Soviet troops and tanks entering Budapest, a new 
government was formed as fighting spread across the country. 
Revolutionary workers' councils and local national committees demanded 
attention be given to political and economic demands, including calls 
for free elections, free speech, press, assembly, and worship.
  Imre Nagy, siding with the people, announced the end of the one-party 
system, and called for free elections. He even criticized the Warsaw 
Pact and indicated his intention to make Hungary a neutral state. The 
Soviet Union quickly reacted to this secession with a crushing military 
advance on strategic locations throughout Hungary in mid-November. Imre 
Nagy was ousted from office. For his loyalty to his people and to their 
revolution, he was executed by the Soviets in 1958.
  Mr. Speaker, despite courageous efforts, the revolutionaries were 
ruthlessly and bloodily suppressed while a sympathetic but ineffective 
international community stood by. In the end thousands were killed in 
the fighting, and hundreds of thousands fled the country to avoid 
imprisonment and repression after the revolution. Many settled in the 
United States.
  The 40th anniversary of the Hungarian Revolution is an appropriate 
time to reflect upon the historical contribution made by those who 
valiantly fought for freedom. Although the revolution did not succeed 
in freeing the Hungarian people, its influence on Hungarian life has 
been strong. To Hungarians, East and Central Europeans, and the rest of 
the world, the Revolution served as a reminder that the Soviet 
Communist bloc was an artificial edifice which would crumble without 
the support of Soviet military strength.

  Hungary and Poland led the way in 1989 to cast off Communist rule, 
and Hungary remains in the forefront of those East European nations 
working to consolidate democracy and build market economies. In 1990, 
Hungary was the first East European country to become a member of the 
Council of Europe, reflecting Hungary's advances in human rights. 
Indicative of the country's progress in establishing a democracy, 
Hungary is currently among the first-tier countries to be considered 
for membership in an expanded NATO.
  In fact, acknowledging the need for security and cooperation with 
their European neighbors, the Hungarian Government--led by Gyula Horn--
made a significant step toward historic reconciliation with Romania by 
signing a bilateral treaty just a few weeks ago. Hopefully this treaty 
will be a useful mechanism for handling future concerns peacefully and 
in a constructive manner. In its ongoing transition, Hungary continues 
to face the complex tasks of sustaining newly-developed democratic 
institutions, furthering the growth of civil society, and managing the 
hardships associated with privatization and economic reforms following 
decades of Soviet domination and centralization.
  Hungary's commitment to a free and democratic system are deeply 
rooted in the legacy of those who valiantly fought in 1956. With 
history as a measure, Hungary has great staying power. This year, 
Hungary commemorates not only the 40th anniversary of the 1956 
Revolution, but also the 1100th anniversary of Hungary as a nation. Mr. 
Speaker, in this 40th anniversary year we honor Hungary's legacy of a 
love for freedom.

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