[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 124 (Wednesday, September 22, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1935]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


MIDDLESEX COUNTY AMERICAN HUNGARIAN DEMOCRATS' 25TH SILVER ANNIVERSARY 
                              DINNER DANCE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FRANK PALLONE, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 22, 1999

  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, on Sunday, September 26th, the Middlesex 
County, NJ, American Hungarian Democratic Organization will be holding 
its twenty-fifth Silver Anniversary Dinner Dance at the Victorian Manor 
in Edison, NJ. I am proud to pay tribute to this exciting event and the 
great organization behind it.
  The highlights of the event will include the presentation of the 
Anthony M. Yelencsis Memorial Citizen Award to Steve J. Yelencsis, 
brother of former Mayor Anthony M. Yelencsis of Edison, the founder of 
the Middlesex County American Hungarian Democratic Organization. The 
award will be presented by Anton Yelencsis, Tony's son.
  The Anthony M. Yelencsis Memorial Scholarship Award is presented to 
high school graduates of Hungarian lineage who exhibit excellent 
scholastic achievements and other distinguished activities and service 
during their school years. This year, the award will be presented to 
Valentine S. Tarr by his uncle, Steven Tarr, the Chairperson of the 
Scholarship Committee.
  In addition, the Distinguished Service Awards will be presented to 
Helen R. Gottlieb, Middlesex County and Edison Democratic Vice-
Chairwoman by Dr. Thomas H. Paterniti, Edison Chairman, and to Edison 
Councilman William A. Kruczak by Edison Councilman Peter J. Barnes III 
for their contributions to the community and to the organization.
  Mr. Speaker, the Hungarian-American community in Middlesex County is 
one of the largest in the Nation. The members of this community 
continue to make their mark on the community in numerous ways. When 
Hungarians left their homeland for the promise of America, particularly 
in response to the imposition of Communist tyranny, Middlesex County 
was one of the major areas that provided a home and a sense of hope for 
the future. The Hungarian immigrants and their sons and daughters, in 
turn, have contributed mightily to the growth and development of 
Central Jersey through their hard work and commitment to family and 
community.
  While Hungarian-Americans have become an integral part of the larger 
American community, thoughts about the great Magyar motherland are 
still in their hearts and minds. Fortunately, we live in very exciting 
and hopeful times for the development and renewal of the Hungarian 
society and the steady improvement of U.S.-Hungary ties. It's hard to 
believe for some, impossible to forget for others, that just a few 
years ago the people of Hungary were trapped by the harsh realities of 
the Cold War, which they did not create but which nonetheless dominated 
their existence.
  Hungary was a leader among Central European nations in establishing a 
democratic system, before the fall of the Berlin Wall. In the last 
decade, Hungary has steadily transformed itself into an independent, 
democratic, market-oriented society, integrated into Europe and the 
international trading network, a member of NATO and a serious candidate 
for membership in the European Union. Unlike other areas of Europe 
where ancient hatreds have been allowed to fester, Hungary has worked 
to repair damaged relations with its neighbor Romania. Hungary, in 
particular among its neighbors, has shown an impressive degree of 
stability. Even during the Cold War, Hungary worked very hard against 
tough odds to establish itself as a society independent of Soviet 
domination in certain key political and economic spheres, and was 
granted Most Favored Nation status by the U.S. in 1978. Free and fair 
elections and a proliferation of political parties allow Hungarians of 
all viewpoints to participate in society. Even parties affiliated with 
former Communists maintain a commitment to maintaining integration with 
Western institutions.
  A sister-city relationship has been established between New 
Brunswick, the county seat of Middlesex County, and Debrecen, Hungary, 
an arrangement to benefit the people of both communities. Developing 
business partnerships between New Jersey and Hungary will be good for 
business on both sides of the Atlantic, creating jobs and providing an 
increased flow of, and access to, goods and services. It's also good 
for peace and stability, removing the shadow of fear and suspicion that 
so often got in the way of U.S.-Hungarian relations during the bad old 
days of the Cold War.
  I also want to pay special tribute to Hungary for its contributions 
to NATO in the operations in the former Yugoslavia, and in taking in 
refugees from those terrible conflicts. The instability in many of the 
surrounding lands will continue to test the ability of the new 
Hungarian democracy to be a force of stability. I am confident that 
democracy, civil and human rights and a healthy growing economy will 
triumph in Hungary, given the strong character, values and traditions 
of the Hungarian people and the help and support from the United States 
and other Western democracies.
  To the leaders and members of the Middlesex County American Hungarian 
Democratic Organization, I say, Kosonom! (Thank you) and Egeszsegere! 
(To your health).

                          ____________________