[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 42 (Tuesday, March 10, 2009)]
[House]
[Pages H3131-H3132]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   COMMEMORATING THE TENTH ANNIVERSARY OF HUNGARY'S ACCESSION TO NATO

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Kaptur) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Ms. KAPTUR. Madam Speaker, today I rise to commemorate the 10th 
anniversary of Hungary's accession to NATO. Hungary is the first former 
Soviet nation, followed soon thereafter by Poland and then the Czech 
Republic, to join NATO. I stand here today to express gratitude for 
that historical moment and being given the opportunity to witness it 
and to recognize Hungary's pioneering commitment to solidarity, 
freedom, and security.
  Despite years of Soviet rule, Hungary maintained a posture that 
looked both east and west. She became one of the first countries to 
institute meaningful political and economic reform after the fall of 
the Berlin Wall. And during the Cold War, Hungary struggled mightily 
not to let the door to her people close completely.
  The country's exceptional acumen also boasts an impressive 
mathematical and scientific legacy that includes 13 Nobel Prizes, 
inventing the BASIC programming language, and even creating Rubik's 
cube. This is a nation of major measure.
  When Hungary joined NATO on March 12, 1999, an enduring relationship 
was cemented between Hungary, Europe, and the United States. This 
partnership means more than a military alliance. It marked a rebirth of 
freedom with an end to oppression by the then Soviet Union. This 
historic achievement was celebrated from Budapest to Ohio, which boasts 
the largest Hungarian American population in our country according to 
the last census. This new era was marked importantly by our 
congressional district of Toledo that adopted two cities in Hungary, 
Szeged and its county, Csongrad County.
  Hundreds of citizens since 1999 have been involved in cultural, 
educational, and political exchanges of extraordinary impact. And 
through the lifelong efforts of major leaders in our community, 
including now deceased Monsignor Martin Hernady, Ohio Representative 
Peter Ujvagi, the Hungarian Club of Toledo and its leader Mr. Andy 
Raikay, Holy Rosary, Calvin United and St. Stephen's Churches, Dr. 
Elizabeth Balint and Mr. Al Baldwin of the Great Lakes Consortium for 
International Training and Development, along with the University of 
Toledo, Bowling Green State University and Lords College, all are 
working together to build freedom forward.
  Because of the new opportunities presented by NATO, the United States 
and Hungary were able to enrich our friendship. Our Ohio National Guard 
began an early partnership with the Republic of Hungary for the express 
purpose of demonstrating through the example of the citizen soldier the 
proper role of the military in a democratic society. Hungary's rich 
history, as well as its embrace of a new post-Soviet era governance, 
sets a strong example for other countries in the region that are still 
grappling with a meaningful identity as newly independent states. By 
working with our allies, America continues to nurture democracy and 
advance political freedoms in Eastern Europe and around the world.
  An independent film that I was able to view last year, called Torn 
From the Flag, which has won all kinds of international awards, traces 
the history of Hungary from World War II through its current 
independence. I commend this film to all of our citizenry.
  Tonight, I rise to pay tribute to Hungary, our great sister nation in 
liberty's cause. What a great joy it has been to get to know her people 
and her traditions in greater measure. And I

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thank the people of my community who truly have been, each and every 
one of them, ambassadors of freedom from the United States to our great 
sister state of Hungary.

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