[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 38 (Tuesday, March 16, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E385-E386]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    IN RECOGNITION OF THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DEDICATION OF THE 
 SCULPTURE OF HUNGARIAN STATESMAN LAJOS KOSSUTH, IN THE UNITED STATES 
                                CAPITOL

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 16, 2010

  Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker and Colleagues, I rise today in honor and 
recognition of the 20th Anniversary of the ceremonial placing of the 
sculpture of Hungarian Statesman Lajos Kossuth, which occurred on March 
15, 1990, in the United States Capitol Rotunda.
  Lajos Kossuth is known as the Father of Hungarian Democracy. A lawyer 
and political columnist who was popular for his criticism of the 
government, he was imprisoned for his writings between 1837 and 1840. 
After his release, he worked to empower citizens and was a key leader 
during the 1848 Hungarian Revolution. Mr. Kossuth's activism on behalf 
of the people of Hungary resulted in the passage of the `March Laws' 
that eradicated the privileges of nobles, freed the peasants, and 
established a legislature.
  The 1990 dedication was made possible by legislation sponsored by my 
dear friend and colleague, the late Congressman Tom Lantos

[[Page E386]]

of California. The dedication was attended by Interim President of the 
Republic of Hungary, Mr. Matyas Szuros, former House Speaker Thomas S. 
Foley, Secretary of Labor, Elizabeth Dole, Senate Republican Leader 
Robert Dole, Deputy Secretary of State of Lawrence Eagleburger, and 
several U.S Representatives and Senators.
  Madam Speaker and colleagues, I am honored to commemorate the life of 
Freedom Fighter and Hungarian statesman, Lajos Kossuth, in 
collaboration with the Ambassador of the Republic of Hungary, Bela 
Szombati, Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer, and Mrs. Annette Lantos, 
Chairwoman of the Lantos Foundation for Human Rights and Justice. Mr. 
Kossuth, a man of courage and conviction, paved a path to freedom in 
Hungary. His life and works will forever live as a testament to the 
power of commitment to freedom.
  ``The time draws near, when a radical change must take place for the 
whole world in the management of diplomacy''--Lajos Kossuth.

                          ____________________