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Press release
American Nationalities Movement in Cleveland, OH, honors Dr. Julius Nádas, dedicated leader of the Hungarian World Congress
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| The Hon. Dennis Kucinich, U.S. Congressman, reads the House of Representatives’ proclamation commending Dr. Nádas for his many years of service to the Hungarian community. |
On Friday, July 22, 2005, the American Nationalities Movement held a Captive Nations Commemoration Program, at which Dr. Julius Nádas was the honoree. Ms. Irene Morrow, current President of the organization, applauded him for being the “exceptional, dedicated leader of the Hungarian World Congress. He has dedicated his life to the ideals of freedom, the preservation of the history and traditions of his Hungarian nationality, and the goals of the Movement.”
The organization was founded by the Hon. Ralph J. Perk, former Mayor of Cleveland (1971-77). The current Honorary President is the Hon. George V. Voinovich, also former Mayor of Cleveland (1980-88), Governor of Ohio (1990-98), and currently U.S. Senator (1999-present).
The Hon. Dennis Kucinich, U.S. Congressman, read the House of Representatives’ proclamation commending Dr. Nádas for his many years of service to the Hungarian community. The 100th year of his life was celebrated by the participants. His 100th birthday will be November 28, 2005.
Dr. Nádas' speech follows:
Dear President Ms. Morrow, my special friends, Ladies and Gentlemen!
Thank you very much for the wonderful introduction. It is difficult to summarize 99 years in a few paragraphs, but I would like to add one more item to the list. From 1922 to 1933 I was very active in the leadership of two scout troops. I am very proud of the work we did in helping to bring structure and purpose into the lives of Hungarian youth after the devastation they had experienced during the First World War and its aftermath.
Compared to our four billion year old planet, our lives are as short as those of a butterfly. We burst into life, only to disappear and be forgotten very soon thereafter. I am deeply honored that you are celebrating my upcoming birthday and in addition to expressing my thanks, I'd like to reminisce about our organization.
I still have vivid memories of being invited to a meeting by a highly respected auditor of Cuyahoga County along with a half dozen other individuals including a Magyar newspaperman. The auditor told us about his plan to form an association of all the ethnic groups of our highly diverse city. He wanted to forge an alliance of like minded individuals who would respect each other and help others whenever possible.
As we all know, the Honorable Mr. Ralph Perk was able to achieve his dream and form the American Nationalities Movement whose overwhelming support resulted in his victory in the mayoral race in 1971 over a field which included the Democratic nominee James Carney, a fellow Republican named George Voinovich and the independent Arnold Pinkney. Mr. Perk continued to serve as president of the Nationalities Movement together with the assistance of his associates, primarily Ms. Morrow, who is currently at the helm of the organization and is carrying on his valuable work.
We Hungarians supported Mr. Perk and his movement from the very first because we too agreed with his principles. None of us has any control over the conditions of our birth. Our families, our religions, our ethnic heritage and the color of our skins are given to us. Our success comes from our ability to respect each other and work toward our common goals and this is what Mr. Perk stood for.
I once had a neighbor who told me a story about his childhood. Back when he had been a toddler in a middle class working home he had gotten under his mother's feet while she was trying to cook in the kitchen. She chastised him for getting in her way to which he responded by saying that he had never asked to be born. She was so taken back by this announcement that from that time forwarded she treated him with special respect.
Even though we can not control the conditions of our birth, we can and must take responsibility for what we do throughout the rest of our lives. This organization under the leadership of Ms. Morrow is a shining example of what we can do to make our world a better place.
Many years ago Mr. Voinovich had said in honor of Irene M. Morrow in the House of Representatives that Ms. Morrow has been well recognized for her work in the community. Her list of awards and honors includes: 1 of the 40 outstanding Ohio Women Achievers, presented by Barbara Bush; Polish Person of the Year, presented by the Polonia Foundation; Member of the Year, offered by the American Nationalities Movement; and Appreciation Award from the United Hungarian Societies. Both Mayor Ralph Perk and Mayor George Voinovich
have presented Ms. Morrow with Keys to the City Awards. Ms. Morrow has shown us by her work that life is too short to squander. We must all love and support each other, both in good times and in adversity so that after we are gone what we had done in our lives can serve to guide others.
Thank you for your patience and for giving me this opportunity to share some of my memories with you.
--- Dr. Julius Nádas, July 22, 2005, at the American Nationalities Movement's Captive Nations Commemoration Program, Cleveland, OH, USA
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Contact information: Mailing address: Hungarian Association – Magyar Társaság, P.O. Box 771066, Lakewood, OH 44107 (USA); TEL: Dr. Julius Nádas, President (216) 226-8868 or Mrs. Etelka Alapi, Vice-president (216) 521-7183; FAX: 1-216-521-5526 E-mail: <magyartarsasag@nadas.org> Internet: http://www.hungarianassociation.com