Edmund Vasvary's speech of acceptance, Washington, D.C. May 31, 1974

Exactly 60 years ago I came to the U.S. so I have ample reasons to regard this festival occasion a sort of an important anniversary for me. That day in 1914 brought a great change in my life. I came as a Hungarian, but I suddenly discovered that my designation has become twice as long. From a mere Hungarian, I became an American Hungarian, -- in other words: I became something more. And I immediately suspected that this means not only a geographical change, -- but new duties and obligations yet unknown, way beyond my ordinary everyday activities.

So - being a bookworm all my life, I soon decided that my avocation will be: research in the history of the Hungarians in America. And being a rank beginner, I naturally started out with tackling the greatest American-Hungarian subject: Kossuth's trip to the U.S. in 1852.
And in that research I stumbled on one single short sentence, which became the most important motto or reminder for me, never to be forgotten.
This short sentence was written by William Lloyd Garrison, the leader of the enemies of slavery. Garrison became bitterly disappointed with Kossuth, because the great Hungarian refused to meddle in that gigantic internal problem - saying that being a foreigner, a guest of the nation, it would be highly improper for him to do so. So Garrison, who shortly before wrote a long poem to Kossuth, asking his help, in his weekly, "The Liberator" hurled this angry reproach to Kossuth: "Thou art a mere Hungarian - and nothing more!" Kossuth probably did not pay much attention to this unjust and cruel accusation - but it did hit me very hard.
It reminded me very forcefully that a Hungarian, if he lives in the United States, must be more than a mere Hungarian - and that more can be nothing less but the totality of what the word "American" means.
And in my 60 years in this country, I tried to live up to the obligation implied by these few words. And what is the result?

I have found out to my astonishment that there is no small nation on this earth, besides Hungary, that contributed more to the intellectual, scientific and industrial progress of the United States. There is no small nation that could come even near to Hungary in this respect. I found out that the Hungarians in the United States have been and are much more than a mere ethnic group, which is satisfied with finding here a better livelihood and wants to be nothing more. It is a group that never wavered in its total loyalty to those ideals that made the United States the best and last hope of humanity.

I am happy to receive this award. I am grateful that the directors of the Hungarian Studies Foundation recognised my modest contribution. And I am grateful to you, Ladies and Gentlemen who are here today. In 60 years this is my first appearance before an audience like this, -- and undoubtedly the last one also. I am happy that I was able to say these few words to you.
Please don't forget that there has been and is an immense host of Hungarians in the United States, who, absorbing the highest ideals of humanity, that is: true Americanism, -- have become much more, than mere Hungarians.
I am one of them, -- and for this reason I am eternally grateful for my 60 years in this country. And as long as I live, I will help good Hungarians to became even better Americans.
God bless you all. I thank you.

Vissza