On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of American-Hungarian diplomatic relations and the upcoming national day of mourning on October 6, a bust of Lajos Kossuth was inaugurated in Buffalo, New York.
István Pásztor, Consul General of Hungary in New York, Péter B. Nagy, Consul Special Representative for the Hungarian Diaspora, Péter Forgách, Honorary Consul of Hungary in Buffalo, and James J. Maher, Rector of Niagara University, jointly inaugurated the work.
According to information from the Consulate General of Hungary in New York, the statue placed next to the central building of Niagara University commemorates Lajos Kossuth's visit to Niagara Falls on May 22, 1852, and the 19th-20th century. pays homage to the Hungarians who emigrated to the United States in the 19th century.
As it is written, Lajos Kossuth was the second person in American history who earned the title "guest of the nation".
"His efforts to keep alive the ideals of the Hungarian freedom struggle had a great impact on the American nation as well. Several American presidents, including Abraham Lincoln and John F. Kennedy, have quoted from him on several occasions," the statement said.
At the inauguration of the statue, realized with the support of the Ministry of Human Resources and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Péter B. Nagy said: "In connection with the installation of the statue, an unprecedented - cross-national - cooperation was realized within the local Hungarian community".
President János Áder awarded James J. Maher the Hungarian Gold Cross of Merit in recognition of his work to develop Hungarian-American educational and cultural relations and to preserve the identity and culture of Hungarians in Buffalo . Consul General István Pásztor presented the recognition to the rector of Niagara University.
Source: MTI
