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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, Following World War II, the Soviet Union occupied
3Hungary and forced an anti-democratic and brutal government
4upon the people of Hungary; and
 
5    WHEREAS, On October 23, 1956, over 100,000 ordinary
6citizens became "Freedom Fighters" and revolted against their
7Soviet communist government in what started as a peaceful
8protest but turned violent when protestors were fired upon by
9security police, triggering a bloody fight for freedom; and
 
10    WHEREAS, The Soviet Union launched a military
11counter-offense to suppress the revolt, but not before
12thousands gave their lives for freedom; more than 200,000
13Hungarians fled their country in the aftermath of the Soviet
14suppression of the Hungarian Uprising, and over 47,000 of
15these people eventually settled in the United States; and
 
16    WHEREAS, On October 23, 1989, the Republic of Hungary
17declared its independence, which contributed to the collapse
18of the Soviet Union and communism in Eastern Europe;
19Hungarians led the first revolt against communist occupiers
20and inspired other captive nations to defend their freedom;
21and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, On March 12, 1999, Hungary became a member of
2NATO, and on May 1, 2004, Hungary become a member of the
3European Union; as a former Warsaw Pact nation, Hungary has
4proven itself as a reliable military ally in support against
5the global war on terrorism and as a provider of humanitarian
6aid in the pandemic fight against COVID-19; and
 
7    WHEREAS, The State of Illinois is proud to be called home
8by a large number of Hungarians, Hungarian Americans, and
9their descendants, who have contributed greatly to the
10economic development, multicultural diversity, and enrichment
11of all aspects of life in the State; therefore, be it
 
12    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
13HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
14we recognize the 66th anniversary of the Hungarian Revolution
15and the sacrifices of the brave Hungarian freedom fighters and
16the great contributions of Hungarian-Americans in Illinois,
17and we reaffirm the friendship between the people and
18government of Illinois and the country of Hungary; and be it
19further
 
20    RESOLVED, That we declare October 23, 2023 as "Hungarian
21Freedom Fighters Day" and declare October 2023 as "Hungarian
22Freedom Month" in the State of Illinois; and be it further
 

 

 

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1    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
2presented to Stephen Szigethy.