Jó napot kívánok! Good afternoon. I would like to congratulate Gabor Gordon and the March of the Living Foundation on the dedication of this beautiful building. And thank you for inviting me to come down here today and say a few words on this wonderful occasion.

One of the most significant experiences in my time as Ambassador of the United States to Hungary was the trip I took to Auschwitz with the March of the Living Foundation last April. An organization such as this, which mobilizes young men and women to remember the suffering of Hungarian Jews, makes a vital contribution to Hungary’s ongoing national discussion about its history.

Unfortunately, there have been recent instances when hatred, blind prejudice, and thoughtless remarks have marred Hungary’s national discourse. Whether this ugly speech is spoken from the majestic floor of Parliament, shouted in the elegant streets of Budapest, recorded in the Hungarian media, or pasted on the nameplates of Jewish professors in the halls of academia, the response must be the same and you must be strong. That passion inspiring thousands of young people to join the March of the Living each year must also inspire a strong, clear condemnation of hate speech by every responsible member of Hungarian society.

I am encouraged by some of the responses I have seen to hate speech in Hungary: clear government statements distancing leaders from hateful remarks, thousands rallying before Parliament to hear speakers from different political parties, cry out together for tolerance, and civic organizations joining together to plan appropriate responses. But there remains reluctance at times to clearly condemn hateful speech, including by prominent figures. As I stated publicly this past Tuesday, it was deeply disappointing to see the government present an award to a known purveyor of hate speech.

I sincerely applaud Minister Balog for acknowledging that a mistake was made and the recipient has since returned the award. Government leaders at the highest levels must be prepared to forcefully condemn hate speech in all its forms and leave no doubt about their resolve.

I say these words today with humility in my heart, mindful that I come from a country still learning these difficult lessons ourselves. In the United States, where freedom of speech is a value we hold dearly, we have been tarnished by episodes of discriminatory laws and acts of violence targeting members of minorities. Over the years, many new immigrant groups to the United States faced prejudice of those who had been there just a little longer. This hatred often followed significant economic crises or rising unemployment.

In a world marked by ongoing economic challenges and political upheaval, many seek a scapegoat for their problems. It is our duty as responsible citizens to meet hate speech with a thoughtful and rational but decisive response. That response must be immediate, clear, and forceful, the kind that leaves no doubt about its intent. The great Reverend Martin Luther King Jr., who led African-Americans in their struggle for equality in the 1960s once said this, “History will have to record that the greatest tragedy of this period of social transition was not the strident clamor of the bad people, but the appalling silence of the good people.”

Thank you, March of the Living, for giving a voice to those good people who I still believe form the majority of this beautiful country. May this clubhouse be a location that serves to inspire and motivate coming generations to find the voice they need to counter hate speech and keep alive the memory of 600,000 Hungarian victims of the worst hate crime imaginable. Thank you.

Source: U.S. Embassy Budapest

Photo: Ambassador Kounalakis delivers her remarks. (Embassy photo)