Past Events 2006
U.S. Delegation Member, Steven Udvar-Hazy at the American Chamber of Commerce
Steven Udvar-Hazy, chairman of world leader aircraft leasing firm International Lease Finance Corporation, visited the American Chamber of Commerce in Budapest on October 24, 2006. Mr. Udvar-Hazy came to Hungary with the U.S. delegation to commemorate the 1956 Hungarian Revolution.
Below are his remarks.
Your Excellency the U.S. Ambassador, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen:
We gather this morning, reflecting on an historical moment in Hungary's past. Yesterday, October 23, 2006, represented the 50th anniversary of a revolution that awoke the heart and fabric of a small nation of 10 million in Central Europe. We realize now that October 23, 1956, was a defining moment in the history of 20th century Europe. History is a wonderful teacher, but unless we learn from it, it has limited usefulness for future generations.
In the case of my family, living in modest means in the hills of Buda, I have to thank the wisdom and foresight of my parents, who quickly recognized a failed revolution. They saw that the flame of freedom, that the Soviet armies extinguished here in November 1956, called for a drastic change of direction - a new direction of hope based on a belief that a better life was possible in America.
Over the next 30 years, the communist system was slowly decaying and losing its grip over its Soviet satellite states. I first discovered my passion for aviation at a small grass airfield just a few kilometers from here at Budaörs airport in 1953. I was fortunate to finish growing up in a country where my dreams for aviation could be realized and fulfilled to their highest potential. In contrast, ten thousand kilometers away, back home in Hungary, my old elementary school classmates struggled day by day just to meet life's basic necessities.
Why such divergent and different outcomes? I was not any smarter than my classmates who stayed behind. I was just more fortunate to find an entrepreneurial environment on the West Coast of the USA that allowed a driven and focused young man to turn his dreams into reality.
Today Hungary has reached a new state of freedom. It has democratic institutions that we could not even dream of in October and November 1956. But the dark shadow of Hungary's tormented and communist past is still holding the spirit and potential of this nation from fulfilling its optimum economic potential.
Just as 1956 was a turning moment for me and my family, 2006 is a turning moment for the business culture of Hungary.
A new window of opportunity becomes more and more visible.
Today the threat is not from tanks or artillery fire but from nations who are flexing their economic muscle and influence.
Whether it is Russia, who has the natural resources and capacity to hold much of Europe hostage with its minerals, gas and oil; or China, who has an unequalled mass manufacturing and export machine; or India with its huge IT, back-office, outsourcing and billion-person labor pool, Hungary faces tremendous economic and competitive challenges.
Hungary has produced an unequalled list of scholars, scientists, researchers, musicians, artists and leaders in many fields. But a strong conviction needs to be nurtured in Hungary and its higher learning institutions that Hungary has the human talent and intellectual potential to hold its own. There needs to be better comprehension among our youth that creativity, risk-taking, and entrepreneurial innovation can put Hungary on the path to long-term economic prosperity, development, and investment.
John F. Kennedy said "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country." It is important that these words take on more meaning to the next generation of business and government leaders of Hungary. As Hungarian businesses develop less dependence and less inter-dependence on the government, the Hungarian workforce will have to re-focus. It needs to become more productive and innovative and competitive on a European and world-scale. As the burden of the cost of services such as education, healthcare is shifted back onto the people of Hungary, the nation will need to reexamine its values and create incentives and avenues for more wealth formation, which in the long run will beef up tax revenues and long-term fiscal stability.
Government, business, and educational leaders in Hungary must strive to do a better job to faithfully convince the population that tomorrow can be a better day than today. The people must realize that goals and objectives can be attained. But attainment will require hard work, dedication, a commitment to excellence and tapping the dormant creative geniuses of the Hungarian mind.
As I have observed on this trip, optimism and positive expectations about the future of this nation must take precedence over the negativity, pessimism and gloomy outlook that prevail in too many hearts and souls.
That Hungarian spark, vigor and spirit must be re-ignited so that people with talents will feel good about the future.
I hope that in the years to come Hungary can truly transform itself to be on the leading edge of science, product, and marketing innovation. I hope it can assume positions of leadership rather than mediocrity. It is better to lead than to follow. Hungary has so much of its greatest treasure - its people who can accomplish so much with so little, and make a difference for the brighter future of this nation.
America is there as a bright beacon of economic achievement. America is there to help Hungary truly achieve its fantastic potential. Each one of us here today can play a small but important role in making Hungary a better country for future generations.
Thank you.