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Za Boha a Národ For God and Nation Slovensk¥ Katolícky Sokol OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE SLOVAK CATHOLIC SOKOL – MEMBERSHIP 28,000 – HOME OFFICE: 205 MADISON STREET, PASSAIC, N.J. 07055 – www.slovakcatholicsokol.org Periodical Postage Paid at original entry of Passaic, N.J., 07055 and additional mailing offi ces VOLUME CII PASSAIC, N.J., MAY 1, 2013 NUMBER 4989 2013 Law Day Message Held at the Sokol Club, South Side, Pittsburgh, Pa. From Our General Counsel Scenes of the Annual Easter Bunny Breakfast by John D. Pogorelec, Esq. Hosted by Group 14 on Saturday, March 23rd On May 1, 2013, America cel- other violations of our basic human ebrates Law Day. It is a National rights. Throughout the country, Law day set aside to celebrate the rule Day programs are conducted and of law. Law Day commemorates designed to help us understand how how the law law keeps us free and how our legal and the legal system strives to achieve justice. process have This has been going on every year contributed to since 1958 when former President the freedoms Dwight D. Eisenhower established that all Ameri- Law Day as a day of national dedi- cans share. cation to the principles of govern- Law Day also ment and the law. provides an EQUALITY FOR ALL opportunity to The promise of equality under the recognize and law is what has made America as a appreciate the role of courts in this model to all other nations throughout democracy and the importance of the world. The theme of equality for jury service to maintain the integrity all is clearly set forth in the Decla- of the courts. ration of Independence and the Pre- This year’s Law Day theme is amble of the Constitution. This year “Realizing the Dream: Equality for marks the 150th Anniversary of the All.” The Law Day theme gives us Emancipation Proclamation which an opportunity to review the move- marks the beginning of the end of ment for civil and human rights in slavery in this country. In the mind America and the impact that it has of President Lincoln, freedom and had in promoting the idea of equal- equality go hand in hand. In his Get- ity under the law. It gives us an op- tysburg Address, President Lincoln portunity to review what has been called for a new birth of freedom in a done and what remains to be done nation conceived in liberty and dedi- if we are to eliminate injustice, abol- cated to the proposition that all men ish all forms of discrimination , and are created equal. Much progress has terminate human traffi cking and been made since Lincoln’s promise. Segregation and many other legally tolerated discriminatory practices that were previously accepted are unimaginable today. However, there still remains much work to be done to realize the dream of equal- ity in the United States. Specifi cally, women and minorities continue to remain absent from positions of real power, infl uence, and leadership. Immigrants legally living in this country face discrimination. Human traffi cking, considered modern slav- ery, exists within the borders of our country. Can you imagine that men, women and children are forced into slavery in the land of the free on a daily basis! HUMAN TRAFFICKING Human traffi cking is a modern- day form of slavery and is a Federal and International crime. Estimates of human traffi cking worldwide range from 20 to 27 million. The most recent survey indicates that the number of victims identifi ed globally has increased from ap- (Continued on page 6) PAGE 2 SLOVAK CATHOLIC FALCON, MAY 1, 2013 Recognizing leadership among us 2013 Fraternalist of the Year program salutes volunteerism and outreach Each year, our organization takes the time to honor an individual mem- ber who mirrors the highest ideals of Sokol fraternalism. The word “frater- nal,” generally pertains to camaraderie and brotherhood and has been in our American vocabulary for more than 150 years. Fraternals have been a part of the American community fabric since just after the Civil War when the fi rst mutual-aid societies were founded. Assisting those in need is an impor- tant work of fraternals. For nearly 108 years, the Slovak Catholic Sokol has beautifully refl ected the high ideals of the fraternal benefi t system. We have reached out in the best traditions of volunteerism, assisting not only our own members but also to encourage them to get involved in various outreach proj- ects in their own communities. Many of our members, who are movers and shakers within our own organization, are also active in their parishes, various charitable agencies and their community in general. One needs only to glance through the pages of our offi cial publication to learn of our Sokol members, Assemblies, Wreaths and Groups promoting many volun- teer projects. They are a credit to the fraternal During the fi rst meeting of the Board of Directors in 2013, continuing in a wonderful tradition common benefi t system in general and our organiza- among the Slovaks and other eastern Europeans, our Supreme Chaplain, Rev. Andrew S. Hvozdovic blessed tion in particular. There are many such indi- the home offi ce facilities. He marked each door-post and in this case the elevator door, with chalk inscribing viduals in our organization and they need to the initials for the Latin motto “Christus Mansionem Benedicat”(May Christ bless this house). Looking on be recognized. during the blessing are members of the Board of Directors. Since 1985, our organization has taken the opportunity each year to salute the efforts of an individual member who is a wonderful ambassador of fraternalism who are committed to getting a job done. Our Fraternalist of the Year program honors just such an individual. Each year we ask our membership to take the time to nominate an in- dividual member, who in their estimation, has labored in the best traditions of volunteerism and deserves to be honored. Such individuals are mentors and serve as models for others. Thus, we ask our members to nominate an individual as our 2013 Slovak Catholic Sokol Fraternalist of the Year. This year’s nominee will receive a plaque, along with a gift of $200.00 as a small token of our gratitude for their efforts. In addition, the individual chosen as our organization’s Fraternalist of the Year is recommended to the American Fraternal Alliance(formerly known as the National Fraternal Congress of America) for consideration in their 2013 Fraternalist of the Year program. The American Fraternal Alliance is the trade association which represents nearly 10 million fraternalists in the United States and Canada. Winners of the 2013 American Fraternal Alliance’s Fraternalist of the Year program will be honored during its 127th annual meeting scheduled for September 2013 in Hollywood, Fla. One winner and two runners up from among participating fraternals will be honored. So now is the time to discuss this year’s Fraternalist of the Year program at your local Assembly, Wreath or Group meetings and activities and con- sider an individual who is deserving of recognition. We invite our members to submit the name of an individual who in their estimation is worthy to be considered as our 2013 Fraternalist of the Year. An individual member, an During the meeting of the Board of Directors at the home offi ce, March 15-16, a special gift was received Assembly, Wreath or Group may nominate an individual for consideration. from the noted Slovak artist, Mikulas Klimcak. 2013 marks the 1,150th anniversary of the beginning of the This year’s honoree will be selected by the Board of Directors. A nomination evangelization of SS. Cyril and Methodius among our ancestors in Slovakia. In observance of the historic form is available by contacting Editor Daniel F. Tanzone, who coodinates the event, Maestro Klimcak, who is Greek Catholic and resides in Bratislava, visited our Sokol Museum last program. Call him at the home offi ce at 800-886-7656. Deadline for receipt year. He created a special painting honoring SS. Cyril and Methodius and the personalities associated with of the completed nomination along with a photo of the nominee is Friday, their mission in Slovakia. A copy of this work was sent to be placed in our Sokol Museum. Directors shown June 28, 2013. with the painting honoring SS. Cyril and Methodius include, from the left, Supreme Director of Sports and Athletics Edward D. Moeller, Supreme Treasurer Dennis J. Zifcak, Supreme Physical Directress Kathleen Past Slovak Catholic Sokol S. Watkins, General Counsel, Attorney John D. Pogorelec, Supreme President Larry M. Glugosh, Supreme Fraternalist of the Year Recipients Secretary Steven M. Pogorelec, F.I.C., Supreme Chaplain Rev. Andrew S. Hvozdovic, Supreme Vice Presi- 1985 - Anna E. Hletko*, Chicago, Ill. dent Julie Ann Dobbs, Chairperson of Supreme Auditors Michael J. Horvath and Supreme Physical Direc- 1986 - Deacon John C. Matlon*, Minneapolis, Minn. tor Dusan Dorich. 1988 - Irene Matuschak*, Uniontown, Pa. 1989 - Mary T. Sterbinsky*, Kingston, Pa. OUR NEXT ISSUE IS 1990 - Eleanor E. Macko*, Baden, Pa. The Power of a Mother 1991 - Amalia T. Burican*, Milwaukee, Wis. MAY 15TH 1992 - Julia M. Misencik*, Bridgeport, Conn. Though the world is full of fan- upon the opinions and attitudes we In keeping with our bi week ly 1993 - Stephen C. Burican*, Milwaukee, Wis. tastic changes in data and technol- carry through life. There are no publishing sched ule, the next is- 1994 - Dr. Stephen J. Hletko*, Chicago, Ill. ogy, one thing has remained un- words to thank this wonderful per- sue of the Slovak Cath o lic Fal con 1995 - Anne Z.