On June 19, 2008, President Bush presented the Presidential Medal of Freedom (posthumously) to Tom Lantos, the highest ranking public official of Hungarian descent and a tireless advocate for human rights worldwide. The award was received by Annette Lantos, his “partner in life and in Congress.”

Representing the Hungarian American community were the Lantos family, Nancy Brinker, Chief of Protocol and former Ambassador to Hungary and Max Teleki, President of the Hungarian American Coalition.

Congressman Tom Lantos dedicates the Victims of Communism Memorial in Washington D.C. June 12th 2007.

How have Hungarian Americans managed to successfully combine the different Hungarian and American traditions of Christmas?

For example, in Hungary, Mikulas Bacsi comes on December 6th and Baby Jesus and the angels bring the tree and presents on Christmas Eve. How have bi-cultural families woven these traditions together with Christmas stockings and Santa and the reindeer?

Please share examples of your family traditions. Happy Mikulas Day!

How do we pass on ethnicity to the next generation? Please check out the "Pass It On" white paper posted on www.LauerLearning.com/blog and share your feedback. Together as a community, we can make a difference. Becoming an active member of The Gulyas Pot is the first step...