Timothy A. Betts's welcome speech, B55 Gallery
I am delighted to be here at
the opening of this wonderful exhibition. As many of you know, just over a
month ago, the signing of a “Sister City” agreement between Tokaj and Sonoma
commenced a month-long celebration of Ágoston Haraszthy’s 200th anniversary in
California. For the entire month of September, Californians enjoyed Hungarian
contemporary art, savored exceptional Hungarian wines and reflected on the
legacy of a remarkable man who did so much to establish the wine industry in
the United States.
“The Father of California Wine”, as he is often called,
Agoston Haraszthy was in many ways an example of how hard work and
entrepreneurial spirit flourishes in America. Born into an aristocratic family
in Pest, Haraszthy came to the United 
States in 1840. In less than 28 years in
America he established a town in Wisconsin, served as sheriff of San Diego
County and as a representative to the state legislature. He raised livestock
and grew wheat and hops, ran a steamboat line and experimented with grapevines.
He wrote a book on winemaking and was corresponding for a newspaper in San
Francisco. He suffered losses and setbacks – yet he never gave up. Much of the
great California wine I hope you’ll try in the course of our month-long
celebration comes from the vineyards he established.
An ambitious and impatient
visionary, he was, some say, a typical Magyar. Yet, the Haraszthy story is the
American story, which goes much further than the story of one successful
entrepreneur. The first Hungarian on record to settle in the United States,
Colonel Haraszthy laid the foundation of the strong and enduring cultural
heritage shared by our two nations. Many more – thousands! – of settlers from
Hungary who arrived later in the United States discovered the land of
opportunity for their energy, talents and skills. They made our nation stronger
and more prosperous along the way.
We have a lot to celebrate together. Just recently
we commemorated the 90th anniversary of our formal diplomatic relations. Today,
with the opening of the “Red and White” exhibition, we kick-off the Hungarian
part of the “Haraszthy200” Festival. I know that this celebration throughout
the month of October will emphasize the finest parts of our mutual cultural
heritage through art, music and, of course, wine. I sincerely thank the
organizers of this very important event and wish the Festival much success.
Timothy
A. Betts, Chief of Mission of the Embassy of the U.S.
Opening remarks at the exhibition, Red & White, organized under the auspices of the Haraszthy200 Festival, B55 Contemporary Art Gallery, Budapest, October 4, 2012.
