Mother and Daughter Team Share Insights on 1956 Hungarian Revolution at Clayton State University Program

Presentation and Exhibit highlight the historical significance of event to freedom and democracy worldwide

Morrow, Ga – October 23, 2008 – Lauer Learning Founder and CEO Andrea Lauer-Rice and Edith Lauer, chair emeritus of the Hungarian American Coalition, were the speakers at a recent program on the 1956 Hungarian Revolution. The Clayton State University Office of International Programs and the Clayton State University History Society sponsored the event in connection with the opening of a special Clayton State Library photo exhibit on the Revolution.

John E. Parkerson, Jr., director of the Office of International Programs and the Honorary Consul of Hungary, representing the Republic of Hungary in Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, and South Carolina, hosted the event. He said the program and exhibit demonstrate the “seminal moment in history when the Hungarian forces of freedom and democracy, many of them university students, rallied Budapest and other cities around Hungary in an attempt to replace the repressive Soviet-sponsored Communist government”.

“These two speakers have incredibly compelling stories to relate,” said Parkerson. “The 1956 Hungarian Revolution, in many ways, was an early indicator of the events that were to rock the world in the late 1980s and early 1990s as the old Soviet block and its client states in central and eastern Europe disintegrated under the failed Communist experiment. “

The program corresponded with the opening of a special Clayton State Library multimedia exhibit on the Hungarian Revolution which showcases artifacts and materials from 1956. The materials were donated from the personal collection of Lauer Rice, a Hungarian American expert instrumental in developing a number of educational products which were unveiled in celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Hungarian Revolution of 1956. These products capture the rich cultural and historical details of these important times and can be found on http://www.lauerlearning.com/product_preview/index.html

Edith Lauer, who escaped Hungary in 1956 following the crushed Revolution, described her first-hand experiences from the uprising. More stories like hers can be found on http://www.freedomfighter56.com/en_stories_1active.html .

Lauer-Rice told the audience that it was an honor “to share our experiences around the1956 Hungarian Revolution.”

“We are particularly excited to be a part of the Clayton State University Library program and exhibit because it gives us the opportunity to expose the students to the history and national significance of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution. For many of these young people this is the first time they have heard the fascinating details of this event and the bravery of the hundreds of Hungarian Americans who fled the after the Revolution,” she said.

“My mother’s story and the stories of many Hungarian-Americans who have first-hand experience of this historical time are important and should be kept alive for future generations”, said Lauer Rice. “Being brought up with direct knowledge and awareness of my own cultural connection to Hungary is the spark that influenced my creation of Lauer Learning and my work on our Pass it On program of ethnic preservation.”

Edith Lauer is chair emeritus of the Hungarian-American Coalition (http://www.hacusa.org), and an influential Hungarian-American advocacy group based in Washington. For an excerpt from her personal 1956 story, go to http://www.freedomfighter56.com.

Andrea Lauer Rice is a second-generation Hungarian-American and the founder and CEO of Lauer Learning, which is headquartered in Roswell, GA. An excerpt from Andrea’s story can be found at http://www.freedomfighter56.com.