Lögberg-Heimskringla - 22.05.1992, Blaðsíða 4

4 • Lögberg-Heimskringla • Föstudagur 22. maí 1992
lceland needs all of its sons and daudhters
An address given by Jón Sig Guðmundsson,
guest speaker at the Vorblót
held in Arborg; Manitoba, May 2nd.
I will not even try to describe how
much pleasure it gives my wife Sesselja
and myself to be here with you in New
Iceland. We have travelled extensively
in Eastem Canada, but this is our first
visit to Manitoba.
The people who established the Ice-
landic National League in Winnipeg on
March 25, 1919, deserve our everlast-
ing gratitude. Their foresightedness and
dedication to preserve the Icelandic
heritage in North America can never be
fully appreciated.
Until last October, I knew little about
the League. At that time I had the privi-
lege to meet your president, Evelyn
Thorvaldson, along with other mem-
bers in Washington, D.C.
I still do not know enough about the
League, its past accomplishments and
potential. However, after listening to
Evelyn and the others, I came to the
conclusion that the Icelandic National
League is the only instrument that we
have to bring unity to the Icelandic
communities in North America.
Evelyn asked me to talk on “What
you think of the INL”. I will be glad to
do just that, but before I go on let me say
thatmythoughts,ideasandrecommen-
dations are mine alone, and have not
been discussed with your officers or
directors.
The bonds may be slipping
There are indications that the bonds
binding relations across the Atlantic
may be slipping. This is to be expected
as the years pass. Renewing and
strengthening the bonds is necessary
for the benefit of Iceland and Westem
Icelanders. In comparison to other eth-
nic groups that settled in North America,
Icelanders are few and widely spread
throughout this vast continent. The core
of our being is right here in New Ice-
land, and we need you through the
League to spearhead unity among all of
the Icelandic communities in North
America. Without unity the bonds
across the Atlantic cannot be strength-
ened.
In addition to the stated INL func-
tions of preserving Icelandic culture,
literature, language and kinship, we
need to add business, finance, technol-
ogy and specialized knowledge to al-
low for the changes that have taken
place since 1919. Today Iceland is very
important to North America and to
Europe. The possibilities for Iceland
becoming an associate member to the
North American FreeTrade Agreement
are under study. Likewise, through
EFTA, expanded E.C. association is
more than likely. If this comes about,
Iceland will be the only country with
access to both of the world’s largest
trading blocks. You might also want to
remember that Japan is just on the other
side of the pole.
Industrial Europe is under pressure
to clean its air and reexamine its power
sources. In that connection, Iceland
has been considered as a source for
Hydro-generated electric power. Physi-
cally, the power can be transmitted by
cable laid on the ocean floor from Ice-
land to the Shetland Islands for distri-
bution to the British Islands and possi-
bly Norway.
I strongly believe that Westem Ice-
landers should think carefully about all
of the changes that are taking place, as
well as those about to or are likely to
happen. Iceland needs all of its sons
and daughters, wherever they are lo-
cated, and it does not matter whether a
person’s sumame sounds Icelandic or
not. It is what is behind the name that
counts.
Western lcelanders should be
included
The govemment of Iceland main-
tains two registries. The first, “Kennital”,
or personal code, gives a number to all
people living in Iceland. The second,
“Utangarðsskrá”, might translate to
“outside the border code”. In this code
are listed Icelanders and descendants
living abroad. ITie Icelandic National
League should work toward having this
registiy expanded, to include those
Westem Icelanders who want to be
included, and if accepted for listing,
such persons should enjoy all of the
same privileges granted to citizens of
the other Scandinavian countries, or
possibly more with a mother country,
forming closer bonds with her children,
grandchildren or great-grandchildren.
Times have changed since your fore-
fathers moved to North America, and I
am convinced that those of you willing
to strengthen your bonds to Iceland are
not going to regret it. Icelanders who
settled overseas were not pressured into
doing so due to religious persecution,
political injustices, wars or other man-
made tribulations. However, nature
sometimes plays harshly with people
and I do not know of any country on
earth that can withstand its fury should
she decide to make a move.
The INL will control our future
What do I think of the INL? I think
it is the organization that will control
our future. The decision will be made
through INL actions whether we fall
into the North American mixer or
whether we remain North Americans
of Icelandic descent with a proud herit-
age and history to fall back on. For the
INL to take charge there will be changes
to be made. For example, the chapter
system has to be changed and vigor-
ously pursued. There are 30 Icelandic
Consuls in North America, and I feel
certain that they would assist the INL
in becoming the umbrella organization
for all Icelandic clubs and individuals
Jón Sig Guömundsson with his wife Sesseija.
in North America.
In the North Atlantic, there is an
island that has, for its size, contributed
more to the world than any other coun-
try. Through its people a parliamentary
government was established that
broughtfreedom to more people around
the world than any other system of
govemment. It gave Northern Europe
its sense of history. It gave North
America its first non-native settlement
and its language is a treasure that must
be protected and preserved. There is no
wonder that we pay homage to this
magic island in the North Atlantic where
our forefathers lived and showed the
fortitude to protect their creations by
naming their country Iceland.
Thank you for allowing us to be with
you.
Jón Sig Guömundsson is the Honourary
Consul of lceland in Kentucky; President
of The lcelandic American Chamber of
Commerce; and Trustee of The American
Scandinavian Foundation.
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