[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 23 (Tuesday, February 12, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S915]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   REMEMBERING CONGRESSMAN TOM LANTOS

  Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, California and the entire Nation lost a 
remarkable leader yesterday with the passing of my friend, Congressman 
Tom Lantos.
  From his leadership as chairman of the House Committee on Foreign 
Affairs to his founding of the Congressional Human Rights Caucus, 
Congressman Lantos went about his work with a dignity and a seriousness 
that transcended politics. In a time of bitter divisions, he earned the 
respect of colleagues from both sides of the aisle.
  As a survivor of the Holocaust, Congressman Lantos brought to 
Congress a profound personal commitment to human rights. We will 
remember not only his courage and his optimism, but also his deep 
affection for his adopted country. He leaves behind a legacy of hope 
and inspiration.
  On a personal level, it was an honor to call Tom a colleague and a 
friend. I was proud to work with him on so many important issues.
  I remember working with him to secure funding to build a tunnel to 
bypass a section of Route 1 that was so frequently closed by landslides 
that it was known as ``Devil's Slide.'' It took years, but they broke 
ground on the tunnel in November. And it is a fitting tribute to the 
passion with which he served his constituents that there is a bill 
before the State senate to name that tunnel in his honor.
  Congressman Lantos was a true statesman, and we will miss him. My 
heart goes out to his family during this time of grief. They are in our 
thoughts and in our prayers.

                          ____________________