[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 24 (Wednesday, February 13, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E184]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E184]]
EXPRESSING THE CONDOLENCES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ON THE DEATH 
     OF THE HONORABLE TOM LANTOS, A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE STATE OF 
                               CALIFORNIA

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. DIANA DeGETTE

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 12, 2008

  Ms. DeGETTE. Madam Speaker, Representative Tom Lantos (D-CA) was the 
personification of America at her best. During his nearly 28 years in 
office, Tom was a champion for human rights and social justice around 
the world. As Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and co-
founder of the Congressional Human Rights Caucus, Tom was dedicated to 
securing the freedom and liberty he treasured for all people.
  Born in Budapest, Hungary, Tom was a member of the anti-Nazi 
resistance movement and escaped Nazi labor camps twice. The war took 
most of his family and with the help of a brave Hungarian diplomat, he 
and his wife, Annette, arrived in America penniless with little aside 
from painful memories of the war, and an unparalleled determination to 
prevent the repetition of the atrocities he had seen.
  After winning election to the House in 1980, Tom quickly showed 
himself to he an undisputed authority on foreign policy. His eloquence 
and passion made him a natural leader as he forged alliances where no 
one else could. In accord with his commitment to human rights, he was 
one of the first to sound the alarm on the ethnic killings in Dafur. 
And he was one of five members of Congress arrested for protesting 
outside the Sudanese Embassy.
  Representative Tom Lantos is survived by his wife of nearly 58 years, 
their two daughters and 18 grandchildren. His daughter Annette and her 
beautiful family are constituents of mine as well as personal friends. 
My condolences go out to her, Tom's other daughter Katrina and his 
beautiful wife, Annette. Tom Lantos will he remembered for his courage, 
inspiration and compassion. Tom, we all loved and respected you. We 
will continue your ceaseless fight to keep America true to her 
conscience.

                          ____________________