[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 25 (Thursday, February 14, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E202]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




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. NICK J. RAHALL II

                            of west virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 12, 2008

  Mr. RAHALL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to offer my deepest 
condolences on the passing of Congressman Tom Lantos, Chairman of the 
House Foreign Affairs Committee and my respected colleague from 
California.
  As news spread on Monday of Chairman Lantos' passing at age 80 due to 
complications from cancer, a great sadness resonated throughout the 
House of Representatives and all of Washington. This House, the Nation, 
and especially the people of California have lost a great champion for 
human rights, a very personal cause of Representative Lantos. He was 
the only Holocaust survivor to ever be elected to Congress and his own 
experiences enlightened his service and enriched his service in this 
body.
  Throughout his 14 terms in the House of Representatives, 
Representative Lantos conducted himself with dignity, grace, and a 
passion for human rights. As co-chairman and founder of the 
Congressional Human Rights Caucus, a group that highlights human rights 
violations worldwide, he was able to provide a platform and a voice for 
persecuted peoples around the globe.
  My thoughts and prayers go out to Representative Lantos' wife 
Annette, their two daughters, their 18 grandchildren, and two great-
grandchildren in their time of mourning. It was an honor and a 
privilege to serve with Tom Lantos these last 28 years in the House of 
Representatives. I know that he will be remembered in the hearts of his 
family and friends for all the love and support he has given to them 
and so many others throughout the years.

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