[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 25 (Thursday, February 14, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E205]
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. HEATH SHULER

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 12, 2008

  Mr. SHULER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life of a 
great friend and statesman, Congressman Tom Lantos. My prayers are with 
his family and friends during this time of mourning.
  Upon my arrival to Congress, Representative Lantos personally invited 
me to his office to welcome me to this body. I appreciated his kind 
words and encouragement as I started my work here. Since that time 
Congressman Lantos has been a wonderful friend of mine and will forever 
be a source of great inspiration in my professional and personal life.
  Congressman Lantos' early life experiences as a Holocaust survivor 
and as part of the resistance movement against the Nazis shaped his 
future work as a husband, father, academic, and public servant. At the 
young age of 16, Mr. Lantos and his family were forced into facist 
forced labor camps. After escaping twice, Mr. Lantos sought refuge in a 
Jewish safe house in Budapest run by humanitarian Raoul Wallenberg. 
After the war ended, he returned to the capital of Budapest in search 
of his family, only to discover that they had all perished at Auschwitz 
and other death camps. He reconnected with a childhood friend, Annette, 
to whom he was married for almost 58 years.
  Congressman Lantos has been a champion for human rights, social 
justice, and civil liberties during his 28 years in Congress. 
Congressman Lantos' dedication to serving his constituents and this 
Nation will not be forgotten. His life will be remembered as one of 
courage, selflessness, and tireless dedication to his principles.
  My thoughts and prayers go out Congressman Lantos' wife Annette, his 
two children, eighteen grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. I 
ask my colleagues to join me in solemn remembrance of this great public 
servant.

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