[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 2]
[Senate]
[Page 1874]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           RELATIVE TO THE DEATH OF REPRESENTATIVE TOM LANTOS

  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
now proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 446 submitted 
earlier today by Senators Reid and McConnell.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 446) relative to the death of 
     Representative Tom Lantos of California.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. DURBIN. I ask unanimous consent to have my name added as a 
cosponsor of the resolution.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, it was a great honor to serve in the U.S. 
House of Representatives before coming to the Senate and, during that 
time, to serve with Tom Lantos of California. His was an extraordinary 
story of a man who survived the Holocaust and came to the U.S. Congress 
representing a district in the State of California, rising to the rank 
of chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee.
  He was as inspiring a speaker as one could ever hear on many topics 
but especially on the Holocaust and the impact it had on so many 
innocent people. He was, more than any other person, a leader in 
acknowledging the bravery and courage of Raoul Wallenberg and so many 
others who resisted the Holocaust and fought to save the poor victims, 
including many Jewish people.
  Tom Lantos and his wife Annette traveled across the world, speaking 
on behalf of the United States and developing strong personal 
relationships with many leaders overseas. He was truly a great 
representative of the U.S. House of Representatives and of the U.S. 
Government.
  A few weeks ago, we were surprised to learn that he was suffering 
from cancer and announced he would not be running for reelection. I 
didn't realize at the time how grave his condition was. His passing 
over the weekend brings a reminder of his service to our country, his 
service to the State of California, and the loss which those of us who 
counted him as a friend will endure in these days of mourning.
  I am happy to join as a cosponsor of this resolution in tribute to 
Congressman Lantos.
  I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the motion 
to reconsider be laid upon the table with no intervening action or 
debate, and that any statements relating to the measure be printed in 
the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 446) was agreed to, as follows:

                              S. Res. 446

       Resolved, That the Senate has heard with profound sorrow 
     and deep regret the announcement of the death of the 
     Honorable Tom Lantos, late a Representative from the State of 
     California.
       Resolved, That the Secretary communicate these resolutions 
     to the House of Representatives and transmit an enrolled copy 
     thereof to the family of the deceased.
       Resolved, That when the Senate adjourns or recesses today, 
     it stand adjourned or recessed as a further mark of respect 
     to the memory of the deceased Representative.

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