02/11/2008

Refugees International mourns the death of Congressman Tom Lantos, (D-CA). Rep. Lantos rose through the ranks of the Congress to become Chairman of the House Foreign Relations committee, a testament to the deep respect and admiration he earned from his colleagues. Chairman Lantos was the only Holocaust survivor to serve in the US Congress, and his prominent career in the House should inspire Americans of all backgrounds. Chairman Lantos’s own experience fleeing the Nazis in World War II gave him a unique perspective on the plight of the world’s oppressed and displaced, and he utilized his position in the Congress to serve as a leader on global humanitarian issues. As a refugee, he was a strong advocate for greater protections for displaced people. Rep. Lantos founded and chaired the Congressional Human Rights Caucus for 20 years, and was a powerful voice in Congress for humanitarian causes across the globe. Refugees International is grateful for Chairman Lantos’s service and expresses condolences to Mr. Lantos’s family – including his wife Annette, and his children and grandchildren.

Read more about Rep. Lantos' inspiring work