Expressing the Condolences of the House of Representatives on the Death of the Honorable Tom Lantos, a Representative of the State of California

Floor Speech

EXPRESSING THE CONDOLENCES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ON THE DEATH OF THE HONORABLE TOM LANTOS, A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA -- (House of Representatives - February 12, 2008)

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Ms. LINDA T. SÁNCHEZ of California. Madam Speaker, I come to say good-bye to a beloved colleague and friend.

The sudden news of Chairman Tom Lantos' passing has left those who had the privilege to know him without adequate words to express our grief.

My thoughts and prayers go out to his caring wife Annette and to his family. I wish them strength and clarity during this difficult time.

Tom's life and accomplishments reached far beyond his contributions as a legislator.

Many words have been written about Tom's experiences as a youth in Nazi occupied Europe. But none of us will ever be able to speak here with the same level of experience and understanding that he had when referring to genocide, suffering, the suppression of human rights, and the denial of human dignity.

Tom carried a personal sense of responsibility to fight for those who cannot always speak for themselves: the underprivileged, the subjugated, the oppressed. It was evident in his words and actions, in every piece of legislation he crafted, and in every hand he warmly shook.

His convictions were never more evident than in his work to establish the Congressional Human Rights Caucus. He founded the Caucus to focus attention on human rights abuses around the world. Not only did he work to raise awareness and increase the scrutiny of abusive practices around the globe, he worked to stop heinous acts against our fellow women and men and to bring peaceful solutions to the conflicts that led to such atrocities.

His unwavering optimism and prudent leadership will be missed.

My words cannot satisfactorily articulate the loss that his death brings to me, the House of Representatives, and to the Nation he loved and served.

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