“As my colleagues and I honor the memory of Congressman Tom Lantos, we are reminded that he has provided the best summation of his own life and legacy. He described himself as ‘a penniless survivor of the Holocaust and a fighter in the anti-Nazi underground.’ He considered it a privilege to serve almost three decades in Congress as a fighter for the rights and dignity of humankind.

“One of his first and most lasting achievements was to establish the Congressional Human Rights Caucus. For 24 years he was the conscience of the Congress, speaking out on human rights issues from China to Armenia to Darfur. While his voice is stilled by cancer; his legacy lives on.

“I extend my sincere condolences to Tom’s wife Annette, their children and grandchildren.  I will continue to keep them along with the Lantos’ staff in my prayers.”