REP. TOM LANTOS OF CALIFORNIA DIES AT 80

Tom Lantos, the only Holocaust survivor to serve in Congress, is dead at 80. There were things he may have done or did that I disagree with, but he was definitely right to criticize Europe for anti-Gitmo leanings, and I'm proud of him for lobbying outside the Sudanese embassy in protest of the slavery and murder that they've been committing.

Here's a press release from the JCPA:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Rabinowitz/Dorf
Communications
February 11, 2008
(202) 265-3000

JCPA MOURNS THE PASSING OF CONGRESSMAN TOM LANTOS

NEW YORK – The Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA) mourns the passing of Congressman Tom Lantos (D-CA) resulting from his battle with esophageal cancer.

Rabbi Steve Gutow, executive director for JCPA issued the following statement:

“For years people have looked to Congressman Tom Lantos as the conscience of the United States Congress. Chairman Lantos was a leader on so many issues of concern to the Jewish community such as anti-Semitism, the Holocaust and Israel. He rose from the ashes of the Holocaust to the hallowed halls of Congress. Lantos fought the Nazis during WWII as part of a Hungarian resistance movement, and later blazed a trail in the United States Congress fighting for education, health care, human rights, and Israel. He also spoke out strongly against the genocide in Darfur. He was a friend to JCPA, and he will be greatly missed. Our deepest sympathies go out to his daughters, his grandchildren, and his wife Annette.”

###

The Jewish Council for Public Affairs is the community relations arm of the organized Jewish community.

And here's another one from Hadassah:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE PRESS CONTACT: Alix Fried (202) 265-3000

HADASSAH MOURNS THE DEATH OF CONGRESSMAN TOM LANTOS

(NEW YORK, NY – February 11, 2008) – Hadassah, the Women’s Zionist Organization of America, mourns the loss of Congressman Tom Lantos (D-CA) following his battle with esophageal cancer.

Hadassah’s National President, Nancy Falchuk, issued the following statement:

“Hadassah is deeply saddened by Congressman Tom Lantos’ passing. A champion of both Jewish and secular issues throughout his three decades of congressional service, Congressman Lantos leaves a strong legacy of devotion to his country and his heritage.

“Congressman Lantos is the first and only Holocaust survivor to be elected into Congress. He was a man of strength, who not only survived the Nazi regime but fought against them in Hungary’s anti-Nazi resistance movement. After enduring the horrors of the Holocaust to be elected to an esteemed seat of Congress, Congressman Lantos became a staunch advocate of the environment, health-care, Israel and human rights issues in countries world-wide. Hadassah has long admired the work and support the Congressman provided to the issues he so believed in.

“Today, our thoughts and sympathies are with his wife, Annette, his children and grandchildren, and the residences of the state of California.”

# # # #

Founded in 1912, Hadassah, the Women’s Zionist Organization of America, is the largest women’s, largest Zionist, and largest Jewish membership organization in the United States. In Israel, it supports pacesetting medical care and research, education and youth programs, and reforestation and parks projects. In the US, Hadassah promotes health education, social action and advocacy, Jewish education, volunteerism and leadership skills, Young Judaea and connections with Israel. For complete information about Hadassah, visit www.hadassah.org

More at Michelle Malkin and Freedom's Lighthouse.