Tom Lantos was a champion of human rights.
It is fair to say that he was deeply influenced by Raoul Wallenberg, the Swedish diplomat who saved him from the Nazis, among other 100,000 Hungarian Jews.
Rep. Lantos never missed an opportunity to fight for human rights, and to instill into the younger generations the lessons of the Holocaust, while stressing the wonderful stories of the saviors.
He was a distinguished member of the International Raoul Wallenberg Foundation. As such, he has not only helped us in our educational programs, but was also instrumental in our struggle to find answers about the fate and whereabouts of Raoul Wallenberg, who disappearead 63 years ago.
We shall miss Tom Lantos dearly. Although he was 80 years old, his death was untimely. He had many more causes to fight for. We shall try to keep his legacy alive.
Prof. Jaime Krejner
The International Raoul Wallenberg Foundation
February 11, 2008
