Congressman Lantos’ recent announcement is regrettable. He’s a unique figure. Former anti-Nazi Underground member. The only Holocaust survivor in the US Congress. He was one of the tens of thousands of Hungarian Jews saved by Raoul Wallenberg, the Swedish diplomat who ended up abducted by the Soviet forces, in the wake of WWII.
Lantos was consistent in keeping and divulging Wallenberg’s legacy, promoting the bill that granted the latter with honorary US citizenship. Recently, Lantos actively endorsed our Foundation’s worldwide campaign – ”100,000 names for 100,000 lives” in which we demand from the Russian administration to provide clear and provable answers about the fate of Wallenberg. Lantos is a staunch supporter of human rights. He will be missed by all those who cherish the most sacred values of solidarity.
We, at the International Raoul Wallenberg Foundation (IRWF) pray for his prompt and safe recovery.
Perla Graisman
The International Raoul Wallenberg Foundation
New York
January 10, 2008
