Lantos Was a Lion in Town Full of Sheep (Rep. Gary Ackerman)

I want to first express my condolences and sympathy to Tom’s beloved wife Annette, his daughters Annette and Katrina, and to his many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Their loss is the most severe and my thoughts are with them.

As a man who saw and survived the unimaginable horrors of the Holocaust, Tom embraced life. He had seen death and he embraced life. He lived fully and knew that family is the only treasure worth having.

As an immigrant, and an American by choice, Tom loved this country intensely, with a fervor that never waned, and was exceeded only by his love for Annette. He knew exactly how lucky every one of us is to be an American; to live in this great nation and to pledge allegiance to its flag. Tom will be remembered by his colleagues and by history as a mighty champion, the conscience of the Congress on the surpassing importance of human rights, and the inherent dignity of all people.

Tom was tough. He was passionate and he was dignified. He was a lion in a town too full of sheep. The nation and the Congress have lost a great public servant today.