CONGRESSMAN TOM LANTOS PASSED AWAY AT THE AGE OF 80
armradio.am
12.02.2008 10:26
The Armenian Assembly of America mourns the loss of Congressman Tom
Lantos (D-CA), a champion of human rights and the only Holocaust
survivor to ever serve in the U.S. Congress. Lantos passed away early
this morning at the age of 80.
First elected in 1980, Lantos served as Chairman of the House
Committee on Foreign Affairs and sat on the Committee on Oversight
and Government Reform.
In addition to Chairing the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Lantos
co-founded and co-chaired the Congressional Human Rights Caucus,
which helped raise awareness of critical issues around the world and
became a catalyst for bringing Members of Congress together. After
announcing that he had been diagnosed with cancer of the esophagus,
Lantos said that he would not seek reelection after concluding his
14th term in Congress.
As Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Lantos supported
adoption of H. Res. 106, which affirms the historical truth of the
Armenian Genocide.
This resolution passed the House Foreign Affairs Committee by a vote
of 27 to 21. Lantos also supported an identical measure during the
109th Congress having reversed his previous opposition to a similar
resolution in 2000.
In addition to his support of H.Res. 106, Lantos also spoke out
against the genocide taking place in Darfur. In April of 2006, Lantos
was arrested at the Sudanese Embassy while protesting against the
genocide in Darfur along with Representatives Jim McGovern (D-MA),
John Olver (D-MA), Jim Moran (D-VA), and Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX).
"Throughout his career, Congressman Lantos demonstrated great courage
and conviction as he worked tirelessly to address countless human
rights issues," said Executive Director Bryan Ardouny. "We join with
Armenian Americans from across the country in morning his passing and
hope that his important work in defense of human rights will continue
to inspire future generations."
armradio.am
12.02.2008 10:26
The Armenian Assembly of America mourns the loss of Congressman Tom
Lantos (D-CA), a champion of human rights and the only Holocaust
survivor to ever serve in the U.S. Congress. Lantos passed away early
this morning at the age of 80.
First elected in 1980, Lantos served as Chairman of the House
Committee on Foreign Affairs and sat on the Committee on Oversight
and Government Reform.
In addition to Chairing the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Lantos
co-founded and co-chaired the Congressional Human Rights Caucus,
which helped raise awareness of critical issues around the world and
became a catalyst for bringing Members of Congress together. After
announcing that he had been diagnosed with cancer of the esophagus,
Lantos said that he would not seek reelection after concluding his
14th term in Congress.
As Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Lantos supported
adoption of H. Res. 106, which affirms the historical truth of the
Armenian Genocide.
This resolution passed the House Foreign Affairs Committee by a vote
of 27 to 21. Lantos also supported an identical measure during the
109th Congress having reversed his previous opposition to a similar
resolution in 2000.
In addition to his support of H.Res. 106, Lantos also spoke out
against the genocide taking place in Darfur. In April of 2006, Lantos
was arrested at the Sudanese Embassy while protesting against the
genocide in Darfur along with Representatives Jim McGovern (D-MA),
John Olver (D-MA), Jim Moran (D-VA), and Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX).
"Throughout his career, Congressman Lantos demonstrated great courage
and conviction as he worked tirelessly to address countless human
rights issues," said Executive Director Bryan Ardouny. "We join with
Armenian Americans from across the country in morning his passing and
hope that his important work in defense of human rights will continue
to inspire future generations."