Congressman Lantos' forced retirement is a big loss to Congress.
His contribution to the cause of human rights, as inspired by his savior - Raoul Wallenberg - was remarkable.
So was his unique background. Holocaust survivor who fought against the Nazis in WWII.
Lantos never forgot his debt to Wallenberg and kept alive the legacy of the Swedish hero who disappeared 63 years ago, after he'd been abducted by the Soviet military forces stationed in Budapest in the wake of the war.
Lantos has actively endorsed our Foundation's worldwide campaign - "100,000 names for 100,000 lives", which demands from the Russian authorities credible answers in regards to the fate of Raoul Wallenberg.
Rep. Lantos departure from the political arena will be certainly felt.
We, his friends at the International Raoul Wallenberg Foundation, will relentlessly continue propagating the values of solidarity and civil courage instilled by Wallenberg and wish Mr Lantos a prompt recovery.
Perla Graisman
The International Raoul Wallenberg Foundation (IRWF)
New York