Washington, D.C. – February 11, 2008 – With great sorrow, the United Macedonian Diaspora (UMD) learned that Congressman Tom Lantos passed away this morning. On behalf of its members across the United States of America, UMD expresses condolences to the Lantos family and mourns the passing of this great American.
Congressman Lantos was the Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and served in the House of Representatives since 1980. He was the only Holocaust survivor to serve in the United States Congress, was a champion for the cause of civil and human rights, and was one of the co-founders of the Congressional Human Rights Caucus.
His story is an example to all Americans of the great opportunity afforded to all in the United States of America; on January 2, 2007, Congressman Lantos announced that he would not seek reelection and said “It is only in the United States that a penniless survivor of the Holocaust and a fighter in the anti-Nazi underground could have received an education, raised a family, and had the privilege of serving the last three decades of his life as a Member of Congress. I will never be able to express fully my profoundly felt gratitude to this great country.” Congressman Lantos also recently complimented the Republic of Macedonia on its efforts to construct the first Holocaust Memorial Center in the Macedonian capital of Skopje, the first such center in the Balkans, and was a strong advocate for peace and stability in the Balkans.
Once again, UMD extends its sympathies to the Lantos family and calls upon of its members in the United States of America to remember and honor this great American.
United Macedonian Diaspora (UMD), founded in 2004, is a global non-governmental organization addressing the interests and needs of Macedonians and Macedonian communities throughout the world. UMD works to foster unity among Macedonian people, and advance their cause to promote Macedonian historical, spiritual and cultural heritage while advancing the Macedonian tradition within the framework of various advocacy, educational, and charitable programs. For more information visit https://www.umdiaspora.org
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