Thomas Peter Lantos, born Tamás Péter Lantos on February 1, 1928, was a Hungarian-born American politician who served as a U.S. representative from California for nearly three decades, from 1981 until his passing on February 11, 2008.
A dedicated member of the Democratic Party, Lantos represented California's 11th congressional district from 1981 to 1993, and subsequently the 12th congressional district, which encompassed the northern two-thirds of San Mateo County and a portion of southwestern San Francisco following redistricting.
Throughout his tenure, Lantos served as Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee in his final term, and in early January 2008, he announced his decision not to seek re-election due to his diagnosis with esophageal cancer. Despite his illness, Lantos remained committed to his work until his untimely passing.
As a Hungarian Jew, Lantos was the only Holocaust survivor to have served in the United States Congress. His remarkable survival story was made possible by the efforts of Raoul Wallenberg, who helped him escape the genocide.
In the aftermath of his passing, Speaker Nancy Pelosi honored Lantos's legacy, stating that he "devoted his public life to shining a bright light on the dark corners of oppression" and "used his powerful voice to stir the consciousness of world leaders and the public alike."
U2 lead singer Bono eulogized Lantos as a "prizefighter" whose unwavering dedication to human rights and common decency inspired him to "go any amount of rounds, with anyone, anywhere."
In recognition of his tireless advocacy, the Congressional Human Rights Caucus, which Lantos founded in 1983, was renamed the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission in 2008. The commission continues to promote, defend, and advocate for internationally recognized human rights.
In his final weeks, Lantos expressed a desire to establish a non-profit organization to carry on his life's work. The Lantos Foundation for Human Rights & Justice was subsequently founded to fulfill this wish.
In 2011, the Tom Lantos Institute was established in Budapest to promote tolerance and support minority issues in Central Europe and Eastern Europe, as well as globally.
