Tom Lantos Dies

This afternoon, I am scheduled to speak to about 20 Lantos Humanity in Action Fellows about US foreign policy, the campaigns and blogging -- and I've just learned the sad news that House Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Tom Lantos (D-CA) has just passed away today.

Lantos was a tireless advocate for human rights and was the only Holocaust survivor serving in the US Congress.

I had recently met with him a few times and saw him moving increasingly in support of a serious US role in Israel-Palestine negotiations. In the past, his support of Israel seemed to preclude a balanced approach to both sides in any negotiation -- but recently, in a number of forums and in discussions with me and others -- he said that the human crises building in Palestine and among Palestinians inside Israel called out for a different approach.

Lantos was also an advocate of much more vigorous diplomacy in the Middle East writ large than he is given credit for -- particularly with Iran.

-- Steve Clemons publishes the popular political blog, The Washington Note

Comments

[darker]

RIP to a good guy with a Hungarian accent!
I hope somebody just as great can replace Lantos.

[Zentomato]

Rest in peace Tom Lantos. You endured so much yet you never gave up.

[starboymikey]

Unfortunately he voted for the Iraq war.
__________________________________________

As did the overwhelming majority of our reps at the start.

Lantos was a good, decent man who championed the oppressed. Like anyone human, he made his share of mistakes, but so have we all.

[FreeTruman]

Unfortunately he voted for the Iraq war.

[chrisfromky]

RIP Mr. Lantos I watched him give many a speech on the floor and in committee via C-Span and always admired him for standing up for the little guy and oppressed. We can hardly afford to lose such great men. Hopefully more step forward and are heard to replace such great people.

[ShockedSHOCKED]

There are several members of Congress whose loss would improve things. However, Mr. Lantos will be missed at a time that needs his influence and experience(s). RIP, Mr. Representative.