Ambassador John Bruton's Statement on the Passing of Congressman Tom Lantos

Ambassador John Bruton of the European Commission Delegation to the United States issued the following statement today upon the death of Congressman Tom Lantos:

"It was with immense sadness that I learned this morning of the death of Congressman Tom Lantos, Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee of the House of Representatives.

"Tom Lantos combined the courtliness and sophistication of his native Hungary with a deep pride in being an American. The story of the flight of Tom Lantos and his wife from the cruel exterminatory policies of the Nazis is one of the dramas of the 20th century.

"He recovered from these hardships to build an immensely successful career in the United States. He epitomized the openmindedness of his beloved California.

"Europeans everywhere owe him a great debt for his persistent opposition to oppression and for his contribution to the ultimate overthrow of Communism. Notwithstanding the harrowing experiences of his early life in Europe, he retained a deep affection for, and interest in, the welfare of the entire continent, most particularly Hungary."

EU NewsBrief is an electronic publication issued regularly by the Delegation of the European Commission to the United States. To receive updates on specific issue areas, click on this link.