During the Nazi occupation of his homeland [Hungary], he twice escaped from a forced labor camp in Szob, north of the capital. The second time, he found safety in a Budapest apartment rented by Swedish diplomat Raoul Wallenberg.
Donning a military cadet uniform, Lantos used his Aryan appearance -- light hair and blue eyes -- to deliver food and other supplies to Jews in other safe houses Wallenberg had rented.
In November 2007, Lantos sharply rebuked executives of Yahoo Inc., the Internet company, for complying with Beijing authorities in identifying a Chinese journalist and Yahoo account holder. The journalist, whose pro-democracy efforts were considered subversive, received a 10-year prison term.
“While technologically and financially you are giants, morally you are pygmies,” Lantos told the Yahoo officials.
I worked at a video store on Capital Hill in the early 90s. Lantos and his wife would often come in to rent movies. He was a very charming and friendly person.
Tom Lantos is an American success story. He lead an incredible life. In a time of division between Republicans and Democrats he worked to bridge that divide. He had an incredible set of principles that he never compromised on. He will be sorely missed.
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