The Congressional Record for the Foundation

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A Tribute to Tom Lantos

July 15, 2008

Hon. Joe Wilson of South Carolina in the House of REPRESENTATIVES

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, poet and capitol tour guide Albert C. Caswell has penned a number of heartfelt tributes and recently, he wrote a piece dedicated to Representative Tom Lantos, our friend and colleague, who passed away on February 11, 2008. I was honored to travel with Congressman Lantos and his wife Annette in their native Hungary as a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee and as a Washington neighbor.

FROM OUT OF THE DARKNESS

(By Albert Carey Caswell)

From out of the darkness, as so comes the light!

From out of such evil, as so comes the good into that night . . . as ever there burning bright . . .

From out of a child, who has so witnessed such injustice . . . can so come the battle, can so come the fight!

To witness such darkness, to face such an early dark death!

To carry such horrors, so deep down in ones chest . . . as Satan’s warriors aggress . . .

To stand up and fight, to become such a true champion of right . . . as this our world you so bless!

To forge victory, from all of your most noble deeds . . . to have the battle won . . .

To leave your homeland, for but a bright new shining future . . . that you have begun . . .

To witness within your soul, the cost of victory you behold . . . ever ready to fight, for a new day’s dawn . . .

To be a crusader for all which is good, for those most noblest of causes. Tom you so would . . .

To fight off the darkness and evil hatred with all your might . . . to bring the light with all that you could!

To be a true champion among men, as is this fine son . . . who has so brought such hope and such good . . .

For the life of Thomas Lantos, is but a magnificent battle as won!

As this great warrior has so endeavored, to fight the good fight . . . when and wherever hatred’s begun!

Who as a child, witnessed evil’s contempt ever so vile . . . for our Lord’s, most precious daughters and sons . . .

When you look, for hatred . . . in these our most trying of times . . .

As there too, you shall ever so find . . . a man of action, who so comes to mind!

To carry that fight, against dark ignorance and hate . . . for human rights, as is his life’s mission so fine . . .

As a Father, and as a Husband . . . and truly a great Rhyme . . .

As all throughout his lifetime, Thomas Lantos . . . has took the greatest of stands!

As a great American Hungarian, as an example for hearts to carry on . . . so blessing our heartland

Whenever you walk into that the darkest of all nights . . .

Ever remember my child, that out of your faith, courage and your love . . . but comes the light!

For as long as we have men, who to great heights so ascend . . . than evil shall never so rule the night!