As the 2020 Presidential Election comes to a close, America has once again demonstrated its commitment to the Rule of Law and democracy. Our country’s fundamental belief that every vote counts has led us to a delayed but very deliberate election result. We recognize that no system is perfect and the United States of America is a work in progress, but our adherence to the Rule of Law is fundamental to the fabric of our country. We may have much yet to do in order to keep the country moving towards the ideal of “a more perfect union”, but we gratefully acknowledge that we, unlike so many countries around the world, have the basic rights, freedoms and protections in place to make progress possible.
The 2020 election saw record levels of turnout, with nearly 150 million Americans casting a vote. Regardless of individual preference for the outcome, all Americans should celebrate what this means for democracy. Amid a very fraught and contentious election occurring simultaneously with an unprecedented global pandemic, the record turnout, largely peaceful voting and thorough counting process should reassure us all that America’s democracy remains the vibrant cornerstone of this great country.
The Lantos Foundation today congratulates former Vice President Joe Biden on his election as the next President of the United States. Vice President Biden’s close friendship and partnership with the Foundation’s namesake Congressman Tom Lantos spanned more than three decades, and throughout the years they often worked closely on issues related to human rights. We were pleased to honor Vice President Biden with our decennial Lantos Legacy Award in 2018 for his strong record on human rights and his bold defense of human rights for people around the world. We look forward to working with the Biden administration to further the causes that Tom Lantos held dear and which are central to our mission, such as international religious freedom and Rule of Law, among others.
We hope that 2021 brings a renewed and more unified commitment to ensuring justice and equality for all Americans here at home, as well as a more united effort to fight for the human rights people in every corner of the globe. As Tom Lantos often said, “The primary obligation of every human being is to speak out against injustice. We are our brother’s keeper.”