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Members of Congress Gather to Dedicate Lantos Archives, Remember and Honor the Late Congressman Lantos

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A moving ceremony at the U.S. Capitol marks the dedication of an important source of information on anti-Semitism and Holocaust denial

The Lantos Foundation for Human Rights and Justice and the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI) jointly hosted the dedication of the Tom Lantos Anti-Semitism and Holocaust Denial Archives at the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday. In a moving ceremony, members of Congress and other dignitaries expressed their support for the establishment of the Lantos Archives and praised both MEMRI and the Lantos Foundation for their important work and efforts to combat anti-Semitism and human rights violations worldwide.

The event’s list of distinguished speakers featured a bipartisan mix of members of Congress, including: Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senator George Voinovich, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, Congressman Gary Ackerman, Congressman Eric Cantor, Congressman Dennis Kucinich, Congressman Anh “Joseph” Cao, and Congressman Eni Faleomavaega. Additionally, the standing room only crowd heard remarks from the Israeli Ambassador Salai Meridor, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State (Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor) Kay Mayfield, and Paul Shapiro, Director of the Center for Advanced Holocaust Studies at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum.

Many of the speakers recalled their former colleague Congressman Tom Lantos, the archives’ namesake, and his dedication to combating anti-Semitism and all forms of injustice. Vice President Joe Biden echoed this theme in a letter expressing his support for the new Lantos Archives, which read, “The Lantos Anti-Semitism and Holocaust Denial Archives will help future generations understand why we confront injustice, why we defend human rights, and why we honor all that Tom Lantos stood for… I think it is fair to say, Tom would have been proud to be associated with an archive that not only documents past injustices, but acts as a tool to help prevent future intolerance.”

The Lantos Archives, which represent a collaborative effort between the Lantos Foundation and MEMRI, will be the repository of MEMRI’s Anti-Semitism Documentation Project. These remarkable archives document anti-Semitism and Holocaust denial in every form of media throughout the Greater Middle East. The project also focuses on those brave individuals in the Arab and Muslim world who courageously speak out against anti-Semitism and Holocaust denial. MEMRI's Anti-Semitism Documentation Project maintains the largest archives in the world of translated Arabic, Farsi, Turkish, and Urdu - Pashtu material on anti-Semitism from the past decade. It has become the preeminent source of information on the global upsurge in anti-Semitism and is regularly used as a primary source for legislators, policymakers, and researchers around the world.

The Tom Lantos Foundation Denounces the Trial of Mikhail Khodorkovsky as a Sham and Calls on Russia to End the Farce

During his nearly three decades of service in Congress, Tom Lantos, the only survivor of the Holocaust ever elected to Congress, became one of the world’s most respected defenders of human rights. Congressman Lantos knew an outrageous injustice when he saw one and that is why, four years ago, Tom Lantos flew to Moscow at the end of Mikhail Khodorkovsky’s trial to protest the pre-determined and completely unjust verdict of “guilty.” Mr. Khodorkovsky has spent the last four years in prison in Siberia and now faces a new sham “trial,” in which the government is making a mockery of Russia’s legal system in order to achieve its goal of keeping Mr. Khodorkovsky in prison for at least two more decades. Tom Lantos devoted his life to fighting against abuses of human rights around the world and that is why he took on Mr. Khodorkovsky’s case as one of the most egregious examples of abuse and government misconduct.

This “trial” points out once again that the ‘rule of law’ does not exist in Russia. Mr. Khodorkovsky has stated that he will not focus on the politics of his current ‘trial.’ But the Lantos Foundation cannot in good conscience ignore them.

No crime has been committed by Mr. Khodorkovsky.

Quite the contrary.

Mr. Khodorkovsky continues to be the target and victim of a politically-motivated government campaign to punish him for his support of democratic political parties in Russia; his backing of civil-society groups dedicated to internet education, a free press and civic education; and, perhaps most troubling to his enemies, his ownership and management of the YUKOS Oil Company. Under his leadership, the company introduced Western business practices and policies that threatened to undermine the Kremlin’s control of Russia’s oil and gas resources, which were being used to enrich corrupt government officials and further Russia’s geo-political aims.

By keeping Mr. Khodorkovsky in jail and putting him on trial again, on charges that have no basis in fact, the Russian government is perpetuating a grave injustice and demonstrating that Russia’s courts and judicial system are clearly being used – and abused – in order to punish the government’s opponents and stifle peaceful and legitimate dissent.

The Lantos Foundation was founded to further the work of Tom Lantos after his death. There is no case more emblematic of human rights and rule of law violations than is the case of Mikhail Khodorkovsky.

This trial, and Mr. Khodorkovsky’s continued persecution, has been called a “litmus test” of Russian President Medvedev’s promise to end “legal nihilism” in Russia. We call upon the Russian government to ensure that justice is served by ending this spurious trial immediately. And we call upon the nations and individuals of the world to rally to Mr. Khodorkovsky’s defense.

Fashion Institute of Technology's First Tom Lantos Scholar - ITM Major: Soo Jin Yoon

We are pleased to announce that Phil Friedman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Computer Generated Solutions (CGS), and Paul Magel, Senior Vice President of CGS and ITM advisory board member, have chosen Soo Jin Yoon as the recipient of the 2009 Representative Tom Lantos International Studies Scholarship.

Soo Jin will receive $10,000 in scholarship funds, an all-expense paid trip to Las Vegas to speak at CGS’ annual International User Conference, and a summer internship with CGS.
Soo Jin has five years of merchandizing experience, having worked for prestigious companies in South Korea such as Handsome Corp., where she managed a $45 million fashion brand; Gucci Group Korea; and Mine, S.A. She holds Master of Human Ecology in Fashion Marketing and Bachelor of Home Economics in Clothing and Textiles degrees from Seoul National University.

In her selection as the scholarship recipient, Soo Jin was recognized by CGS primarily for her ability to connect her background and goals with the ideals of Rep. Tom Lantos, the depth of her experience, and her demonstrated capacity to succeed in her chosen career. In her application for the 2009 Tom Lantos International Studies Scholarship, Soo Jin indicated her goal of pursuing a career in global marketing and using it as a means to build a bridge between the fashion industry and society by expanding her role to also protect intellectual property rights. The judges were very impressed with all of the scholarship candidates, noting the professionalism of their applications, their impressive backgrounds, and their drive to make a special contribution to international business and humanitarian causes.

Rep. Tom Lantos was a distinguished U.S. Congress Representative from 1981 until his death in February 2008. Rep. Lantos was Chairman of the United States House Committee on Foreign Affairs and a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. He was a vocal speaker on issues undertaken by U.S. Congress’ International Relations Committee. Early in his career, Rep. Lantos was a professor of economics, an analyst on international affairs, and advisor of U.S. senators. He was also a well-known advocate of the environment, receiving consistently high ratings from the League of Conservation Voters and other environmental organizations. He also passionately championed human rights.

A close personal friend of Mr. Friedman, Rep. Lantos was very interested in the international aspects of the fashion industry and was a regular participant in CGS’s annual International User Conference. Mr. Friedman established the scholarship to honor Rep. Lantos and to promote his humanitarian values as well as global views to future generations.

Founded in New York City in 1984 as a systems integrator to the fashion industry, CGS currently serves North America, Europe, and Asia with 20 global locations and 2500 employees worldwide. CGS enables mid-market enterprises, Fortune 1000 companies, and government agencies to drive business transformation and improve operating performance by adapting and implementing advanced technology solutions.

Congratulations, Soo Jin!

Lantos Foundation Gives Full Support to Legislation for Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission

Newly passed legislation upgrades status of the Congressional Human Rights Caucus

The Lantos Foundation for Human Rights and Justice today offered its unequivocal support for legislation passed yesterday, which establishes a Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission in place of the existing Congressional Human Rights Caucus. Congressman Lantos co-founded the Caucus a quarter century ago and acted as co-chairman for nearly his entire congressional career.

Representative Jim McGovern (D – Mass.), current co-chair of the Human Rights Caucus, introduced House Resolution 1451 and said in his remarks on the floor, “This commission will be a living, breathing legacy to the vision and inspiration of Tom Lantos. It reminds us that protecting and promoting human rights is not just the right thing to do, but it has the capacity of transforming us, of making us better people, better Members of Congress, and better citizens of the world.”

House Resolution 1451 institutionalizes the Human Rights Caucus by upgrading it to the status of a Commission. Most notably, this means that the Commission will be able to submit for its own budget, as part of the larger Foreign Affairs Committee budget. It will also be able to hire its own staff.

Annette Lantos, wife of the late Congressman Lantos and chairman of the Lantos Foundation, worked alongside her husband as the unpaid Executive Director of the Human Rights Caucus for 25 years. She expressed her gratitude and support for the legislation.

“It is almost unbelievable that this Caucus, which was literally nonexistent when Tom was elected in 1980, is standing on the threshold of becoming a permanent part of the U.S. Congress,” she said. “I am so pleased and I know Tom would have been honored to have this organization named for him. More importantly, he would be thrilled to know that the vital work of the Human Rights Caucus will now be carried on by the Commission.”

Dedication ceremony of the Raoul Wallenberg "safe house" in Budapest Hungary

Mrs. Annette Lantos, wife of the late Congressman Lantos and Chairman of the Lantos Foundation, will travel to Budapest, Hungary next week to participate in a day-long event honoring her husband's service and commitment to Eastern-Central Europe and global human rights issues. The event will include a dedication ceremony for a plaque that will be placed at the Raoul Wallenberg "safe house" where Tom Lantos found refuge after escaping twice from Nazi slave labor camps. Mrs. Lantos will speak at the dedication, which will be followed by an afternoon symposium dealing with human rights and Hungarian/American relations, among other topics.

The participants include a distinguished roster of guests, including NATO Ambassador Kurt Volker, author Kati Marton, Professor Charles Gati, and Hungarian Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany.

The day will conclude with a dinner at the American Embassy.

Lantos Foundation Calls for Strong American Support of Democracy and Human Rights in Georgia

Foundation makes $10,000 humanitarian grant for Georgian relief

Annette Lantos, Chairman of the Lantos Foundation for Human Rights and Justice, and former Ambassador Richard Swett, member of the Foundation’s board, met today with Georgian Ambassador to the United States Vasil Sikharulidze. Lantos and Swett expressed the Foundation’s concern for the humanitarian situation in the nation of Georgia and the Foundation’s strong support for this young democracy.

Lantos called on Americans of all backgrounds to join in the efforts to respond to the humanitarian crisis in Georgia. "The events of the last two weeks have produced a tidal wave of civilians driven from their homes by invading forces and marauding militias,” Lantos said. “The Georgian people have been uniquely supportive of American values, daring to do so in a part of the world where such courage carries very real risks. Now is the moment for the people of the United States to show our gratitude for that alliance of principle.”

Lantos and Swett also advised Ambassador Sikharulidze that the Foundation has made a humanitarian grant of $10,000 for relief for Georgian civilians in the aftermath of the recent conflict. The donation was made through the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee and the American Red Cross, both of which have established funds for Georgian relief.

“My late husband Congressman Tom Lantos would have been at the forefront of those calling for humanitarian relief for the victims of this conflict and for upholding rule of law and democracy in this situation,” said Lantos. “We, as a Foundation, are pleased to be able to be the voice he would have been.”