Washington, DC—Remarks by Rep. Watson on the passing of Tom Lantos:

"It was with great sorrow that I heard about the recent passing of my colleague and dear friend, Tom Lantos, the only member of Congress who lived through and witnessed first hand the horrors and indignities of the Holocaust.

"His compassionate spirit, his unwavering concern for individual human rights, and his deep knowledge of the world were an inspiration to us all.

"Tom was relentless in his mission to enhance relations between the U.S. and the rest of the world. He traveled extensively in his endeavor to better understand the many complex issues that our nation faces.  He knew that we all live in an interconnected world, compressed in time and distance, and that the distinction between domestic and foreign policy had become increasingly blurred.

"Tom provided relentless and tireless service to this great nation.  He perhaps understood better than most of us that we must remain vigilant in the pursuit of justice and equality around the world.  The horrors of the Holocaust, I am certain, were a guiding force in ordering his priorities.

"I will miss Tom’s tireless energy and guidance.  I extend my most heartfelt condolences to his family, his wife Annette who truly stood by her man during his 30 year tenure in Congress, his family, colleagues, and his many close friends here on Capitol Hill, in California, and around the world."