October 31, 2008

Remembering Tom Lantos - Hungarian Government Hosts Conference on the Late Congressman and Human Rights Champion in Budapest

At the initiative of Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsány, diplomats of Hungary and the United States, family members and friends commemorated Tom Lantos at a conference in Budapest on September 25, 2008.
 

Aside from the Prime Minister, speeches were delivered by Professor Charles Gati, U.S. Ambassador to NATO Kurt Volker, and international lawyer László Valki. Hungarian-born American businessman and philanthropist György Soros greeted those present via a video message. Click here to read Prime Minister Gyurcsány’s speech delivered at the conference.
 

In addition to speeches and laudations, conference participants recalled the memory of Tom Lantos with the following short film. Click here to see the movie
 

After the conference, the participants took part at the unveiling of a plaque honoring Tom Lantos on the building in Szent István park (St. Stephen Park) in Budapest where the late Congressman had lived before emigrating to the United States. At the ceremony, Lantos’ widow, Mrs. Annette Lantos, Prime Minister Gyurcsány and U.S. Ambassador April Foley delivered remarks. Click here to read the Prime Minister’s speech.