Representative Tom Lantos died today at the age of 80, reports the Chronicle.
Rep. Tom Lantos, the only Holocaust survivor elected to Congress and for 27 years a champion of human rights as representative for a district stretching from San Francisco’s west side to San Carlos, died today of complications from esophageal cancer, his office said. He was 80.
The San Mateo Democrat was diagnosed with cancer in December but waited a month before revealing he was ill. He died this morning at Bethesda Naval Medical Center in Maryland, a spokeswoman said.
Before he was diagnosed, Lantos was making plans to run in November for his 15th House term. Just last year, he joked he was “in the mid-point of his career,” and until recently swam at 5:30 a.m. every day in the House pool.
Lantos represents the Midcoast much of norther San Mateo County.
I'd just like to say what a pleasure it was to have met Congressman Lantos. I had the opportunity to take a number of tours on the coast, most recently of the tunnel site, with Mr. Lantos and his wife Annette. I was on site to take photos of the tour, and Mr. Lantos took the time to talk with me, ask my thoughts on the project and what it meant to the residents of the coast. In my experience he was kind and deferential to everyone,; staff, Caltrans workers, local residents and small time photographers alike. My heart goes out to his family, especially Annette who traveled with him frequently, and who he so clearly loved.