MEMORIAL FOR TOM LANTOS

February 12, 2008 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Chinese American Citizens Alliance Mourns Passing of Congressman Tom Lantos On learning of the passing of Congressman Tom Lantos (D-San Mateo, San Francisco), Munson Kwok, national president of the Chinese American Citizens Alliance, headquartered in San Francisco, issued the following statement: Members of the Chinese American Citizens Alliance throughout the country join me in mourning the loss of Congressman Lantos. Mr. Lantos' life experiences, including that of a survivor of the Holocaust and fighter against the Nazi movement, inspired him to be a fighter for justice in the halls of Congress. Mr. Lantos was a friend to minorities, including Chinese Americans in the San Francisco Lodge and in the Bay Area, who often interacted with him to seek support for legislation impacting Asian Americans. Mr. Lantos was a co-sponsor of H.Res. 415, Congressman Mike Honda's current bill to recognize the little-known service of Edward Day Cohota and Joseph L. Pierce, Chinese veterans, and other Asians who fought in the American Civil War. Congressman Lantos had a profound appreciation for the liberties and privileges he found in the United States and was a fierce advocate for civil and human rights of all Americans and a strong voice against oppression around the world. We express our deepest condolences to Mrs. Lantos and the family and express our gratitude for his lifetime of tireless, dedicated service to our nation. Munson A. Kwok Grand (National) President Chinese American Citizens Alliance 5474 West 76th Street Los Angeles, California 90045 310-645-1369 MunsonAK@aol.com