Filipino-American Democratic leader Jose Caedo of San Francisco, California, passed on the sad news that Congressman Tom Lantos would not seek another term this year because of illness. Mr. Caedo said in his online announcement: “Let us all please say a prayer for Tom Lantos. He has been our friend since entering Congress in 1980. A true champion of Human Rights, he chairs the Congress' Committee for International Relations, and is acknowledged world wide for that work.”

The San Mateo County Democratic Central Committee (SMCDCC) and its officers released on Jan. 2, 2008, a statement regarding the announcement that Congressman Tom Lantos would not seek an additional term in office due to a diagnosis of esophageal cancer.

"It is with deep sadness that members of the San Mateo County Democratic Central Committee learned of the illness of our distinguished Congressman Tom Lantos," said Andrew Byrnes, Chair of the SMCDCC. "Congressman Lantos has been an outstanding leader within the Democratic Party both locally and nationally. Our thoughts and prayers are for the health and comfort of Congressman Lantos and his family."

"Congressman Lantos has been an indispensable part of the Democratic Party family in San Mateo County for decades and has consistently supported the committee's efforts to cultivate and elect Democratic leaders of the future," said Byrnes.

"The Democratic Central Committee is grateful for Congressman Lantos' service to our country and our communities and for his leadership on such issues as human rights, the environment and for working families," said Byrnes. "Our lives have been enriched through the Congressman's service and it is the hope of our committee that he recovers from his illness and is able to continue to make meaningful contributions to causes he has championed for so long." # # #