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Farm Sanctuary Mourns Passing of Compassionate House Representative Tom Lantos

Animal Advocates Mourn This Considerable Loss While Celebrating a Life of Achievement on Behalf of Animals Everywhere

WASHINGTON, DC - February 11, 2008 - Farm Sanctuary mourns the loss of pioneering House Representative Tom Lantos, who died of esophageal cancer on the morning of Feb. 11, 2008. This courageous Holocaust survivor served with compassion and conviction, influencing numerous public policies to protect all beings, including farm animals.

Lantos was a ground-breaking congressional leader on animal issues as demonstrated by his founding and co-chairing the Congressional Friends of Animals Caucus. "Through the establishment of this caucus, he created a lasting forum to discuss and further legislative initiatives on behalf of all animals," stated Julie Janovsky, Farm Sanctuary's director of campaigns. This caucus has since allowed the hearing of a range of issues from those affecting companion animals to those regarding farm animals. Janovsky says in remembrance, "Representative Lantos and his wife, Annette, championed many animal welfare bills including efforts to protect pets from sale to research laboratories, end the slaughter of horses for human consumption, and ensure a peaceful retirement for chimpanzees previously used in federally funded research."

Lantos was notably a proponent of the Downed Animal and Food Safety Protection Act (H.R. 661), which, if enacted, would require critically ill and injured animals to be humanely euthanized as well as prohibiting their slaughter for human food.

Gene Baur, president and co-founder of Farm Sanctuary added, "Representative Lantos was truly an extraordinary advocate for the most vulnerable among us. He will be remembered in exceptional esteem as a man with a passion for protecting animals."

About Farm Sanctuary
Farm Sanctuary is the nation's leading farm animal protection organization. Since incorporating in 1986, Farm Sanctuary has worked to expose and stop cruel practices of the "food animal" industry through research and investigations, legal and institutional reforms, public awareness projects, youth education, and direct rescue and refuge efforts. Farm Sanctuary shelters in Watkins Glen, N.Y., and Orland, Calif., provide lifelong care for hundreds of rescued animals, who have become ambassadors for farm animals everywhere by educating visitors about the realities of factory farming. Additional information can be found at www.farmsanctuary.org or by calling 607-583-2225.