Similarly, the First Presidency of the LDS Church issued the following statement: "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints expresses its sincere condolences to the family of Congressman Tom Lantos who passed away after his fight with esophageal cancer. Representative Lantos was a remarkable public servant, and a beloved husband, father and grandfather.

"As a Member of the House of Representatives, and most recently as Chairman of the important House Foreign Affairs Committee, he was a leading force for political and religious freedom throughout the world. As a holocaust survivor, he exemplified great compassion for victims of political unrest and oppression.

"He opened many doors for humanitarian and disaster relief efforts, and leaves behind a legacy of family love and unity. We extend our deep sympathies and offer our prayers of comfort for his entire family."

Last month, in announcing the end of his congressional career, Lantos said, "It is only in the United States that a penniless survivor of the Holocaust and a fighter in the anti-Nazi underground could have received an education, raised a family and had the privilege of serving the last three decades of his life as a member of Congress."

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Contributing: Aaron Falk, Deseret Morning News