Human Rights

Fashion Institute of Technology's First Tom Lantos Scholar - ITM Major: Soo Jin Yoon

We are pleased to announce that Phil Friedman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Computer Generated Solutions (CGS), and Paul Magel, Senior Vice President of CGS and ITM advisory board member, have chosen Soo Jin Yoon as the recipient of the 2009 Representative Tom Lantos International Studies Scholarship.

Soo Jin will receive $10,000 in scholarship funds, an all-expense paid trip to Las Vegas to speak at CGS’ annual International User Conference, and a summer internship with CGS.
Soo Jin has five years of merchandizing experience, having worked for prestigious companies in South Korea such as Handsome Corp., where she managed a $45 million fashion brand; Gucci Group Korea; and Mine, S.A. She holds Master of Human Ecology in Fashion Marketing and Bachelor of Home Economics in Clothing and Textiles degrees from Seoul National University.

In her selection as the scholarship recipient, Soo Jin was recognized by CGS primarily for her ability to connect her background and goals with the ideals of Rep. Tom Lantos, the depth of her experience, and her demonstrated capacity to succeed in her chosen career. In her application for the 2009 Tom Lantos International Studies Scholarship, Soo Jin indicated her goal of pursuing a career in global marketing and using it as a means to build a bridge between the fashion industry and society by expanding her role to also protect intellectual property rights. The judges were very impressed with all of the scholarship candidates, noting the professionalism of their applications, their impressive backgrounds, and their drive to make a special contribution to international business and humanitarian causes.

Rep. Tom Lantos was a distinguished U.S. Congress Representative from 1981 until his death in February 2008. Rep. Lantos was Chairman of the United States House Committee on Foreign Affairs and a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. He was a vocal speaker on issues undertaken by U.S. Congress’ International Relations Committee. Early in his career, Rep. Lantos was a professor of economics, an analyst on international affairs, and advisor of U.S. senators. He was also a well-known advocate of the environment, receiving consistently high ratings from the League of Conservation Voters and other environmental organizations. He also passionately championed human rights.

A close personal friend of Mr. Friedman, Rep. Lantos was very interested in the international aspects of the fashion industry and was a regular participant in CGS’s annual International User Conference. Mr. Friedman established the scholarship to honor Rep. Lantos and to promote his humanitarian values as well as global views to future generations.

Founded in New York City in 1984 as a systems integrator to the fashion industry, CGS currently serves North America, Europe, and Asia with 20 global locations and 2500 employees worldwide. CGS enables mid-market enterprises, Fortune 1000 companies, and government agencies to drive business transformation and improve operating performance by adapting and implementing advanced technology solutions.

Congratulations, Soo Jin!

Lantos Foundation Gives Full Support to Legislation for Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission

Newly passed legislation upgrades status of the Congressional Human Rights Caucus

The Lantos Foundation for Human Rights and Justice today offered its unequivocal support for legislation passed yesterday, which establishes a Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission in place of the existing Congressional Human Rights Caucus. Congressman Lantos co-founded the Caucus a quarter century ago and acted as co-chairman for nearly his entire congressional career.

Representative Jim McGovern (D – Mass.), current co-chair of the Human Rights Caucus, introduced House Resolution 1451 and said in his remarks on the floor, “This commission will be a living, breathing legacy to the vision and inspiration of Tom Lantos. It reminds us that protecting and promoting human rights is not just the right thing to do, but it has the capacity of transforming us, of making us better people, better Members of Congress, and better citizens of the world.”

House Resolution 1451 institutionalizes the Human Rights Caucus by upgrading it to the status of a Commission. Most notably, this means that the Commission will be able to submit for its own budget, as part of the larger Foreign Affairs Committee budget. It will also be able to hire its own staff.

Annette Lantos, wife of the late Congressman Lantos and chairman of the Lantos Foundation, worked alongside her husband as the unpaid Executive Director of the Human Rights Caucus for 25 years. She expressed her gratitude and support for the legislation.

“It is almost unbelievable that this Caucus, which was literally nonexistent when Tom was elected in 1980, is standing on the threshold of becoming a permanent part of the U.S. Congress,” she said. “I am so pleased and I know Tom would have been honored to have this organization named for him. More importantly, he would be thrilled to know that the vital work of the Human Rights Caucus will now be carried on by the Commission.”

Lantos Foundation Calls for Strong American Support of Democracy and Human Rights in Georgia

Foundation makes $10,000 humanitarian grant for Georgian relief

Annette Lantos, Chairman of the Lantos Foundation for Human Rights and Justice, and former Ambassador Richard Swett, member of the Foundation’s board, met today with Georgian Ambassador to the United States Vasil Sikharulidze. Lantos and Swett expressed the Foundation’s concern for the humanitarian situation in the nation of Georgia and the Foundation’s strong support for this young democracy.

Lantos called on Americans of all backgrounds to join in the efforts to respond to the humanitarian crisis in Georgia. "The events of the last two weeks have produced a tidal wave of civilians driven from their homes by invading forces and marauding militias,” Lantos said. “The Georgian people have been uniquely supportive of American values, daring to do so in a part of the world where such courage carries very real risks. Now is the moment for the people of the United States to show our gratitude for that alliance of principle.”

Lantos and Swett also advised Ambassador Sikharulidze that the Foundation has made a humanitarian grant of $10,000 for relief for Georgian civilians in the aftermath of the recent conflict. The donation was made through the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee and the American Red Cross, both of which have established funds for Georgian relief.

“My late husband Congressman Tom Lantos would have been at the forefront of those calling for humanitarian relief for the victims of this conflict and for upholding rule of law and democracy in this situation,” said Lantos. “We, as a Foundation, are pleased to be able to be the voice he would have been.”