At a ceremony on March 11, during its annual Advocacy Day, NAFSA honored the late Representative Tom Lantos (D–Calif.) with NAFSA's Global Leader Award, "in memory and recognition of his commitment to advancing America's ability to lead in a global society." David Killion, a staff member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, which Lantos chaired, accepted the award on behalf of the committee. One hundred NAFSA members from across the country were present for the tribute to Congressman Lantos presented by NAFSA Board member Ron Moffatt of San Diego State University.
Congressman Lantos was committed to the cause of international education throughout his life and career. Overcoming great odds and personal tragedy, he began his American journey as an international student from Hungary at the University of Washington. He later joined the faculty at San Francisco State University, pioneering that institution's economics department. Congressman Lantos established a study abroad program for the university and was the first director of the International Overseas Program for the California State University system. Reflecting on Congressman Lantos' contributions, SFSU President Robert A. Corrigan said recently: "He saw in [study abroad programs] an antidote to insularity and a necessary part of preparation for good global citizenship."
During 27 years in Congress, Congressman Lantos was a tireless champion of human rights and was committed to a vision of U.S. leadership in the world that emphasizes responsible engagement, compassion, and a deeper understanding of the world's peoples and cultures. Among the achievements he counted as the most significant during his leadership of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs in 2007 was the introduction and passage by that chamber of the Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Foundation Act of 2007. Congressman Lantos was also one of the first members of Congress to include a provision to establish a national strategy for attracting international students to the United States in the State Department Reauthorization Act of 2006–2007.
Upon receiving the honor, David Killion spoke eloquently about the importance of international education to Congressman Lantos and how much this award would mean to him.
The NAFSA Global Leader Award was established in 2002 in response to a growing desire on the part of international education professionals to honor elected officials who have demonstrated extraordinary leadership in advancing international education issues on the national agenda.
