NEW : Secretary of State calls Rep. Tom Ridge ` ` a true American hero '' Lantos was only one candidate to serve in Congress . The Hungarian-born Lantos came to the United States in 1947 after surviving a forced-labor camp in his Nazi-allied homeland . California congressman disclosed last week he was suffering from cancer . He had said he would not seek re - election to 15th term in House .
NEW : Secretary of State calls Rep. Tom Ridge ` ` a true American hero '' Lantos was only one candidate to serve in Congress . California congressman disclosed last week he was suffering from cancer . He had said he would not seek re - election to 15th term in House .