Lantos-Sweet praised the heroic actions of Raoul Wallenberg in helping to save her father, and emphasized the need to remember the stories of those who rescued Hungarian Jews.

“There should be a renewed commitment not to let history and the legacy be forgotten,” said Lantos-Sweet.

Ilan Mor, Israel’s ambassador to Hungary, remembered meeting Lantos while in China.

“He was a good friend of Israel,” said Mor.

M. André Goodfriend, the deputy chief of mission for the United States Embassy, said it’s important that society not forget Lantos’ legacy.

“The story he tells highlights his values: he struggled, was rescued, got back into society and remembered his Budapest roots. He didn’t forget where he came from,” Goodfriend said.

Anna-Mária Bíró, president and CEO of the Tom Lantos Institute said, “When you speak in front of the house, it’s a shocking realization, that so many were hidden. It’s important to remember this dark experience of Hungarian history.”

“I hope this pushes Hungarians to remember and recognize we have to grieve,” she added.

The ceremony was hosted by the Yellow Star Houses Program of the Open Society Archives, which was established to mark the 70th anniversary of the Holocaust reaching Hungary.