Boehner Statement on the Death of Former Congressman Henry Hyde (R-IL)
Washington,
Nov 29, 2007 -
House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) issued the following statement on the death of former Congressman Henry Hyde (R-IL):
“I have long included Henry Hyde among my heroes, and for the 16 years I served with him in the House, I was honored to call him a mentor, a colleague, and a friend. Henry was a student of American history, a constitutional scholar, a thoughtful legislator, and a passionate orator. But above all, he will be remembered as a gentleman who stood as a beacon for the bedrock principles of liberty, justice, and, above all, respect for life. His work in crafting the Mexico City policy, for example, remains among his most significant accomplishments in Congress, and it will forever be remembered as a defining moment for the pro-life cause.
“What often struck me most about Henry was his keen sense of our nation’s history and of the gifts bestowed on our Republic by the Founding Fathers, whose actions and deeds were never far from his mind. In his respect for the institutional integrity of the House of Representatives, Henry took second place to no one. He was a forceful advocate for maintaining the dignity of the House and for recognizing the sacrifices and struggles Members make while in its service. Indeed, when Henry spoke in Committee or on the House floor, Members on both sides of aisle listened intently – and they learned. And while he had unquestionably strong views on domestic and foreign policy, Henry never allowed political differences to cloud personal relationships.
“Henry served his country with great honor and distinction, and it is only fitting that President Bush awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom just three weeks ago. Hard as it is to let go, we can be comforted knowing that God gave us a man of Henry Hyde’s character who did his patriotic duty to the fullest. I send my thoughts and prayers to the entire Hyde family in their time of loss.”
NOTE: Born in 1924, Rep. Henry Hyde (R-IL) served the 6th District of Illinois in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1975 through 2006, serving on the House Judiciary Committee throughout his entire time in Congress. He chaired the Judiciary Committee from 1995 to 2001 and also served as Chairman of the House International Relations Committee from 2001 until his retirement last year. On November 5, President Bush awarded Hyde the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the very highest honor the President can bestow on an American citizen.
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