Today, the people of Illinois and across America grieve the passing of a giant, a man who used his enormous intellect and his passionate words to change the world. As a Member of Congress from Illinois, I had the honor and privilege to spend a significant amount of time with my neighbor from Chicago’s western suburbs. Henry Hyde was my friend and my teacher, a great leader who showed us that a strong spirit and dedication to principles will always trump politics in the many noble causes he championed.
A former Chairman and a member of the House Judiciary Committee his entire 32-year career, Henry was a skillful protector of the U.S. Constitution and an immense advocate for those who respect the rule of law and the sanctity of life in America and throughout the world. I would often see him speaking with new Members of Congress who gravitated to him to absorb his knowledge and his spirit.
When Henry Hyde spoke on the House floor, both sides stopped and listened. He was the last of the great orators in Congress, and you knew you would learn something significant every time he addressed us. Henry Hyde was the essence of dignity and honor. We send our thoughts and prayers to his wife, Judy, and the entire Hyde family as they grieve the loss of this American legend.