[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 186 (Thursday, December 6, 2007)]
[House]
[Page H14453]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  IN HONOR OF THE HONORABLE HENRY HYDE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mica) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker and my colleagues, one of the greatest voices 
to ever be heard in these Chambers has been lost to the ages. I rise 
today to pay tribute to my good friend, a great American and my former 
colleague, Henry Hyde. Tomorrow in Illinois, one of the State's most 
capable and eloquent Members of Congress will be laid to rest.
  It was my distinct honor to meet Henry Hyde, to serve with Henry Hyde 
and to call Henry Hyde my friend. In this House Chamber over the past 
150 years, there have been many who have spoken. I submit that if you 
had the privilege to hear Henry Hyde speak here, you were indeed most 
fortunate.
  In this House of Representatives over the past several centuries, 
there have been many distinguished individuals. I submit that not only 
was Henry Hyde one of the most distinguished, but also one of the most 
appreciated individuals, one of the finest gentlemen, one of the 
greatest Americans to serve in this, the people's House.
  Whether he was defending the unborn or relating his position to us on 
any matter before this House, Henry Hyde always spoke with dignity, 
conviction, principle and eloquence. When Henry Hyde addressed this 
House, its Members and all Americans listened. While everyone who knew 
Henry Hyde can tell us a very special story and personal experience 
about knowing Henry Hyde, there are several memories that I will always 
fondly cherish and remember.
  I recall when Henry came to my district, came to my home in Florida. 
I will never forget when Henry Hyde stopped me, actually in this 
aisleway, here on the floor of the House, and in that aisleway he 
complimented me on my remarks that day. Imagine, Henry Hyde, the master 
orator, praising such common words. How honored I was by his compliment 
to so junior a Member on that day. There are many other stories I can 
tell about Henry Hyde and I know we can all share the other stories, 
but let me tell you in closing to relate one of my last memories of 
this great man.
  I had the privilege of traveling with Henry to the United States 
European interparliamentary meetings overseas, and on my last trip with 
Henry to one of these meetings, one of the last times that Henry Hyde 
as I recall him serving as chairman of the International Relations 
Committee, we were flying together with others across the Atlantic to 
make our next day's meeting. I woke up in the middle of the night and 
everyone in the cabin on the plane was sleeping, with one exception, 
and that was Henry Hyde. Some of you may recall Henry had been quite 
ill towards the end of his service. He required assistance to walk, and 
I knew how uncomfortable and how difficult it was for him to travel. 
But here was Henry Hyde so committed to his responsibility, while in 
such great personal pain and discomfort that he could not rest, he had 
to sit up in his chair all night, but he was fulfilling his duties and 
his responsibilities. I knew that night and I knew when I first met 
him, I knew also when I first heard him, and I have known, and I have 
been honored to call him my friend, I have had the opportunity to know 
a great man, a great American, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde).
  To Henry's wife and family, and on behalf of all the people of the 
Seventh Congressional District of Florida, and personally, I extend my 
deepest sympathies.

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