[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 191 (Thursday, December 13, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2575-E2576]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            HONORING THE MEMORY OF THE HONORABLE HENRY HYDE

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JO BONNER

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 13, 2007

  Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of a 
great leader, a great man, and a truly great American, the Honorable 
Henry Hyde.
  Known throughout Congress as a man of strong character and humility, 
Chairman Hyde served the people of the 6th District of Illinois

[[Page E2576]]

with decency and grace. From his service in the Navy during World War 
II and throughout his career in the U.S. House of Representatives, 
Henry Hyde devoted his life to public service.
  In the House, he rose to the chairmanship of two committees, 
Judiciary and International Relations. To say that Chairman Hyde was an 
eloquent orator would be an understatement. He spoke with dignity, 
conviction, principle, and eloquence; he was a true statesman by any 
measure. As President George W. Bush said last month, ``the background 
noise would stop when Henry Hyde had the floor.''
  In service to the people of Illinois for over 40 years, Chairman Hyde 
was a champion of the rights of the unborn. He will probably be most 
remembered for his amendment that prohibited the use of federal funds 
for abortions--a measure that became known as the ``Hyde amendment.''
  Just last month, President Bush bestowed upon Representative Hyde the 
Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor. The 
medal is designed to recognize great contributions to national 
security, the cause of peace and freedom, science, the arts, 
literature, and many other fields; I can think of few individuals more 
deserving of this high honor.
  Madam Speaker, our country and this great institution have been 
blessed to share in the life of Chairman Henry Hyde. May we never 
forget the leadership he displayed or the lessons he taught us. May we 
continue to keep the entire Hyde family in our thoughts and prayers.

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