[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 193 (Monday, December 17, 2007)]
[House]
[Page H15729]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           HONORING THE LIFE OF FORMER CONGRESSMAN HENRY HYDE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Wasserman Schultz) is recognized for 5 
minutes.
  Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life and 
memory of Congressman Henry J. Hyde, the Representative of the Sixth 
District of Illinois from 1975 to 2007. Congressman Hyde was a 
distinguished and well-respected member of this body, serving for 32 
years in the House of Representatives.
  During his tenure, Congressman Hyde served honorably as the Chairman 
of the Judiciary and International Relations Committees and contributed 
much to this Nation. My thoughts and prayers go out to Congressman 
Hyde's family and friends during this difficult time.
  While Congressman Hyde's accomplishments are many, I want to take a 
moment to share one that is both emblematic of the mark he left and of 
which I am particularly grateful. During the 109th Congress, I had the 
pleasure of working with Congressman Hyde to help spur the creation of 
the first Jewish American Heritage Month.
  As the lead Republican cosponsor of the House Resolution, Congressman 
Hyde was instrumental in garnering the support of the President of the 
United Sates and Republican leadership in the House, especially that of 
Speaker Hastert.
  With support from around the country, the House and Senate passed 
resolutions in early 2006 urging the President to establish American 
Jewish History Month. President Bush then proclaimed the first Jewish 
American Heritage Month in May 2006 so that Americans could come 
together to celebrate the many contributions that Jews have made to the 
fabric of our society.
  Thanks to Congressman Hyde's commitment and dedication, American 
Jewish culture and heritage is now celebrated each May by our Nation. 
In appreciation of this leadership, and in honor of Congressman Hyde's 
lifetime commitment to serving his country, I have requested that a 
tree be planted in Israel dedicated to his memory.
  I again express my deepest sympathy to Congressman Hyde's family, 
friends, and the people of Illinois.

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