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Henry Hyde, former longtime Illinois Representative and stalwart defender of life, passed away early this morning. Hyde, 83, had recently brought a long political career to an end, retiring at the conclusion of the last session. In that time, he earned a reputation as the most committed and uncompromising opponent of abortion in national office.

 

Since learning of his death, we've sought the reflections and brief tributes from those who knew and worked with Congressman Hyde.

We will continue adding to the list as other remembrances come in.

 

Today we lost a true public servant and an honorable American. Only weeks ago, Rep. Hyde received the nation's highest civilian honor for his dedication to advancing the democratic ideals and fundamentals of freedom that make our country great.

 

He not only served America in combat, but also offered a strong voice for the people of Illinois as an effective member of Congress and a leader on foreign affairs for more than 30 years.

 

As a committed conservative, Rep. Hyde was a loyal Republican revered by friends, family, and colleagues from both sides of the aisle. He will be dearly missed.

 

 

 

Henry Hyde was one of the rarest, most accomplished, and most distinguished Members of Congress ever to serve. He was a class act.

 

In the greatest human rights issue of our time -- the right to life -- Henry Hyde will always be known as a champion and great defender of children and their moms. Because of the Hyde Amendment, countless young children and adults walk on this earth today and have an opportunity to prosper, because they were spared destruction when they were most at risk. With malice towards none, Henry Hyde often took to the House floor to politely ask us to show compassion and respect -- even love -- for the innocent and inconvenient baby about to be annihilated.

 

Having served with this brilliant one-of-a-kind lawmaker, I know the world will truly miss him. Still, we take some comfort in knowing that Henry Hyde's kind, compassionate, and generous wit and ability will live on in the many laws he wrote to protect and enhance the lives of others.

 

 

 

My personal recollection of Henry Hyde dates back to 1981 when, as the wife of a newly elected Member of Congress, I met the legendary pro-life advocate for the first time. As a pro-life activist myself, I was one of many in the Henry Hyde Fan Club who admired the articulate and passionate representative for his courage and skillful defense of the rights of the unborn child on the House floor, despite openly hostile opposition (including, literally, hissing and jeers).

Upon meeting him, I was a bit intimidated by Henry’s reputation and towering stature, but he immediately put me at ease with a big bear hug. His enthusiasm and instant friendship toward a newly elected pro-life advocate who would be joining him in congressional debates for a culture of life -- and his wife -- was a moment to remember. We will miss Henry’s friendship and warm heart, but we know that his legacy and leadership will live on. His words, courage, passion, and example will continue to inspire lawmakers around the world.

 

 

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Henry Hyde was an example of a Catholic layman who took seriously the lay vocation to transform the world. He worked to defend the human lives of children before and after birth. He was a preeminent defender of the unborn and played a decisive role in passage of the Family and Medical Leave Act. He consistently promoted the quest for a just peace between Israelis and Palestinians. He was also a civil man, able to reach across the aisle and across divisive conflicts. We pray for the repose of his soul and the consolation of his loved ones with the confidence that the Lord himself will greet him with the words: "Well done, good and faithful servant."

 

 

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Henry Hyde was the greatest Catholic statesman of our generation. As a congressman from Chicago (6th District) from 1975 to 2007, he made the defense of life his top priority at a time when the bishops' conference was focusing on other matters. His persistence in the pro-life cause after Roe v. Wade paid off in the passage of the Hyde Amendment in 1977 -- the single most important piece of pro-life legislation ever passed, barring federal funding for abortion. Prior to the passage of the amendment, United States taxpayers were underwriting approximately 300,000 abortions each year.

 

I got to know Congressman Hyde after coming to Washington, D.C., in 1994. Although an icon and a giant to me, he was unfailingly gracious and generous with his time and help. Crisis Magazine honored him at its September 1998 dinner in Washington on the same day that, as chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, he received the now-famous Starr Report on the impeachment of President Bill Clinton. He arrived at the St. Regis Hotel with the newly published report under his arm.

 

I last saw him just before he left Congress, when I interviewed him for a book I was writing on religion and politics. He was clearly struggling physically, but his soul was still on fire about the issues he loved most. When I asked him why he left the Democratic Party, he replied (and I paraphrase), 'The greatest sadness of my political life is how the Catholics in the Democratic Party have abandoned the cause of life. Don't they care about what happens to them in eternity?"

 

I am sure Henry Hyde now knows the infinite joy of eternal life.

 

 

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Henry Hyde was a man of decency, honor, and moral courage who understood that public service is a noble calling that involves serving one's fellow man, remaining true to one's conscience, and standing firm in one's beliefs. I knew Henry personally to be a gentleman and a man of faith and compassion. He was one of the finest public servants I have ever known, and he will be greatly missed.