US Rep. Henry J. Hyde Dead at 83

[Rivendell]

US Rep. Henry J. Hyde Dead at 83

Long-time US Representative from Illinois Henry J. Hyde has died at the age of 83. He passed after a hard recovery from triple by-pass surgery. Congressman Hyde was the recent recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest honor a president can bestow upon an American Citizen.

Hyde, known as a true statesman and for his oratorical skills and extensive knowledge of US history, served his Illinois district for 32 years, solidly re-elected each time and maintained and overwhelming supported by his constituents, a rarity in American politics. He declined to run for an additional term in 2006 citing health reasons. Congressman Peter Roskam succeeded Mr. Hyde.

During his tenure in the US House of Representatives, Hyde was held in high regard by his fellow Congressmen, both Republican and Democrat alike. He was recognized as a intellectual leader and one who held the responsibility of constitutional stewardship as the greatest responsibility bestowed upon federally elected officials. So to he understood it as an honor.

Over the years Hyde served as the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee, the latter placing him the unenviable position of being named the lead House Manager in the impeachment of former president Bill Clinton. Regarding the impeachment, Hyde was known to have stressed that the proceedings were centered on the rule of law and the fact that the president had perjured himself under oath, violating the law and his constitutional requirement to uphold the law, rather than any sexual escapade undertaken by the president, a notion detractors and the agenda-driven media tried to play up.

Congressman Hyde was also celebrated for his groundbreaking 1976 legislation that has come to be known as The Hyde Amendment, legislation that made it illegal for the federal government to fund abortions.

House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) announced Hyde's passing Thursday.

Rest in Peace Rep. Hyde