Pro-life champion and former U.S. Congressman Henry Hyde died this morning at 83. Though thousands are grieving Hyde’s death, he will best be remembered for his vigilant fight for life.
“With the passing of Rep. Henry Hyde today, the pro-family movement lost one of its most passionate defenders of human life,” said Dr. James Dobson, founder and chairman of Focus on the Family. “It is impossible to calculate how many millions of babies were spared because of his courageous work in the House of Representatives.”
Early in his political career, which spanned four decades, Hyde courageously introduced an amendment to prevent federal funding of abortion. Congress adopted the measure, which became known as the Hyde Amendment and continues to protect preborn babies.
He later led the battle to pass the ban on partial-birth abortion. In addition, Hyde authored the Mexico City policy, which prohibits federal money from being used to support abortions abroad.
Earlier this month, President Bush presented the Illinois Republican with the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his “good and purposeful life.” He issued a statement today in honor of the admirable public servant.
“This fine man believed in the power of freedom, and he was a tireless champion of the weak and forgotten” he said. “He used his talents to build a more hopeful America and promote a culture of life.”
Tom Minnery, senior vice president of government and public policy for Focus on the Family Action, said people working in the pro-life field could learn a lot from what Hyde did and how he did it.
“He was a compassionate, dedicated force to preserve innocent life in the womb, and he did that in a way that built friendships across that great gap of pro-life versus pro-abortion,” he said. “Henry Hyde was one of those rare politicians who knew how to build relationships at the same time as he created strong divisions on important issues.
"I believe that there’s a big celebration in heaven and that’s something that should, I hope, comfort his family in this time of loss. But it is a loss. The family is right to grieve, but right to be proud of what this man accomplished.”
TRIBUTES TO HENRY HYDE
“Henry Hyde was the essence of dignity, civility, commitment to principle, and he has been a lion of the right to life. In my heart, I know that this day Henry Hyde heard the words, 'Well done, good and faithful servant.'”
-- Rep. Mike Pence, R-Ind.
"Today, the pro-life movement bids farewell to a true hero, Rep. Henry Hyde. Today, America bids farewell to their greatest modern statesman. Today, I bid farewell to my good friend. And today, the unborn bid welcome to their chief defender.”
-- Connie Mackey, senior vice president of FRC Action
“Henry Hyde was the quintessential gentleman and statesman. His profound compassion for the unborn will be remembered throughout history by the legislative protections that bear his name and from his eloquent, persuasive speeches.”
-- Wendy Wright, president of Concerned Women for America
“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. 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.”
-- Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J.
