Former U.S. Rep Henry Hyde awarded highest civilian honor
An ailing Henry J. Hyde -- hailed by President Bush as "a fearless defender of life" -- was given the nation's top civilian honor this morning.
The 83-year-old retired Republican congressman won the prestigious Medal of Freedom. Hyde is among eight people who this year received the honor, one rarely awarded to a politician.
Hyde was in a wheelchair, but watched the White House ceremony from Wheaton's Marianjoy Rehabilitation Center, where he is recuperating from open-heart surgery. He was surrounded by about 75 family members, friends and dignitaries.
Hyde's son, Robert, accepted the medal in Washington, D.C.
Bush said Hyde is recognized as a powerful defender of life and an advocate for strong national defense.
"This scholarly man has walked with kings and kept the common touch," Bush said. "He won 20 elections, and gave steady service to the people of Illinois for 40 years.
"From the first day, he was a commanding presence. He was a man of consequence. Colleagues were struck by his extraordinary intellect, his deep convictions and his eloquent voice. He used his persuasive powers for noble causes. He stood for a strong and purposeful America.
"He was confident in freedom's advance and firm in freedom's defense. He was a gallant champion of the week and forgotten and a fearless defender of life, in all of its seasons."
The conservative lawmaker formerly from Wood Dale is nationally known for his strong opposition to abortion. He also played a key role in the impeachment of President Bill Clinton.
Hyde now lives in Geneva, where he is expected to return in a few more weeks.
He represented Cook and DuPage counties from the 6th Congressional District until January 2006, retiring after 16 terms. He was chairman of both the House Judiciary and Foreign Relations panels. His successor, U.S. Rep. Peter Roskam, spoke of the big shoes he is trying to fill.
"He served with distinction for 32 years," Roskam said. "One of the unique things about Congressman Hyde was his ability to articulate clearly and to speak passionately about issues that reflected his district and what's great about America. He has this ability to engage people, draw them into conversation and to disagree with them occasionally without being disagreeable. I think that's one of his great gifts."
Hyde thanked his friends for gathering with him for such a proud moment. His words were few, but his light-hearted quips drew laughter from the crowd. Others joining him included DuPage County Board Chairman Robert Schillerstrom, retired Illinois Senator James "Pate" Philip and U.S. Rep. Judy Biggert of Hinsdale.
Text of President Bush's speech on Henry Hyde
Bob Hyde is here on behalf of his dad, the Honorable Henry J. Hyde, who was not able to be with us today.Congressman Hyde spent more than three decades as a towering figure on Capitol Hill. But he first made his name in Washington more than 60 years ago. He was on the Georgetown basketball team, and played in the NCAA Eastern Championship game in 1943. After college and Navy service in World War II, he returned home to Illinois, and earned a law degree, and made his way into politics. This erudite, scholarly man has walked with kings and kept the common touch. He won 20 elec-tions, and gave steady service to the people of Illinois for 40 years. In the House, Congressman Hyde rose to the chairmanship of two committees, judiciary and international relations. And from the first day, he was a commanding presence, and he was a man of consequence. Colleagues were struck by his extraordinary intellect, his deep convictions, and eloquent voice. In committee and in the House chamber, the background noise would stop when Henry Hyde had the floor. He used his persuasive powers for noble causes. He stood for a strong and purposeful America -- confident in freedom's advance, and firm in freedom's defense. He stood for limited, accountable government, and the equality of every person before the law. He was a gallant champion of the weak and forgotten, and a fearless defender of life in all its seasons. Henry Hyde spoke of controver-sial matters with intellectual hon-esty and without rancor. He proved that a man can have firm convictions and be a favorite of Democrats and Republicans alike. Henry likes quoting the adage, "Make new friends, but keep the old; one is silver but the other is gold." To so many on Capitol Hill, Henry Hyde's friendship is gold. They're quick to say it's not the same Congress without him -- but that we're a better country because he was there. And colleagues will always admire and look up to the gentle-man from Illinois, Henry J. Hyde. And, Bob, please tell your Dad a lot of us in Washington love him."
Other recipients of the award include:
bull; Gary Becker, economist and 1992 Nobel Prize winner honored for broadening the understanding of economics and social science.
bull; Oscar Elias Biscet, human rights advocate and political prisoner in Cuba.
bull; Francis Collins, director of the National Human Genome Research Institute, for greatly expanding the understanding of the human DNA.
bull; Benjamin Hooks, former NAACP executive director and a pioneer of the civil rights movement.
bull; Brian Lamb, president and CEO of C-SPAN, for elevating public debate and making government more accessible.
bull; Harper Lee, author of "To Kill a Mockingbird," for her contribution to American literature.
bull; Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, president of Liberia and the first woman elected president of an African nation.
Life of distinction
bull; Henry Hyde (left in 1973) was elected to Illinois House of Representatives in 1966.
bull; He was elected to Congress in 1974.
bull; Served 16 terms until January 2006.
bull; Formerly of Wood Dale, now lives in Geneva.