Henry Hyde, eloquent statesman

We long for leaders in Washington who are true to the ideology that prompted our vote, but who also avoid destructive partisanship in working toward the common good.

We long for leaders like former Rep. Henry Hyde. He died Thursday at 83, after serving the 6th Congressional District spanning parts of DuPage and Cook counties with distinction for 32 years until his retirement in January.

Hyde never betrayed his conservative principles, but was ever the statesman.

Longtime Hyde aide and friend Pat Durante said many in Congress have praised Hyde for his ability to work with members of both parties in the cause of unity.

"It's something very lacking today," Durante said.

He's right.

Though we haven't always completely agreed with Hyde's anti-abortion beliefs, he gained national prominence early in his congressional career as the author of an amendment that restricted the use of federal funds to pay for abortions.

Even as Hyde became a renowned political figure, he didn't neglect the folks back home in his district. He was a staunch opponent of O'Hare International Airport expansion. He brought back millions of dollars in federal aid that improved the quality of life of his constituents.

Hyde is also to be admired for his thoughtful conservatism, reflected in positions that weren't always in step with his party's expectations. He supported an assault weapons ban, a waiting period for gun purchases and family leave. He made it harder for the federal government to seize private property without strong evidence of the commission of a crime.

But it was Hyde's key role in the impeachment of President Clinton that brought him much national attention.

Hyde was right in insisting that he fought for impeachment out of principle, that a president who would lie under oath, as Clinton did about his affair with Monica Lewinsky, had to held accountable in the harshest terms.

Yet as much as Hyde tried to keep the impeachment proceedings from turning into a witch hunt, it resembled as much, at least in its early stages. And Hyde himself came to be harshly judged, and rightfully so, after it was revealed that he, too, had had an extramarital affair. The cries of hypocrisy weren't silenced by Hyde's attempt to explain his affair as an indiscretion of youth. It was a huge blow to his reputation.

But it is best to remember Henry Hyde in the words of President Bush.

Just days before he died, Bush awarded Hyde the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's top civilian honor.

The president lauded Hyde as "a fearless defender of life" who "stood for a strong and purposeful America, confident in freedom's advance, and firm in freedom's defense."

"He proved that a man can have firm convictions and be a favorite of Democrats and Republicans alike."

How many can say that of our political leaders today?

Henry Hyde made a difference while making friends. His district, and the country, is better for his leadership.