Mourners gather to honor former Congressman Henry Hyde

Henry Hyde's 32 years in Congress and 83 years on earth are best remembered, mourners said Friday, by the integrity, intellect and adherence to principle that he applied to his daily work and life.On those points, Hyde's family and friends -- along with political allies and opponents alike -- agreed as they offered final tributes for Hyde, who died last week after complications from heart surgery.More than 300 mourners, including some 40 members of Congress, paid their final respects during a two-hour funeral Mass at St. John Neumann Catholic Church in St. Charles.Powerful tributes were delivered by a pair of House members from the opposite side of the political aisle: Democrats Melvin Watt of North Carolina and Jesse Jackson Jr. of Chicago. More Coverage Stories Tributes to Hyde from near and far [12/7/07] Measuring Hyde's mark on history [12/7/07] House GOP leader: 'Hyde was my hero' [12/7/07] Watt, who had knock-down verbal battles with Hyde during President Clinton's impeachment proceedings, drew laughter Friday when he said: "I suspect some people here are thinking, 'Isn't this the guy who was a persistent and ardent opponent of just about everything that Henry Hyde ever did as chairman of the Judiciary Committee?'"These people are missing an important point. Because in a sense, what was good and wonderful in Henry Hyde is what is good and wonderful about our democracy. Henry and I played on different teams. We had different constituents. We represent different backgrounds. We represent the diversity that is America."Watt said the fact that the two could disagree so strenuously on issues and nonetheless respect one another under the rule of law and the democratic process was what mattered most.And when the two of them traveled together overseas, as they did many times, there was no one, Watt said, who better represented these ideals to people in other countries than Henry Hyde.Jackson, a Chicago Democrat and Hyde ally in a decade-long push for a south suburban airport, likewise lauded Hyde's unwavering belief in and adherence to the rule of law and democratic process.Jackson referred to Hyde as a "close and dear friend" who took him under his wing when he went to Washington as a freshman congressman."His laughter. His warmth. His stories. Even the smell of his cigar will be missed," Jackson said.In offering his eulogy, Hyde's son, Bob, said it was somehow fitting that his father was being memorialized on Pearl Harbor Day. He told of how Japan's sneak attack on this date in 1941 altered the arc of his father's life story. Prepared to attend and play basketball at Santa Clara University in California, Hyde shifted course when the outbreak of war disrupted student activities on West Coast campuses. He decided to attend Georgetown University, where his time on the basketball team yielded a telling story.His father had seen little playing time during his senior year, Bob said, as the coach had opted for a starting lineup of underclassmen. Near the conclusion of the season's final game, the coach told his father to enter the game to close out his senior year on the court. Hyde told the coach that he couldn't. Turns out he had, before the game, lent his game trunks to a teammate who had forgotten to bring his; Hyde had spent the entire game on the bench, in his warm-up pants."I think of that," Bob Hyde said, every time I hear someone say 'He'd give you the shirt off his back.' "Bob Hyde called his father, who served in the Navy in World War II and participated in the gritty U.S. campaign to retake the Philippines a "charter member of the greatest generation."Cardinal Francis George said Henry Hyde's contributions stemmed from something even deeper than a commitment to principle. If, the cardinal said, a person adheres to unworthy principles, then mere commitment to principle can actually be harmful."(Hyde was) a man of instincts," George said. "He had good instincts about immigrants. He had good instincts about workers. He had good instincts about children, particular children who have not been born but are alive in their mother's wombs."His instincts guided him well, because they were well rooted in love, God's love for him and God's love for all of us."Speaking for Hyde's political party, House Republican Leader John Boehner, of Ohio, called his colleague "a congressional and American hero, a loving father and devoted husband."Among the delegation of Washington dignitaries attending the Mass were former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld; Rep. John Conyers, current chairman of the House Judiciary Committee; Rep. James Sensenbrenner of Wisconsin; and several members of the Illinois congressional delegation.After the Mass, family and close friends attended a brief committal service at Assumption Cemetery near Winfield, where a Navy honor guard performed a three-volley salute, played taps and presented to Hyde's widow, Judy, the flag that had draped his coffin. 512354Dupage County State's Attorney Joe Birkett, left, consoles Henry Hyde's wife, Judy, after the funeral mass for at St. John Neumann Catholic Church in St. Charles today.Marcelle Bright | Staff Photographer 436512James "Pate" Phillip attends the funeral mass for Henry Hyde at St. John Neumann Church in St. Charles.Marcelle Bright | Staff Photographer