Remembering Congressman Henry Hyde by Candice Watters on 11/29/2007 at 10:52 AM

Few have stood so faithfully for the life of the unborn as Congressman Henry Hyde. And now Congressman Hyde, a man full of faith, is standing before his Lord.

Congressman Hyde, who died today at 83, was one of the first leaders I heard in person during my two-year stint as a staffer on Capitol Hill. It was a meeting of one of the Judiciary subcommittees in the House of Representatives and Cong. Hyde was speaking against a bill that would further erode the rights of the unborn. He spoke with deep emotion about the issue, including quoting a passage of literature about a father lamenting the loss of his daughter. It's been 15 years since I worked on Capitol Hill and much of the details are fuzzy. But I'll never forget Hyde, full of emotion, struggling through tears to finish reading that passage. It was no show.

Cong. Patricia Schroeder, as pro-abortion as Cong. Hyde was pro-life, was leading the meeting (at the time, her party was in the majority). She was moved, or appeared to be, but briefly. She quickly redirected the hearing back to the matter at hand -- advancing abortion in America.

I'm not sure what stood out more: his devout belief in the sanctity of life, or her utter disregard for it, and for him. Still, for all her contempt, he was well-liked, and well-respected, by members of both parties during his 32-year career in the House.

I sent him a note that day, letting him know I was deeply moved by his courage and commitment. He never backed down on this issue -- it's his name that represents the prohibition against government funding of abortion. Known as "the Hyde Amendment," it passed in 1976 and has stood in effect ever since.

To my great surprise, he wrote back. I received an official looking congressional note card -- handwritten -- thanking me for writing and for being part of the fight for the unborn. I still have it in a box of old letters and pictures. It's a rare treasure.

That was in June of 1992. The following spring, I was in the Longworth cafeteria getting my lunch and I saw Cong. Hyde eating at a table all by himself. Not being bashful and thinking it's never fun to eat alone, no matter who you are, I went up to him with my tray and asked if I might join him. He graciously invited me to sit down and we ate lunch together. He was nearly done so it wasn't a long lunch. But I do remember the kindness in his face and eyes. We chatted about upcoming plans for the Easter holiday, he mentioned being with his family.

It was hard to imagine someone of his stature and renown dining alone; unattended by numerous aides, without an entourage. But he was that kind of leader: in Washington not for fame or fortune, but to be faithful. He was a statesman.

Just three weeks ago, Congressman Hyde was honored by President Bush as one of eight recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, "the highest civilian award for distinguished Americans" for being a "powerful defender of life" and advocate of a strong national defense. I'm so glad he was still alive to receive it. Like William Wilberforce, he spent his career fighting for the freedom of others. I pray God will raise up leaders to continue his work.

Remembering Congressman Henry Hyde by Candice Watters on 11/29/2007 at 10:52 AM

Few have stood so faithfully for the life of the unborn as Congressman Henry Hyde. And now Congressman Hyde, a man full of faith, is standing before his Lord.

Congressman Hyde, who died today at 83, was one of the first leaders I heard in person during my two-year stint as a staffer on Capitol Hill. It was a meeting of one of the Judiciary subcommittees in the House of Representatives and Cong. Hyde was speaking against a bill that would further erode the rights of the unborn. He spoke with deep emotion about the issue, including quoting a passage of literature about a father lamenting the loss of his daughter. It's been 15 years since I worked on Capitol Hill and much of the details are fuzzy. But I'll never forget Hyde, full of emotion, struggling through tears to finish reading that passage. It was no show.

Cong. Patricia Schroeder, as pro-abortion as Cong. Hyde was pro-life, was leading the meeting (at the time, her party was in the majority). She was moved, or appeared to be, but briefly. She quickly redirected the hearing back to the matter at hand -- advancing abortion in America.

I'm not sure what stood out more: his devout belief in the sanctity of life, or her utter disregard for it, and for him. Still, for all her contempt, he was well-liked, and well-respected, by members of both parties during his 32-year career in the House.

I sent him a note that day, letting him know I was deeply moved by his courage and commitment. He never backed down on this issue -- it's his name that represents the prohibition against government funding of abortion. Known as "the Hyde Amendment," it passed in 1976 and has stood in effect ever since.

To my great surprise, he wrote back. I received an official looking congressional note card -- handwritten -- thanking me for writing and for being part of the fight for the unborn. I still have it in a box of old letters and pictures. It's a rare treasure.

That was in June of 1992. The following spring, I was in the Longworth cafeteria getting my lunch and I saw Cong. Hyde eating at a table all by himself. Not being bashful and thinking it's never fun to eat alone, no matter who you are, I went up to him with my tray and asked if I might join him. He graciously invited me to sit down and we ate lunch together. He was nearly done so it wasn't a long lunch. But I do remember the kindness in his face and eyes. We chatted about upcoming plans for the Easter holiday, he mentioned being with his family.

It was hard to imagine someone of his stature and renown dining alone; unattended by numerous aides, without an entourage. But he was that kind of leader: in Washington not for fame or fortune, but to be faithful. He was a statesman.

Just three weeks ago, Congressman Hyde was honored by President Bush as one of eight recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, "the highest civilian award for distinguished Americans" for being a "powerful defender of life" and advocate of a strong national defense. I'm so glad he was still alive to receive it. Like William Wilberforce, he spent his career fighting for the freedom of others. I pray God will raise up leaders to continue his work.

Comments

[1. Ted Slater said the following at 3:02 PM on Nov 29:]

1

That's a great tribute to a great man, Candice. Thank you for writing it.

[2. Phoebe said the following at 10:35 PM on Nov 29:]

2

thank you. I didn't know much about Mr. Hyde, and your personal 'introduction' was very interesting.

[3. Raj Sharma said the following at 10:23 AM on Nov 30:]

3

I met him at Prayer Breakfast in Illinois in 1992. I was in high school and a guest of my Pastor.

Congressman Hyde was kind, genuine and a wonderful human being. He often ran in uncontested elections because everyone knew that his district loved him and no one else stood a chance.

I am sure that he was welcomed into Heaven with open arms.

[1. Ted Slater said the following at 3:02 PM on Nov 29:]

1

That's a great tribute to a great man, Candice. Thank you for writing it.

[2. Phoebe said the following at 10:35 PM on Nov 29:]

2

thank you. I didn't know much about Mr. Hyde, and your personal 'introduction' was very interesting.

[3. Raj Sharma said the following at 10:23 AM on Nov 30:]

3

I met him at Prayer Breakfast in Illinois in 1992. I was in high school and a guest of my Pastor.

Congressman Hyde was kind, genuine and a wonderful human being. He often ran in uncontested elections because everyone knew that his district loved him and no one else stood a chance.

I am sure that he was welcomed into Heaven with open arms.