Retired U.S. Rep. Henry Hyde, known for pro-life efforts, dies at 83

Published: 2007-11-29

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Henry J. Hyde, the former Republican congressman from Illinois whose name became synonymous with efforts to limit federal funding of abortion, died Nov. 29 at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. Hyde's death was announced in Washington by House Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio, who gave no cause of death for the 83-year-old Catholic political figure. Hyde retired from politics in 2006 after 32 years in Congress and eight years in the Illinois Legislature. He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, from President George W. Bush Nov. 5 but was unable to attend the White House ceremony because he was recovering from quadruple heart bypass surgery in July. At the ceremony, Bush described Hyde as a "commanding presence" and "a man of consequence," who impressed colleagues with his "extraordinary intellect, his deep convictions and eloquent voice." His son Bob accepted the medal, saying it "affirms the importance and value of his stance on many things, like right to life." He was named a Knight of St. Gregory by Pope Benedict XVI in 2006 in recognition of his longtime fight for life.

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