Ed Royce: “I am rising also to honor Henry Hyde. As every Member of the House is aware, Mr. Hyde will be retiring from Congress…”

“I am rising also to honor Henry Hyde. As every Member of the House is aware, Mr. Hyde will be retiring from Congress after the end of this year after 32 years of service, not only to the people of the State of Illinois, but of service to the people of this country. Chairman Hyde took over the Committee on International Relations when the 107th Congress began; and if we think back to that time, that was January of 2001. Most of us weren't thinking that foreign policy would soon be at the forefront of Congress's agenda. But, of course, not long after that, on September 11, our Nation was attacked, and our agenda changed. I know that my colleagues had added confidence knowing that Henry Hyde would be leading the Committee on International Relations as we confront the terrorist threat. Their confidence proved to be well placed. Chairman Hyde has said, you know, you want to be thought of well by the people you work with. You like to earn their respect. I would like that to be my legacy. Well, Madam Speaker, that will be the legacy of Chairman Hyde. The gentleman from Illinois has earned the respect of his colleagues with his hard work, with his fairness, with his intellectual prowess and good-natured Irish wit. Madam Speaker, it is often said that politics don't stop at the water's edge. Chairman Hyde has personified that adage. He is a leader for all of us.”