Tom Lantos: “I rise today to join this commemoration of the extraordinary life of Henry Hyde, the late, able chairman of the House…”

“I rise today to join this commemoration of the extraordinary life of Henry Hyde, the late, able chairman of the House International Relations Committee. The United States House of Representatives lost an institutional legend this year, and those of us lucky enough to have served with Henry Hyde lost a treasured friend. Although Henry and I did not always agree on matters of policy, I have a deep and lasting respect for his service to this country. Mr. Speaker, Henry Hyde was a giant. His integrity, intelligence and patriotism were of towering proportions. Our friendship always transcended partisan political considerations and was reminiscent of an era of congressional collegiality. Henry's passionate commitment to public service and to the American people will serve as a beacon for generations. Henry Hyde had a wide variety of legislative feathers in his cap, but I wish today to speak about two particularly notable accomplishments. The first rightfully bears his name--the Henry J. Hyde United States- India Peaceful Atomic Energy Cooperation Act. This bipartisan agreement was done with cooperation in both Chambers. It represents the right way of legislating--ample preparation, consideration of all ideas, bipartisan cooperation, cordial relations with the other body, and keen attention to institutional prerogatives. Also under Henry's leadership, Congress approved groundbreaking, bipartisan legislation to fund the global battle against the scourge of HIV/AIDS.”