Joe Pitts: “last week, America lost a true statesman when Henry Hyde passed away at the age of 83. Representative Hyde was a student…”

“last week, America lost a true statesman when Henry Hyde passed away at the age of 83. Representative Hyde was a student of American history, a constitutional scholar, a thoughtful legislator, and a skillful orator. But above all, he will be remembered as a man of integrity who stood for the most basic principles of liberty, justice, and, above all, respect for life. On November 5, President Bush awarded Mr. Hyde the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the very highest honor the President can bestow on an American citizen. In his first term, Henry Hyde offered an amendment that ensured that Americans who believe in the sanctity of life would not see their taxpayer dollars go to the funding of abortion. That was just the beginning of Henry's long legislative career spent working to protect the sanctity of human life. I urge the Democrat leadership to bring the bipartisan H. Res. 843 to the floor for a vote. It would be a mark on this body if we did not honor the life and work of a man of character like Henry Hyde.”