HR0915 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0915 LRB095 14789 KXB 45978 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of former United States Representative from Illinois Henry Hyde, who passed away on November 29, 2007; and

WHEREAS, Henry John Hyde was born in Chicago on April 18, 1924, where he was an all-city basketball center; he was a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives since 1975, representing the 6th District of Illinois, and retired in early 2007; and

WHEREAS, Henry Hyde attended Duke University, graduated with a Bachelor's degree from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., and obtained his law degree from Loyola University; he served in the United States Navy, enlisting on November 11, 1942; he attended the Navy V-12 Program at Duke University and Notre Dame University, attended Midshipman's School in 1943-44, was a commissioned Ensign, USNR, October, 1944, and served in the South Pacific, New Guinea, and in combat in the Philippines until August 1946; he served in the U.S. Naval Reserves from 1946-68 and retired at the rank of Commander after serving as officer in charge, U.S. Naval Intelligence Reserve Unit, Chicago; and

WHEREAS, Before serving in Congress, Henry Hyde also served in the Illinois House of Representatives from 1966 through 1974; during that time, Representative Hyde was one of its most outspoken and articulate debaters, rising to majority leader; in 1974, longtime GOP Representative Harold Collier retired from the suburban 6th Congressional District and Henry Hyde ran for the vacated seat, winning with 53 percent of the vote; and

WHEREAS, Sworn into the U.S. House of Representatives in 1975, Congressman Hyde was regarded as a strong and respected leader by members of both sides of the aisle; during his tenure, he worked to improve the lives of seniors, veterans, children, working families, and small business owners; and

WHEREAS, Congressman Hyde, as chairman of the House International Relations Committee, played a vital role in the war on terrorism; and

WHEREAS, Henry J. Hyde is survived by his three children and four grandchildren; he was preceded in death by his wife, Jeanne Simpson; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we express our condolences to the family, friends, and those who remember with respect former Congressman Henry J. Hyde; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of former Congressman Henry J. Hyde as an expression of our sincere sympathy.