Henry Hyde dies

Henry Hyde, the Republican congressman who represented Chicago's western suburbs for over thirty years, passed away early this morning--he was 83.

Hyde chose not to run for re-election last year, and was succeed by another Republican, Peter Roskam.

After the Republican takeover of Congress in 1994, House Speaker Newt Gingrich chose Hyde to chair the House Judiciary Committee. He was one of the few non-southerners Gingrich chose to head a committee.

While in charge of that committee, Hyde presided over the initial impeachment proceedings of Bill Clinton, which led to the tarnishing of his reputation. Salon.com revealed that the married Hyde had an affair while in his 40s with a married woman, leading to the breakup of her marriage.

Despite his indiscretion, Hyde was an honorable man and an effective congressman, and a hero to pro-lifers. Rest in peace.

Teri O'Brien echoes similar sentiments, but this mentally unbalanced blogger, The People's Republic of Seabrook, wishes that Hyde roasts in Hell.

Hyde of course, unlike former President Clinton, never lost his law licence for committing perjury, something Seabrook leaves out of his post.

Earlier this month, President Bush presented lifetime Chicago area resident with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Because of illness, Hyde was unable to attend the ceremony, his son accepted the award for him.

Technorati tags: Henry Hyde Illinois impeachment Bill Clinton politics Republican