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Former Rep. Henry Hyde (R-Ill.) received the Presidential Medal of Freedom on Monday, with President Bush praising the lawmaker as a “towering figure on Capitol Hill” for more than three decades. Hyde, who left Congress last year, was unable to attend the White House ceremony. His son Bob received the medal in his stead. Bush said Hyde was a “commanding presence” in the House of Representatives from his first day forward. “Colleagues were struck by his extraordinary intellect, his deep convictions and eloquent voice,” Bush said. “In committee and in the House chamber, the background noise would stop when Henry Hyde had the floor.” The lawmaker, who chaired the Judiciary and International Relations committees during his 32 years in office, “stood for a strong and purposeful America — confident in freedom’s advance and firm in freedom’s defense,” the president stated. Bush also honored C-SPAN President and CEO Brian Lamb with the award and called him a “visionary.” The president said that C-SPAN is “a tool that enlivens democracy, and informs and educates citizens of all ages — at all hours.” |
