Congressman Henry J. Hyde

Sworn into the House of Representatives in 1975, Henry Hyde is regarded as a strong and respected leader by members of both sides of the aisle. During his tenure, he has worked hard to improve the lives of seniors, veterans, children, working families and small business owners -- the people who make up the 6th Congressional District of Illinois. These also are the people he remembers every time he considers legislative proposals or casts his ballot.

Hyde’s mission has always been the same - to bring jobs, better education and more opportunities to the people who live in suburban Cook and DuPage counties. The results of his dedicated service can be seen in communities throughout the Sixth District, from public works projects to provide flood control and clean drinking water; citizenship projects in local school districts; and new housing developments for senior citizens and special needs children. Hyde also has helped numerous fire departments and police departments obtain grants for new equipment such as bulletproof vests. Additionally, Hyde continues to oppose expansion at O’Hare International Airport, supporting instead the building of a third regional airport in Peotone. (6th District Issues)

As chairman of the House International Relations Committee, Hyde has played a vital role in this nation’s war on terrorism. From closed-door briefings at the White House to high-level meetings with foreign diplomats, Hyde has been involved in crucial debates about how the country must respond to the terrorist attacks perpetrated on our nation Sept. 11, 2001. Through his leadership, the International Relations Committee has brought attention to the fact that America does not do a good enough job telling its story abroad. The committee also has spent time exploring the threat of biological and chemical weapons in an effort to ensure our government is doing all it can to protect the public.

A member of the International Relations Committee since 1982, Hyde has been involved in crucial debates about international arms control, the War Powers Act, the expansion of NATO and the congressional investigation of the Iran-Contra affair. From 1985 to 1991, Hyde served as the ranking Republican on the House Select Committee on Intelligence, where he worked to ensure that the nation’s intelligence community was adequately funded.

Since 1975, Hyde has served on the House Judiciary Committee, serving as its chairman from 1995-2001. During that time, he served as the lead House manager during the Clinton impeachment trial. While a difficult time for all involved, Hyde still believes today that the House was constitutionally obligated to impeach Clinton for lying to a federal grand jury.

Hyde grew up in Chicago as an Irish-Catholic Democrat. He began having doubts about the Democrat Party in the late 1940s; by 1952, he had switched parties and backed Dwight D. Eisenhower for president.

Before serving in the U.S. Congress, Hyde served in the Illinois House (1966-1974.) During that time, Hyde was one of its most outspoken and articulate debaters, rising to majority leader. In 1974, longtime GOP Rep. Harold Collier retired from the suburban 6th Congressional District. Hyde ran for Collier’s vacated seat, winning with 53 percent of the vote.

Chairman Hyde was married to Jeanne Simpson Hyde for 45 years until her death in 1992. They have four children and four grandchildren.

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