Contact: Natalie Bell, Concerned Women for America, 202-488-7000, ext. 126

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 /Christian Newswire/ -- Concerned Women for America (CWA) praised Congress for honoring the lifelong work of pro-life hero Rep. Henry Hyde (R-Illinois).  The House and Senate passed resolutions to recognize the life of Rep. Hyde, his unwavering support of the sanctity of human life and his dedication to the rule of law.  The Senate resolution notes that "Henry Hyde's greatest legacy is as the author of the Hyde Amendment that prohibits Federal dollars from being used to pay for the abortion of unborn babies, which conservative figures estimate has saved at least 1,000,000 lives."

"Henry Hyde richly deserves the honors he has received.  We pray that his legacy as a statesman and defender of the unborn will be carried on through the example he set and the legislation he championed," says Wendy Wright, President of CWA.

Shari Rendall, Director of Legislation and Public Policy, said, "Representative Henry Hyde was a true crusader on behalf of the sanctity of life.  He protected the most innocent among us, the unborn.  Congress has done well to pass these resolutions to celebrate his life and recognize his contributions to all of humanity."

On November 5, 2007, Henry Hyde received the Presidential Medal of Freedom.  President George W. Bush explained, "He used his persuasive powers for noble causes.  He stood for limited, accountable government, and the equality of every person before the law.  He was a gallant champion of the weak and forgotten, and a fearless defender of life in all its seasons."

The Senate resolution further states "Henry Hyde lived by the belief that we will all be judged by our Creator in the end for our actions here on Earth, which he once explained on the floor of the House of Representatives by saying 'Our moment in history is marked by a mortal conflict between a culture of life and a culture of death.  God put us in the world to do noble things, to love and to cherish our fellow human beings, not to destroy them.  Today we must choose sides.'"

Concerned Women for America is the nation's largest public policy women's organization.