Bush Honors Former Hoya Hoopster

First Mutombo and now Henry Hyde receive recognition from President Bush. Bush awarded Hyde the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Here is some of what he said:

Congressman Hyde spent more than three decades as a towering figure on Capitol Hill. But he first made his name in Washington more than 60 years ago. He was on the Georgetown basketball team, and played in the NCAA Eastern Championship game in 1943. After college and Navy service in World War II, he returned home to Illinois, and earned a law degree, and made his way into politics. This erudite, scholarly man has walked with kings and kept the common touch. He won 20 elections, and gave steady service to the people of Illinois for 40 years. In the House, Congressman Hyde rose to the chairmanship of two committees, judiciary and international relations. And from the first day, he was a commanding presence, and he was a man of consequence. Colleagues were struck by his extraordinary intellect, his deep convictions, and eloquent voice.