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The Presidential Medal of Freedom is given "to any person who has made an especially meritorious contribution to the security of national interests of the U.S.; world peace; or, cultural or significant public endeavors." With that as the criteria, it's easy to see why former Congressman and pro-life champion Henry Hyde will be honored as part of the ceremonies at the White House next Monday.

We know Mr. Hyde (R-Il.) for the amendment which bears his name. First passed in the 1970s, its limitations on federal funding of abortion represented one of the very first victories of our Movement in the wake of the disastrous 1973 Roe v. Wade decision.

The impact of the Hyde Amendment, which prevents Medicaid and any other program under these departments from funding abortions except in limited cases, was not merely symbolic of a re-energized counteroffensive. Prior to its passage Medicaid paid for about 300,000 abortions a year. The figure is now several hundred at most.

And consider this. A conservative estimate is that the Hyde Amendment has saved the lives of 650,000 unborn babies.

For many it's akin to ancient history, but it is essential to remember that it was by no means certain that the Hyde Amendment would hold up once it came to attention of a Supreme Court riddled with pro-abortionists.

U.S. District Court Judge John Dooling quickly struck the Hyde Amendment in a 622-page decision. While the Dooling decision was working its way up the judicial ladder, over half the members of the United States House of Representatives filed a friend of the court brief challenging Dooling's conclusions.

D-Day came in 1980. On a 5-4 vote the Supreme Court upheld the Hyde Amendment. Writing for the majority in Harris v. McRae, Justice Potter Stewart concluded that "abortion is inherently different from other medical procedures because no other procedure involves the purposeful termination of a human life."

A tremendous shot in the arm for the Movement, the Hyde Amendment represented the first significant pro-life victory in the seven years since Roe was handed down. Pro-life morale needed a boost.

It is important to understand that the Court insisted its Roe decision did not equal "abortion on demand." Yet until Harris v. McRae, an imperious High Court swatted away all subsequent attempts to hedge in the unrestricted abortion "liberty" like they were gnats.

In Part Two, I've reproduced a tribute paid by President Bush to Congressman Hyde when the National Right to Life Educational Trust Fund honored him last year with its "Proudly Pro-Life Award." The tribute was delivered by special assistant Tim Goeglein.

In Part Three, I've attached one of the many great pro-life speeches delivered by Hyde, who faithfully served his Illinois constituents for 32 years.

A great man, Henry Hyde will always be near and dear to pro-lifers around the world.

Part Two
Part Three