WASHINGTON ( CNN ) -- Former Congressman Henry Hyde , a Republican from Illinois , died early Thursday morning . He was 83 . Henry Hyde served in the House for more than three decades . Hyde 's death was confirmed by a spokesman in the office of House Minority Leader John Boehner , R-Ohio . Hyde had been ill for some time and had open heart surgery in July . In his final years in office , he was wheelchair bound and frail . Hyde 's wife , Judy , was with him last night at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago , Illinois , according to Tom Mooney , his former chief of staff . According to Mooney , Hyde said to his wife he wanted to `` go home , '' to which Judy replied , `` We are going to get you home . '' He passed away soon after that . Born in 1924 , Hyde served in the House from 1975 to 2006 and retired at end of the last session . Hyde served as the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee from 1995 to 2001 . Hyde , a Catholic , was a vocal opponent of abortion . In 1976 Hyde attached an amendment to a spending bill that banned federal funding for abortions . The amendment later become known as the `` Hyde Amendment '' and has been at the center of the political fight over abortion since its passage . He chaired the committee during the impeachment of President Clinton in 1998 . The committee and the full House approved articles of impeachment stemming from the Lewinsky scandal , in which Clinton was accused of lying under oath about his sexual relationship with a White House intern , Monica Lewinsky . The Senate later voted against the charges . In a written statement , Boehner called Hyde `` a constitutional scholar , a thoughtful legislator , and a passionate orator . '' `` But above all , he will be remembered as a gentleman who stood as a beacon for the bedrock principles of liberty , justice , and , above all , respect for life , '' Boehner said . `` He was a forceful advocate for maintaining the dignity of the House and for recognizing the sacrifices and struggles Members make while in its service , '' Boehner said in the statement . `` Indeed , when Henry spoke in Committee or on the House floor , Members on both sides of aisle listened intently -- and they learned . '' On November 5 , President Bush awarded Hyde the Presidential Medal of Freedom , the highest honor the president can bestow on an American citizen . `` He proved that a man can have firm convictions and be a favorite of Democrats and Republicans alike , '' Bush said at the medal ceremony . E-mail to a friend . CNN 's Deirdre Walsh , Virginia Niccolaidis and Adam Levine contributed to this report .
Former Rep. Henry Hyde dies at the age of 83 . Hyde served in the House from 1975 to 2006 . Illinois Republican served as House Judiciary chairman from 1995 to 2001 . President Bush awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom in November .