George Weigel wrote a great essay in the January 2008 issue of First Things in remembrance of long-serving Congressman Henry Hyde who died last November, and among the quotes from Hyde included was one worth repeating. It is from a speech he gave over 20 years ago to a luncheon for newly elected members of Congress, as follows. It should be required reading for all of them.
“You are basking in the glow of victory and that is certainly understandable. But permit me to suggest, on the basis of long experience, that if you don’t know what you’re prepared to lose your seat for, you’re going to do a lot of damage up here. You have to know what you’re willing to lose everything for if you’re going to be the kind of member of Congress this country needs.”
Amen.
