Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- Congressman Henry Hyde commanded the respect of pro-life groups from across the country and, following his death on Thursday, LifeNews.com was overwhelmed with emails from organizations expressing their support for this respected opponent of abortion.

The following is a sampling of the some of the comments we've received about Hyde's life and accomplishments:

Tony Perkins, President of the Family Research Council - "No debate was ever concluded until Hyde, speaking without notes or other prompts, rose in the well of the House to interpose his great frame and incredible voice to shield the weakest and smallest in our midst, the unborn."

Dr. J.C. Willke, President of Life Issues Institute: "Henry's death is a major loss to the entire pro-life movement. He and I worked closely together since he first introduced the Hyde Amendment. Probably no other person in public service, here and abroad, has had the influence and certainly no one commanded the respect that he did. We'll all keep trying, but none of us will ever be able to replace him."

Marjorie Dannenfelser, President, Susan B. Anthony List - "He was really my hero and he helped the SBA List when we were just a seedling. He signed letters, gave words of encouragement, and generally inspired me and all of us. When I was the director of the Pro-Life Caucus in the House of Representatives, I felt like a privileged lieutenant of a great general."

"Henry Hyde will always be an inspiring model of commitment to public service and the sanctity of human life -- the William Wilberforce of our time," said Americans United for Life President Clarke Forsythe.

"Henry Hyde was a champion in the fight to protect unborn children," said Dr. Wanda Franz, president of National Right to Life. "Congressman Hyde was a passionate and dedicated ally of the pro-life movement. In both word and deed, Henry Hyde worked for the day that unborn children are again protected by law."

Brian Burch, president of Fidelis - “Henry Hyde will be long remembered for his tireless dedication to protecting unborn life. In the wake of the disastrous Roe v. Wade decision, Henry Hyde won the first major victory for unborn children in 1976 by ensuring that no federal taxpayer dollars would be used to fund abortion."

Tom Brejcha, President and Chief Counsel of the Thomas More Society: "Henry Hyde was truly a giant in the pro-life community and a friend to the Thomas More Society. During our hard fought NOW v Scheidler trial in the Supreme Court, Congressman Hyde came back to Washington to be a character witness for Joe Scheidler. In his testimony he praised Scheidler and other pro-lifers for doing what he wished others had done at the Nazi deathcamps, like Auschwitz and Dachau. The testimony provoked a rebuke from the trial judge, but brought loud applause from those in the audience. We will miss him greatly."