[JPRT, 105th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
105th Congress JOINT COMMITTEE PRINT 2nd Session
_______________________________________________________________________
MEMORIAL TRIBUTES
HELD IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
AND IN THE SENATE
OF THE UNITED STATES
TOGETHER WITH MEMORIAL SERVICES
IN EULOGY OF
JACOB JOSEPH CHESTNUT
AND
JOHN MICHAEL GIBSON
U.S. CAPITOL POLICE OFFICERS
July 27, 1998
Joint Committee on Printing
50-100
JACOB JOSEPH CHESTNUT 1940-1998
JOHN MICHAEL GIBSON 1956-1998
Jacob Joseph Chestnut
John Michael Gibson
Memorial Tributes
HELD IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
AND IN THE SENATE
OF THE UNITED STATES
TOGETHER WITH MEMORIAL SERVICES
IN EULOGY OF
JACOB JOSEPH CHESTNUT
AND
JOHN MICHAEL GIBSON
U.S. CAPITOL POLICE OFFICERS
One Hundred Fifth Congress
Second Session
Printed by authority of S. Con. Res. 112, 105th Congress
U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
WASHINGTON : 1998
Compiled under the direction
of the
Joint Committee on Printing
S. Con. Res. 112 Agreed to July 27,
1998
One Hundred Fifth Congress
of the
United States of America
AT THE SECOND SESSION
Begun and held at the City of Washington on Tuesday,
the twenty-seventh day of January, one thousand nine hundred
and ninety-eight
Concurrent Resolution
Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), That the
eulogies for Detective John Michael Gibson and Private First Class Jacob
Joseph Chestnut of the United States Capitol Police, as expressed in the
House of Representatives and the Senate together with the text of the
memorial services, shall be printed as a tribute to Detective Gibson and
Officer Chestnut, with illustrations and suitable binding. The document
shall be prepared under the direction of the Joint Committee on Printing.
There shall be printed 300 casebound copies; 50 to be delivered to each of
the families of Detective Gibson and Officer Chestnut, and 200 for the use
of the United States Capitol Police.
Attest:
Gary Sisco
Secretary of the Senate.
Attest:
Robin H. Carle
Clerk of the House of Representatives.
CONTENTS
Biographies...........................................
xi
Jacob Joseph Chestnut..............................
xi
John Michael Gibson................................
xiii
Proceedings in the House of Representatives...........
3
Tributes by Representatives:
Abercrombie, Neil, of Hawaii...................
164
Aderholt, Robert B., of Alabama................
167
Andrews, Robert E., of New Jersey..............
64
Armey, Richard K., of Texas....................
23, 71
Baldacci, John Elias, of Maine.................
31
Barr, Bob, of Georgia..........................
125
Barrett, Bill, of Nebraska.....................
144
Bartlett, Roscoe G., of Maryland...............
142
Becerra, Xavier, of California.................
181
Bentsen, Ken, of Texas.........................
41
Bilirakis, Michael, of Florida.................
151
Bishop, Sanford D., Jr., of Georgia............
130
Boehner, John A., of Ohio......................
62
Bonior, David E., of Michigan..................
21
Brady, Robert A., of Pennsylvania..............
179
Brown, Corrine, of Florida.....................
63
Burr, Richard, of North Carolina...............
101
Calvert, Ken, of California....................
136
Capps, Lois, of California.....................
97
Cardin, Benjamin L., of Maryland...............
123
Carson, Julia, of Indiana......................
58
Castle, Michael N., of Delaware................
109
Clay, William L., of Missouri..................
148
Clement, Bob, of Tennessee.....................
67
Cook, Merrill, of Utah.........................
104
Costello, Jerry F., of Illinois................
147
Coyne, William J., of Pennsylvania.............
82
Cubin, Barbara, of Wyoming.....................
60
Cunningham, Randy (Duke), of California........
94, 113
Danner, Pat, of Missouri.......................
128
Davis, Danny K., of Illinois...................
63
Davis, Jim, of Florida.........................
125
Davis, Thomas M., of Virginia..................
29
DeLauro, Rosa L., of Connecticut...............
42
DeLay, Tom, of Texas
...............................................
....
4, 14, 132, 168
Diaz-Balart, Lincoln, of Florida...............
42
Dicks, Norman D., of Washington................
81
Dingell, John D., of Michigan..................
72
Dreier, David, of California...................
129
Dunn, Jennifer, of Washington..................
26
Edwards, Chet, of Texas........................
71, 176
Ehrlich, Robert L., Jr., of Maryland...........
160
Everett, Terry, of Alabama.....................
145
Ewing, Thomas W., of Illinois..................
101
Farr, Sam, of California.......................
32
Fazio, Vic, of California......................
70
Foley, Mark, of Florida........................
53
Forbes, Michael P., of New York................
56
Fossella, Vito, of New York
...............................................
......
110, 175
Fowler, Tillie K., of Florida..................
111
Fox, Jon D., of Pennsylvania...................
48
Franks, Bob, of New Jersey.....................
176
Frelinghuysen, Rodney P., of New Jersey........
110
Frost, Martin, of Texas........................
78
Gejdenson, Sam, of Connecticut.................
75
Gephardt, Richard A., of Missouri..............
18
Gibbons, Jim, of Nevada........................
100
Gilchrest, Wayne T., of Maryland...............
50
Gillmor, Paul E., of Ohio......................
146
Gilman, Benjamin A., of New York...............
33
Gingrich, Newt, of Georgia.....................
10, 138
Goodlatte, Bob, of Virginia....................
156
Goss, Porter J., of Florida....................
140
Granger, Kay, of Texas.........................
173
Green, Gene, of Texas..........................
68
Gutknecht, Gil, of Minnesota
...............................................
...
130, 157
Hall, Tony P., of Ohio.........................
153
Hastert, J. Dennis, of Illinois................
23
Hayworth, J. D., of Arizona....................
55
Hill, Rick, of Montana.........................
106
Hobson, David L., of Ohio......................
149
Hoekstra, Peter, of Michigan...................
146
Holden, Tim, of Pennsylvania...................
34
Hooley, Darlene, of Oregon.....................
136
Horn, Stephen, of California...................
46
Houghton, Amo, of New York.....................
112
Hoyer, Steny H., of Maryland
..............................
4, 25, 184, 187, 190
Hunter, Duncan, of California..................
65
Jackson, Jesse L., Jr., of Illinois............
171
Jackson Lee, Sheila, of Texas..................
113
Jenkins, William L., of Tennessee..............
152
John, Christopher, of Louisiana................
174
Johnson, Eddie Bernice, of Texas...............
149
Kaptur, Marcy, of Ohio.........................
190
Kennedy, Joseph P., II, of Massachusetts.......
162
Kennelly, Barbara B., of Connecticut...........
66
Kildee, Dale E., of Michigan...................
141
Kilpatrick, Carolyn C., of Michigan............
73
Kind, Ron, of Wisconsin........................
158
Kingston, Jack, of Georgia.....................
106
Kleczka, Gerald D., of Wisconsin...............
76
Klink, Ron, of Pennsylvania....................
48
Kucinich, Dennis J., of Ohio...................
170
LaHood, Ray, of Illinois.......................
100
Lantos, Tom, of California.....................
90
Lee, Barbara, of California....................
83
Lewis, Jerry, of California....................
43
Lewis, John, of Georgia........................
38
Lipinski, William O., of Illinois..............
93
Lowey, Nita M., of New York....................
80
Luther, Bill, of Minnesota.....................
165
Maloney, Carolyn B., of New York...............
180
Manton, Thomas J., of New York.................
79
Manzullo, Donald A., of Illinois...............
162
Martinez, Matthew G., of California............
91
McCarthy, Karen, of Missouri...................
84
McGovern, James P., of Massachusetts...........
77
McInnis, Scott, of Colorado....................
39
Meek, Carrie B., of Florida....................
36
Meeks, Gregory W., of New York.................
131
Menendez, Robert, of New Jersey................
51
Mica, John L., of Florida......................
40
Millender-McDonald, Juanita, of California.....
171
Minge, David, of Minnesota.....................
137
Mink, Patsy T., of Hawaii......................
137
Moakley, John Joseph, of Massachusetts.........
95
Moran, James P., of Virginia...................
44, 186
Morella, Constance A., of Maryland.............
108
Myrick, Sue Wilkins, of North Carolina.........
192
Ney, Robert W., of Ohio........................
191
Northup, Anne M., of Kentucky..................
157
Ortiz, Solomon P., of Texas....................
151
Owens, Major R., of New York...................
68
Oxley, Michael G., of Ohio.....................
136
Packard, Ron, of California....................
155
Pallone, Frank, Jr., of New Jersey.............
66
Pappas, Michael, of New Jersey.................
52
Pascrell, Bill, Jr., of New Jersey.............
59
Payne, Donald M., of New Jersey................
127
Pelosi, Nancy, of California...................
155
Pitts, Joseph R., of Pennsylvania..............
159
Portman, Rob, of Ohio..........................
89
Quinn, Jack, of New York.......................
57
Rahall, Nick J., II, of West Virginia..........
107
Ramstad, Jim, of Minnesota.....................
86
Rangel, Charles B., of New York................
161
Regula, Ralph, of Ohio.........................
104
Rodriguez, Ciro D., of Texas...................
166
Roemer, Tim, of Indiana........................
54
Rogers, Harold, of Kentucky....................
85
Ros-Lehtinen, Ileana, of Florida...............
94
Rothman, Steven R., of New Jersey..............
87
Roukema, Marge, of New Jersey..................
177
Roybal-Allard, Lucille, of California..........
186
Sanders, Bernard, of Vermont...................
60
Sanford, Marshall (Mark), of South Carlina.....
87
Scott, Robert C., of Virginia..................
124
Sensenbrenner, F. James, Jr., of Wisconsin.....
75
Serrano, Jose E., of New York..................
154
Shays, Christopher, of Connecticut.............
45
Sisisky, Norman, of Virginia...................
52
Skaggs, David E., of Colorado..................
39
Skeen, Joe, of New Mexico......................
126
Skelton, Ike, of Missouri......................
55
Solomon, Gerald B. H., of New York.............
37
Spratt, John M., Jr., of South Carolina........
65
Stark, Fortney Pete, of California.............
143
Stearns, Cliff, of Florida.....................
74
Stokes, Louis, of Ohio.........................
65
Stupak, Bart, of Michigan......................
119
Tanner, John S., of Tennessee..................
172
Taylor, Charles H., of North Carolina..........
174
Thomas, William M., of California
.............................
28, 99, 184, 187
Traficant, James A., Jr., of Ohio..............
61, 102
Turner, Jim, of Texas..........................
49
Vento, Bruce F., of Minnesota..................
105
Visclosky, Peter J., of Indiana................
92
Walsh, James T., of New York...................
103
Wamp, Zach, of Tennessee.......................
133
Waters, Maxine, of California..................
56
Watkins, Wes, of Oklahoma......................
179
Weldon, Curt, of Pennsylvania..................
35, 121
Weygand, Robert A., of Rhode Island............
148
Wicker, Roger F., of Mississippi...............
117
Wise, Robert E., Jr., West Virginia............
29
Wolf, Frank R., of Virginia....................
32
Woolsey, Lynn C., of California................
106
Wynn, Albert Russell, of Maryland..............
46
Tributes by Delegates:
Christian-Green, Donna M., of Virgin Islands...
135
Faleomavaega, Eni F. H., of American Samoa.....
134
Norton, Eleanor Holmes, of District of Columbia
27, 181
Underwood, Robert A., of Guam..................
166
Tribute by Resident Commissioner:
Romero-Barcelo, Carlos A., of Puerto Rico......
160
Proceedings in the Senate.............................
195
Tributes by Senators:
Abraham, Spencer, of Michigan..................
263
Akaka, Daniel K., of Hawaii....................
275
Allard, Wayne, of Colorado.....................
264
Baucus, Max, of Montana........................
259
Bennett, Robert F., of Utah....................
210
Biden, Joseph R., Jr., of Delaware.............
261
Byrd, Robert C., of West Virginia..............
249
Campbell, Ben Nighthorse, of Colorado
.........................
227, 248, 271
Cleland, Max, of Georgia.......................
265
Conrad, Kent, of North Dakota..................
232
D'Amato, Alfonse M., of New York...............
233
Daschle, Thomas A., of South Dakota............
212
Dodd, Christopher J., of Connecticut...........
208
Durbin, Richard, of Illinois...................
222
Faircloth, Lauch, of North Carolina............
239
Feingold, Russell D., of Wisconsin.............
274
Feinstein, Dianne, of California...............
267
Frist, William H., of Tennessee................
270
Glenn, John, of Ohio...........................
229
Graham, Bob, of Florida........................
219
Hagel, Chuck, of Nebraska......................
262
Hatch, Orrin G., of Utah
...............................................
..........
221, 244
Hollings, Ernest F., of South Carolina.........
225
Hutchison, Kay Bailey, of Texas
............................................
207, 231
Johnson, Tim, of South Dakota..................
269
Kempthorne, Dirk, of Idaho.....................
200
Kennedy, Edward M., of Massachusetts...........
219
Kerry, John F., of Massachusetts...............
237
Kohl, Herb, of Wisconsin.......................
248
Kyl, Jon, of Arizona...........................
275
Leahy, Patrick J., of Vermont..................
245
Levin, Carl, of Michigan.......................
264
Lieberman, Joseph I., of Connecticut...........
202
Lott, Trent, of Mississippi
.......................................
195, 211, 240, 275
Mack, Connie, of Florida.......................
198
Mikulski, Barbara A, of Maryland...............
215
Moseley-Braun, Carol, of Illinois..............
234
Moynihan, Daniel Patrick, of New York..........
231
Murkowski, Frank H., Arkansas..................
211
Murray, Patty, of Washington...................
267
Robb, Charles S., of Virginia..................
205
Roth, William V., Jr., of Delaware.............
257
Santorum, Rick, of Pennsylvania................
268
Sarbanes, Paul S., of Maryland
..............................................
207, 277
Snowe, Olympia J., of Maine....................
235
Thompson, Fred, of Tennessee...................
230
Thurmond, Strom, of South Carolina.............
224
Warner, John W., of Virginia
...............................................
...
217, 244
Wellstone, Paul D., of Minnesota...............
258
Memorial Services.....................................
279
Capitol Rotunda, Washington, D.C...................
281
Memorial Service for Jacob Joseph Chestnut.........
291
Memorial Service for John Michael Gibson...........
295
BIOGRAPHIES
JACOB JOSEPH CHESTNUT
Private First Class Jacob Joseph Chestnut of the U.S.
Capitol Police force was born April 28, 1940, in Myrtle
Beach, South Carolina. He served 20 years in the U.S. Air
Force from 1960 to 1980, including a tour of duty with the
633rd Security Police Squadron in Vietnam. Among other
citations, Officer Chestnut was awarded the Vietnam
Service Medal with 2 Bronze Service Stars and the Bronze
Star Medal for Meritorious Service.
He started his career with the U.S. Capitol Police force
in January 1980, and was ultimately assigned duty guarding
the Document Door of the U.S. Capitol. His file contains
numerous letters of appreciation from citizens and staff
for assistance provided and attention to duty. In 1994 he
was given the Sustained Superior Performance Award for
``providing emergency medical assistance to a citizen
suffering an allergic reaction requiring emergency
hospitalization.''
While serving with the 374th Security Police Squadron at
Ching Chuan Kang Air Base in Taiwan, he met Wen Ling, his
wife of twenty-three years. They have five children:
William, 19; Karen, 22; twins Janet and Janece, both 27;
and Joseph, 35. They also have three grandchildren:
Ashton, Brandy, and Joyce.
JOHN MICHAEL GIBSON
Detective John Michael Gibson of the Dignitary
Protection Division of the U.S. Capitol Police was born
March 29, 1956, in Chicago, Illinois. He graduated from
Boston State College in 1979 and from the Federal Law
Enforcement Training Center in 1980. Detective Gibson
began his career with the U.S. Capitol Police in August of
1980. He was promoted to Detective and assigned to the
Dignitary Protection Division in December 1989.
Detective Gibson has received numerous letters of
appreciation ranging from helping citizens change a flat
tire or assisting with keys locked in vehicles to
providing protective services to members for the
Republican Conference. In 1988, Detective Gibson received
a certificate of commendation for ``going to the aid of a
citizen who had suffered possible cardiac arrest and
providing CPR, possibly saving their life.'' In May 1998,
Detective Gibson received a commendation from Senator Reid
for quick response to his wife's medical emergency while
at the Democratic Issues Conference in Williamsburg.
Detective Gibson is married to Evelyn M. Gibson. They
have three children: Daniel J., 14; John M., 16; and
Kristen E., 17.
MEMORIAL TRIBUTES
FOR
JACOB JOSEPH CHESTNUT
AND
JOHN MICHAEL GIBSON
Proceedings in the House of Representatives
Monday, July 27, 1998
The Chaplain, Reverend James David Ford, D.D., offered
the following prayer:
Let us pray.
We gather together for prayer as we do every day when we
ask for guidance and blessing for the day ahead.
But on this day, O God, we come with hearts that are
saddened and with souls distressed with the knowledge that
violence has been done to our community. As we gather for
our prayer we come as people who have the honor of service
in this special place, but today we mourn the loss of two
of our colleagues who gave their lives so others would
live.
From this time onward the names of Jacob Chestnut and
John Gibson will be remembered with honor and dignity and
praise and thanksgiving. O loving and eternal God, whose
mercies are without end, we ask Your blessing upon the
families of these men. Comfort them in their sorrow,
strengthen them in their need, grant solace and peace in
their hearts. You have promised, O God, that though we
walk through the valley of the shadow of death, You are
with us with Your grace and Your promise of eternal life.
We also remember in our prayer Angela Dickerson and
offer our prayers for her recovery. May Your spirit be
with her and her family and sustain them in the days
ahead.
We pray, O loving God, that your strong hand will give a
special blessing to those men and women who have devoted
their lives to the protection of all of us who work in our
Capitol, and also the many who visit this place. For all
the police who serve with faithfulness and dedication and
who mourn the loss of two of their own, we ask for Your
healing presence. Be with them in their grief.
May your peace, O God, that passes all human
understanding, be with all who mourn, now and evermore.
Amen.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Will the gentleman from
Maryland (Mr. Hoyer) come forward and lead the House in
the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I would ask all Members and
guests to join me in pledging allegiance to the flag,
which stands for the principles for which Detective Gibson
and Officer Chestnut have so recently given their lives.
Mr. HOYER led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mr. DeLAY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the
Committee on House Oversight be discharged from further
consideration of the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res.
310) and I ask for its immediate consideration and
adoption by the House.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Clerk will report the
concurrent resolution.
The Clerk read as follows:
H. Con. Res. 310
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring),
SECTION 1. AUTHORIZING USE OF ROTUNDA OF THE CAPITOL FOR
MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR DETECTIVE JOHN MICHAEL GIBSON AND
PRIVATE FIRST CLASS JACOB JOSEPH CHESTNUT.
The rotunda of the Capitol is authorized to be used for
a memorial service and proceedings related thereto for
Detective John Michael Gibson and Private First Class
Jacob Joseph Chestnut of the United States Capitol Police
on Tuesday, July 28, 1998, under the direction of the
United States Capitol Police Board.
SEC. 2. PLACEMENT OF PLAQUE IN CAPITOL IN MEMORY OF
DETECTIVE GIBSON AND PRIVATE FIRST CLASS CHESTNUT.
The Architect of the Capitol shall place a plaque in
honor of the memory of Detective John Michael Gibson and
Private First Class Jacob Joseph Chestnut of the United
States Capitol Police at an appropriate site in the United
States Capitol, with the approval of the Speaker of the
House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of
the Senate.
SEC. 3. PAYMENT OF FUNERAL EXPENSES FOR JOHN GIBSON AND
JACOB JOSEPH CHESTNUT.
(a) In General.--The Sergeant at Arms of the House of
Representatives is authorized and directed to make such
arrangements as may be necessary for funeral services for
Detective John Michael Gibson and Private First Class
Jacob Joseph Chestnut of the United States Capitol Police,
including payments for travel expenses of immediate family
members, and for the attendance of Members of the House of
Representatives at such services, including payments for
expenses incurred by Members in attending such services.
(b) Source and Manner of Making Payments.--Any payment
made under subsection (a) shall be made from the
applicable accounts of the House of Representatives, using
vouchers approved in a manner directed by the Committee on
House Oversight.
SEC. 4. PAYMENT OF SURVIVOR'S GRATUITY TO WIDOWS OF JOHN
GIBSON AND JACOB JOSEPH CHESTNUT.
(a) In General.--In accordance with the first sentence
of the last undesignated paragraph under the center
heading ``HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES'' in the first section
of the Legislative Branch Appropriation Act, 1955 (2
U.S.C. 125), the Chief Administrative Officer of the House
of Representatives is authorized and directed to pay, from
the applicable accounts of the House of Representatives--
(1) a gratuity to the widow of Detective John Michael
Gibson of the United States Capitol Police in the amount
of $51,866.00; and
(2) a gratuity to the widow of Private First Class Jacob
Joseph Chestnut of the United States Capitol Police in the
amount of $47,280.00.
(b) Treatment as Gift.--Each gratuity paid under
subsection (a) shall be held to have been a gift.
SEC. 5. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING ESTABLISHMENT OF
CAPITOL POLICE MEMORIAL FUND.
It is the sense of Congress that there should be
established under law a United States Capitol Police
Memorial Fund for the surviving spouse and children of
members of the United States Capitol Police who are slain
in the line of duty.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the
request of the gentleman from Texas?
Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, reserving the right to object,
obviously I will not object, but at this time I yield to
the distinguished gentleman from Texas (Mr. DeLay), the
majority whip, who lost a good and true friend, as all of
us lost two good and true friends.
Mr. DeLAY. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?
Mr. HOYER. I yield to the gentleman from Texas.
Mr. DeLAY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from
Maryland for yielding, and I appreciate the gentleman's
expression of sympathy. The gentleman has always shown a
true regard for the Capitol community and the people that
work here, and particularly the Capitol Police that
protect us. I appreciate the gentleman joining me in this
resolution.
Mr. Speaker, this resolution will do several things. I
want Members to understand that this is not the only
resolution we will be doing today. Later on today, when
Members come back and get into town, they will be able to
express themselves when we will have another resolution
honoring Detective Gibson and Officer Chestnut.
Mr. Speaker, this particular resolution establishes some
very real principles. First of all, it authorizes the use
of the Rotunda for a memorial service for Detective Gibson
and Private First Class Chestnut. It also, for the first
time that I know of, authorizes the placement of a plaque
in honor of Detective Gibson and Officer Chestnut in the
general area where they lost their lives, commemorating
those two spots in the Capitol.
We also obviously want to pay for their funeral
expenses. This resolution allows us to do that. We want to
make sure that their surviving widows are taken care of
and make sure that they do not have any concerns about
their future and the future of their children, and,
therefore, we authorize one year's annual salary to be
paid to the widow of Detective Gibson and to the widow of
Officer Chestnut. We also establish a Capitol Police
Memorial Fund that will be used for whatever the needs may
be of the families of Detective Gibson and Officer
Chestnut.
Later on today, as I said, we will consider a concurrent
resolution that honors the memory of these two officers,
of these two fine, fine gentlemen. Some, probably
cynically, are already asking why we are using the Capitol
Rotunda to honor these two brave men. After all, police
officers are slain in the line of duty all over the
country; why should these two particular men receive
special treatment? Is it simply because they died
defending Members of Congress and their staff?
Besides their personal bravery, these men died defending
the Capitol of the United States of America, the symbol of
freedom across this world. They are the first Capitol
Police officers to die in the line of duty since the
Capitol Police Department was created 170 years ago. They
died saving lives. They died doing their job. They died
being professionals and representing a fine, fine law
enforcement group of officers that protect this Capitol
and everybody in it, whether they be tourists, Americans,
people from other nations or Members of Congress and their
staffs.
I just feel that it is absolutely fitting, and I greatly
appreciate the leaders of both the House and Senate in
agreeing to use the Rotunda to honor these two officers.
By paying tribute to their sacrifice, we all pay tribute
to the sacrifices of law enforcement officers all across
this country. What more fitting place to honor law
enforcement officers than in the Rotunda of the building
that is the symbol of freedom across the world?
John Gibson and J.J. Chestnut were members of this
Capitol Hill community. One of the most gratifying things
that I know the families have received, as well as me and
my staff, who have had a very difficult weekend, is all
the calls from all across the country honoring these two
wonderful men as heroes. They are leaving behind many
grieving friends and associates here in this Capitol Hill
community.
I saw J.J. Chestnut every night when I left this
building. He was always standing there by the document
door. He was always grinning, and he was always giving me,
in a very warm, openhearted way, a hearty, sincere, ``Good
night, Congressman. You take care of yourself.'' And every
night I would respond with, ``J.J., you be careful.''
He was careful, but, unfortunately, not enough, and a
man came in and shot him. But my enduring vision of J.J.
will be of a professional officer who loved his job, loved
his post, fought to keep his post, and he was dedicated to
his duty in protecting the Nation's Capitol and everyone
that was in it.
John Gibson was a member of my security detail, and,
therefore, he was a member of my staff. But, as important,
my wife and my daughter and I feel very strongly that he
was a member of our family. John and I went everywhere
together. We had many long talks about life, about family,
about duty and about country.
John loved his detective badge. In fact, he would get in
trouble for wearing it, but he wore it because he was so
proud about the fact that he was a detective in the
Capitol Police Corps, that he had made detective, that he
was a man who believed in duty, and that he knew that it
would be possible some day that he would have to throw his
body in front of me or someone like me and my staff.
One never thinks that that is really going to happen,
but it happened on Friday, and John did throw his body
between my staff and a shooter, and he lost his life for
it. The President said it so well, because it is in
scripture, that ``No greater gift is there than the gift
of laying down your life for another,'' and John gave the
ultimate gift.
John loved his country. He loved sports. John Gibson was
a solid man. He was a patriot. He exemplified everything
that was good about America.
Both John Gibson and J.J. Chestnut are also members of
another community, and that is the Nation's community of
police officers. As such, their sacrifice represents the
sacrifices of thousands of police officers across the
Nation who do their duty to serve and protect the public,
sometimes under great abuse, sometimes under great
disregard, and many times people take them for granted. It
all comes together when an incident like this happens and
we realize how much we owe to police officers all across
this country.
So I think by using the Rotunda to honor these fallen
heroes we are honoring not only the specific acts of
courage that have saved so many other Americans and we are
not only honoring them because this was their building and
they were protecting it, but we also honor them, all
fallen law enforcement heroes who have died defending the
American people from evil.
My heart goes out to the families of John Gibson and
J.J. Chestnut, and particularly those young kids who have
lost a father. We have lost two wonderful heroes who have
saved so many from harm, two heroes who were dedicated
husbands and wonderful fathers, and I urge all my
colleagues and the American people in general to pray for
these families as they try to cope with this great loss.
Mr. Speaker, I will add that if people around this
country want to donate to the memorial fund created by
this resolution, they can send their contributions to the
United States Capitol Police Memorial Fund, United States
Capitol, Washington, D.C., 20515.
Let me also add, if the gentleman will further yield,
something that really touched me just a while ago. One of
the pages came up to me and handed me this, and I want to
put it in the Record, from the pages that serve here in
the United States House of Representatives.
Mr. Speaker, the pages would like to say ``We salute
these two fallen heroes who gave their lives for ours. In
the line of duty, these men stood strong and brave for
their country. For that, we all owe a great debt of
gratitude.
``We are all aware of their courageous sacrifice, and we
hold these officers deep in our hearts. God bless their
families, and God bless America.''
Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the gentleman yielding, and I
include for the Record the tribute by our pages.
From the Pages of the U.S. House of Representatives
We salute these two fallen heroes who gave their lives
for ours. In the line of duty, these men stood strong and
brave for their country. For that, we all owe a great debt
of gratitude.
We are all aware of their courageous sacrifice, and we
hold these officers deep in our hearts. God bless their
families, and God bless America.
Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, under my reservation, I sadly
join the majority whip, whose comments are personal but
express as well the sentiments of his colleagues.
More than 14,622 law enforcement officers have lost
their lives in the history of our country. The first one
lost his life in 1794. Since that time, we have asked some
of our fellow citizens to take upon themselves the
responsibility and the risk of defending freedom here at
home.
When I began the Pledge of Allegiance, I said that
Officer Chestnut and Detective Gibson died defending the
principles for which it stands. That was literally and
figuratively true. Every morning those whom we ask to bear
the responsibility of maintaining order in a civil
society, without which we would not have freedom and
justice and the rule of law, put on their uniform or their
plain clothes and badge, and most of them attach a gun to
their hip or to their shoulder. They and their families
know that daily they risk their lives. In this instance,
of course, because no previous Capitol police officer has
lost his or her life in a confrontation, that risk seemed
remote.
Mr. Speaker, Friday, July 24, reminds us once again that
the risk is always present for those we ask to defend this
free society. The vagaries of life are such that there are
those, either demented or angry or for whatever reasons,
take onto themselves the opportunity to commit violence.
In this instance, Officer Chestnut, Detective Gibson
and, indeed, the hundreds of Capitol police officers who
responded to this crisis, gave their lives so that many
others might be safe and, more important, so that the
Capitol of the United States, Freedom's House, will, in
fact, be accessible, but it will also be protected.
Our community on this Hill is a grief-stricken
community, and it is a reflection of a country that shares
that grief. I have had the opportunity of talking to
family members of these officers. I and so many others on
this floor know the personal grief that they are
experiencing. They have lost a loved one. They have lost a
friend. They have lost a dad or brother, uncle, friend, or
neighbor. They have a very personal grief.
But our country has a collective grief, and it is
appropriate that we honor these men, both as individual
American heroes, but also, as the majority whip has
indicated, as two members of a group of some 700,000
Americans who daily leave their homes and take to their
duties to defend America's principles, to defend
Americans, to defend an orderly society.
These men and women of law enforcement, like those we
ask to join the Armed Services and defend freedom abroad,
are equally responsible for us being able to meet in this
body in a society that honors the peaceful resolution of
disputes. We are the land of the free because we are the
home of the brave. This resolution honors two of those
brave who ensure that this will be, in fact, the land of
the free.
Mr. Speaker, I withdraw my reservation of objection.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Shimkus). Is there
objection to the request of the gentleman from Texas?
There was no objection.
The concurrent resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
Mr. GINGRICH. Mr. Speaker, I offer a concurrent
resolution (H. Con. Res. 311) honoring the memory of
Detective John Michael Gibson and Private First Class
Jacob Joseph Chestnut of the United States Capitol Police
for their selfless acts of heroism at the United States
Capitol on July 24, 1998, and ask unanimous consent for
its immediate consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the
request of the gentleman from Georgia?
There was no objection.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Clerk will report the
concurrent resolution.
The Clerk read the concurrent resolution, as follows:
H. Con. Res. 311
Whereas the Capitol is the People's House, and, as such,
it has always been and will remain open to the public;
Whereas millions of people visit the Capitol each year
to observe and study the workings of the democratic
process;
Whereas the Capitol is the most recognizable symbol of
liberty and democracy throughout the world and those who
guard the Capitol guard our freedom;
Whereas Private First Class Jacob ``J.J.'' Chestnut and
Detective John Michael Gibson sacrificed their lives to
protect the lives of hundreds of tourists, staff, and
Members of Congress;
Whereas if not for the quick and courageous action of
those officers, many innocent people would likely have
been injured or killed;
Whereas through their selfless acts, Detective Gibson
and Private First Class Chestnut underscored the courage,
honor, and dedication shown daily by every member of the
United States Capitol Police and every law enforcement
officer;
Whereas Private First Class Chestnut, a Vietnam veteran
who spent 20 years in the Air Force, was an 18-year
veteran of the Capitol Police, and was married to Wen Ling
and had five children, Joseph, Janece, Janet, Karen and
William;
Whereas Detective Gibson, assigned as Rep. Tom DeLay's
bodyguard for the last three years, was an 18-year veteran
of the Capitol Police, and was married to Evelyn and had
three children, Kristen, John and Daniel;
Whereas Private First Class Chestnut and Detective
Gibson were the first United States Capitol Police
officers ever killed in the line of duty;
Whereas Private First Class Chestnut and Detective
Gibson, and all those who helped apprehend the gunman,
assist the injured, and evacuate the building, are true
heroes of democracy, and every American owes them a deep
debt of gratitude: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring), That--
(1) Congress hereby honors the memory of Detective John
Michael Gibson and Private First Class Jacob Joseph
Chestnut of the United States Capitol Police for the
selfless acts of heroism they displayed on July 24, 1998,
in sacrificing their lives in the line of duty so that
others might live; and
(2) when the House of Representatives adjourns on this
date and when the Senate adjourns or recesses on this
date, they shall do so out of respect to the memory of
Detective John Michael Gibson and Private First Class
Jacob Joseph Chestnut.
Mr. GINGRICH. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that
the concurrent resolution be debatable for 2 hours and 30
minutes, equally divided and controlled by myself or my
designee and the minority leader or his designee.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the
request of the gentleman from Georgia?
There was no objection.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from Georgia (Mr.
Gingrich) is recognized for 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Mr. GINGRICH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
Mr. Speaker, let me first thank everyone who rose to
their duty or went beyond their duty in the last few days:
the Capitol Police, the various emergency teams, the
medical centers, the Washington Metropolitan Police, the
Federal Bureau of Investigation, staffs here in the
Congress, Members of the House and Senate.
A lot of people, including, let me say, the visitors to
the Capitol, responded in a human way to a human need. For
myself, I particularly want to thank Senator Connie Mack,
who voluntarily called and went around with me on Friday
night to visit the family of officer J.J. Chestnut and the
family of John Gibson, and also to visit the family of the
visitor who had been injured, Angela Dickerson, and her
family, who were visitors to the Capitol.
Because I think had every American been able to visit
those families in this time of shock, pain, and loss, and
to see the courage, dedication, and pride that the
families felt, I think it was a very humbling experience.
I know that for me and for them, it was enriched by
Senator Mack taking the time to be with them, to express
his concern on behalf of the entire Senate.
Let me also say that I have been very grateful to
Senator Lott for responding again and again, to Senator
Daschle, and to the minority leader, the gentleman from
Missouri (Mr. Gephardt), and the majority leader, the
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Armey), because together we have
made a series of decisions that are without precedent,
because frankly, this is an event without precedent.
In all the history of the United States, no one had ever
been killed defending the Capitol. In all the history of
the Capitol Police, never before had officers been killed
in the line of duty.
I believe that it drove home to all of us, certainly to
me and those Members and staff with whom I have talked,
how real and how serious the process of security is, and
how much we are a Capitol Hill family; that the larger
family of freedom has within it a smaller family of
individuals who work together every day.
In a few minutes, the majority whip, the gentleman from
Texas (Mr. DeLay) will talk, and he will talk from the
heart about Detective John Gibson. But I was very struck,
both that Mrs. DeLay said to me when I called to chat with
her that John Gibson had become like family because they
are so close; and then when I went out to the hospital,
Mrs. Gibson, Evelyn, said how proud John Gibson was to
have worked with the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Tom DeLay),
how much he enjoyed his assignment, how close they had
become.
To further drive home how much a family this is, I
learned later that Evelyn Gibson is the niece of the
gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Joe Moakley), so it
becomes an ever tighter and more human tying together of
families.
Let me also thank President Clinton, who responded
immediately with concern on Friday afternoon; who on
Saturday helped the Nation come to grips with this
tragedy; and who has been extraordinarily cooperative in
making arrangements for Arlington Cemetery and in agreeing
to be at the memorial service tomorrow.
I talked with the various staff members who had been in
the whip's office at the time that the Capitol was
attacked, at the time that Detective Gibson gave his life
saving their lives. I think anybody who talked with them
and heard from those staff their feelings, their sense of
the degree to which John Gibson rose to the occasion, the
degree to which he immediately told them to protect
themselves, told them to be safe, the degree to which he
then literally placed his body between danger and innocent
people, cannot help but be moved by this level of
dedication.
If you had talked to the visitor who was standing next
to Officer J.J. Chestnut when he was killed and you
learned that, literally, Officer Chestnut was in the
process of giving directions to the subway to help
visitors to the Capitol, and then you learned that his
partner was a few feet away because he was getting a
wheelchair to help other visitors, it reminded you that
they are both our protectors and our ambassadors, and how
much they do to make this Capitol a better place, and how
tragic their deaths are.
Let me also thank all of the visitors who Marianne and I
saw on Saturday when we walked over to the Capitol.
Because of their commitment, the visitors have said it is
important not to let madmen or terrorists frighten us away
from freedom; it is important to come to our House, the
People's House, to our building, the people's building.
Tourists were there as an act of patriotism, not just to
visit in the normal sense but deliberately to go there the
day after the shootings to say that they were going to
show their solidarity, and I was moved to tears walking up
the main steps when I saw a bouquet of flowers that had
already been put there at 9:30 that morning with a message
wrapped around it, ``To our heroes who save our freedom.''
I think no person who has a heart could have passed those
flowers without tears because the words captured the
heartfelt sentiment.
These two men are genuine heroes. They did their job.
The system worked but at terrible personal cost. We are
safe because of their sacrifice.
It is totally appropriate that we have suspended any
other business for today in honor of their memory. It is
totally appropriate that for the first time in history,
two officers will be lying in honor in the Rotunda
tomorrow. It is totally appropriate that we recognize them
both for what they have done here at the Capitol and for
the reminder that safety and freedom come at a very human
cost; that there are uniformed personnel in the police, in
the Border Patrol, in the military, who even as I speak
are putting their lives on the line in order that this
civilization can continue.
I want to say to Officer Chestnut's family, to Wen Ling,
his wife, to Joseph, Janece, Janet, Karen and William,
that you can be very proud of your father. He served his
country in the Air Force and he served his country in the
Capitol Police. He was a man I saw every day, as did most
Members of the leadership, because that was the door we
went in and out of every day. He was always courteous. He
was always firm. He was always disciplined. He always did
his job. He will be very sadly missed, but your family can
be proud that your father is a genuine hero.
Let me say to Detective John Gibson's family, to his
wife Evelyn and to his three children, Kristen and John
and Daniel, that Detective Gibson had made a real mark
here. At one point he had helped me a number of years ago.
Then he was assigned to help the whip, Tom DeLay. He was
an active supporter of Heroes, which is a nationwide
program which helps families of officers who are killed in
the line of duty. He was a man dedicated to law
enforcement and a man who for 18 years had served this
Capitol and this country very well.
While you cannot replace him, I hope that your memory of
him as a genuine hero is a memory that will bring you some
warmth in these difficult times.
I think I speak for every Member of the House and Senate
and for every staff person who works here in saying to
these two families that our hearts go out to you; that we
were proud to announce on Saturday the establishment of a
memorial trust fund at the Capitol Police; that we believe
that every citizen who wants to have an opportunity to
participate should have that opportunity; and that these
families deserve an outpouring of concern and of affection
because they have literally given the highest full
dedication to their country that anyone can give.
We will continue to protect the Capitol and to protect
freedom. We will not allow terrorists or madmen to block
this from being the People's House and the people's
building. We recognize with sadness and a clearer sense of
duty just how vital the role is of the Capitol Police, and
I believe every citizen who comes to this building will,
for many years to come, recognize that the men and women
who are protecting this building are truly doing a vital
job if freedom is to survive.
Mr. Speaker, I now yield such time as he may consume to
the distinguished gentleman from Texas (Mr. DeLay), the
majority whip.
Mr. DeLAY. Mr. Speaker, I greatly appreciate those
words. I really want to thank the Speaker and the
gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Gephardt), the minority
leader; the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Bonior), the
minority whip; the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Armey), the
majority leader; and the majority leader in the Senate,
Senator Lott; and the minority leader of the Senate,
Senator Daschle; for quickly understanding the importance
of what happened on Friday around 3:40 p.m. and how
important it is to the Nation, as well as to the Capitol
community, to honor these two heroes.
They understood the importance, understood how we needed
to come together and figure out some way to honor them,
and that is why we will honor them tomorrow in the
Rotunda. That is why I greatly appreciate the President
understanding how important this is to the Capitol
community; and he just announced that, even though
Detective Gibson is not a veteran, he will be allowed to
be buried in Arlington Cemetery. I greatly appreciate
that, and the families of Officer Chestnut and Detective
Gibson greatly appreciate that.
I understand that even if we run out of time this
evening, those Members who wish to speak, but who could
not speak tonight, will be able to speak in honor of these
gentlemen tomorrow.
Mr. Speaker, we dedicate this resolution to honor the
memory of Detective John Michael Gibson and Officer Jacob
Joseph Chestnut. And tomorrow, as I have said, we must
live our lives knowing that this country was a better
place because of the dedication and the courage of these
two men.
It is, after all, the lives of these men that we
celebrate today. Both were family men who loved their jobs
and loved their country. Both gave their lives defending
the United States, the Capitol, and the people who either
worked here or visited here.
John Gibson was especially close to my staff and to me
and my family, as everyone knows. And as I have said
before, John was part of my family and in many ways he was
and is our guardian angel.
There are so many stories to talk about John. I have
said already probably anything and everything I could say,
so I decided to take this time not for me to speak about
John, but to allow my staff to speak about John. This is
the day I asked my staff, anyone who wanted to say
something about John, to put it in words; and if I may, I
will take a little time so that people understand how
important John Gibson and J.J. Chestnut were to our
family.
Tony Rudy said, ``My fondest memory of John is when we
used to rush to get the 4 o'clock mail and try to get the
Boston Herald and the Boston Globe. We would talk about
UMass hoops and the Bruins. He worked very hard to get Tom
to understand and enjoy hockey.''
John Russell said, ``Officer Chestnut would scold me
whenever I walked past him entering the building after I
had a cigarette outside, and said it was his mission to
get me to quit and be as healthy as he was.''
Frank Maguire, ``With both John and I being Irish
Catholic with a Massachusetts heritage, we exchanged
family stories about growing up and found many
similarities that we could laugh about. I had described
John to my wife as my vision of what a Catholic priest
would be like who was allowed to marry and raise a family.
I will never forget that mental image of John Gibson.
``He was from a bygone era, one where people actually
stopped and took time to learn about you as a person and
your family, before focusing on what function you were to
perform in the office.''
John Feehery said, ``I remember feeling a real sense of
security every time I saw Officer Chestnut. You could tell
he took real pride in his work and who he was as a police
officer.''
Mary Ellen Wright, the dear girl who saw John shot,
said,
When you remember John, remember that grin. His grin
that could melt your heart or tell you that you had done
wrong with just one look.
When you remember John, remember that twinkle in his
eye. It was often a twinkle of mystery and sometimes a
mischievous twinkle, but always a twinkle of compassion, a
twinkle of love.
When you remember John, remember his honesty, his
willingness to express his opinions, whether you agreed
with him or not. Yes, that was John. He always spoke from
his heart.
When you remember John, remember his outstanding
character, his commitment to his family, his commitment to
his friends, to his work, and his overall commitment to
excellence in all of his pursuits.
When you remember John, consider yourself lucky to have
crossed paths with such a fine man. Remember John with a
smile. Cherish the precious moments, the precious
memories, of which there are many. Everyone knows what a
hero is, the many qualities that define such a unique
person. John Gibson is not only a hero, but an angel. He
was our angel on earth and is now our angel in heaven.
Lindsey Darrah, whose desk was 10 feet from John, said,
``Officer Chestnut, the watchdog, was the officer who
recognized us as staff, but regardless, made us show our
IDs. He was the officer who was never quite convinced the
silver tins were in fact filled with Popeye's Fried
Chicken. Oftentimes, we would bring in five or six loads
from the car. Yes, he not only made us open every single
tin to see what was inside, but then he would make us put
the chicken on the conveyor belt just to make sure it was
really and truly that chicken from Popeye's. You can
imagine that we were always highly annoyed with sweet
Officer Chestnut, and I am sure he knew it. But he was
just doing his job, and he would say so and we would all
laugh every time.''
Joe Connolly is the young man who sat just across the
desk from John. John, on hearing the shots fired, knew
that it was coming our way and told Joe to get under his
desk. The shooter fell right beside Joe as John took him
down. Joe said, ``I just want people to realize how close
everyone in our office really is. Most people may think,
oh, he was just a cop. But it was definitely more than
that, especially to me. He saved my life, and I will never
have a chance to thank him personally.''
Autumn Hanna said,
I remember about a month after I started working here, I
had to staff a large televised event with Mr. DeLay. I was
incredibly nervous and John could tell. He walked into the
hotel ballroom with me right behind Mr. DeLay, put his arm
around me and whispered in my ear, `Don't worry, I'll stay
with you.'
He stood right next to me throughout the evening and
drove me home afterward. His action that night revealed
the dynamic of the relationship John had with all the whip
staff. He was our protector, a reassuring presence in the
midst of the chaos and the confusion we encountered in our
work days and nights here at the Capitol.
He was that in his last moment. He gave his life in the
midst of chaos and confusion. He gave his life protecting
us, and I am still reassured by his presence. Our guardian
is now in heaven instead of at the back door, but he will
always be with us.
Deana Funderburk said,
Last year when I was working in the scheduling
department of the whip office, Mother Theresa visited the
Capitol. Congressman DeLay, accompanied by John Gibson,
went to the Joint Session in the Rotunda to welcome her.
Before Congressman DeLay and John left the office, John
asked me if I was going to be able to go. I unfortunately
was not able to attend.
The ceremony commenced and in remembrance of that
momentous event, each person in attendance was given a
pendant with an engraving of the Virgin Mary on it. After
the welcoming ceremony was finished, John came up to my
desk and held out his hand in a fist. He said that since I
was not able to attend, he wanted me to have his special
pendant.
I cannot express how much that gesture meant to me, and
how generous and kind a man he was. I still have that
pendant, which I will always treasure.
Pamela Mattox said,
In church yesterday, I looked at the crucifix and for
the first time truly understood the sacrifice of giving up
one's own life for others. That is what John Gibson did
for all of us in the whip office. We lived because he
cared enough to protect us.
But in reflection, every day he did more than that. His
way of life exemplified the best of the Golden Rule, at
worship, at home, at play, and at work.
John Gibson was, in a most unassuming way, simply the
best. We have lost someone precious and John is now with
the Lord. He was very much needed by all of us and greatly
loved. We thank you for allowing him to enlighten our
lives and will forever miss him.
John, thank you for making the world a far better place
and leaving us with so many special memories.
Mr. Speaker, there are others on my staff who would like
to say things, but maybe tomorrow we can put that in the
Record. These are some of the things that my staff wanted
to express about Officer Chestnut and Detective Gibson.
So, Mr. Speaker, this gives a sense of the kind of men
they were and how tragic it is that they have been taken
away from us. The entire whip staff wants to send its
condolences and prayers to the Gibson and Chestnut
families and to the community, the Capitol community here.
We all feel a great loss. We will always be grateful for
their sacrifice.
Mr. Speaker, at a later date, hopefully we can come back
and honor those Capitol Police who also were heroes and
lived, those who were involved in the incident and did
some very heroic things. They also deserve to be honored.
Mr. GEPHARDT. Mr. Speaker, first, I want to thank the
Speaker of the House and the majority leader and the
majority whip and all of the Members of the House who
today with one voice bring this resolution and honor the
memory of these two great officers, Officers Chestnut and
Gibson.
On Friday, at 3:40 or so in the afternoon, the family of
the People's House was attacked by a deranged killer. We
rise today in anguish and in real sorrow and devastation
at the loss that occurred here in our House of
Representatives and our Capitol.
But our loss is not nearly the loss that is felt by
these dear families.
On Saturday, I had the opportunity to go to the House of
Officer Gibson and to meet his wife and his children.
Imagine putting yourself into the shoes of his wife who
has lost her husband of many years without even so much as
the opportunity to say goodbye. Imagine putting yourself
into the shoes of a 13-year-old or a 15-year-old who
adored their father and now he is gone. Their loss is
unimaginable, unfathomable, and impossible to understand.
I hugged his wife and told her how sorry all of us are
and how much we loved them and cared for them. And I told
the children that even though they had lost their father,
that in a real sense they now have 435 additional fathers
and mothers, and that we will never, ever forget and we
will never, ever let them down.
We will be there for them, for Officer Gibson's children
and wife, Officer Chestnut's wife and children. I know
that we will all be there to see that the injury that they
have sustained, while it can never be taken back, while
the loss can never be restored, that all of us together,
functioning as a family, will be certain that they will
not be injured further and, to the extent we can, we will
love them forever.
Supreme Court Justice Brandeis, one of the greatest
justices in our Nation's history, said that courage is the
secret of liberty. The courage that Justice Brandeis was
talking about is usually quiet and unheralded and
unnoticed. But today we stand to recognize the public acts
of courage of two brave human beings who literally gave
their lives in the line of duty and so that others could
live.
They lost their lives by the narrowest of margins. They
could have been at another door. They could have been at
another place. They could have been on another shift. But
it is precisely that margin, measured out again and again
on battlefields far, far from this place, on streets close
to here, and last week only steps from where we stand,
that marks out democracy from the darkness.
These two good men, strong and decent, rank in the
legion of honor of those who died so that liberty may live
on in the lives of others. They remind us of the lesson of
all of our history, that the survival and success of a
free society depends far less on grand speeches than on
countless individual acts of duty and courage.
The ultimate sacrifice of J.J. Chestnut and John Gibson
literally saved the lives of countless Members of our
congressional family and countless numbers of visitors who
pass through these halls. The scope of this tragedy could
have been so much worse and touched so many more lives,
had they not automatically responded so professionally and
expertly to the horrible threat, the horrible violence
that invaded this citadel of democracy.
The tragic and senseless event was a horrible reminder
that our liberty and the liberty of all Americans face a
silent threat from the dark side of human nature. Those of
us who spend so much of our lives in this public place
often forget about the daily reality of this threat. But
the men and women of the Capitol Police never forget. They
are our guardians, not just of offices and officials, but
of our city on the hill, the place that is the pride of
our government and our country and the heart of our self-
government. They allow the business of democracy to
thrive, open to the citizens to whom it belongs.
We are here today to honor the fallen officers, but we
also take this opportunity to salute the quiet courage of
all the officers of the Capitol Police who come to work
each day without notice, without heralding, without
publicity, who get up and put their uniform on, pin their
badge on and come into this place and face the threat of
immediate death and violence. They are the salt of the
earth. They are the reason our democracy can live, and
they should be honored and they should be held up for all
of our public to see and to notice today and always.
The members of the force believe in this great House.
They are dedicated to working hard to protect the Members,
the staff and, yes, the visitors who pass through here
every day. And they do their job well, and they do it
professionally. And they do it with courtesy.
As the Speaker said, Officer Chestnut was writing out
directions for visitors to be able to get through the
building. Another officer who was involved was also off
getting a wheelchair. They have not just been guardians
and policemen. They have been ambassadors of goodwill to
the public which come to this building and want to
understand what is happening here. Until a tragedy
strikes, they never get the publicity or the attention
they deserve for making this institution work and keeping
it free and strong every day, every minute of every day
and night.
Today we honor their sacrifice and their service to this
Nation and to all of us.
I have the honor of being served also by a plainclothes
officer, Ed Pence. Until Friday, I guess I never
understood or was particularly conscious of the threat
that he has faced every day over the last 9 years. I want
to thank him. I want to thank his family. I want to thank
all the officers and all of their families for their brave
and dedicated service.
It is easy for us on the other side of the thin blue
line to forget that law enforcement is the most dangerous
job in our country, but it is a fact that our officers and
especially their families are reminded of every day. So we
pay tribute to these brave officers who gave their lives
in defense of all of us and for our liberty. We especially
honor their families who will never be made whole no
matter what we say or what we do in this place.
To those families we offer our prayers, we offer our
gratitude. We cannot quench your sorrow. We can share it
with you. We can stand in your shoes. We can imagine your
hurt. We can imagine your anguish. We can pledge that you
will be made whole, as best human beings can make you
whole. We will never forget what your fathers did. They
have made the ultimate sacrifice, and we will never forget
it.
Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Bonior), the minority whip.
Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, I thank my leader and the
Speaker and the distinguished gentleman from Texas (Mr.
DeLay).
Today we come together to mourn two fallen heroes, John
Gibson and Jacob Chestnut. They laid down their lives so
that others might live and in defense of all this Capitol
represents. Their heroism reminds us, once again, of the
great sacrifices people have made so that our democracy
might endure.
We honor their memories today, just as they honored our
democracy with years of dedication, hard work, and
bravery.
Many people take for granted the fine work the Capitol
Police do under extraordinary circumstances. Every day, as
the Speaker and as the leader and as Mr. DeLay have said,
they are responsible for protecting hundreds of Members of
Congress, thousands of staff, tens of thousands of
tourists who come to visit Capitol Hill. They deal with
people from all walks of life, the young, the old, from
just about every country on earth, people on vacation and
those in a hurry, and they do it with efficiency, with
friendliness, with courtesy and with professionalism. It
is a difficult job but they do it with pride and dignity.
Few of us ever pause to ponder how much courage they
summon every single day. We saw just how much courage on
Friday and how quickly and how bravely they reacted to
save the lives of those around them.
All of us owe them a tremendous debt of gratitude, and
none of us will ever forget the sacrifice of John Gibson
and Jacob Chestnut. Our hearts go out to their families,
Jacob's wife, Wen, and their children, Joseph, Janece,
Janet and Karen and William. And John's wife, Evelyn, and
their children, Kristen, John and Daniel. Our thoughts and
prayers are with you.
We have been touched by the tremendous outpouring of
emotion from the American people, the flowers on the
Capitol steps, the tears of sadness and the visitors who
have returned to their Capitol in reverence and mourning.
The heroism of these two officers has stirred the soul of
our Nation.
To people all over the world, this Capitol is the home
of freedom. John Gibson and Jacob Chestnut gave their
lives protecting it and all that it represents. Nothing we
say today can ease the grief or bring them back. But we
can honor their memory, and we can recommit ourselves to
the work of democracy for which they died.
On a personal note, I, as well as the other leaders, had
come and gone through that door, and over the years I have
gotten to know Jacob Chestnut. He was a wonderful man. He
had a bearing that represented everything that was right
about this institution. He exuded dignity. If there was a
word that captured him, it was his enormous dignity, his
bearing.
He was, as we have heard, always kind to those who came
into this building; he smiled when proper, but always
giving the signal to those who entered that they were
entering the citadel of democracy. He was a a very gentle
man. Many nights when we would work late and I would come
down and he would be the only one at the door and it was
closed to the visitors, we had a chance to chat,
especially when my wife Judy was still gathering things up
in the office.
He was a Vietnam veteran, as the Speaker mentioned. He
gave 20 years of service to his country. We shared
experiences serving in the Air Force, he as a military
police and I as a cook. You would have to know something
about the cooks and the military police to understand that
relationship. But it was special.
He talked about his family, whom he loved enormously. He
was a gardener, a good gardener who provided peppers and
cucumbers and squash to the neighbors on a regular basis.
I was watching a clip on television the other night of a
neighbor who talked so genuinely about him and what a
wonderful, decent man he was. He was always volunteering
to do work for his neighbors, mow their lawn, take care of
things that needed to be taken care of in the
neighborhood. He was described as the best husband and the
best father Imaginable. Leaving the Capitol each night for
maybe 7, 8, or 9 years, you get to know someone and you
engage in conversation; you knew that he, like John
Gibson, had many friends.
I would like to just end with some words by Wallace
Stegner. Wallace Stegner is a writer from the West, and he
talked about friendship, and he said this:
Friendship is a relationship that has no formal shape.
There are no rules or obligations or bonds as in marriage
or the family. It is held together by neither law nor
property nor blood. There is no glue in it but mutual
liking. It is therefore rare.
These two fine people were not only liked, they were
loved by many, many people. We will miss them. We will
miss their devotion to their work, their love of their
family, their love of this institution. We thank them for
their service. They will remain forever in our hearts.
Mr. ARMEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may
consume to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hastert), the
chief deputy whip.
Mr. HASTERT. I thank the gentleman from Texas, Mr.
Speaker. I want to express my condolences and heartfelt
sympathies to the families of our fallen heroes, J.J.
Chestnut and John Gibson. I knew both these men and am
proud to be able to call them friends.
I came to know J.J. Chestnut through his warm smile and
his kind words and upbeat personality. Every afternoon and
then later in the evening, he would greet me at his guard
post and he would say, ``Hello, Congressman Hastert,'' and
I would say, ``Hello, Officer Chestnut,'' and for 4 years,
we have developed a camaraderie, an understanding. I have
a great deal of respect for him.
When we brought guests into the Capitol, my son and
others, I would always make sure that I introduced them to
Officer Chestnut. Because I thought that was the best that
we could show of people who are here, who care about this
place although they are not always in the limelight, who
care about the substance and the pride that this Capitol
can show and the parts that many people play in keeping it
a place of respect and honor. He was a professional
certainly in every sense of the word.
As for John, our friendship grew over the many hours and
particularly the late nights spent in the majority whip
office. Despite the frantic pace or the pressure of the
given moment, I always remember John as calm, yet focused,
doing his job while we were counting votes or conducting
whatever congressional business was at hand, and all the
while John seemed to have a cheerful comment for the
moment that would put folks at ease around him.
I always remember coming through that door, up until
Friday afternoon, maybe six or eight or 10 times a day
because that is kind of the way that I wind my way back
from the floor, down the staircase and in that side door,
and every time I would open the door, John would be there,
he would look, he would check, see who it was, a cheerful
hello, but he was always vigilant, always there, something
that I took for granted.
I also took for granted that Officer Chestnut would come
through there and the stature that he would have. Those
were people that were there; they were there to protect
you; and you never think about what might happen.
As many of you already know, this tragedy hits
particularly close to home. As the chief deputy whip, I
work out of that whip's office as do a few of my staff. In
fact, my staff and my wife were waiting for me to return
from the floor that day. I can absolutely and positively
say that were it not for the valor of Officer Chestnut and
certainly Special Agent John Gibson, the lives of people
who are very close to me would have been in jeopardy. This
tragedy could have been much worse. It certainly comes as
no surprise that when duty called, Officer Chestnut and
John Gibson answered. Unfortunately, they and their
families now must pay the ultimate price. They died so
others could live.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Officer Chestnut's
wife Wen and his children Joseph, Janece, Janet, Karen and
William; and to John's wife Evelyn and their children
Kristen, John and Daniel. As difficult as it is for the
Chestnut and the Gibson families coping with this loss, I
hope that they can take some comfort in knowing that their
loved one's bravery protected thousands of others in the
U.S. Capitol. I am not just talking about July 24 but
every day that they put on the badge and went to work.
Their actions are evidence that the system worked, even
though a routine day turned terribly bad. For all
Americans, we owe a debt of gratitude not only to officer
J.J. Chestnut and Special Agent John Gibson and their
families but to all those who proudly wear a uniform in
order to defend democracy and fight for our freedom. We
should honor them, we must remember them, and most of all
we must thank them. They are heroes and they deserve our
most appreciative respect.
I have to say, I think about the things that we are able
to do in this place from time to time. As an elected
Member who serves in this People's House, we have some
outstanding times, some times when the light shines, you
can accomplish something, that short span of time, in 5 or
10 or whatever, however many years a person has as the
right or the privilege of serving in this House. There are
some short times that we can do some very great things. We
live for those times.
And then you think of the people who help make this
place work. The time for Officer Chestnut and John Gibson
came on July 24. Their short time to excel and do the
bravest thing that they could for their country and the
people who work here, for their families, and for the
ideal of democracy came in just a short period of time.
When that challenge came, they excelled. We could not ask
them to do any more than they did.
So, with all our heads held high and respect for those
gentlemen, I thank them, I thank their families, and we
can be proud of this institution.
Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the
distinguished gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer).
Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I said earlier today that this
was a sad and solemn occasion for us all. Obviously, it
is. The discussions have led to that conclusion. Some knew
these two brave men better than others. Let me suggest,
however, all of us know their comrades in the defense of
freedom and defense of our safety and the defense of civil
order, without which democracy and freedom cannot
flourish.
I see my very close friend on the floor, Curt Weldon
from the State of Pennsylvania. He and I are honored to
co-chair the effort we know as the Fire Service Caucus. It
honors men and women who respond to emergency, at time of
crisis, not just to fire but to flood and to earthquake
and to the cat in the tree, all types of emergencies that
confront us.
As I sat here thinking of those who had spoken about
these two brave officers--one who frankly was unable to
make an immediate decision because the assailant did not
give him that time, the other who had to make
instantaneous decisions and responded in the best
traditions--I think of them as being among the men and
women showing the greatest courage who serve in the police
forces of our Nation. But as I thought further, each one
of them made a decision that required courage and
commitment to their fellow men and women in this country.
That was a decision daily, as the minority leader has
said, to get up, put on the uniform or their plainclothes
gear and to put on a badge, a badge of honor, a badge of
commitment, a badge indicating their courage in making
that daily decision to defend civil order and democracy.
J.J. Chestnut was not given the opportunity by this
assailant to make a decision of exactly how to respond.
But J.J. Chestnut had already made that decision. He was
at that door, he was at the perimeter, he was at risk
voluntarily, placing himself in harm's way. That decision
was a brave and honorable and courageous decision.
Detective John Gibson also had made a decision earlier
that morning to be in harm's way. And when harm came, he
was not found wanting. In fact, he was found to have the
full measure of devotion and courage that he had pledged
to give, not solely to Tom DeLay, not solely to the
Congress of the United States, not solely to this
building, this hallowed citadel of freedom and democracy,
perceived by all the world to be the center of freedom and
justice. He was there to defend that very idea, that torch
of freedom.
As we have all come to honor those two men and their
colleagues in the police forces of America, one of whom
dies every other day in America, we understand what a real
risk they undertake, a knowledgeable risk that they
undertake. Abraham Lincoln at Gettysburg said it well,
that we cannot dedicate, we cannot consecrate this field
beyond that which those two brave men and their colleagues
have done.
Mr. Speaker, I am proud to join my colleagues in
honoring the memory of J.J. Chestnut and John Gibson and
in honoring their decision to show the kind of courage and
commitment necessary to maintain our democracy, our
freedom, our civil society.
Mr. ARMEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
distinguished gentlewoman from Washington (Ms. Dunn).
Ms. DUNN. Mr. Speaker, it is my deep honor and privilege
to rise today on behalf of the people I represent in the
Eighth Congressional District of Washington State and
myself and my family, and really on behalf of the Nation,
to offer our deep gratitude for the heroism of J.J.
Chestnut and John Gibson.
On Friday afternoon Officer Chestnut and Special Agent
Gibson embodied all that it means to be an American hero.
They were ordinary people who went to extraordinary
lengths to protect and defend freedom not just for Members
of the large congressional family, but also for all
Americans. These two brave officers literally laid down
their lives so that others could live, and for that
dedication of courage we are eternally grateful.
Every day in the People's House we are surrounded by the
protection of the United States Capitol Police. In serving
our country, the men and women of the police force touch
all of us who visit and work in the Capitol. They become
our friends, they become our colleagues, and of course
they are our protectors. J.J. Chestnut and John Gibson
epitomize this dedication of service and commitment to all
that we value as good in this world.
Mr. Speaker, I considered J.J. a friend, as did
countless Members and staff. My office is very near where
he stands, and we had shared a few words the night before
he died as we Members left the Capitol very close to
midnight, and we talked about how the next day would be a
little easier, and we did not know that that would be his
very last night. Nor did I know that the next afternoon,
the first shot that I heard from behind my closed door was
the shot that took J.J.'s life.
No words we utter here today can help the Chestnut and
Gibson families begin to heal, but I do want to say to
each family that as they grieve and seek support from God
above, a Nation mourns their loss, the congressional
family grieves with them, and we will never forget them.
Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
gentlewoman from the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton).
Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for
yielding this time to me.
Mr. Speaker, I come to praise the two valiant officers
who sacrificed their lives on Friday, to comfort their
families and to thank the Capitol Police who daily live up
to their reputation as one of the finest police
departments in the country.
On Friday, Officer Jacob Chestnut and Detective John
Gibson showed that the reputation of the Capitol Police
for dedicated professionalism is fully earned and richly
deserved. These two men were part of a police force that
operates at once like a friendly small town police
department and a crack security force. It is hard to pull
that off, but they do it every day.
Officer Chestnut and Detective Gibson were devoted men
who were part of a splendid force. In FY 1997 there were
286 reported crimes on the Capitol grounds, and the
Capitol Police made arrests in 252 of them. What a record.
The Capitol Police patrol part of the Capitol Hill
community as well. In the first 5 months of this year,
these dedicated officers made 413 arrests in the
community, up from 258 for the entire previous year.
Officer Chestnut and Detective Gibson did not expect to
lose their lives, but they clearly were prepared to do so.
They knew that they were part of a department that
protects the highest-profile, most accessible building in
the Nation. They knew that this duty put them in harm's
way. They were prepared to pay the price for this temple
of democracy and all who visit or work here, and
tragically they did. There are no words that fit that
price.
May the Chestnut family and the Gibson family know that
our hearts go out to them and that Officer Chestnut and
Detective Gibson have a place of honor among us that no
Member has ever attained.
Mr. ARMEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
distinguished gentleman from California (Mr. Thomas).
Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for
yielding this time to me.
Mr. Speaker, as my colleagues know, there are a lot of
young people in this country who have sung many times the
last line of our National Anthem, and I take the floor
primarily to let the Chestnut and the Gibson family know
that three of my Health Subcommittee staff better
understand the last phrase of the Star Spangled Banner
because they were one thin wall away from the jungle, and
the separation between civilization and the jungle is
sometimes one individual.
That occurred on Friday, and no amount of words that we
can say here will illustrate more to the young people of
this country the deeds that are necessary to indeed make
sure that we are the land of the free. Ann Marie Lynch,
Allison Giles, and Bill Walters were in a room, crouched
in fear, with one person between them and the jungle, and
they wanted me to come to the floor to thank the Gibson
family and to recognize the heroics of J.J. Chestnut and
John Gibson for making sure that they better understood in
a moment of terror what sacrifice really means to keep us
free.
Mr. Speaker, we all will continue to thank J.J. Chestnut
and John Gibson, but what we have to remember is that it
is not the word, it is the deed. When it was necessary,
these two individuals made the highest possible sacrifice
that one individual can give another to keep them free:
their lives. We will remember them and honor them.
Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the
distinguished gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Wise).
Mr. WISE. Mr. Speaker, this building offers a great
challenge, and that is it is a balance that has to be
reached between where the people's elected representatives
meet and where the people come to view their elected
representatives and their Nation's heritage. Officer
Chestnut and Detective Gibson met that test and kept that
balance on Friday.
This is a sad and anguishing day. My wife, who has
worked on this Hill longer than I have, I think, probably
summed it up for me as we discussed this and shared our
thoughts and our prayers which were with the two families.
She noted that two wives had lost their husbands as their
husbands protected many other husbands and wives, and
likewise children have lost their fathers as their fathers
protected other children. There are thousands of children
from each of our districts that come through these halls
every day, and they owe their safety and protection to men
and women like Officer Chestnut and Detective Gibson.
Mr. Speaker, there is no way you can cope with loss like
this except you try to hang onto the memories. And to the
families that we know have those strong memories I would
just say this: that as you have the memories to hang onto,
please know that there is a much larger family and
community that have those memories, and they are hanging
onto them too, and that the memories of your fathers and
husbands and loved ones, Officer Chestnut and Detective
Gibson, are strong in all of us, and they will live on.
And they live also through the democracy that is
functioning, through the visitors that are in the gallery
today, through the people that are streaming through this
Capitol, made safe by the sacrifice of Officers Chestnut
and Gibson, whom we will remember.
Mr. ARMEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Davis).
Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, on this solemn
occasion I would like to join my colleagues and the people
of the 11th Congressional District of Virginia to pay
special tribute to Special Agent John Gibson and Officer
Jacob Chestnut who gave their lives on July 24 to keep our
seat of democracy safe.
Special Agent Gibson was a resident of my congressional
district. It is tragic that these brave men were cut down
in the prime of their lives, but they will never be
forgotten for the bravery that they displayed, the lives
that they saved, and the ultimate sacrifice that they
made. Both men were dedicated 18-year veterans of the U.S.
Capitol Police Force, and both were devoted to their
families, and they will certainly be missed by everyone
who knew them.
Special Agent Gibson was much more than a Capitol Police
officer, however. He was a father, a husband, a sports fan
who was beloved and respected in his community. He was
Santa Claus at Christmas time. He was loving to his
family, generous to his neighbors, loyal to his job.
Special Agent Gibson will be remembered for all those
things, but his enduring legacy will be heroism he
displayed on that day. With his own life in danger, he
acted quickly and selflessly to save others. He commanded
the staff in the whip's office to hide while he faced the
gunman alone, and he will be remembered as a great hero
for sacrificing his own life to save the lives of others
and for continuing to do his duty in the face of great
peril. If Special Agent Gibson did not stop the gunman,
this terrible tragedy would have spread and been even more
severe.
Officer Chestnut was an avid vegetable gardener and
shared his squash, his cucumbers and peppers with his
friends and family. He was a Vietnam veteran and retired
Air Force officer. Only two months before retirement, he
planned to pursue his hobbies of fishing and golf. It is
heartbreaking that his plans ended as abruptly and as
brutally while guarding the interests of the Capitol. And
he was known by his colleagues for his dedication as a
police officer, for following the rules of his post.
I extend my sympathies to the family and friends that
these heroes left behind, and I know that their wives and
children will carry this loss with them forever but pray
that they will be comforted by the gratitude of those that
Special Agent Gibson and Officer Chestnut protected, and
the families could be proud that these men defended the
Nation's Capitol with bravery and honor.
A tragedy such as this reminds all of us of how fragile
life can be. Even at the center of our Nation's democracy
we cannot take our security for granted. We owe our
freedom as Americans to our dedicated law enforcement
officials and military service officers.
A tragedy such as this reminds all of us of how fragile
life can be. Even at the center of our Nation's democracy
we cannot take our security for granted. We owe our
freedom as Americans to our dedicated law enforcement
officials and our military service members. This fragility
reminds us to be grateful for the many gifts and freedoms
that we enjoy, many hard-fought. We are fortunate to have
had Special Agent Gibson and Officer Chestnut on the
Capitol Police Force who are well trained and loyal to
their duties. When called upon to put their own safety and
life above those they were sworn to protect, they did
their job, no questions, no excuses. They did what they
were trained to do. These men exemplified the best in law
enforcement and the best in America. Their excellent work
assures that Americans can visit this Capitol in peace and
security. In death they will continue to serve as genuine
heroes and role models for their colleagues and for all
those who believe in the American dream.
Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the
gentleman from Maine (Mr. Baldacci).
Mr. BALDACCI. Mr. Speaker, I thank the whip for yielding
this time to me.
I have to say that when I heard about this at the
airport as we were leaving on Friday, I was shocked at
what had transpired here. I immediately called the
Sergeant at Arms Office, who was in a leadership meeting,
to get a briefing on the casualties and circumstances
surrounding all of it and thinking that we had just been
here a short while ago to have this tragedy occur.
My heart and prayers and sympathies go out to the
families of John Gibson and Officer J.J. Chestnut, for
they made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedom
and liberty and put their lives on the line, and their
families will never be able to erase that burden and that
void in their lives. And I appreciate our House leadership
and the leadership of Congress and what they are doing to
make sure that as much as we can do we will do for these
families and that we will never forget.
I want to commend all of the Capitol Police, and
particularly the officers who responded during that
circumstance, from all over, because I heard from them as
they all came here together to shoulder and support each
other.
Sometimes we as Members take for granted their esteemed
professionalism and the caliber of that service that they
perform on a daily basis. But the Sergeant at Arms Office,
the Metropolitan Police, and all of the services that
huddled together, and how proud I was in the response and
the timely information that was dispensed to the people as
to what was taking place.
It was a very tragic moment in the People's House, but
it was a moment in which people pulled together, and I
know that will be something that will be an enduring
quality as we all pull together on both sides of the aisle
throughout America to stand there with these families as
they have endured the ultimate sacrifice.
Mr. ARMEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
distinguished gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Wolf).
Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, I thank the majority leader for
yielding me time.
Mr. Speaker, the entire country was shocked and saddened
to learn of the terrible tragedy that happened on Friday
afternoon, when U.S. Capitol Police Special Agent John
Gibson and Capitol Police Officer Jacob J. Chestnut were
killed in the line of duty.
I want to express my condolences to the families of
these two brave men. They were both true heroes. They gave
their lives to protect the lives of the rest of us.
The Capitol is really like a campus in many respects;
people all know each other, it is a small community. So
when a tragedy like this hits, it affects all of us very
deeply. There are no words that can adequately express the
sorrow and the grief that we all feel as a community over
this terrible loss.
My dad was a Philadelphia policeman for 20 years, and I
know how difficult the job can be and the uncertainty that
begins each day for the officer's family.
Our hearts go out to the families of Special Agent
Gibson and Officer Chestnut, and all of the men and women
of the Capitol Hill Police Department and all of the
policemen around the country who give their lives. Our
hearts also go out to Angela Dickerson, the young woman
who was wounded during the shooting. We also recognize the
trauma and the experience by so many others who were there
on Friday afternoon. Our thoughts and prayers are with
them all.
Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the
gentleman from California (Mr. Farr).
Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Speaker, I find it such a
privilege to rise today in this hallowed House of
Representatives, the People's House.
I think when we left here Friday there were some harsh
words exchanged between the caucuses, and we rise today to
pay tribute to two men who may have done more to pull us
together, to realize what this building is all about.
I bring condolences from the district that I represent,
far away from here, the central coast of California. For
those of us who work here every day, I think sometimes we
take what we do in this building for granted.
Following the tragic shooting just 48 hours ago, Capitol
Police Officer Jacob Chestnut and Special Agent John
Gibson have given us all pause to think more seriously and
more respectively of the job we do in this building,
because this is the people's building and this is the
People's House. Just look at the visitors who are outside
this hall today, coming into the Capitol, paying tribute
with flowers, notes, and condolences.
Yes, the government must go on. It never stops. But
sometimes in history it pauses for a moment, it pauses to
pay tribute. Officer Chestnut and Special Agent Gibson
gave their lives while standing their duty. For this
building, its workers, and, more important, this Nation,
we pause to honor them. Their lives were not lost in vain,
because, for now, our Nation joins in mourning their loss.
Perhaps today our democracy is a little bit stronger as
each American reflects on the sacrifice these men gave.
Each of us knows the pain. We have all lost loved ones.
We know how much Wen Ling Chestnut and her five children,
Joseph, Janece, Janet, Karen and William, and Evelyn
Gibson and her three children, Kristen, John and Daniel,
feel the sudden emptiness of losing their husbands and
fathers.
My district, this Nation, joins in their loss and in the
mourning tomorrow.
Mr. ARMEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman), the distinguished
chairman of the Committee on International Relations.
Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for
yielding me time.
Mr. Speaker, I consider it an honor and a privilege to
be able to join my colleagues in support of this
resolution, H. Con. Res. 311, honoring two American
heroes, our slain U.S. Capitol Police Officer Jacob
``J.J.'' Chestnut and U.S. Capitol Police Special Agent,
John M. Gibson. These two dedicated police officers gave
their lives in the line of duty to protect our Capitol,
its visitors, and all of us in this body.
We join in extending our heartfelt prayers and
condolences to the families of these two American heroes,
our distinguished Capitol Police officers. J.J. Chestnut
always had a ready smile and a friendly word for all of
us. His warm personality and assistance will be sadly
missed by all of us in the Congress and by the visitors to
the Capitol.
John Gibson will long be remembered as a hero who gave
his life in preventing further tragedy from occurring. I
remember John's visits to my office with his partner, Bob
Vitarelli, the husband of my staff member. His dedication
as a police officer is vividly remembered.
Yes, the Capitol is the People's House, and it would be
an outrage if all Americans could not feel safe in
visiting our Capitol.
Let us bear in mind the statistics disclose that every
other day, another man or woman is killed while serving as
a law enforcement official, illustrating the incredible
risk that these dedicated men and women of the police
undertake to keep our Nation safe. It is hoped that our
words and actions on this resolution in honoring Officer
Chestnut and Special Agent Gibson will remind all
Americans to recognize the importance of the work and
action of the Capitol Police. They will long be remembered
in our thoughts and prayers.
Let us reflect that their lives, like so many of our
police officers across our Nation, are dedicated to
protecting the rule of law and our free and democratic
institutions. All of us who cherish these important values
in institutions in America join in honoring these two
dedicated, courageous officers for their ultimate
sacrifice in helping to preserve our institutions and
legacy just a few days ago in this very building. These
officers, Chestnut and Gibson, symbolize the very best of
our Nation.
Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Holden).
Mr. HOLDEN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for
yielding me time.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Officer
Jacob ``J.J.'' Chestnut and Special Agent John M. Gibson
of the United States Capitol Police Force. Officers
Chestnut and Gibson made the ultimate sacrifice of giving
their lives this past Friday in the protection of this
building and this body.
July 24, 1998, will long be remembered as a dark day in
the history of the United States Capitol. However, Mr.
Speaker, I also feel that July 24 should be remembered as
a day of pride for the United States Capitol Police
Department. When the gunman entered the document door
entrance Friday afternoon, he was detected immediately by
Officer Chestnut and contained very quickly thereafter by
Special Agent Gibson, avoiding possible injury to all but
one of the many innocent visitors and staff in the area.
Because of their top-notch training and professionalism
with which they carry out their duties each day, a much
larger potential tragedy was averted. Their training and
procedures worked, and last Friday's successful
apprehension of a gunman, however tragic, is a testament
to the skill and professionalism of the United States
Capitol Police.
The loss of John Gibson and J.J. Chestnut is very
difficult for all of us. They were not strangers
protecting us and the millions of visitors to the Capitol
each year; they were our friends. They were members of our
community.
Capitol Police officers are people we see each day and
warmly exchange a smile and a greeting with. Very rarely
do we give acknowledgment to the fact that at any given
moment, any one of these brave men and women are prepared
to put their life on the line, to place their body in the
way of a bullet to protect us, our staffs and the many
visitors to the Capitol each day.
Mr. Speaker, the Members of the Capitol Police Force not
only deserve our condolences today for the loss of two of
their fellow officers, they also deserve our gratitude for
their efforts in making our Capitol, a symbol of freedom
throughout the world, a safe place to work and visit.
Mr. Speaker, as a former county sheriff and a 13-year
member of the Fraternal Order of Police, I have a special
appreciation for the sadness and difficulty experienced by
the survivors of a fallen officer. John Gibson left behind
a wife and three children. J.J. Chestnut is survived by a
wife and five children. My thoughts and prayers are with
the families of Officers Gibson and Chestnut in this most
difficult and trying time.
Mr. ARMEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
distinguished gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Weldon).
Mr. WELDON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, during the past
12 years that I have had the honor of serving this
institution, I have had the pleasure of working in a very
close relationship with public safety officials throughout
America and especially here on the Hill. In fact, working
with our very capable Sergeant at Arms, Bill Livingood,
and Chief of Police, Gary Abrecht, I have been able to see
our officers not just in the tragedy of this past weekend,
but responding to fires and EMS calls and calls for bomb
threats in our buildings. In fact, just 3 years ago, the
distinguished gentleman from Maryland and I called
together, with the Sergeant at Arms and our Police Chief,
almost 40 of our Capitol Hill Police officers to give them
citations and thank them for protecting the lives of our
staffers and Members in what could have been a very tragic
situation in the Longworth Building.
Mr. Speaker, as we come here tonight to pay tribute to
these very special people, there is really a message for
our entire Nation. Mr. Speaker, that message is for all
America: As we as a Nation, in our 200 years of existence,
look out for heroes, we sometimes look to Hollywood or we
look to our ball fields, our football fields and baseball
fields, and we get frustrated because we cannot find them
there.
Well, Mr. Speaker, this tragedy reminds us that our
heroes are not in Hollywood, they are not on TV, they are
not on our ball fields. They are in our neighborhoods.
They are our law enforcement officials, our sheriffs, our
fire officials, our EMS personnel, who every day risk
their lives, and who, unfortunately, time and again, lose
their lives, as these two brave heroes did last Friday.
I join with our colleagues today, Mr. Speaker, in
recognizing that we celebrate the heroes of this
institution, the heroes of our neighborhood, who we have
lived with and worked with for the time we have spent
working in this Nation's Capitol.
I rise to join with my colleagues in honoring the
families and the memory of J.J. Chestnut and John Gibson,
two real American heroes.
Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
distinguished gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Meek).
Mrs. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman
for yielding me time.
Mr. Speaker, I am deeply moved by the untimely deaths of
these brave heroes who have shown both valor and bravery
in a time like this.
We honor Officer J.J. Chestnut and Mr. John Gibson, a
Special Agent, for caring about us. We honor them for
caring about the American people. We honor them ourselves
today for keeping us safe and sound.
I have a great deal of respect the Capitol Police. To me
they are an elite corps. We see them every day. They
represent to us the best that is in America. Mr. Chestnut
and Mr. Gibson showed us what real bravery is all about.
There is a saying that the measure of a man's life is
not how he died, but how he lived, and these two men lived
for our protection.
I am thinking about the words of Walt Whitman:
O Captain! My Captain! Our fearful trip is done,
The ship has weather'd every rack, the prize we sought is
won,
The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all
exulting,
While follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel grim and
daring;
But O heart! heart! heart!
O the bleeding drops of red,
Where on the deck my Captain lies,
Fallen cold and dead.
O Captain! my Captain! rise up and hear the bells;
Rise up--for you the flag is flung--for you the bugle
trills,
For you bouquets and ribbon'd wreaths--for you the shores
a-crowding,
For you they call, the swaying mass, their eager faces
turning;
Here Captain! dear father!
This arm beneath your head!
It is some dream that on the deck,
You've fallen cold and dead.
My Captain does not answer, his lips are pale and still,
My father does not feel my arm, he has no pulse nor will,
The ship is anchor'd safe and sound, its voyage closed and
done,
From fearful trip the victor ship comes in with object
won;
Exult O shores, and ring O bells!
But I with mournful tread,
Walk the deck my Captain lies,
Fallen cold and dead.
Goodbye to you, Mr. J.J. Chestnut; goodbye to you, Mr.
Gibson. We will never forget your bravery and your valor.
Mr. ARMEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the
gentleman from New York (Mr. Solomon), the distinguished
chairman of the Committee on Rules.
Mr. SOLOMON. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for
yielding me this time. I thank the minority leader and the
two whips for offering this tribute to two fallen heroes,
J.J. Chestnut and John Gibson, two great friends.
To these officers I would just like to personally thank
both of you for the comfort that you and all of the other
police officers give to all of us, but particularly my
staff up in the Committee on Rules in the third floor
gallery there that work the wee hours of the night so many
times when there is not too much around to protect these
loyal staff that work these late hours, except the police
officers that are always on guard.
It just is so sad that we have to be here today, because
no finer police officers ever served this Capitol. My
colleagues have noted today what great individual human
beings they both were. We will never forget them as police
officers, but more important, we will never forget them as
friends.
Mr. Speaker, there is a stanza from a Memorial Day poem
I think that really typifies the kind of heroes that we
pay tribute to today. That poem goes something like this:
``I am the unknown soldier, and maybe I died in vain, but
if I were alive and my country called, I would do it all
over again.''
These are two individuals that I think personify that
stanza, that poem.
I would just like to say to Officer Chestnut and
Detective Gibson that you mean so much to all of us, but
you did give that last full measure of devotion for your
country and the protection of decent, innocent human
beings, and you paid the ultimate price for it. You are
truly heroes, and may God bless you both.
To your families, we can never repay you for the
sacrifices of these two heroes. But you must always know
that you can call on any one of us in the future if we can
ever be of any kind of service to you.
Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Lewis), the distinguished
chief deputy whip.
Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my
friend and colleague for yielding me this time.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to two American
heroes, Officer Jacob ``J.J.'' Chestnut, and Special Agent
John Gibson. Mr. Speaker, this is a very sad day, for
these two men, members of the Capitol Hill Police Force,
gave their lives last Friday in defense of this, the
People's House. They are heroes. They are patriots. They
put their bodies on the line. They are the victims of a
senseless act of violence. Our thoughts and prayers go out
to the families of these two brave officers, and to all of
the members of the Capitol Hill police family.
These young men and women who provide security for the
Capitol, for the People's House, are like members of our
own family. They are part of the Capitol Hill family. When
we are here in session, we see them every day, sometimes
many times a day. We mourn with the members of the Capitol
Hill Police Force.
The men and women of the Capitol Hill Police Force put
their lives on the line every day just as police officers
in so many other cities and communities all across
America. Today, Mr. Speaker, we pay tribute, we pay honor,
to Officers Chestnut and Gibson, but we also say a prayer
and give thanks for the safety of people serving in
uniform everywhere.
Mr. Speaker, God bless John Gibson and Jacob Chestnut.
We are forever in their debt. They will never be
forgotten.
Mr. ARMEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from Colorado (Mr. McInnis).
Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for
yielding me this time.
Most people of America did not know Officer Gibson and
they did not know Officer Chestnut, but they know what
they did here, and now most people in America honor and
respect and know these officers.
Every 48 hours in this country somewhere we have a
police officer who loses his or her life in the line of
duty. It is unfortunate that it takes a tragedy like this
to move the word ``hero'' from the sports page back to the
news page.
Many years ago, I lost a very close friend whom I was
with about an hour before his death. He was very young.
And I remember at the service the story that I think we
can relate to here very easily, and I think it applies
here.
His grandpa was an old cowboy, I live in the mountains
of Colorado, and he was weathered, very seasoned, very
wise. I was crying, I was very upset. And much like here,
I think his comments rest. Those comments were, despite
all of this tragedy, ``do not be too sad, because all that
has really happened here is that Officer Gibson and
Officer Chestnut have just saddled up their horses, they
have ridden ahead on the trail, they have set up camp, and
they have put the coffee on for us.''
Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
distinguished gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Skaggs).
Mr. SKAGGS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for
yielding me this time.
There are so many things that we all want to try to
express at this difficult time. We all want to say ``thank
you'' to Officer Chestnut and Special Agent Gibson. Thank
you for your dedication to duty, your bravery, your
courage, your heroism. We want to say to their families
how very, very sorry we are for your terrible loss. We
want to honor you as we honor your husbands and your
fathers.
We want to say to all Capitol Police that we are
grateful for all you do to keep this Capitol safe for all
who work and visit here. We offer sympathy to you for the
loss of your fellow officers.
This congressional community feels this tragedy so
deeply. It was an assault on each of us who is privileged
to serve here. We all are touched by the great sacrifice
of these two good men who died for us.
This life is fragile; this democracy is fragile. These
two great Americans helped so profoundly to protect these
fragile and precious things. They gave, as Lincoln said,
their last full measure of devotion. May they rest in
peace and may all the honor we can grant them be held in
God's generous grace.
Mr. ARMEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mica).
Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I want to take this opportunity
to express my very deepest sympathy to the wives, the
children, and the families of Officer Gibson and Officer
Chestnut. Their tragic deaths have a very special
significance to me as a Member of Congress. These men gave
their lives to protect me, other Members, staff, and
visitors to our Nation's Capital.
I cannot think of any greater sacrifice than they gave.
They gave up their lives to protect ours. With their
deaths this Capitol building and this Congress will never
be the same.
As chairman of the Subcommittee on Civil Service of the
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight, I commend
these great civil servants who have given the ultimate
sacrifice for their fellow men. They acted with courage,
they acted unhesitantly, with devotion to their job and
their duty.
Together, we come this evening to honor the memory of
Officers Chestnut and Gibson. I join my colleagues, their
colleagues, our staff and the American people to say thank
you to our fallen heroes.
We also now have a new appreciation for all our civil
servants and all of our Capitol Police officers who put
their lives at risk each day. To each and every one of
these dedicated civil servants we say thank you. Thank you
for a job well done.
Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Bentsen).
Mr. BENTSEN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for
yielding me this time.
Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my most heartfelt
sympathy to the families of Officer Jacob Chestnut and
Special Agent John Gibson. On behalf of my constituents
and my family, my deepest gratitude for their service to
our Nation. They died doing their jobs.
How many times have we told our constituents as we take
them on tours, just ask one of the officers? How many
times do we pass the officer coming in for a vote or going
to a meeting, say hello, and pass them by, never knowing
that in a moment they could be gone as a result of some
violent act?
I, like many of my colleagues here, have spent a good
part of my life working in the Capitol, first as
congressional staff and now as a Member of this body, the
People's House. It is easy for us to take for granted what
a magnificent Capitol this is and what it symbolizes to
the Nation and to the world and forget the price that has
been paid throughout our history to preserve freedom and
democracy. Last Friday afternoon, we were reminded all too
sadly of that price.
Last Friday's violent assault was an attack not just on
Members, congressional employees and visitors, but it was
an assault on our Nation's most cherished values. Random
violence permeated the very halls that give life and
meaning to the practice of democracy. Our Nation owes a
debt of gratitude to Officer Chestnut and Special Agent
Gibson and to the brave men and women of the U.S. Capitol
Police who risk their lives to protect this Capitol, the
people who come here, and all that it represents every
day.
The two whom we mourn today put their lives on the line
every day to protect our democracy and the rule of law
from those who would change our laws or government through
violence rather than civil debate and fair, open, and
legitimate elections. Just as important, they protect the
Capitol so that all the world's citizens can watch the
Congress and monitor the business of democracy.
How many times have we had visitors from other countries
who say they cannot believe how open our Capitol is? It is
because of those like Officer Chestnut and Special Agent
Gibson and the fact that they gave their lives so
democracy could live.
Mr. ARMEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
distinguished gentleman from Florida (Mr. Diaz-Balart).
Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for
yielding me this time.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to add my voice to the salute
by all of the American people and all of their
representatives to the fallen heroes of the Capitol Police
Force, Officer Jacob Joseph Chestnut and Detective John
Michael Gibson.
How appropriate it is indeed that the bodies of Officer
Chestnut and Detective Gibson will lie in honor in the
Rotunda of the Capitol that they honored each day with
their work. Indeed, they risked their lives to protect the
Capitol and its many visitors and those of us who have the
honor of working here.
It is not often, Mr. Speaker, that we have the honor of
paying tribute to genuine heroes in our midst. It is with
the most profound reverence and admiration that all of us
in this Congress stand as one tonight to pay our respects
to these fallen heroes, Officers J.J. Chestnut and John
Gibson, and we stand in solidarity with their families, to
whom we commit our endless friendship and for whom we
offer our prayers.
Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
gentlewoman from Connecticut (Ms. DeLauro), the chief
deputy whip.
Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I join my colleagues tonight
to pay tribute to Officer J.J. Chestnut and Special Agent
Gibson for their bravery in last week's tragic shooting.
Those of us who work in the United States Capitol know the
dedication of all of the U.S. Capitol Police. We see them
each and every day in the halls, by the doors, by the
parking garages. They are our friends, and indeed, they
are our protectors.
The U.S. Capitol is truly the People's House. It is
among the most open and accessible in the world. The
Capitol Police make that possible, while protecting the
safety of those who work and who visit here. They do not
just protect the visitors who come here every day, or the
Members of the Congress, or our staffs. They protect the
ideal of freedom that our Nation was founded upon.
We all know that if not for their bravery and swift
reaction, many more innocent lives would have been lost.
J.J. Chestnut and John Gibson truly made the ultimate
sacrifice, and we will never forget them for what they
have done.
My heart goes out to the Chestnut and Gibson families as
they struggle to come to terms with this terrible loss.
Words are often meaningless at this time, but I know that
we all hope that they know that they are in our hearts and
our prayers during this difficult time.
I also wanted to extend my sympathies to the entire U.S.
Capitol Police Force, officers who have been carrying on
their duties while carrying a huge burden of grief. We
thank them for everything that they do. They are all
heroes.
On a personal note, I would just like to say that
several Members, including myself, were in the press
gallery at the time of the incident. We were in the
Capitol, and the Capitol Police came in to secure our
safety and to escort us to safety. I say thank you to
those officers who came in to secure our safety. I say
thank you, and my family says thank you.
Mr. ARMEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from California (Mr. Lewis).
Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate very
much the distinguished majority leader yielding me the
time.
I think we all from time to time step back and wonder
what is the view of the American people of this great
Capitol and the work that is done in both bodies. Ofttimes
the shrill voices displayed on C-Span dwell upon the
negative, those things that divide us. Indeed, all too
often we find ourselves in the well of the House
exchanging dialogue that certainly is far from the picture
that is being displayed at this moment.
Is it not a tragedy that we have a circumstance where
two of our very, very finest have given their lives on
behalf of the country, as well as for us, and that such a
tragedy in a different way causes us to pause and
recognize that we are a family; that we work together, and
all of us have much more in common than we have in
difference.
Indeed, the men and women who work in the Capitol, the
Members of both bodies, come here in commitment to our
country in a belief that by being here, we can make a
difference in peoples' lives and strengthen our Nation. It
is very, very important that we take away from this a
lasting memory of this family of which we are all a part.
Members of Congress, professional staff, police officers,
support personnel, all of us are a part of a great
American family.
Tomorrow John Gibson and J.J. Chestnut will be honored
in a ceremony befitting the finest of America's fallen
leaders. I must say that my last picture of John Gibson
reminded me of this in a special way. I was coming back
from the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence,
walking toward the House floor for a vote, walking past
the office of the gentleman from Texas (Mr. DeLay), and
John Gibson said, ``How are you doing, Congressman,'' as
he always does; a reminder that we are in this together.
Let us in the months ahead remember these two great
heroes, and at the same time, have them remind us that our
family is much, much more important than the differences
we may have day in and day out.
Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
distinguished gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Moran).
Mr. MORAN of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, J.J. Chestnut and
John Gibson worked among us on Capitol Hill every day
helping tourists, providing directions, greeting visitors,
and protecting our lives. Because they did their jobs so
well, we hardly ever thought of the danger that always
lies just below the surface of all law enforcement
activities.
The tragic events of last Friday demonstrated to the
Nation and the world the full peril of the law enforcement
profession that is so often hidden from the public, but
carried with quiet resolve by those responsible for our
safety.
Officer Chestnut planned to retire in September, ending
an 18-year career with the Capitol Hill Police Department.
His ready smile was a constant greeting to Capitol
visitors. His deep, warm, velvety voice that always made
you smile; his warm, helping manner, was familiar to all
of us. In fact, he was writing out directions for a
tourist when the gunman entered the Capitol and shot him
in the head. His last act was one of professional and
selfless service.
Officer Gibson was from Massachusetts, and was married
to the niece of our good friend and colleague, the
gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Joe Moakley). While
detailed to the majority whip's office, he impressed
everyone with his quiet dignity and dedication. His
dedication led him to save many lives while bringing down
the gunman, and in so doing, lay down his own life.
All who work in and visit the Capitol Hill complex owe a
special debt of gratitude to these brave officers, but all
Americans honor them today. In this citadel of democracy,
the United States Capitol, whether we perform the tasks of
government or celebrate our historical heritage, we walk
freely. We can do so because of the dedication and skill
of our Capitol Hill police officers. Officers Chestnut and
Gibson performed their duties with excellence, and died in
the noble exercise of their profession.
Today we mourn their deaths, sympathize with and pray
for their families, and rededicate ourselves to reducing
violence, punishing lawlessness, and celebrating the
qualities of courage and sacrifice that stand as the
ultimate testament to the lives of these two heroes.
Mr. ARMEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Shays).
Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the people of the
Fourth Congressional District of Connecticut, my family,
and staff, I want to express our love and admiration for
``two heroes of democracy,'' as our Speaker described
them, Detective John Gibson and Officer J.J. Chestnut, and
to their dear families, John's wife, Evelyn, and his three
children, Kristen, John, and Daniel; and Officer
Chestnut's wife, Wen Ling, and his five children, Joseph,
Janece, Janet, Karen, and William.
To them I say, your husband and father was required, as
protector, to guard this place, and at the same time, as
ambassador, to welcome with open arms all the people to
this House. John and JJ fulfilled both tasks with
extraordinary distinction.
I thank them for protecting our majority whip, the
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Tom DeLay), and his devoted
staff, and for protecting all of us who serve here and all
who visit here.
Behind the Speaker pro tempore is the American flag,
with its 50 white stars embedded in a sea of blue and
outlined by brilliant red and white stripes. As we look at
our flag we could think of how those stars came into
being. As we look at our flag we could think of the great
history of our Nation. If we were veterans, we might think
of our buddies who fought for this flag and never came
home, and of their families who never got to talk or hug
them again.
When I look at our flag and pledge allegiance to it when
we begin each session, I will think of Detective John
Michael Gibson and I will think of Officer Jacob Joseph
Chestnut, and I will think of their families, with deep
humility, gratitude and love.
Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the
gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Wynn).
Mr. WYNN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for
yielding time to me.
Mr. Speaker, I rise to join my colleagues in expressing
our sincerest condolences to the families of Officer Jacob
J.J. Chestnut and to Detective William Gibson, and to the
entire Capitol Hill Police Department.
As is the case with many people who are employed here on
the Hill, Officer Chestnut was actually a constituent of
mine. He was a kind man, a gentle man, a man who is
beloved by his fellow officers. He was a man within months
of retirement. Thus the tragedy, obviously, was
compounded.
Saturday I had the occasion to visit with his family. I
spoke with his son, and the pain he was experiencing was
very obvious. I also had a great deal of admiration for
the way the son stood tall in his father's spirit and
greeted visitors and accepted their well wishes.
Today we all speak with a great deal of eloquence and
admiration for our fallen heroes, but I often think of how
sometimes, in fact, in our own sense of self-importance we
did not even take the time to speak or to say hello or we
rushed past because we are too busy with our concerns.
Sometimes when issues of compensation or work conditions
arose, we were slow to respond. I am hopeful that as part
of our gratitude and part of our expression of sentiments,
we will recognize the role of the Capitol Police and
acknowledge them in our actions as well as through our
words.
In that vein, I would like to compliment and thank the
leadership of both parties for joining in according these
fallen heroes the distinction of lying in honor, and also
in according their families the practical honor of seeing
that their expenses are taken care of. I think it speaks
well of the sense of this House.
Words are inadequate on occasions such as this. To the
families, I commend the power of prayer. That is perhaps
the greatest solace of all.
These men met the challenge in preserving the safety and
the accessibility of this House, the People's House. They
stand as true American heroes. May we never forget their
sacrifice and may they rest in peace.
Mr. ARMEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
distinguished gentleman from California (Mr. Horn).
Mr. HORN. Mr. Speaker I thank the majority leader for
yielding time to me.
Mr. Speaker, last Friday's tragedy continues to haunt
our Capitol Hill community and our Nation. For those of us
who work every day under the protection provided by the
Capitol Police, it is particularly disturbing and
saddening. My condolences and prayers go out to the family
members and the friends of Officer J.J. Chestnut and
Special Agent John Gibson.
Without Officer Chestnut and Special Agent Gibson, more
lives would have been lost on Friday afternoon. They are
heroes in every sense of that word, and deserve our
deepest gratitude for their ultimate sacrifice.
One can only wish that the heroism and the bravery of
the Capitol Police Force could have been brought to our
Nation's attention under less tragic circumstances. The
Capitol Police officers are our friends and our
colleagues. The protection of freedom is a goal that we
share with them. They work to ensure that the Members of
Congress can do their jobs without fear of intimidation or
harm.
On a more personal note, I have the highest appreciation
for the Capitol Police, for the assistance that they have
provided to me and to my staff, with great skill,
courtesy, and professionalism.
Few of us are asked to risk our lives in the performance
of our daily job duties. All of our Nation's law
enforcement officers face that risk of death every day.
Each day they leave their homes and their families to go
to work, knowing that they might not return home. They
accept the risk of death as the price of our freedom and
the ability to live in a peaceful society. Because of
their courageous selflessness, they do all of this without
hesitation or complaint.
For elected Members, our support staff, and the Capitol
Police officers, Capitol Hill is our workplace and in many
cases at least our part-time neighborhood. This tragedy
hits close to home for all of us. We all have walked
countless times in the area where the shootings occurred.
We have taken our families, friends, and constituents on
tours that pass through that part of the Capitol. One of
my staff had individuals there at that time and the police
protected them.
The Capitol is the People's House. There is no more
recognizable symbol of democracy than the dome and the
flags flying over each wing, and it is the hallmark of
democracy and the right of all Americans to come to
Washington to meet their representatives, and Officer
Chestnut and Special Agent Gibson have helped thousands of
people over the last few years in every possible way. We
must continue the openness of the symbols of democracy
that they died to protect.
Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Klink).
Mr. KLINK. Mr. Speaker, I find myself here in the
Chamber transfixed and moved by the statements of all of
my colleagues today, and very proud that I have an
opportunity to pay tribute to our two fallen friends.
In my previous career as a journalist, I was so proud of
my friendships with police officers. I had been in that
career only 3 years when, in 1972, two Penn Hills police
officers were gunned down. They were shot to death in the
parking lot of a shopping mall just east of Pittsburgh by,
of all people, a suspected shoplifter.
I thought I would never see such a scene as that again,
and I thought that I would never have those feelings
again, to see two keepers of the peace struck down
suddenly, unexpectedly, needlessly; to think of the wives
and the children and the community left behind as those
officers made the ultimate sacrifice.
But here now we have this tragic shooting of two police
officers here in the Nation's Capitol inside the Capitol
building. It shows us again that that thin blue line that
protects each and every one of us bleeds red, and that the
hearts of those peacekeepers beat bravely, beat
courageously on duty, and now they are silenced. They will
beat no more. Except they will beat in our unending love
for them, our memories of them, and our appreciation for
the sacrifices that they made on our behalf.
Our sympathies and God's blessing on their families, and
our prayers that their souls may know enduring peace for
all eternity.
Mr. ARMEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Fox).
Mr. FOX of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I thank the
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Armey), our majority leader, for
yielding me this time.
Mr. Speaker, it is a person of astonishing character who
takes up a profession of not merely public service but
defense of the public. Those who preserve public safety
and enforce our Nation's laws should be held in nothing
but the highest regard. Each day brings uncertainty as
their job places them between the public and potential
threats to their well-being. Every law enforcement
officer, these men and women who wear the blue uniform on
the Federal, State, and local level, and every firefighter
and every member of our Armed Services and emergency
medical service personnel, has made a conscious decision
to fulfill the highest level of public service, placing
their lives on the line so that others may be safe.
Detective John Gibson and Officer J.J. Chestnut were
among those individuals of astonishing character who
worked every day in defense of liberty guarding our
Capitol, its staff, its visitors, and the freedom for
which it stands.
These officers are true heroes of democracy, and every
American owes them a deep debt of gratitude. I believe
that is one debt we will never be able to adequately
repay. If not for their quick and courageous action, more
civilians and officers could have been injured or killed.
They gave their lives to protect hundreds of tourists,
staff, and Members of Congress who visit and work in the
People's House.
I believe that we need to remember their families, their
friends, and our special prayers also go out to their
fellow officers who have lost not only colleagues but
friends, brothers, and family as well.
The tragic events of July 24 amounted to a senseless
tragedy which we may never fully understand. But the
action of Officers Chestnut and Gibson and all those who
helped to apprehend the gunman, assist the injured, and
evacuate the building, truly underscore the dedication,
commitment, and astonishing character of these heroes of
democracy.
John Michael Gibson and J.J. Chestnut, we will never
forget you.
Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Turner).
Mr. TURNER. Mr. Speaker, Friday, July 24, 1998, will be
remembered as a tragic chapter in the history of our
Capitol. A lone gunman, Russell Weston, rushed into an
east entrance of this building we call the ``People's
House'' and in a few brief moments of terrifying exchange
of gunfire, took the lives of United States Capitol Police
Officers John Gibson and Jacob Chestnut.
These men had dedicated the last 18 years of their lives
protecting the safety of the Members of Congress, our
staffs, and our constituents who visit these halls by the
hundreds of thousands each year.
On that fateful Friday, Officers Gibson and Chestnut
made the ultimate sacrifice of their lives that others
might live. No words can adequately praise their heroism
or their courage, nor can we fully express our sorrow and
sympathy to their families whose loss is so personal and
difficult to understand.
This afternoon, as my wife Ginny and I joined with
hundreds of Americans who have placed flowers on the east
steps of the Capitol in expression of sympathy to the
families of these two men, it seemed clear that all
Americans are reaching out today to the families of these
two brave Americans. Their commitment to duty and their
unflinching willingness to make the ultimate sacrifice
humbles each of us who were beneficiaries of their
protections.
Mr. Speaker, our thoughts and prayers will continue to
be with the Chestnut and Gibson families. May their sorrow
be tempered in time by an ever-deepening pride that they
died in service to our country that others might live.
The Scriptures say that there is no greater love than to
lay down one's life for a friend. Our friends, John Gibson
and J.J. Chestnut, loved their families, they loved their
country, and they showed each of us what love really
means. May God rest their souls and may we ever cherish
their memory.
Mr. ARMEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
distinguished gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Gilchrest).
Mr. GILCHREST. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from
Texas (Mr. Armey) for yielding me this time.
Mr. Speaker, it is a little quieter today in Washington
in thoughtful reference for Mr. Gibson and Mr. Chestnut.
Our hearts collectively here in the Nation's Capitol reach
out to the families of Mr. Gibson and Mr. Chestnut, to
comfort as best we can their sorrow. These two brave men
have not only saved our lives, but these two brave men
have changed our lives and this place forever.
Their friendly presence and their warm smile will be
with us as a Nation as we go to work, as we go to school,
as we travel through the hallowed places of this country.
We will feel the presence that Mr. Gibson and Mr. Chestnut
have left.
A summer afternoon at a ball game, we will feel their
friendly presence. During the gentle spring rain or a cold
winter night, we will feel their warm smile. When we
experience joy, they and their spirit will be with us.
When we experience sorrow, these two men will be there as
well.
Mr. Chestnut and Mr. Gibson, their lives were the
essence of humility, commitment, compassion, faith, and
love. They have set the mark for all of us to follow.
Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
distinguished gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Menendez),
chief deputy whip.
Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I thank the distinguished
gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Bonior) for yielding me this
time.
Mr. Speaker, we have gathered in these hallowed Chambers
to pay tribute to two fallen heroes, Officer Jacob
Chestnut and Special Agent John Gibson. When tragedy
strikes, we are often left groping for answers. Over the
past couple of days, we have all asked ourselves the same
haunting questions: Why has this tragedy occurred? Why
have people of such valor suddenly been taken from our
lives? Why have these devoted husbands and fathers been
taken from their families?
We may never have adequate answers to these questions,
but we must work to ensure that they did not die in vain.
Mr. Speaker, that means that after paying our respects
and mourning we must remember that it was a man not alone
but with a gun who committed this tragedy. Ensuring that
they did not die in vain means that we recommit ourselves
to the freedom and values they sought to defend.
It can be said that they defended a Capitol, a building,
a national landmark. It can be said that they defended
those who work and visit here, and that would be true as
well. But in my mind what they were really defending is
our most precious gift as Americans, the freedom to come
to the seat of our government, the most open and
democratic of the entire world, and see it, speak to it,
or even peacefully protest against it.
It is the job of the living to remember their sacrifice
and to ensure that violence never wins over the principles
this country was founded upon. Now and forever, the
Capitol must remain a sanctuary for democracy and for the
American people.
May God bless the families of Officer Chestnut and
Special Agent Gibson. They are in our hearts, our
thoughts, and in the prayers of the people of the 13th
District of New Jersey.
Mr. ARMEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pappas).
Mr. PAPPAS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from
Texas (Mr. Armey) for yielding me this time.
Mr. Speaker, I join with my colleagues in expressing my
deep sympathy to the families of Mr. Chestnut and Mr.
Gibson. I had the opportunity to know each of them, and
admired them. They are an example, Mr. Speaker, of all of
the Capitol Hill Police who are here each day to protect
me, to protect my staff, to protect the literally hundreds
if not thousands of constituents from Central New Jersey
that visit this building each year. And, in fact, this
causes each of us to pause and to think of and hopefully
express in various ways our deep debt of gratitude to all
law enforcement officials.
This past weekend, being home, Friday night, Saturday,
Sunday, interacting with the people of Central New Jersey,
it was very moving to see how many people approached me to
ask me about the tragedy. They asked me if I knew these
two gentlemen, asked me what I thought. How moved they
were. How saddened they were by this tragedy. And what a
legacy that is to these two gentlemen, to the men and
women that they have served with, and to all law
enforcement officials across the country.
Yesterday morning in church, my pastor asked me to say a
word about what took place. When I did, I was overcome, as
so many of us have been, with emotion because that could
have been me. I could have been somewhere else, could have
been in the line of fire, and I was not, by the grace of
God.
What these two gentlemen did in trying to preserve the
peace, trying to preserve not just this edifice but
preserve and protect the people who work and visit here,
is a tribute to them and to what they did so selflessly
for all of us.
May God bless their memory.
Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Sisisky).
Mr. SISISKY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from
Michigan (Mr. Bonior) for yielding me this time.
Mr. Speaker, there are no words to express my sorrow
about the tragic deaths of Capitol Police Officers Jacob
Chestnut and John Gibson.
That they died in the line of duty while serving their
country and protecting this hallowed shrine of democracy
can provide little solace to their families. For their
families, the lives of loving husbands and fathers have
been taken forever. There are no words, no sentiment that
can make up this terrible loss to their wives and
children.
I think it is safe to say that every Member of the
Congress, every Senator, every staff member, every visitor
has taken for granted the safety of this place and this
building. That is no longer the case. And if we ever reach
the point where our safety is ever once again taken for
granted, it will be largely because their dedicated fellow
officers do their duty like they always have and once more
restore the sense of peace and protection to these
hallowed halls.
The risks that are accepted by these officers on a daily
basis, as well as the courage they are prepared to
display, as did Officers Chestnut and Gibson last Friday,
should be humbling to us all.
A Bible story about those who gave their lives for
others says, and I quote, ``They were beloved and pleasant
in life and in death they were together; they were swifter
than eagles, and they were strong as lions.''
It is our responsibility to love and support their
families, protect and defend their country, defend the
institution for which they gave their lives, and honor
their memory forever. But those who survive face the
toughest challenge. And I want their families to know that
all Americans are deeply grateful for their sacrifice for
us and for this Nation.
Mr. ARMEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Foley).
Mr. FOLEY. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the
majority leader for according the Members this time to pay
tribute to two fallen heroes. I join my colleagues in
reiterating what most are no doubt feeling today, that
sadly our Nation has lost two American heroes.
When I first heard of the shooting last Friday and
subsequently about the tragic deaths of Capitol Police
Officers Chestnut and Gibson, I was reminded of a point I
tried to make more than 5 months earlier during a speech
in this very Chamber.
When I took to the floor last February, I paid tribute
to the Capitol Police force and another selfless officer,
David Lyon, who rescued the passenger of a car that had
plunged into the Potomac River. I did not realize how
apropos my words would be these many months later.
At that time I said it is important to note that the
Capitol Police force who man security around this building
are of the finest caliber and quality. They do serve the
public and the people of the United States of America in
not only protecting our guests and visitors, which number
in the millions on an annual basis, but also the property
that we consider sacred, this Chamber and the monuments
that surround this wonderful complex.
I added at that time that it is a very dangerous job.
Often their families do not know whether in fact they will
return safely because of the dangers of just doing their
job.
Little did I know how prophetic these words would be.
Let me join the rest of the Nation expressing my profound
sadness at the loss of officers Chestnut and Gibson, who
selflessly laid down their lives so that I and every other
person who visits or works in this building could remain
safe.
I offer my deepest condolences to their families, and I
ask God to bless their children. Their daddy is not coming
home anymore, but their daddy cared deeply about them. He
cared for every man and woman in this building. They did
their job proudly, and God bless them for that.
Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Roemer).
Mr. ROEMER. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend from Michigan
for yielding me the time.
As we look to the ceiling of this great historic Chamber
in the direction of Officer Chestnut and Detective Gibson,
we see inscribed on this great Chamber ceiling an eagle
with the words e pluribus unum. From the many, one.
Today, I think it is from one to the many. From a
detective and an officer, from their sacrifices, from
their professionalism and expertise to the many families,
the many Americans and the many freedoms that we enjoy in
this great country.
On Friday, I, like many of my fellow colleagues, brought
children to this Chamber, my 5-year-old and 4-year-old. My
4-year-old fell asleep in this Chamber in the front row.
It is because we feel, as Members of Congress, 435 of
us, so secure with the professionalism of these officers
and what we want our children to see up here with this
great institution that we have this security. We thank the
families of these officers.
The 6 to 8 million people of this great country who
visit this historic Chamber and this great Capitol are
thankful to these families and these two courageous
officers.
And finally, Mr. Speaker, what price can you put on
freedom, freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and the
ability of legislators to get together to make laws? These
officers, this Capitol Hill Police force, allows that to
take place.
On behalf of our families, on behalf of our freedoms, on
behalf of the American people, we thank these two great
men for their courage, bravery, and heroic acts.
Mr. ARMEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Hayworth).
Mr. HAYWORTH. Mr. Speaker, we struggle in vain to find
the right words to try and make sense of the senseless. In
the final analysis, we realize that no words can
compensate, no words can comfort, no words can change the
reality of loss confronted by the families of John and
J.J.
In the end, Mr. Speaker, we are left not with words but
with examples. In the New Testament Book of James, the
writer reminds us that words are one thing and actions are
something else. In the midst of this tragedy, Mr. Speaker,
we saw a devotion to duty that transcends the horror and
mayhem of that hour of uncertainty, because J.J. and John
reflexively answered their call to duty.
In the end, that remains the truth and reality, that as
professionals, befitting their brothers and sisters who
wear the badges of honor in this House, they understood
the true meaning of public service, which is not
restricted to those who hold public office but in fact
includes all of those willing to stand and put their lives
on the line for an idea and a notion greater than
themselves.
Mr. Speaker, our Founders, in the Declaration of
Independence, the first place we see in print those words,
``the United States of America,'' said in closing, we
pledge our lives, our fortunes, our sacred honor.
So, too, did John and J.J. Rest in peace, job well done.
Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the
gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Skelton).
Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I wish that I could say the
words that would assuage the grief of the families of
Officers Gibson and Chestnut, but I cannot.
I wish I had the words to properly express how they have
protected this democratic institution, but I cannot. I can
only say a word of gratitude. It was Cicero, the great
Roman orator, who once said that gratitude is the greatest
of all virtues. So that is what we are here about this
evening, expressing in our own way the gratitude of our
Nation, of our people and of each other.
My first experience with police officers on Capitol Hill
was when we arrived in December 1976. I was dressed in
blue jeans and a ratty old overcoat. My family, my wife
Suzy and I, my three boys were in the Capitol to look
around. I asked directions of one of the officers, and he
called me by name. Yet I was not a Member of Congress. I
thought then they were a special group, and they are.
Quiet competence, knowledgeable, friendly.
On top of that we have examples of two who were quietly
competent, knowledgeable and friendly, but also heroes.
I say to this body, Mr. Speaker, as well as to all
across the country, that every one of the Capitol Police
that serves us today is quietly competent, friendly and
knowledgeable, but each one, Mr. Speaker, is also a
potential hero.
Mr. ARMEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from New York (Mr. Forbes).
Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the people of the
first district of New York, I join with all of our
colleagues and our Capitol Hill family and, indeed, all
Americans, as we mourn the loss of two brave heroes,
Officer Chestnut and Detective Gibson.
To their loving wives and their precious children and,
indeed, all of their family and friends, we extend our
heartfelt sympathies and prayers. Officer Chestnut and
Detective Gibson brightened our days. They watched out for
us. They made us feel secure and, just as we come here
today to mourn them, so, too, do we celebrate the kind of
men that they were. They, like so many of their colleagues
on the Capitol Hill Police force, are a special breed of
courageous, devoted, and conscientious protectors.
May the Lord continue to shine upon them his infinite
love and mighty graces.
Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Waters).
Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the people of the
35th congressional district and the people of the State of
California, I, along with all of the members of the
Congressional Black Caucus, join with the President and
other Members of Congress and, of course, the citizens of
this entire Nation in sending our heartfelt condolences to
the families of slain Capitol Police Officer Jacob
``J.J.'' Chestnut and Capitol Police Detective John M.
Gibson.
We, too, are pained by the tragic death of two very fine
officers who lost their lives while serving and protecting
those of us who work and visit the Nation's Capitol each
day.
Officer Chestnut was shot while guarding the east
entrance of the Capitol. Detective Gibson was shot twice
while protecting majority whip Tom DeLay's leadership
office. They were the first officers in our history slain
while protecting the Capitol of the United States.
These officers, these husbands, these fathers served
their country unselfishly before they lost their lives
last Friday. Both were 18-year veterans of the Capitol
Police. Yes, each was a father and each was indeed a
husband. Officer Chestnut was married with 5 children. He
also was a grandfather. Detective Gibson was married with
3 children.
We may never be able to make sense of why Russell Eugene
Weston, who had a history of mental illness, barged into
the Capitol on Friday to shoot innocent people.
We do know this, however: We know that Officer Chestnut
and Detective Gibson are heroes. They made the ultimate
sacrifice. They gave their lives so that others might
live. For that, we are indeed eternally grateful.
In closing, Mr. Speaker, I would like to say to the
Members of the House, please remember to take time to
acknowledge all our officers and, really, all of the
workers who protect and maintain the Capitol and the
office buildings. Say hello to them. Ask them how they are
doing. Treat them with respect on a daily basis. After
all, their lives are at risk every day to protect us and
the citizens of this country who visit their Capitol.
Mr. ARMEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from New York (Mr. Quinn).
Mr. QUINN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the majority leader for
yielding me the time this afternoon.
Mr. Speaker, I came over with prepared remarks to talk
about the heroes whom all of us have talked about this
afternoon and will tonight and tomorrow. But after
listening and thinking about these prepared remarks, Mr.
Speaker, I have to go off topic to simply say that, in all
the confusion on Friday, I went home, caught a flight back
to Buffalo, New York. All of us went home. I talked to
constituents, and I talked to my family, and I discussed
with people back home in Buffalo how they were happy that
I was safe, that I made it home to be with my own family.
Mr. Speaker, it seems at times that we worry about all
of our inconveniences and all of our own problems and all
of our differences here at work each week, but not only
did I return home to my family but I am back at it again
today, here in the Nation's Capitol. Officer Chestnut and
Special Agent Gibson are not.
At times, our inconveniences and our problems and our
differences seem to be bigger than they should be. We only
have to look at these two fine gentlemen to understand how
unimportant our inconveniences and our problems and our
differences really are.
So what do we do and where do we go from here after
services tomorrow? I might suggest, Mr. Speaker, that the
Members of the House return to work and put aside those
differences and those inconveniences and those problems
and we get to the people's work in the People's House, in
this building, to do what is right for Americans, and we
do it because we know that there are officers just like
J.J. Chestnut and John Gibson who protect us and put their
lives on the line every day who want us to do it that way.
On behalf of my own family and the people of the 30th
Congressional District in New York, I pledge to do that in
memory of J.J. Chestnut and John Gibson.
Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
gentlewoman from Indiana (Ms. Carson).
Ms. CARSON. Mr. Speaker, it was written some years ago,
``Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down
his life for his friends.''
Certainly I rise today in behalf of the 10th
Congressional District, State of Indiana, and for those
who wish they were in this place tonight to pay special
tribute to two brave police officers who gave their lives
to protect the safety of visitors, the Capitol staffers,
and Members of Congress and to ensure that all Americans
can freely walk the halls of Congress.
Officer Chestnut and Special Agent Gibson are two of my
heroes. I had the privilege of meeting both of the
gentlemen when I would go in the second entrance over
there and was always endeared by their sweet smiles, their
professionalism and their attentiveness.
As we debate what could have happened and what did not
happen, I do not believe that there is anything under
God's sun that we could have done to have prevented that
awesome tragedy of last Friday. Because certainly Officer
Chestnut and Special Agent Gibson especially did all that
he could in terms of even giving up his own life for the
sake of others.
I would like to convey my heartfelt sympathy to the
families of those valiant officers and to assure them that
they are in our thoughts and prayers, not just after
tomorrow but eternally, especially while we come in and
out of the House of Representatives.
I would like to add that I come from a district where
the violence has eclipsed; we are surpassing the incidents
of violence that we incurred last year in terms of
homicides. I would trust that, rather than overreact to
this situation, because there is certainly nothing we can
do to erase that horrible tragedy that occurred at the
Capitol last Friday, I think we, as Members of Congress,
now must lean on the poet who wrote, ``Blessed are the
peacemakers,'' and do everything that we can in our power
to ensure safe and peaceful schools and neighborhoods and
parks and workplaces.
Let us come to grips with the violence in our Nation to
make sure that this type of tragedy that claimed Officer
Chestnut and Special Agent Gibson is no longer a part of
American life. We owe that to Officer Chestnut and Special
Agent Gibson to do nothing less. And while we honor these
two men, let us remember that we have much work to do in
terms of assuring the health and the safety of Americans
everywhere.
Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pascrell).
Mr. PASCRELL. I thank the gentleman from Michigan for
yielding me this time.
Mr. Speaker, the people of the 8th District of New
Jersey join all Americans in pausing to think about the
lives of J.J. Chestnut and John Gibson cut short by a
madman. They represented family, dedication, hope; and the
Chestnut and Gibson families should know that we here will
not forget. You can count on this Congress.
Second, this house of the people should not be turned
into a barricaded camp in the name of providing more
security to the Congress. I feel secure. And democracy is,
also. We shall be vigilant.
Recently, Mr. Speaker, I had a group of students come
here. They wanted to go, four or five of them, to a place,
a remote place in this building where usually people do
not go. So I took them down to the bowels of the Capitol.
We stopped for a moment, and I said, ``Do you know where
we are? This is where part of the War of 1812 was fought.
And at the time it was being fought here, they were trying
to burn down the White House down the street.''
They could not believe that, because we take a lot of
those things for granted, do we not? When they came out of
the building, they turned and looked at it differently
than they looked at it when they went into this building.
Mr. Speaker, from now on, I will bring those groups to
where Officers Chestnut and Gibson fell. Democracy is
secure because of them. Democracy is better because of
them. Yet these things happened outside of a war. God
bless them, God bless their families, God bless America.
Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the
gentleman from Vermont (Mr. Sanders).
Mr. SANDERS. I thank the minority whip for yielding
time.
Mr. Speaker, when I was home over the weekend, several
Vermonters asked me to make certain that I express on
their behalf their sorrow at the tragic deaths of Capitol
Police Officers John Gibson and Jacob Chestnut. I know
that I speak for all the people of the State of Vermont as
well as my wife Jane when I do just that.
Mr. Speaker, these two extraordinarily brave officers
did the job that they were trained to do and that they
pledged to do. When their moment of truth came on Friday,
they did not shirk from their responsibilities, and they
did what I think all of us hope that we have the courage
and the strength to do when our moment of truth might
come. They gave their lives protecting congressional
staff, visitors, and elected officials.
It is appropriate that we honor these men and their
families because they not only protected and saved the
lives of many individuals, but they helped assure that the
People's House remains open to all Americans. If democracy
means anything, it means that the people have the right to
visit with their elected officials, to go to the meetings
that are of importance to them, to make their opinions
known. That is what democracy is about. It is terribly
important that no deranged individual, no terrorist stops
that process and closes the door. Our hearts go out to
these brave officers. They are true American heroes.
Mr. ARMEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
gentlewoman from Wyoming (Mrs. Cubin).
Mrs. CUBIN. Mr. Speaker, today we gather here to show
our respect and honor for the two men who died Friday
heroically in the line of duty. I knew both of them. They
were both very fine men, family men. Their sacrifice needs
to remind all of us how very much we owe to all policemen
and law enforcement officers across this Nation who
similarly put their lives on the line every single day for
the public safety and to protect the freedom that so often
we take for granted.
It is very sad that it takes something like this for us
to express our appreciation to those people who protect us
and look out for us every day, as we cross the street and
the officers stop the traffic. There are so many things
that we just take for granted. From the bottom of my
heart, I thank them both, and their families as well.
Last Friday, I was in my office until late. I instructed
my staff to lock the doors, because we did not know how
many shooters were out there. We did not know what was
happening. I instructed them to lock the door and call
their families and tell their families they were okay.
When I called my mother, she said that certainly she was
grateful that I called and that she could go to bed and
her life would go on as usual but that the families of the
people who were shot and the person who shot them would be
forever changed. I express my sincere condolences to all
of them and thank them for the sacrifice that they have
made for us.
Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the
gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Traficant).
Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Speaker, when I was sheriff, I had a
deputy gunned down by the name of Sonny Litch. I want to
commend the Democrat and Republican leaders of the House
the way they have handled this tragedy, because transition
to normalcy will be very difficult. On behalf of all the
people of the 17th Congressional District of Ohio, I, too,
want to join my colleagues in saluting and paying tribute
to John Gibson and Jacob Chestnut.
There are words to describe them. They are policemen,
D.C. Capitol Police who, for many years, were looked at as
country club policemen, and it took this stark reality.
Ladies and gentlemen, the Capitol Police are of the
highest standards. John Gibson and Jacob Chestnut have
just raised the bar for all policemen in America. They
prevented any loss of life on their appointed duties
except their own.
I want to remind the Congress today, because I was to
offer an amendment to an appropriation bill and I was
asked to not do it this year, that the D.C. Capitol Police
are paid less than the Uniformed Division of the Secret
Service who perform the same duties. That is unbelievable
to me. The suburbs are robbing us of our good young men
and women who qualify through the FBI scrutiny for
background checks. We must change that. The Uniformed
Division of the Secret Service is paid more.
I salute John Gibson and Jacob Chestnut. They have
raised the bar and the standards for all policemen in our
country.
Mr. ARMEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the
gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Boehner), our conference
chairman.
Mr. BOEHNER. Mr. Speaker, the afternoon of Friday, July
24, seemed just like another busy Friday afternoon in our
Nation's Capitol. The House had just concluded business
for the week, Members were headed home, and my staff and I
had huddled in the Capitol for a routine meeting to wrap
things up for the week. What happened next was anything
but routine; sad, tragic, heartbreaking. I do not think
there is any description that quite does it justice.
Capitol Police Officers J.J. Chestnut and John Gibson
gave their lives stopping a deranged gunman who tried to
blast his way into the people's Capitol. Working only a
few dozen steps down the hall from Majority Whip Tom
DeLay's office, my staff and I heard the shots. Like
millions of others shaken by this tragic event, we feel we
owe these two fallen heroes an almost unimaginable debt.
Officers Chestnut and Gibson made the ultimate sacrifice
for our Nation in keeping the Capitol safe and accessible
for about 22,000 people who come to our Capitol every day
to have an opportunity for direct contact with their
legislators. That kind of openness is unheard of in
societies that place a lesser value on human freedom.
It is an important feature of American democracy that
Officers Chestnut and Gibson gave their lives in its
defense.
Speaker Newt Gingrich spoke for all of us in recognizing
their sacrifice and their grieving families when he said:
``These two gentleman are genuine heroes. They literally
every day, knowingly and voluntarily, put their lives on
the line. They understood that to be free, somebody had to
be willing to take this risk.''
The tragedy was an awful reminder that freedom
inevitably comes with a price, a price that these two
officers were willing to pay.
And as the gentleman from California (Mr. Thomas) said
emotionally just minutes afterward: Freedom is not free.
There is always a cost, and today it cost the lives of two
security officers sworn to protect the safety of the
People's House.
Officers Chestnut and Gibson's mission was to keep the
Capitol open and accessible to citizens while guarding
against those who would bring violence to its sacred
halls. Nobly and courageously they succeeded, and we must
honor what they fought for by keeping the Capitol open and
accessible and preserving the freedom they died valiantly
to defend.
America will never forget the sacrifice that these two
officers and other law enforcement personnel do every day
in protecting our Capitol and our society as a whole, and
we pray that the grieving families of those two fallen
heroes will find comfort in knowing that freedom will be
their loved one's enduring legacy. They gave their lives
to protect it for all of us, and we thank them from the
bottom of our hearts, and may their souls rest in peace.
Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the
gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Brown).
Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, with profound sadness
and great pride, I remember Special Agent John Gibson and
Officer Jacob Chestnut. To the families of these two
heroes, we are incredibly grateful and fortunate to have
had your fathers and your husbands protecting the People's
House.
While at home this weekend, constituents expressed to me
time and time again the trauma of these events and their
profound respect for those two men and all of the men and
women protecting the People's House. I offer my prayers to
these two families from thousands of families throughout
Florida, and, Mr. Speaker, I would like to close by
reading one of my favorite scriptures:
``Let not your heart be troubled, ye believe in God,
believe also in me.
``In my Father's house are many mansions; if it were not
so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for
you.
``And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come
again and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there
ye may also be.''
Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis).
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I join with my
colleagues in paying tribute to two individuals who have
given to this country their last measure of true devotion:
Jacob Chestnut and John Gibson. They reinforce for us the
fact that America, my country t'is of thee, is the land of
the common woman and the common man. It is composed of
people who struggle every day to make ends meet, put food
on the table, provide for their loved ones.
We often hear of the great leaders, star entertainers,
athletes, musicians and others, but in a real sense
history is made by ordinary people whose names are often
unknown or forgotten. Mr. Gibson and Mr. Chestnut are
indeed unsung heroes. They are part of a group of men and
women who put their lives on the line each day. They are
the people who have made America.
And so, Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the people of the
Seventh District of Illinois, I humbly salute these two
heroes and pray for their families as we pray for America
and as we relook at the gun laws and mental health needs
of our country.
Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the
distinguished gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Andrews).
Mr. ANDREWS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the minority whip for
yielding this time to me.
Mr. Speaker, on behalf of my family and on behalf of the
people of the First Congressional District of New Jersey,
I rise to offer my condolences and thanks to the families
of Officer Chestnut and Detective Gibson. They have given
us many gifts in their lives, a gift of courage, a gift of
discipline, ultimately the gift of their very lives.
Let me also suggest that I believe they have given us a
gift in death.
I have had the privilege of standing in this Chamber for
eight years, and I have never once felt what I feel here
this evening of a truly collective broken heart of those
of us who stand on this floor and those who serve their
country and us around these environs. Their deaths have
served to remind us that we are not Republican and
Democrat, or liberal and conservative, or northerner or
southerner; we are men and women, people bonded by the
human spirit. Today that spirit is bruised and broken, but
as they have given to us in their lives, I believe they
will give to us in their deaths and hereafter a spirit of
unity and cooperation.
May God bless their families, and we thank them for
their contribution.
Mr. ARMEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may
consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. Hunter).
Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, I would like to add my
condolences to the families of the officers.
Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the
gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Stokes).
Mr. STOKES. Mr. Speaker, I thank the distinguished
minority leader for yielding this time to me.
Mr. Speaker, on Friday, July 24, Capitol Hill witnessed
a very tragic event. Two Capitol Hill Police officers were
slain while serving in the line of duty. Capitol Hill
Police Officer Jacob Chestnut and Special Agent John
Gibson were fatally wounded by a lone gunman who attempted
to shoot his way into the Capitol Building. Hundreds of
tourists and hundreds of aids were undoubtedly saved from
harm as these two police officers performed their duties.
The loss of these two men was profound. Following the
tragedy, many people used the term ``hero'' to describe
Officer Chestnut and Special Agent Gibson. Many others
were stunned by the sudden twist of events and were at a
loss for words. Instead, they paused for a quiet moment of
remembrance in honor of these two members of the Capitol
Hill Police Force. The brave men and women who serve on
the Capitol Hill Police Force are charged with protecting
Members of Congress, Capitol Hill employees and tourists
from around the world who visit our Nation's Capitol.
Mr. Speaker, these brave men gave the ultimate
sacrifice. We offer our condolences to their families.
Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the
distinguished gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Spratt).
Mr. SPRATT. Mr. Speaker, we all know why we are here and
for whom the bells toll. When Jake Chestnut and John
Gibson died, they died for all of us. And we live, we go
on, we move freely about this Capitol because they did
their duty, they did it without flinching, they did it at
the price of their lives.
They died for us, but they really died for something
more. They died to keep this Capitol a place the people
can come to and leave feeling this is their Capitol, the
seat of their government.
We pay a high price in dollars to keep this the most
open Capitol in the world. On Friday we paid far more
dearly. We lost the lives of two good men.
It was not my privilege to know Mr. Gibson. I did know
Mr. Chestnut. I knew the first minute I saw him and
noticed his name tag, that he was from South Carolina. He
was professional from head to toe. He had a polished
bearing about him, polished by 20 years in the Air Force.
But beneath that polished bearing was a warm-hearted man.
I know his family loved him because all of us who came
in contact with him did. To their families we open our
hearts. Officer Gibson died young, Officer Chestnut died
before enjoying a well-earned retirement. But they raised
the bar of duty, they left the country two shining
examples of courage, and they helped make this Capitol the
land of the free, the Capitol of the land of the free and
the home of the brave.
Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the
gentlewoman from Connecticut (Mrs. Kennelly).
Mrs. KENNELLY of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, we gather to
pay tribute tonight to the lives of the heroes who died on
Friday, true heroes Officer J.J. Chestnut and Detective
John Gibson.
Like many of my colleagues, on Friday I had a hearing, I
had meetings, I went back and forth to the Capitol, but I
did not think about my safety. I certainly did not think
about the safety of the tourists because I know that the
Capitol Police are here, brave men and women sworn to
protect those who come to this building to visit and all
of us who work in this building.
Tragically, I was right. Two of those individuals were
on duty and were suddenly thrust into the most deadly of
circumstances. That this building reopened on Saturday
testifies to the awesome truth as they did their duty of
protecting this building. They protected the liberty and
freedom and democracy that it stands for.
We gather tonight to pay this tribute to these men, and
we feel so strongly and so sadly about their deaths, but
we stand here tonight, all of us gathered today, in
sympathy to say that we will make sure that their memories
are preserved by keeping this building the way they wanted
it, a place of peace, a place of hope, a place of
democracy.
Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the
distinguished gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone).
Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to join my
colleagues from both sides of the aisle in paying tribute
to these fallen heroes, Capital Police Officers Jacob
Chestnut and John Gibson, and in extending my deepest
condolences to their families.
As my colleague, the gentlewoman from Connecticut (Ms.
DeLauro), mentioned a little while ago, several of us were
upstairs briefing the media after the votes in the House
on Friday when the shooting happened. Capitol Police
officers immediately came up to the press gallery to
secure the area and make sure that we were safe.
The death of these police officers hits me in a personal
way because my father is a retired police officer. Every
day that my father headed off to work, I knew that he was
potentially putting himself in danger to keep our
community safe. There was, of course, a sense of fear and
concern for his safety that I felt, but I also felt a
sense of pride. I knew he was doing an extremely important
job, and I know that the men and women who serve here in
this Capitol feel that same sense of pride and purpose.
For the families of Jacob Chestnut and John Gibson, I
just hope that the sense of loss that they are
experiencing will be alleviated somewhat by the tributes
today, and, Mr. Speaker, I hope that their sadness will be
mitigated by the private knowing that Officers Chestnut
and Gibson gave their lives to protect the lives of
others.
Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, I yield 45 seconds to the
gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Clement).
Mr. CLEMENT. Mr. Speaker, this is a sad time. J.J.
Chestnut and John Gibson will always be remembered by the
families and friends and all of us who love and respect
them.
I grew up in a family where we had a lot of security
around. My father was Governor of Tennessee in the 1950s
and 1960s, and I have a lot of appreciation for people who
wear the uniform.
And to those men: You have helped us protect freedom in
the world because there is no building on the face of the
Earth that is more recognized than the U.S. Capitol.
Mr. Speaker, these two men put their life on the line
for all of us. God bless Officer Chestnut and Officer
Gibson.
Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may
consume to the distinguished gentleman from Texas (Mr.
Green).
Mr. GREEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join my
colleagues in honoring Special Agent John Gibson and
Officer Jacob Chestnut. These two brave men gave their
lives to save other Members, staff, and tourists from the
most vicious attack in recent memory. Special Agent Gibson
and Officer Chestnut are truly American heroes, and it is
fitting that we honor their memory today.
As the country unites to offer the families of these
fallen heroes our condolences and prayers, I cannot begin
to express my sorrow. The United States Capitol is a great
example of freedom our country enjoys. No other country
allows its citizens as much access to its government as
the United States of America. I know everyone in this body
appreciates and understands the importance of this
freedom, and we thank Special Agent Gibson and Officer
Chestnut for protecting us, our families, our friends, and
our freedom from the evil and hatred the attacker carried
within himself.
The Book of John, Chapter 15, verse 13 states: Greater
love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life
for his friends. I believe this message has special
meaning today and forever. As a father of two children, I
cannot begin to understand the pain and heartache being
felt by the Gibson and Chestnut families. I hope and pray
that these deaths were not in vain, and we all join
together to pray for them and their families.
Mr. Speaker, I join my colleagues in honoring the
memories of these two brave men. Our Nation owes them a
debt of gratitude that can never be repaid. July 24, 1998,
will be remembered as a day of heroes at the United States
Capitol and we must never forget the ultimate sacrifice
Jacob Chestnut and John Gibson made for their country.
Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may
consume to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Owens).
Mr. OWENS. Mr. Speaker, without excessive repetition, I
would like to join my colleagues in the House to pay
tribute to Officer J.J. Chestnut and Detective John Gibson
who gave their lives dutifully protecting this hallowed
institution.
It is important that we all come together across party
lines and across all other differences to pay homage to
these two heroes. And as we pay tribute to the dead, let
us also honor the other police and protective forces and
other staff members whose reverence for this institution
is no less than and sometimes even greater than the
reverence of the elected Members.
In paying tribute to our defenders, we reaffirm the fact
that this House of Representatives and the democratic
process, this government belongs to all of the people. We
reaffirm the fact that we are the guardians of a sacred
process that takes place within the walls of this Capitol.
This democratic process cannot survive without
institutional support. The process and the institution
have become inseparable.
This is the great democratic process that guarantees our
freedom and guides our progress. It is the process that
inspired the bravery and the courage on the beaches of
Normandy. It is the process that applauded and rewarded
the returning World War II heroes with more than merely
marches and medals; Congress, this institution, passed the
GI Bill that offered unprecedented educational
opportunities to every veteran.
This is the process and the institution that followed
the leadership of the assassinated President Abraham
Lincoln and passed the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments.
This is the process and institution that, while mourning
the death of John F. Kennedy, accepted the wise and
forceful guidance of President Lyndon Johnson in the
passage of the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act.
This is a sacred place and a sacred process that must at
all times be protected and defended. Officer Chestnut and
Detective Gibson instinctively understood the nature of
our mission. The workings of this institution are more
complex than the wiring and gadgets of any nuclear
submarine. The impact of the results of what we conclude
here has more explosive power and long range consequences
than any rocket ever fired at NASA.
To keep this institution relevant and capable of meeting
the challenges of our rapidly changing and demanding world
we need the elevator operators, the cleaning staff, the
receptionists, the analysts, the secretaries, directors,
chiefs of staff, coordinators, counsels, information
specialists, administrative assistants; and yes, we need
the detectives and the police; all are vitally necessary.
A complicated world demands an intricate governmental
infrastructure.
The democratic process within this infrastructure must
be protected because the twin monsters of insanity and
violent savagery are always scratching at the door. In the
last fifty years, the bullets of assassins have
dramatically altered history in America: President John F.
Kennedy, Martin Luther King, Jr.; Robert Kennedy; and the
almost murdered President Ronald Reagan.
Against the twin monsters of insanity and savagery we
must do more than merely mourn the loss of our heroes.
Most Americans can only grieve with the families of J.J.
Chestnut and John Gibson. We, 535 Members of Congress, can
do much more.
In paying tribute to these heroes, we Members of
Congress should seek a solidarity across party lines and
beyond the usual philosophical and ideological agendas. In
defense of this great institution and to protect all
vulnerable Americans, we must unite and act as one. Let
this be a time of new reflections, new insight, and new
resolve to find ways to disarm the proliferating number of
insane and savage assassins.
The second amendment was designed to make us safe from
tyranny, to bolster our sense of security. No well
regulated militia should allow the rampant and random
distribution of firearms among the populace. In the name
of our Capitol heroes, Officer J.J. Chestnut and Detective
John Gibson, and for the sake of the families of all
similar victims, let us resolve as powerful decision
makers, as Members of Congress, to end the escalating
terror of handguns in America.
Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, I yield our last minute to the
distinguished chairman of our caucus, the gentleman from
California (Mr. Fazio).
Mr. FAZIO of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with
sadness in my heart to remember the two brave members of
our Capitol Hill family who died in the line of duty last
Friday. Officers Jacob Chestnut and John Gibson selflessly
gave their lives protecting all of us and in the larger
sense protecting our democracy. In the course of doing our
daily business we may sometimes lose sight of the fact
that the people who work on Capitol Hill share a special
bond as Americans and as public servants.
It is what makes us a family. Like any family, we have
our battles and our disagreements, but we also share in
one another's joys and sorrows.
Over the course of long days that are filled with issues
of national importance, we often get caught up in the
weight of our obligations to the people that we serve. We
may even become a little jaded. But a quick walk through
this awesome Capitol building reminds us of why we are
here, all of us, elected and unelected.
Every day thousands of tourists wander through these
halls with us. They may watch some debate, they may peruse
some of the historical displays placed throughout the
buildings, or they may meet with their representatives. In
short, they are literally taking part in this democratic
experience.
Throughout that experience, it is the Capitol Hill
Police who help us do our job while they help the American
people participate in their democracy. We have the rare
privilege to conduct the people's business peacefully and
safely, thanks to the hard work and dedication of this
Capitol Hill Police Force.
So as we lay these two courageous officers, these two
loving family men to rest, we must remember that this
Capitol Hill family is composed of a cross-section of
hard-working men and women brought together by a common
interest in serving their country.
Thank you, Jacob Chestnut; thank you, John Gibson. God
bless you both and your families.
Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may
consume to the distinguished gentleman from Texas (Mr.
Edwards), the deputy minority whip.
Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, with heartfelt sympathy to the
families of Officers Chestnut and Gibson, I express my
gratitude to them and their families for serving our
country.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman from
Michigan (Mr. Bonior) has expired.
The gentleman from Texas (Mr. Armey) has 2\1/2\ minutes
remaining.
Mr. ARMEY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all
Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise
and extend their remarks on H. Con. Res. 311.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the
request of the gentleman from Texas?
There was no objection.
Mr. ARMEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
Mr. Speaker, let me begin by thanking all my colleagues
for their contributions to this debate.
Mr. Speaker, in a few short minutes we will have a vote.
I feel it is a great honor to end this debate, and I would
like to close by daring to be presumptuous. We have heard
from so many Members of Congress about these two fine
officers, these two genuine heroes, Detective Gibson and
Officer Chestnut. But dare I, Mr. Speaker, presume to
speak on behalf of their associates and colleagues, fellow
officers in the Capitol Hill Police Force?
We would, first of all, realize that I am so little
equipped to do that, Mr. Speaker; but they do not have
access to this floor to speak on behalf of their
colleagues, their friends, their fellow officers. In truth
of fact, they knew these two men better than we. Officer
Chestnut was for so many a mentor; Detective Gibson, so
many times a friend to so many of the other officers.
But if they could speak here today, and if they could
speak about Detective Gibson and Officer Chestnut, I think
all of the men and women of the Capitol Police would say,
Mr. and Mrs. America, know our fallen comrades; know them,
for they are we, and we are them. We served together, and
we serve you. Come to the People's House from all corners
of our great land; come to America and visit this hall of
freedom; come and see; and we will welcome you, we will
aid you, we will assist you, we will give you courteous
advice, we will give you a helping hand. If there is
danger, we will shield you. If there is discomfort, we
will aid you. We will help you in every way we can to know
that in America, where democracy is constructed in this
great hall of Congress, the people are welcome, for the
people truly own this place where we work.
But then they would say, as you know Detective Gibson
and as you know Officer Chestnut, know also that if you
come here to disturb the peace, if you come here to
trouble others, if you come here to trespass against
freedoms or threaten the security of other people, you
will be met with a well-trained and professional force, a
force of disciplined officers of the law and a force of
men and women who believe that Officer Chestnut and
Detective Gibson, by, first, their friendly service to so
many people, and, then, finally, their dedicated
protection of the rights of all, the safety of all, the
security of all, Detective Gibson and Officer Chestnut are
exemplary of who we are. We love this place; we love this
Nation; we love the people of this great land; we love the
men and women who serve here; and we will stand in service
and protection for all who are on these properties.
I think they would finally close with God; God bless
you, Detective Gibson; God bless you, Officer Chestnut.
Well done.
Mr. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, it is with great shock and
sadness that I come here to speak about the deaths of two
fine officers who were so brutally shot down only a few
feet from this Chamber on Friday afternoon. These heroes
put their own lives on the line to save thousands of
Capitol employees and visitors.
My heart goes out to their families and their friends. I
know that it must not be much consolation to know that
they are heroes no longer with us when in reality we all
would much rather have them with us, and because of them
no tourists or workers died--if they hadn't been there it
would have been much worse. Jacob Chestnut and John Gibson
showed us that the Capitol is safely guarded and that it
is safe for folks to walk, enjoy, and learn about the
``People's House.''
This unexpected and sudden tragedy apparently was the
result of a disturbed individual. Unfortunately there is
no way to make sure that Americans will not be exposed to
such risk. However, I feel better walking the Halls of
Congress on Capitol Hill knowing that officers of this
dedication and ability are there to protect me, my
constituents, and my staff. The Capitol Hill Police Force
should be commended for the bravery and efforts in the way
that this very difficult situation was handled. Let us
hope it will never have to be repeated.
Ms. KILPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, on Friday, July 24, 1998, a
Congress, a City, a Nation was shaken to its very
foundation. The People's House, the U.S. Capitol Building,
was violated when two of Capitol Hill's finest were killed
in the line of duty: Officer Jacob J. Chestnut and Special
Agent John Gibson. The ultimate and supreme sacrifices of
these officers prevented the deaths of untold other
constituents, citizens, and colleagues. Not only do we owe
these men and their families our thanks, but we owe them
our eternal gratitude. We must ensure that their memory
will live on forever.
As a Member of the House Oversight committee, my
colleagues and I have the duty to ensure that Congress
remains accessible to all, and safe to ensure the
democratic and timely debate of issues of the day. In our
Committee rooms and offices, sometimes it is easy to
forget the very difficult duty and burden that we place on
the police officers of Capitol Hill everyday. Indeed, it
is up to the officers of the Capitol Hill Police
Department to carry out the orders and directions of the
House Oversight Committee. These officers must allow our
citizens to exercise their First Amendment right to
freedom of speech, while ensuring that no ill will or harm
befalls any individual person. The Capitol Hill Police
Department has been doing a very difficult task extremely
well for over 150 years. As a matter of fact, it is very
easy to take for granted the safety and security of our
Capitol, as many of my colleagues and I do everyday.
As a result of the recent horror and tragedy, it is
important that we remember that the U.S. Capitol belongs
to all who love democracy, freedom and justice. I am sure
that the House Oversight Committee will begin in all due
haste to review the security and safety of the U.S.
Capitol and its environs, keeping in mind the openness and
freedom that separates the United States of America from
all other nations in the world.
Let us keep the families of Officer Chestnut and Special
Agent Gibson in our prayers. While I did not know Officer
Chestnut and Special Agent Gibson personally, I do know of
the fine work of many, many other of the other officers of
the U.S. Capitol Police. The Bible says that no woman or
man has a greater love than to lay down her or his life
for their friends. The Bible also orders us to love our
neighbor as ourselves. In the wake of this senseless loss,
it is my desire and hope that all of us, Members of
Congress and citizens alike, learn to care for our fellow
human beings in the manner in which Officer Chestnut and
Special Agent Gibson loved not only their jobs, but their
families, their fellow officers, and their country.
My prayers, as well as the prayers of the 15th
Congressional District of Michigan, are with the families
of these two fine men. These officers have made a
difference in Congress: May they rest in peace.
Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Speaker, it is with great sadness that
I add my voice in tribute to the two fallen officers who
lost their lives in performing their duty last Friday.
This tragedy has brought us all together in grief as we
remember the dedication of these two fine men, Officers
Jacob Chestnut and John Gibson. They are the first Capitol
Hill Police officers to be killed in the line of duty and
we owe it to them and their fellow officers to work to
ensure that they are the last.
However, we must also ensure that the public will
continue to have access to the Nation's Capitol for its
historic significance and as the seat of the legislative
branch of government. By not keeping this great building
open to the some 23,000 people who visit it daily, we will
be surrendering a part of our freedom and our heritage.
Let me remind my colleagues that Officers Chestnut and
Gibson died defending our freedom and our heritage.
These deaths show us not only just how fragile life is,
but also the invaluable service provided by those who put
their life on the line as law enforcement officers. Let us
never forget the sacrifice of these officers and those of
everyone killed doing their duty. These two families and
the entire Nation have lost two outstanding individuals. I
join in praying for their families and I extend to them by
deepest sympathies.
Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join my
colleagues in paying tribute to Detective John Michael
Gibson and Private First Class Jacob Joseph Chestnut of
the United States Capitol Police who lost their lives
Friday, July 24, 1998 defending the United States Capitol,
the tourists who visit it, and the Members and staff who
serve there. It is thanks to their dedication to duty that
an already tragic day did not result in additional loss of
life. It is thanks to their heroism, and the heroism of
their fellow United States Capitol Police Officers, that
the People's House is and can remain open to the American
people.
Today, flags fly at half staff over the United States
Capitol to honor the fallen officers. Officer Chestnut, an
18 year veteran of the U.S. Capitol Police, had served in
the U.S. Air Force. Detective Gibson was an 18 year
veteran who was assigned to the dignitary protection
division of the Capitol Police. Both officers leave behind
a wife and children, as well as countless family and
friends. At this very difficult time, it is my hope that
they will find some solace in knowing that their loved
ones died protecting America's hard-won freedom. Of this,
they can be proud.
Friday's criminal act should not result in calls to
close the Capitol and have Congress work away from the
citizens it represents. Officer Chestnut and Detective
Gibson gave their lives so the American people can visit
their Capitol and see their Congress at work. The
officers' sacrifice cannot have been made in vain.
My thoughts and prayers, along with those of every
Member of this House, are with the fallen officers and
their families at this difficult time. Detective Gibson
and Officer Chestnut served their country well. The
service and heroism they displayed is exemplary, and we
will always be thankful for the sacrifice they made.
Mr. GEJDENSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise to join my colleagues
in memorializing Capitol Police Detective John Gibson and
Officer Jacob Chestnut. Officers Gibson and Chestnut made
the supreme sacrifice to protect Members of this body and
our visitors. I extend my deepest condolence to their
families and fellow officers.
As many other Members have said, the Capitol Police are
a part of our family. We see them every day, we exchange
pleasantries, we come to know them by name. Hundreds of
thousands of visitors interact with them every year.
However, many of us rarely stop to think that members of
the Capitol Police Force face the very same dangers as
officers in our largest cities. Unfortunately, it takes a
tragedy to bring that reality home.
The reality is that the officers stationed throughout
the complex can be confronted on any given day by an
individual or group committed to harming Members and
visitors. The reality is that we live and work in a
violent society--not in an isolated island. The reality is
that too many Americans believe that guns, rather than
words, are the solution to their problems. The reality is
that not every one who visits the Capitol on a daily basis
is here to experience how their government works.
Officer Chestnut and Detective Gibson understood the
risks; they did not shrink from them. They acted as they
were trained. As a result, they prevented one committed
individual from inflicting much more damage. They have
been called `genuine American heroes.' Like millions of
other Americans, I share this sentiment. However, they are
heroes not only for laying down their lives to protect
others. They are heroes because they acted to preserve the
openness that makes the House of Representatives different
from any other legislative body on the face of the earth.
I believe the best tribute to these heroes is to ensure
that the House remains as accessible to the American
people as possible.
Mr. Speaker, Officer Chestnut and Detective Gibson
represent the very best qualities of America--commitment
to public service, selflessness and courage. I am saddened
that a tragedy, rather than the work they did every day,
brings us to the floor tonight.
Mr. KLECZKA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the
memory and dedication of two of our finest public
servants, officers Jacob Chestnut and John Gibson of the
Capitol Police. These two men paid the ultimate sacrifice
to see that the Capitol and its occupants could conduct
the business of democracy in the light of day, in plain
view of the people.
Mr. Speaker, I think it's important to remember these
men as more than names on a plaque. John Gibson was an 18-
year veteran who lived in Woodbridge, Virginia. He is
married to the niece of one of our colleagues, Rep. Joseph
Moakley. Compounding the tragedy of the death of John
Gibson is the loved ones he leaves behind, his three
children--a 17-year-old daughter and two boys aged 15 and
14.
A story from the newspaper tells us more about John
Gibson, the man. He was regarded as a handyman around the
neighborhood. John once ordered gravel to build a patio
behind his house--only he ordered too much. There stood a
big load of gravel dumped at his house. So, John ended up
supplying the neighborhood with gravel. He did what any of
us would do. He was just a regular guy.
Jacob Chestnut--or ``JJ'' as his colleagues called him--
was a 20-year Air Force veteran. He served in Vietnam. His
neighbors knew him as a gardener who generously shared his
latest crop of cucumbers or Chinese cabbage. Jacob
Chestnut, who is survived by five children from his
current and previous marriages, planned to retire soon and
play golf and travel with his wife.
As presidents and national heroes are honored, so are
Officers Chestnut and Gibson. They acted with the highest
courage. They performed their duty selflessly and
prevented possible serious injury to scores of others.
Officers Chestnut and Gibson are a testament to our
national values and have earned the distinction of being
national heroes.
They, like other everyday heroes--the men and women of
the Capitol Police Force--conduct themselves with
distinction so that we might do the business of the
American people in the open and share with the public the
workings of this wonderful institution and symbol of
democracy.
Mr. Speaker, these two men have been taken from our
congressional family. We have suffered a grievous loss.
May the Lord bless officers Chestnut and Gibson and their
families and protect those who put their lives on the line
every day so that we may live free.
Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join my
colleagues and the American people in paying tribute to
two American heroes.
On Friday afternoon, Capitol Police Officers J.J.
Chestnut and John Gibson laid down their lives in defense
of this building, in defense of the Members of this House,
in defense of the thousands of tourists and staff members
who work and visit here, and in defense of this country.
J.J. Chestnut was a dedicated Capitol Police officer who
came to work every day and did his job well. While I
didn't know him personally--I was certainly very familiar
with his face. Part of the ritual of being a Member of
Congress is walking into this building and casting a vote.
How many times have we walked past these officers? How
often before Friday have we really stopped to think about
the sacrifices they make?
I personally knew John Gibson as the husband of
Congressman Moakley's niece. I had the privilege of
working for Cong. Moakley for 13 years, and during that
time I got to know John Gibson as a family man, as a
Massachusetts native, and as a life-long Red Sox fan.
You know, a lot of people have remarked about John
Gibson's ``Boston accent,'' and how strange they thought
it was. But I'll tell you, to me, listening to John talk
served as a reminder of home.
Mr. Speaker, yesterday the Boston Red Sox beat the
Toronto Blue Jays 6-3. I'd like to think that somewhere,
John Gibson is looking at that box score and smiling.
I also want to say a few words of appreciation and
admiration for the response of the entire Capitol Police
Force, who with professional efficiency and control,
ensured that Members of Congress, congressional staff, and
tourists were safe and secure, either inside the Capitol
or outside on the grounds as soon as the call went out
that a gunman was loose in the Capitol Building.
I join the American people in mourning for these two
brave men. I extend my sympathies to their families,
friends and loved ones. And I express my respect for the
Capitol Police force who work every day to ensure that the
American people may safely visit and work within the
Nation's Capitol.
Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, on Friday afternoon, July 24,
1998, tragedy struck the Nation's Capitol. A lone gunman
burst through an entrance of the Capitol building, fatally
wounding two Capitol Police officers who saved the lives
of so many through their own bravery.
Two of the finest members of our Capitol Hill family
were shot and killed in the line of duty. Officer Chestnut
and Special Agent Gibson gave their lives defending
Congress and its visitors from a gunman who savagely
discharged his weapon on anyone who stepped in his way.
Officer Chestnut was the first to be shot as he vigilantly
guarded his post. After the gunman shot and wounded a
fleeing tourist, he crashed into Majority Whip DeLay's
office, shooting and mortally wounding Special Agent
Gibson.
The actions of this man were reprehensible, but they
were also the actions of a very disturbed person. Officers
Gibson and Chestnut displayed a heroism and bravery which
we should all be proud and thankful for as Americans and
members of the Capitol Hill family.
Officers Gibson and Chestnut gave their lives in order
to save the lives of so many others who were in harm's
way. My thoughts and prayers go out to both families as
well as to the United States Capitol Police, as I am sure
the past few days have been very trying times. It is a
comforting feeling to know that we are all being guarded
by such a competent, dedicated, and brave group of
officers.
Mr. MANTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise to join my colleagues in
commemorating our valiant Capitol Police officers who gave
their lives in the line of duty. Officer J.J. Chestnut and
Special Agent John Gibson will have our undying gratitude
and remembrance for making the greatest sacrifice in
serving their country. Our prayers and best wishes go out
to their family and friends.
Mr. Speaker, as a former New York City police officer,
my sadness and pain at this senseless loss is difficult to
put into words. Once you have worn the uniform, you become
part of an extended family for the rest of your life. And,
while you know firsthand the senseless violence that
occurs all too often in our country today, you still feel
very personally each loss of a member of that ``thin blue
line'' that serves to protect every one of us.
Mr. Speaker, these slain officers were heroes in the
truest sense of the word. Not because of unusual feats,
but because they died simply as a result of doing the job
we ask them to do. We all are indebted to Officer Chestnut
and Special Agent Gibson for their sacrifice. We offer our
sincerest condolences to their families. And, we all owe
the members of the Capitol Police Force our respect and
admiration for the work they do.
In closing, I believe it was President Theodore
Roosevelt who wrote, ``Death is always and under all
circumstances a tragedy, for if it is not, then it means
that life itself has become one.''
Mr. Speaker, let us here today swear that the tragedy
our extended congressional family experienced last Friday
shall always remind us of the value of life; of the
valiant work of our Capitol Police Force; and of the need
to be vigilant against the pointless violence that, sadly,
pervades our society.
Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my deep
and sincere condolences to the families of Officer Jacob
Chestnut and Special Agent John Gibson.
Those of us who are privileged to work on Capitol Hill
feel we are part of a very large and extended family.
Officer Chestnut and Special Agent Gibson were vital parts
of that family.
If the Capitol Police officers did not perform their
jobs so professionally, they would be better known.
Unfortunately, in today's society, we seem to focus on the
negative rather than on the positive. But the Capitol
Police do an excellent job and so the American people are
not familiar with these dedicated men and women who patrol
the United States Capitol grounds day and night.
Our Nation's Capitol, the most recognizable symbol of
freedom and democracy in the world, is also one of the
most accessible government buildings in the world.
Visitors from across our Nation and the globe marvel at
the ease with which they can sit in the gallery and watch
the inner workings of Congress. They walk in awe
throughout this grand and historic building. Yet, it is
the dedication and professionalism of the Capitol Police
which makes this access to the Capitol possible.
A few months ago, there was a fire in the Longworth
Building. The fire alarm didn't go off on every floor, so
Capitol Police officers ran up and down the stairs and
into each office to remove people from harm's way. A few
officers suffered smoke inhalation as they risked
themselves to do their duty.
Every summer we read about tourists overcome by the
heat, collapsing on the Capitol grounds, only to receive
swift and needed care from Capitol Police.
Every day we see the Capitol Police direct traffic to
ease the morning and evening commute. We see them giving
tourists directions and helping lost children find their
parents.
They patrol our corridors and insure order and safety in
our Nation's most important public building.
When I think about the choice which Officers Chestnut
and Gibson made to serve the public as police officers, I
am reminded of what Thucydides once said, ``the bravest
are surely those who have the clearest vision of what is
before them, glory and danger alike, and yet
notwithstanding, go out and meet it.''
As I offer my sympathy to the families of these two
fallen heroes, I am also reminded of what the Bible says,
``No greater love has a man, than he lay down his life for
another.''
Mr. DICKS. Mr. Speaker, this is a difficult and solemn
time in the House of Representatives. It is a day in which
our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the two
heroic members of the Capitol Police Force who lost their
lives last Friday, Officers Jacob Chestnut and John
Gibson. They were part of our family here in the House,
and all of us today are experiencing the emotions of a
death in the family. These were well-liked and well-
regarded men whose jobs it was to protect the institution
of the House and the people who serve in it. And in
protecting us, they sacrificed their lives to save the
lives of many others working and visiting the Capitol
building. Despite the many words expressed in the House
and Senate today, there can be no tribute grand enough to
express our true appreciation for the selfless actions of
John Gibson and Jacob Chestnut. To their families, we owe
a great debt of gratitude and we, as an institution, will
never forget their placing their sense of duty above
personal safety.
It is my hope, Mr. Speaker, that the Members of this
body will focus on the important messages that flow from
this tragic incident. First, I believe it is important
that we recognize how capable and well-trained the members
of the Capitol Police Force are. We see them everyday in
many of their diverse roles, but when called upon to
respond quickly to life-threatening situations, the force
reacted swiftly and superbly, preventing an even more
tragic result. As we seek to learn the lessons of this
incident, it is abundantly clear that the people in charge
of the mission of protecting this Congress are indeed
quite capable and well-trained.
There may be security enhancements that can be
accomplished to make this important public building even
safer for the millions of visitors who come here each
year. Certainly we must consider all the suggestions that
flow from the thorough analysis of the shooting incident
last week, including new physical protection measures and
procedures that may guard against new and different
threats here at the Capitol. Let me echo the sentiments of
many of my colleagues here today, however, in expressing
my personal hope that whatever security improvements may
be implemented, they should preserve--to the greatest
extent possible--this building's character as the
``People's House,'' one which Americans from across the
land can enter to view their representative government in
action. Though we may be able to make the United States
Capitol building safer, I believe we should be careful to
understand the actual and symbolic needs for access.
There is perhaps another message here, Mr. Speaker,
relevant to this individual who crashed through the
security station at the East Front of the Capitol last
Friday. While all of the facts and motivations may not be
clear to us at this early time, the interviews of his
family convincingly demonstrate that Russell Eugene Weston
was unstable, with a long history of mental illness. I
believe that this incident calls into question the way in
which potentially dangerous, mentally-unstable individuals
are ignored until they cause harm to themselves or to
others, and certainly this must cause some reevaluation.
If we are too quick to release mentally-ill individuals
like this from institutions, we must at the same time
recognize that the result will be additional challenges
for law enforcement--though hopefully never with such a
tragic result as occurred last Friday.
So, Mr. Speaker, let me join all of my colleagues in
bowing our heads in solemn memory of Jacob Chestnut and
John Gibson today, and to remark that any honor we can
bestow upon them will pale in relation to the sacrifice
they have made for us.
Mr. COYNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join my
colleagues in mourning the deaths of Capitol Police
officers John Gibson and Jacob Chestnut, and in
recognizing the dangers and challenges that members of the
Capitol Police force face every day.
The Capitol complex is a large, busy place in the middle
of a busy metropolitan area. As the seat of democratic
self-government in this country--and as a symbol of
democracy around the world--the Capitol is an obvious
target for terrorists, as well as mentally unbalanced
individuals. In fact, as others have observed in recent
days, the Capitol building has been the target of violent
acts several times before in this century.
Despite the obvious concern about security, Congress has
consistently decided--quite correctly in my opinion--that
a high priority should be placed on keeping the Capitol
complex as open to visitors and observers as possible.
Congress and the Capitol Police have to constantly weigh
security concerns against the need for openness. The
outcome is inevitably a delicate balance, but Congress has
wisely decided to preserve the public's access to the
Capitol.
The Capitol Police force has the difficult mission of
maintaining security in the Capitol complex while allowing
thousands of visitors into its buildings each day. The
Capitol Police go on duty each day never knowing when they
may be attacked or drawn into some deadly confrontation.
Despite this risk and uncertainty, they provide courteous
service to the thousands of people who visit the Capitol
each day while protecting the Capitol, its occupants, and
visitors.
This Nation has been fortunate in the relatively small
number of violent attacks that have been made on the
President, Congress, and our federal employees. But every
so often, as in the bombing of the Murrah Office Building
in Oklahoma City or the terrible events that took place
here in the Capitol on Friday, a violent attack does take
place.
A natural human response is to say how could this
happen--why couldn't something have been done to prevent
it? Sadly, such tragic events are inevitable in a free
society. We can work to make such events more infrequent,
but we can not eliminate them. As this sad event reminds
us, the benefits of a free society come only at a high
price. These two fine Capitol Police officers, who died in
the line of duty, gave their lives to preserve that
freedom. They also gave their lives to protect the lives
of the hundreds of other people who were in the Capitol
building at the time the gunman opened fire. Their
sacrifice will not go unnoticed.
On behalf of the people of Pennsylvania's 14th
Congressional District, I extend my heart-felt sympathy
and deepest condolences to the families of these two
American heroes. And I want to express my gratitude and
appreciation to the men and women of the Capitol Police
Force, who--like Officers John Gibson and Jacob Chestnut--
carry out their duties day in and day out with courage,
dedication, and skill.
Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, it is with a tremendous sense of
loss and sadness that I rise today to express my sincere
condolences to the families and friends of Detective John
Gibson and Capitol Police Officer Jacob Chestnut, and to
their colleagues in the Capitol Police.
I'd also like to offer my sincerest gratitude to all of
our Capitol Hill security personnel, who each day risk
their lives for us and whom we often take for granted.
Thank you for your service, your commitment, and your
valor.
Detective Gibson was truly an officer's officer: his
work exemplified the truest meaning of service. He is
remembered by colleagues, friends, and neighbors alike as
someone who would do whatever he could to help, someone
who made people feel safe.
Officer Chestnut was a stalwart of service and
professionalism. He always exhibited genuine kindness and
gentleness to all of us who were privileged to know him.
My family and I remember his assistance during my
swearing-in ceremony, his incredible kindness, his
guidance, his tremendous warmth.
These two heroes gave their lives in the line of duty
protecting their fellow citizens. They leave behind
families, friends, co-workers, communities, and Americans
who will never forget their commitment and their
sacrifice. Their passing leaves a void that will never be
filled. We join with the families to remember special
times and, in doing so, Detective John Gibson and Officer
Jacob Chestnut will have a permanent place in our hearts.
May they rest in peace.
Ms. McCARTHY of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in
support of H. Con. Res. 311 to honor the two Capitol
security officers, Jacob Chestnut and John Gibson, who
gave their lives last Friday in service to our Nation. I
offer my deepest sympathy to their families.
I also honor all of the other law enforcement personnel
throughout the Nation who put their lives on the line each
day for the safety of our Nation's citizens.
The Capitol Police responded to this situation swiftly
and effectively. They told the staffers and tourists what
to do during the melee and comforted them afterward. They
shielded people and saved lives. I would like to extend a
thank you to all of these officers.
I would like to share an editorial printed in the Kansas
City Star on Monday, July 27, 1998. This editorial honors
Officers Chestnut and Gibson, as well as the other
dedicated security personnel across the country who are
committed to protecting all of us.
Heroism in Capitol Shooting
The shooting deaths of two police officers in the U.S.
Capitol are a tragic reminder that thousands of law
enforcement and security personnel put their lives on the
line every day so that the rest of society can go on about
its business.
All too often their willingness to put themselves at
risk is taken for granted. But as events inside the
Capitol demonstrated last week, these brave men and women
may be called upon at a moment's notice to protect
hundreds of innocent people from harm.
One day something goes wrong--an alarm goes off, a
suspicious figure rushes by, shots ring out in a hallway--
and suddenly their years of training and experience, their
sheer speed in determining what must be done and their
courage in doing it, become absolutely critical.
Capitol Police officers Jacob Chestnut and John Gibson,
who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty on Friday,
will be remembered by thousands of friends and colleagues
in Washington and by millions of people across the country
for their heroism.
Chestnut was shot while attempting to protect an
entrance to the Capitol. Hearing shots, Gibson ordered the
people around him to get down to protect themselves. He
then confronted the gunman and was fatally wounded. But
the dying officer fired on the gunman, saving government
officials and tourists from harm.
It appears that the gunman was someone suffering from a
mental illness that included bizarre delusions--someone
who, fearing trouble with the government, traveled across
the country to find that trouble.
But in the midst of Friday's crisis, Officers Chestnut
and Gibson did not know who he was. These Capitol Police
veterans simply knew that one of the central institutions
of the U.S. government was under attack--and they found
themselves on the front line of its defense. They did
their duty without hesitation, and for that the entire
Nation honors them.
As the work week begins, many Americans will feel an
extra measure of respect and appreciation for the many
other police officers and security personnel who stand
guard in government buildings and private offices around
the country.
As the result of this tragedy, the already elaborate
security system on Capitol Hill will be reviewed. Perhaps
some changes will be made.
But as President Clinton and other officials have
indicated, it would be a mistake to reject the commitment
that has been made to keep the Capitol so accessible to
the public.
Many other public places, after all, have been targeted
by sick individuals and terrorists. Reasonable steps must
be taken to discourage such violence. But we should not
allow fear to dominate our lives, either at home or in our
Nation's capital city.
Given the visibility of the Capitol as a symbol of the
government, and the thousands of people who move through
it on a daily basis, the overall security record there
appears solid; this was reported to be the first shooting
in the building in decades.
Brave, dedicated people like Officers Chestnut and
Gibson have been at the heart of that system. They will
always play the critical role in protecting American
institutions from confused individuals and those who wish
our Nation harm.
Mr. ROGERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of
Officer J.J. Chestnut and Special Agent John Gibson who
were tragically slain in the line of duty this past
Friday. Words do little to reveal the sense of gratitude
we feel for their heroic actions or the sense of loss
accompanied with their passing. Few of us could ever hope
to equal the level of courage displayed by these
individuals. My thoughts and prayers go out to their
families and friends in this time of great sorrow.
While we mourn the loss of these two fine officers, we
must also pay homage to all members of the Capitol Police
Force. These brave men and women perform their duties with
smiles and kind words, always standing at the ready to put
themselves in harm's way if danger calls. Unfortunately on
Friday, danger did call. Without regard for personal
safety, they responded to the situation shielding Members,
staff, and visitors from harm, losing two of their own in
the process. I thank them for their selflessness, their
sense of duty and their courage. I extend to them my great
sympathy on the loss of their comrades and my hope that
such condolences are never again required.
Mr. RAMSTAD. Mr. Speaker, this is a somber and solemn
day for Congress and our Nation. Our Capitol Hill family
has suffered great loss with the deaths of Officers Jacob
``J.J.'' Chestnut and John Gibson. The entire country was
both shaken by violence at our Capitol and inspired by the
ultimate heroism of these two men.
Mr. Speaker, how can we adequately thank our heroes? How
do we comfort their wives and children who suffered the
ultimate loss?
I have no answers to those questions, Mr. Speaker. I
only know that we owe two law enforcement heroes more than
words can express. I hope everyone listening will pray
tonight for the families and friends of these two brave
fallen officers.
As Co-Chair of the House Law Enforcement Caucus, I know
that senseless tragedies are not new. Since our Nation's
founding, nearly 15,000 police officers have been killed
in the line of duty. Their names are etched in the walls
of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, just
blocks from here. Sadly, we now know two new names that
will be added to the wall next year.
In this Capitol, we are protected by nearly 1,300 sworn
officers and security aides. Their presence is so steady
and reassuring that at times people have forgotten to
notice. And the Capitol Police are joined by hundreds of
thousands of law enforcement officers across America, who
get up each morning and put on their badge, committing to
protect people whose names they may never know. They have
taken an oath to die for us. They are all American heroes.
I am humbled to call them both my protectors and my
friends.
If the events of last week hold any lesson, it is this:
we must never take these courageous men and women for
granted. They deserve our thanks, every opportunity we
get.
J.J. and John will be remembered for the way they died,
and also for the way they lived. They make us want to be
better people. The greatest tribute we can offer these men
is to have the same single-minded focus on our jobs in
this great building, the People's House.
Remembering how Officers Gibson and Chestnut worked
together to protect the People's House, I hope we will
work together in a bipartisan way to make our country a
safer place for all.
I hope, too, that the legacy of Officers Chestnut and
Gibson will be a Capitol that is open and accessible to
the people to which it belongs. That is what they would
have wanted. That is why they made the ultimate sacrifice.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you, Officers Chestnut
and Gibson. You will always be remembered in these halls,
and especially in our hearts. You are true American
heroes, and we will miss you.
Mr. ROTHMAN. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to mourn the loss
of two members of our American and our Capitol families--
Jacob Chestnut and John Gibson.
Their names are quickly becoming synonymous with the
word ``hero,'' and rightly so. These two men, and the
entire Capitol Police force, daily summon the courage to
stand in defense of lawmakers, staffers, tourists--every
one of us--along with this bastion of American Democracy
we call the United States Capitol.
Friday that dedication was put to the test. Jacob
Chestnut and John Gibson did not waiver. They laid down
their lives in defense of this Capitol and all it
represents in the hearts of every American.
Jacob and John, I only wish that you were here with us
today, to hear how grateful our Nation is to you both for
protecting our democracy. We are grateful for your
dedicated public service to our country, your valor, and
your courage.
As Rollo May has said, ``courage is not a virtue or
value among other personal values. It is the foundation
that underlies and gives reality to all other virtues and
personal values.'' Your courage on Friday and throughout
your careers is a symbol for all law enforcement
officials, public officials, and every citizen to follow.
Mrs. Chestnut--Mrs. Gibson--my prayers and condolences
go out to you and your families. And my prayers and
gratitude go out to the entire Capitol Hill police force
during this difficult time of grieving. God bless you and
God bless every one of us.
Mr. SANFORD. Mr. Speaker, my father always taught me
that there was no higher calling than to do your duty. In
the words of Robert E. Lee, ``Duty, there is the sublimist
word in our language. Do your duty in all things . . . You
cannot do more, you should never wish to do less.''
A few great Americans have had the honor of lying in
state in the Capitol Rotunda. They have ranged from
President Abraham Lincoln to the unknown soldiers of the
wars of this century. But few Americans have done their
duty to their country better than the two officers we are
honoring here.
These two Americans represent the best in our Nation's
values. They were both devoted family men, leaders in
their churches and neighborhoods, and always ready with a
kind word and a smile. I cannot regret more the sacrifice
that gained them fame, but we cannot do better as examples
to hold before our children.
I am honored that Officer Chestnut comes from Myrtle
Beach, SC. He grew up among the palmetto trees and
beaches, and some of his family remains there to this day.
Officer Chestnut will never get to use the new golf clubs
that his brother gave him for his retirement next month.
However, his sacrifice, and that of Special Agent Gibson,
will remain a legacy that his family can turn to for
comfort in the years ahead.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to insert in the Record a copy
of the editorial from this morning's Myrtle Beach Sun-
News:
Jacob J. Chestnut, True American Hero
The death of a front-line hero in the cause of freedom
and democracy crashes around us all the harder because it
is supposed to be peacetime. The firing of bullets in the
Capitol on Friday, apparently triggered by a shooter's
unhinged response to a directive to get back in a metal
detector queue, makes death more unexpected than on a
war's battlefield, but no less tragic.
Such is it with Capitol Police Officer Jacob J. ``J.J.''
Chestnut, who lived in Maryland with his family but who,
according to his family, called Myrtle Beach home.
Chestnut died in the line of duty, attempting to create at
his Capitol post what precious little safety there can be
in a democracy that prides itself on openness.
If this were a police state--God forbid!--Officer
Chestnut might have had a chance to survive because there
would not have been an entrance for the public to what is
called ``the People's House.'' But after 20 years in the
Air Force and 18 in the Capitol Police, nearing a second
retirement, Chestnut would not have stood for anything
less than freedom of movement, within few guidelines.
This is a man who must have sincerely understood from
its benefits what freedom is all about. He must have
relished the ability to enjoy what the government has
provided through its institutions and its lasting
policies. This is a man who enjoyed his family, close to
him in Maryland and Myrtle Beach, where he doted on
kinship.
In praising Chestnut and Capitol Police Special Agent
John Gibson, who also died in the shooter's fusillade,
President Clinton argued, ``I ask you to think about what
our Capitol means . . . We must keep it a place where
people can freely and proudly walk the halls of their
government. And we must never, ever take for granted the
values for which it stands or the price of preserving
them.''
Added Speaker Newt Gingrich, ``No terrorist, no deranged
person, no act of violence will block us from preserving
our freedom and from keeping this building open.''
Those are among the values for which Officer Chestnut
died. He knew they were worth it. We sympathize with his
family, but glory in his heroism. We here in Myrtle Beach
must find a way to honor for all time the officer, this
man.
Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, while carrying out their
duties, more than 150 police officers are killed every
year--a rate of one death every 52 hours. And every year
more than 65,000 police officers are assaulted and 23,000
injured.
On Friday, those statistics were brought close to home
when, tragically, Officers J.J. Chestnut and John Gibson
were killed in the line of duty. These brave men died
protecting the lives of the Members of Congress, staff,
and those who were visiting the Capitol. Our thoughts and
prayers are with the families of both officers, and with
their friends and colleagues in the U.S. Capitol Police.
The Capitol is known around the world as the symbol of
democracy. It has been called the ``People's House''--a
place where citizens can freely come to meet with their
elected officials and watch democracy at work. Officers
Chestnut and Gibson died protecting our right to have a
free and open democratic form of government. All
Americans, not just those who work in the Capitol, have
suffered a loss.
In the area I represent, we are sadly familiar with the
sacrifices that law enforcement officers make far too
often. Last December, we lost two distinguished members of
Cincinnati's police department--Officer Daniel Pope and
Specialist Ronald Jeter--in a senseless act of violence.
Just a month later, Officer Mike Partin of the Covington
(KY) police department was killed while pursuing a suspect
who was attempting to escape into Cincinnati.
Shortly after their deaths, I visited the National Law
Enforcement Officers Memorial here in Washington to lay a
wreath in their memory. The Memorial, which was dedicated
in 1991, contains the names of more than 14,000 American
police officers who have died in the line of duty since
the first recorded police death in 1794.
There is a quote inscribed on the memorial that is a
fitting tribute to Officers Gibson and Chestnut--and all
law enforcement professionals who have given their lives
in service to the public. It reads, ``It is not how these
officers died that made them heroes, it is now they
lived.''
These fallen U.S. Capitol Police officers--and their
colleagues nationwide--deserve our respect and support for
putting their lives on the line every day to protect the
safety of us all.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I join my colleagues in paying
deepest respect and highest tribute to Officers Jacob
``J.J.'' Chestnut and John Gibson, who gave their lives
last Friday afternoon in the tragic shootings just a few
short steps from the House chamber.
Both of these fine officers--like the other men and
women who serve as members of the Capitol Police force--
are committed to preserving and protecting the security of
those of us who serve as Members of Congress, our staff,
and the public who have, and should continue to have,
access to the U.S. Capitol building.
Mr. Speaker, last Saturday morning following the tragic
death of these two brave men, President Clinton paid
outstanding tribute to these fine police officers and made
a powerful restatement of the importance of our Capitol
building as a symbol of our Nation's democratic
government. As the President said, this ``majestic marble
building is the symbol of our democracy and the embodiment
of our Nation. We must keep it a place where people can
freely and proudly walk the halls of their government. And
we must never, ever take for granted the values for which
it stands or the price of preserving them.''
Mr. Speaker, I ask that the full text of President
Clinton's remarks be placed in the Record.
[From the White House Briefing Room, July 25, 1998]
The President: Good morning. The shooting at the United
States Capitol yesterday was a moment of savagery at the
front door of American civilization. Federal law
enforcement agencies and the United States Attorneys
Office are working closely with the D.C. police and the
Capitol police to ensure that justice is pursued.
Meanwhile, I would ask all Americans to reflect for a
moment on the human elements of yesterday's tragedy. The
scripture says, Greater love hath no man than this: that
he lay down his life for his friends. Officer Jacob
``J.J.'' Chestnut and Detective John Gibson laid down
their lives for their friends, their co-workers, and their
fellow citizens--those whom they were sworn to protect. In
so doing, they saved many others from exposure to lethal
violence.
Every day, a special breed of men and women pin on their
badges, put on their uniforms, kiss their families good-
bye, knowing full well they may be called on to lay down
their lives. This year alone, 79 other law enforcement
officers have made the ultimate sacrifice. Every American
should be grateful to them for the freedom and the
security they guard with their lives, and every American
should stand up for them and stand against violence.
Officer Chestnut was a Vietnam veteran, a member of the
Capitol Police for 18 years, just months away from
retirement. Detective Gibson was a deeply religious man,
beloved by his co-workers, and, being from Massachusetts,
devoted to the Red Sox and the Bruins. Both leave behind
loving wives and children, the affection of neighbors,
friends, and co-workers, and the deep gratitude of those
who are alive today because of their bravery.
In this one heartless act, there were many acts of
heroism, by strangers who shielded children with their
bodies, by officers who fanned across the Capitol, by Dr.
Bill Frist, a renowned heart surgeon before his election
to the Senate from Tennessee, who had just put down his
gavel when he rushed to tend the injured. To all these and
others who stood for our common humanity, we extend the
thanks of our Nation.
To the families of Officer Chestnut and Detective
Gibson, nothing we say can bring them back. But all
Americans pray that the power of a loving God and the
comfort of family and friends will, with time, ease your
sorrow and swell your pride for loved ones and the
sacrifice they made for their fellow citizens. To Angela
Dickerson, the young woman who was injured in the
shooting, we extend our prayers and hope for your speedy
recovery.
To every American who has been shaken by this violent
act, to the millions of parents who have taken your
children through those very same doors, I ask you to think
about what our Capitol means. All around the world, that
majestic marble building is the symbol of our democracy
and the embodiment of our Nation. We must keep it a place
where people can freely and proudly walk the halls of
their government. And we must never, ever take for granted
the values for which it stands or the price of preserving
them.
Thank you very much.
Mr. MARTINEZ. Mr. Speaker, last Friday, Capitol Police
Officers John Gibson and Jacob Chestnut were tragically
killed in the line of duty protecting Members of Congress,
staff and tourists. Officers Gibson and Chestnut are
heroes in every sense of the word. These brave, selfless
men gave their lives protecting the very foundation of our
democracy--the People's House.
Officers Chestnut and Gibson's heroism and sacrifice
will not be forgotten by a grateful Nation. We are forever
in their debt as individuals, as Members of Congress, and
as an institution. It is a debt that can never be repaid
but one that is now enshrined in the very fabric of our
democracy and in the hallowed halls of Congress.
Since the shocking and bloody events of Friday, my
thoughts and prayers have been with the families of John
Gibson and Jacob Chestnut, and with Angela Dickerson, the
young woman who was wounded during the shooting. While the
loss of Officer Gibson and Officer Chestnut is deeply felt
by their friends and co-workers in Congress, it is their
wives and children who must now bear that terrible
burden--the loss of a husband and a father. It is a
sacrifice that no child should be asked to make. It is a
sacrifice that no spouse should have to make.
So as we mourn the deaths of Detective John Gibson and
Officer Jacob Chestnut, and pay tribute to their memory,
let us pray for the well-being of their families. Let us
remember the enormous sacrifice their wives and children
have made in the name of freedom and democracy. And let us
reflect upon the valor of the men and women of the U.S.
Capital Police Force who make it possible for us to
conduct the people's business free from harm's way.
God Bless Jacob Chestnut and John Gibson.
Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of two
true American heroes. Capitol Hill Police Officer Jacob J.
Chestnut and Special Agent John M. Gibson sacrificed
themselves in the line of duty, putting their country and
their commitment to democracy over their very lives. These
men trained for the possibility of confronting violence,
and when the time came, both acted professionally,
responsibly, and heroically. We can only offer our most
heartfelt condolences and prayers to the families of these
inspiring men.
Officer Chestnut was an 18-year veteran of the Capitol
Hill police force, having spent twenty years as part of
the U.S. Air Force before that. He was a highly-trained
professional who spent the overwhelming majority of his
life protecting others. Special Agent Gibson was similarly
selfless, working long hours at the Capitol as part of the
Dignitary Protection Detail, constantly protecting others
by putting himself in harm's way.
Those of us who work on Capitol Hill are used to seeing
armed officers on a regular basis. We smile and chat with
the friendly Capitol Hill police, and appreciate their
warmth as people, and the sense of community they lend to
our sometimes insular environment. They answer questions
and direct tourists, just as Officer Chestnut was doing
during the exact moment his killer confronted him. We
rarely contemplate the seriousness of their task.
However, protection is their ultimate goal. Not only
were officers Chestnut and Gibson here to protect Members
of Congress, visiting dignitaries, and the millions of
tourists who visit the Capitol, they were here to protect
our very system of government. The Capitol is one of the
most open government buildings in the world, a fact that
is directly attributable to the commitment of the Capitol
Hill police. For instead of forcing us to make our
Nation's capitol impregnable, closing the doors and
letting only those with government business enter, the
Capitol Police stand in the breech, using themselves as
barriers, while allowing the ``People's House'' to truly
belong to the people.
Neighbors and families of Officer Chestnut and Special
Agent Gibson describe them as generous, giving, and kind.
But they were also hard-working, authoritative, and took
their jobs very seriously. Because even though their task
was comprised partly of peopling our Capitol community
with friendly faces and helping hands, they were also here
to provide us with the very serious service of protection
from violence. And, just as they excelled at working with
the public, Officer Chestnut and Special Agent Gibson both
proved that they excelled at the task of protecting us,
our staffs, and the public from mortal danger. Quite
simply, we owe them our lives. And we owe them our lives
not only for their actions last Friday, but for their
habitual actions--smiling, chatting, continuing the
routine of security, all the while putting their lives at
risk, every single day.
Mr. Speaker, these men are honored as heroes because
they were called upon to make the supreme sacrifice, but
they are also heroes because they were constantly prepared
to make that sacrifice--for their families, for us, and
for the country they believed in. Our words cannot bring
them back, but we can honor the men, and the values for
which they risked, and sacrificed, their lives.
Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the two
officers who lost lives saving others. The extraordinary
acts of heroism demonstrated by Detective Gibson and
Private First Class Chestnut of the Capitol Police are
actions for which every American should be grateful.
Friday's tragic incident took the lives of two dedicated
men who proved through their actions that they exemplified
the true meaning of duty, honor, and love of their
country. Their actions not only showed courage but they
were able to put an end to the violence with true valor.
Tragic events are no longer something we hear about;
they have now penetrated the halls of the people's
building right in our very own back yard. The shots taken
in the Capitol on Friday were not only heard just inside
the Capitol, they were heard around the world as a warning
to all that violence can happen at any moment and
anywhere.
Friday's horrifying violent act took the lives of two
brave men who died protecting what they believed in. We
will never again take the presence of the Capitol police
for granted because knowing that they are there makes us
all breathe a lot easier.
My condolences and heartfelt prayers to the families,
friends, and colleagues of officers Gibson and Chestnut. I
ask Americans around our Nation to reflect upon the
incident and keep the victim's families in their thoughts
and prayers. God bless the brave men and women around the
world, and God Bless America.
Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I want to take a moment
to reflect on the tragedy that occurred this past Friday
in the House. Two of our finest in uniform in the United
States Capitol Police Force, Officer Jacob Chestnut and
Special Agent John Gibson, valiantly defended the hundreds
of visitors, Members of Congress, and their staffs who
were milling about on that fateful Friday afternoon of
July 24. Because they died, others lived.
I would like to quote a verse from the Bible which
states ``Greater love hath no man than this that a man lay
down his life for his friends,'' John 15:13. Surely love,
honor, and duty were on the minds of these brave policemen
as they stood to meet the challenge, never hesitating for
a moment for their own safety.
Capitol Hill has lost outstanding policemen and two
families have lost a loved one but Heaven has gained two
angels with badges of honor. We look to the skies knowing
that they continue to protect us. We will never forget
them and what they did for us. We pray that God, in His
infinite mercy, will be with the families in their grief;
that he will grant them peace and strength to carry on. I
send them my deepest condolences.
Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join my
colleagues to honor the memories of two American heroes,
U.S. Capitol Police Officers Jacob ``J.J.'' Chestnut and
John Gibson, who gave their lives last Friday so that
others might live.
The U.S. Capitol Police is a unique law enforcement
institution in America. It is charged with protecting
Members of the House and Senate, the Capitol itself, our
congressional staffs, and the millions of tourists from
around the world who visit this building. In performing
this task, the officers are more than security personnel.
They are ambassadors for our country, helping Americans
find their way through the Capitol safely, answering
questions, providing a helping hand. They help congressmen
and staffs get to where they need to go. And over time, we
get to know the Capitol Police well, by face if not always
by name, so much so that they become like family to those
of us who do the American people's work here as their
elected representatives.
Officer Chestnut and Officer Gibson were family, Mr.
Speaker. And as with the passing of any relative, near or
distant, we feel sadness and a sense of loss. They died
protecting people, and protecting a monument to represent
government known by peoples around the world, both free
and oppressed.
The Bible says, ``greater love hath no man than to lay
down his life for his friends.'' Officers Chestnut and
Gibson laid down their lives for us, and for the ideals of
freedom and liberty that we hold dear. Our prayers are
with their widows and their families. Our thanks are due
to Chief Gary Abrecht and all of the U.S. Capitol Police,
to House Sergeant at Arms Wilson Livingood and his staff,
and to all of America's law enforcement officers, who have
tragically lost two brave colleagues in the force.
And, Mr. Speaker, we should work to preserve the memory
of these brave officers by continuing the work that they
did for so many years: by keeping the Capitol open to the
people. In doing so, we will remember the price that we
have paid to obtain our freedom, the high price America
must occasionally pay to keep it, and the terrible price
that the Chestnut and Gibson families paid for it on
Friday, July 24, 1998.
Mr. MOAKLEY. Mr. Speaker, I am both personally honored
and saddened to join those who have offered us an
opportunity to express our feelings about Friday's
senseless tragedy.
Last Friday afternoon, the People's House was in its
normal, hectic state. Visitors, young and old, reverently
roamed the halls where their government resides. Mothers
and fathers provided their children with historical
information about the work that goes on within the United
States Capitol. Representatives had just concluded their
legislative business and were rushing to return to their
districts. Staff were busy finishing their duties for the
week. Members of the Capitol Hill Police force, both seen
and unseen, stood proudly in protection of the Capitol
complex and those within it. All and all, this was a very
normal Friday afternoon in the Nation's Capitol.
As we all know now, a lone, mentally disturbed
individual had already made his plans to forcibly deliver
horror, grief, and anguish within our Capitol. This
individual clearly had thoughts of causing chaos as he
rushed his way past Officer Jacob (J.J.) Chestnut. Officer
Chestnut was giving directions to the subway, as he had
cheerfully done many times before. The gunman, without
warning, drew his gun and shot Officer Chestnut, mortally
wounding him. Officer Chestnut in this moment of turmoil
stood gallantly at his post and died trying to save the
lives of both friends and strangers. Officer Chestnut's
actions were consistent with his training and with his
personal values and beliefs. In life, Officer Chestnut
lived an honorable life. At the moment of his death,
Officer Chestnut became a genuine American hero.
A few doors away, Special Agent John Gibson was at his
post. His duties were to protect the Majority Whip,
Representative Tom DeLay. From his post, Special Agent
Gibson, upon hearing gunfire, was ready to defend
Representative DeLay, his staff, and visitors from a mad
man. He willingly stood tall in the face of imminent
danger. In those frantic moments, Special Agent Gibson
made a profound decision. By his actions, he refused to
allow this gunman to hurt anyone under his protection. In
the moment when Special Agent Gibson came face to face
with evil incarnate, he vigilantly stood his ground. With
just a few feet between them the gunman shot Special Agent
Gibson. Despite his mortal wounds, Special Agent Gibson
remained steadfast in his duties and brought this insane
rampage to an end. In his sacrifice, Special Agent Gibson
made certain that those whom he had sworn to defend would
remain safe. In this moment, Special Agent Gibson
instinctively and without hesitation became a genuine
American hero.
At this time, when Americans look high and low in search
of heroes, we can take some solace knowing that this
search has ended. Officer Chestnut and Special Agent
Gibson, through the selfless actions have become our
newest American heroes. They paid an ultimate price so
that all Americans could continue to wander the halls of
the People's House. All Americans owe them their deepest
admiration and their profound respect. Americans must be
willing to stand together as an American family, to reach
out to console their families, colleagues and friends. We
must repay this debt, although we also know in our hearts
and souls that this is impossible.
I recall the words of Senator Robert F. Kennedy,
speaking in Indianapolis on April 4, 1968, shortly after
the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King. Kennedy
addressed a crowd informing them of Dr. King's death. He
concluded his remarks saying ``Let us dedicate ourselves
to what the Greeks wrote so many years ago: to tame the
savageness of man and to make gentle the life of this
world. Officer Chestnut and Special Agent Gibson willingly
and bravely gave their lives in pursuit of this noble
ideal.
Robert F. Kennedy concluded his remarks saying ``Let us
dedicate ourselves to that, and say a prayer for our
country and for our people.''
This tragedy is deeply personal. Special Agent Gibson
was my niece Evelyn's husband. I am proud to have
recommended him for employment with the Capitol Police.
Throughout his career, I have watched him as he progressed
from being a uniformed officer to that of Special Agent
protecting the leaders of the House of Representatives.
Even then, I knew John was special. One of the qualities I
admired was his loyalty to his Boston roots. John followed
all Boston sports teams, both collegiate and professional.
Just a few weeks ago, he had stopped by to ask me to help
him get a couple of tickets to an upcoming Notre Dame
versus Boston College football game. He constantly sought
out news from Boston hoping to keep his Massachusetts
roots strong.
John was a religious man who sought strength and comfort
from his Lord. As a family man, John excelled. He always
made time for his wife and their three children. It comes
as no surprise that John had earned the respect and
admiration in both his personal and professional lives.
From the Speaker of the House, the Majority Whip, his
fellow officers, his neighbors and friends, I am humbled
to learn of the high esteem in which they held John. I
hope the kind words spoken about John will provide his
family with some small measure of comfort in these dark
times. I will always remember John as a kind, honest,
devout, caring, and giving human being.
In conclusion, I ask all Americans to join me in these
difficult moments as we seek comfort, both for their
grieving families and for ourselves.
Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, it is difficult to find the
right words to express our sorrow at the tragedy that
struck the Capitol on Friday afternoon.
Today we honor the memories of J.J. Chestnut and John
Gibson, the Capitol Police officers who gave their lives
protecting others. I join my colleagues in sending my
heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of these
heroic men. I pray that in this time of such sorrow, they
will be comforted by their own warm memories. I also hope
that the Chestnut and Gibson families will take solace in
the knowledge that people all over the world share in
their grief. Tomorrow we will honor these men in an
unprecedented fashion by paying our respects as they lie
in state in the Capitol Rotunda.
Here on Capitol Hill we have lost two beloved members of
our community, indeed our family. Private First Class
Chestnut and Detective Gibson loved their jobs, loved
their Congress, and loved their country. They were
fixtures at their posts, J.J. at the Document Door, and
John walking with the Majority Whip. They were the
ultimate professionals, and each day went out of their way
to improve the quality of life on Capitol Hill. We will
never forget them.
Mr. Speaker, the U.S. Capitol Police force has been
thrust into the limelight under the most terrible
circumstances. Anyone who works here or visits these
grounds knows what great people these women and men are,
yet they never seem to receive the credit they deserve.
When my husband, Congressman Walter Capps, passed away
last October, Capitol Police personnel were incredibly
comforting and helpful to me, my family, and my staff.
These acts of kindness and compassion will always remain
close to my heart.
As we commend the Capitol Police, I want to pay
particular tribute to two officers. Officer Douglas B.
McMillan took quick and decisive action after his partner
J.J. Chestnut was shot. And Capitol Police spokesman Sgt.
Dan Nichols has labored around the clock since the
shootings providing the press and the American people with
timely and sensitively delivered updates. We are all
indebted to the service of these men as well.
Mr. Speaker, nothing we can say or do will bring J.J.
Chestnut and John Gibson back to us. But for the sake of
their families, their colleagues, and the American people,
we must pause and give them the tributes they deserve. We
honor their memories and celebrate their lives. And we
pray that violence and murder never again befall the
People's House.
Mr. ARMEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my
time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Everett). Without
objection, the previous question is ordered on the
concurrent resolution.
There was no objection.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the
concurrent resolution.
The question was taken; and the Speaker pro tempore
announced that the ayes appeared to have it.
Mr. ARMEY. Mr. Speaker, on that, I demand the yeas and
nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The vote was taken by electronic device, and there
were--yeas 392, nays 0, not voting 43.
The concurrent resolution was agreed to.
The result of the vote was announced as recorded.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
Message from the Senate
A message from the Senate by Mr. Lundregan, one of its
clerks, announced that the Senate had passed without
amendment a concurrent resolution of the House of the
following title:
H. Con. Res. 310. Concurrent resolution authorizing the
use of the rotunda of the Capitol for a memorial service
for Detective John Michael Gibson and Private First Class
Jacob Joseph Chestnut of the United States Capitol Police,
and for other purposes.
The message also announced that the Senate passed a
concurrent resolution of the following title, in which
concurrence of the House is requested:
S. Con. Res. 112. Concurrent resolution to authorize the
printing of the eulogies of the Senate and the House of
Representatives for Detective John Michael Gibson and
Private First Class Jacob Joseph Chestnut.
Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent for the
immediate consideration of the Senate concurrent
resolution (S. Con. Res. 112) to authorize the printing of
the eulogies of the Senate and the House of
Representatives for Detective John Michael Gibson and
Private First Class Jacob Joseph Chestnut.
The Clerk read the title of the Senate concurrent
resolution.
The SPEAKER. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from California?
There was no objection.
The Clerk read the Senate concurrent resolution, as
follows:
S. Con. Res. 112
Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives
concurring), That the eulogies for Detective John Michael
Gibson and Private First Class Jacob Joseph Chestnut of
the United States Capitol Police, as expressed in the
House of Representatives and the Senate together with the
text of the memorial services, shall be printed as a
tribute to Detective Gibson and Officer Chestnut, with
illustrations and suitable binding. The document shall be
prepared under the direction of the Joint Committee on
Printing. There shall be printed 300 casebound copies; 50
to be delivered to each of the families of Detective
Gibson and Officer Chestnut, and 200 for the use of the
United States Capitol Police.
The Senate concurrent resolution was concurred in.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
ADJOURNMENT
Mr. LaHOOD. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution
311, I move that the House do now adjourn in memory of the
late Detective John Michael Gibson and Private First Class
Jacob Joseph Chestnut.
The motion was agreed to; accordingly (at 8 o'clock and
33 minutes p.m.), pursuant to House Concurrent Resolution
311, the House adjourned until tomorrow, Tuesday, July 28,
1998, at 10 a.m. in memory of the late Detective John
Michael Gibson and Private First Class Jacob Joseph
Chestnut.
Tuesday, July 28, 1998
Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, on this solemn day, I rise to
join my colleagues in paying tribute, a special tribute,
to the heroic actions of Officer Jacob J.J. Chestnut and
Special Agent John Gibson. The quick and professional
actions that cost them their lives undoubtedly saved the
lives of many innocent people last Friday.
My thoughts and prayers, like all Americans, are with
their families, friends, and fellow officers. As always,
the Capitol Police act in a very professional manner and
work tirelessly to ensure our safety each day. While
diligent agents of security, they are also the friendly
ambassadors to the emergencies of visitors who come to
visit this great building that symbolizes the freedom of
our great Nation.
While we mourn the tragic deaths of these two men, and
rightly so, it is more important that we should thank God
that two such men once lived.
As Members of Congress, we must all take time from our
hectic schedules to stop and thank them for the daily
sacrifices they make to protect the innocent visitors to
our Capitol. Jacob Chestnut and John Gibson, thank you for
your heroism and your sacrifice. May you rest in peace in
God's arms.
Mr. EWING. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Officer
John Gibson and Officer Jacob Chestnut. Last Friday, these
two men willingly gave their lives to defend our Nation's
Capitol and its citizens. Their courage and conviction to
duty should be a lesson to all of us.
As family men, these two officers had much to live for,
much to look forward to, yet day in and day out these two
family men worked their jobs knowing that some day they
may have to put their lives on the line.
When that day came, they met the challenge with the
strength of many, and selflessly placed themselves in
harm's way to protect so many others.
I and the people of the 15th District of Illinois
greatly appreciate the fact that they gave their lives
defending the People's House. Officers Chestnut and Gibson
will be missed by all of us, and may their sacrifice never
be forgotten.
Mr. BURR of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, today a
saddened but grateful Nation pays tribute to two brave
men, Jacob Chestnut and John Gibson, who gave their lives
to protect the lives of others. There are some among us,
even as I speak, who might not be here to celebrate the
courage of these two men were it not for their actions in
a moment of crisis.
Let us pay tribute as well to the Federal Law
Enforcement Training Center located in Brunswick, Georgia,
for the outstanding training of Federal law enforcement
officials and the protection they provide.
The Capitol Police undergo intensive training at this
state-of-the-art facility, and they learn not only the
skills that will allow them to act decisively in the
moments of danger but the professional attitudes and
corporate culture that make all the difference in a job
that serves all America.
The outstanding performance of Officers Chestnut and
Gibson was no accident. The arduous training they received
at the FLETC Training Center saved the lives of so many
who are here today to say thank you and God bless you,
Officer Chestnut and Officer Gibson.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the
House, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Traficant) is
recognized for 5 minutes.
Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Speaker, the American people have
come to learn something that the Congress has dramatically
now started to realize. These are not country club jobs.
The Capitol Police place their lives on the line like
every other police department in the Nation.
My district, the 17th Congressional District of Ohio,
joins with the Congress and the Nation in mourning the
loss of Officer Chestnut and Detective Gibson.
The standards of the Capitol Police were always very
high, but Officer Chestnut and Detective Gibson have now
raised the bar several notches, and that bar of excellence
is very high. We are all proud, and we all join in as the
Nation mourns these two great policemen.
But I want to talk to the Members who may be watching
this telecast in their offices; to the Speaker; to my good
friend, the gentleman from Nevada (Mr. Gibbons) in the
back; and to all the staff here. The Uniformed Division of
the Secret Service makes more money than the Capitol
Police for basically the same service.
I take to the floor today as a former sheriff to say
security needs of the Nation's Capitol and the Nation's
buildings should be addressed. For all of the Members of
Congress, on the tragic bombing of the Federal building in
Oklahoma City, there was only one guard on duty for the
three Federal buildings in Oklahoma City, and that guard
was a contract guard, not a full-service, Federal
protective service system guard.
We now have to put ourselves in Congress under the
microscope. Are we doing all we can? Have we gotten
involved with budgetary numbers? I think the time to raise
the level of compensation of the Capitol Police is at
hand. It will cost $4 million a year to elevate them to
parity with the Uniformed Division of the Secret Service.
Let me also say this to the Congress, it is good
economics. Good economics I say to the gentleman from New
York (Mr. Walsh). Because if we do not, we spend $50,000
to train our Capitol policemen, then Montgomery County,
Fairfax County, Alexandria come in and hire after the
scrutinization of the FBI background checks, and they
recruit and take our young men and women, and they disrupt
the flow of continuity. That must not happen.
H.R. 2828 should be now brought to the floor under the
unanimous consent, and that is the tribute that should be
paid to these two great policemen, Chestnut and Gibson.
They say words are hard to describe them. As a former
sheriff, I would just like to use these words to describe
them: They were policemen. Our police officers, the
Capitol Police, are some of the best in the world.
The only deaths that occurred were to the officers of
the Capitol Police. The people they were responsible for
are all breathing. There is not a police department in the
United States that could have reacted any better to a
crisis of such volatility.
I say to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Walsh), I
think H.R. 2828 should have been done. But I understand
the legitimate concerns. I know Congress now is reviewing
that whole matter. I think the most fitting tribute would
be for the Congress of the United States to bring out H.R.
2828 under unanimous consent and take our Capitol Police
into parity with the Uniformed Division of the Secret
Service. They do the same job. By God, if the Uniformed
Division of the Secret Service can do it any better, I
would like someone to try and convince me of that.
To the families of Officers Chestnut and Gibson, your
husbands, your fathers, they were really heroes. They were
policemen for one of the finest law enforcement
departments in the Nation, the Capitol Police that
protects every one of us.
Mr. WALSH. Mr. Speaker, the tragic events of last Friday
here in the Capitol have been felt across our entire
Nation. Many of my colleagues have risen to praise and
honor our two fallen Capitol Hill Police Officers, J.J.
Chestnut and John Gibson, for their heroism on that
fateful afternoon. I will simply state that I echo those
sentiments.
I wish to add my own personal message of sympathy along
with the people of New York State's 25th Congressional
District in Central New York to the families of both
officers. Words do not express, words cannot express, the
sadness that we all feel and the grief that we all feel
for those innocent men and for their families.
This is an unwritten bond that exists here between and
among all those who work on the Hill. We are a family; a
large one, to be sure, but family in every way possible.
When one loses a member of one's family, it hurts
deeply. When they are lost due to an act of violence,
understanding that loss is even more painful and
difficult. Now is the time to grieve, and we must be
allowed to do so in private. In time, the healing will
begin, but for this moment, we mourn our fallen friends.
God bless you, J.J.; God bless you, John.
Mr. COOK. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay a brief tribute to
the officers who died Friday trying to preserve the safety
and sanctity of this hallowed building. We will dissect
Friday's events for months, looking for ways to make sure
this tragedy never happens again. We should. This is
necessary work.
But what sets these Capitol Police apart from the rest
of us who do business in this building is their ability to
act in a split second, to make decisions that can exact
the highest possible price, without hesitation.
Friday reminded me that in the sea of people on Capitol
Hill trained to analyze, debate and ponder, there is a
small army of men and women trained to act immediately,
decisively, and heroically. Like John Gibson did. Like
Jacob Chestnut did. That these people lined up to pay
tribute to these two courageous men underscores a fact I
have sometimes forgotten: Without the work they do, we
could not do the work we do.
I do not think I will ever forget that again. I may not
remember to say thank you every single time I rush past an
entrance carefully and cheerfully guarded by police, but I
am resolved to do that as often as possible. And whether
spoken every day or not, I think, for all of us here, the
words ``thank you'' are in our hearts forever. Thank you.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Members will proceed through
the center doors to the Rotunda for the viewing of
Detective John Gibson and Officer Jacob Chestnut.
Mr. REGULA. Mr. Speaker, John Curran in his speech
``Upon the Right of Election'' said, ``Eternal vigilance
is the price of liberty.'' Visiting the United States
Capitol is one of this Nation's cherished liberties. As I
have visited other capitals around the world, it is rare
to see the flood of visitors that is found in our Nation's
Capitol building.
The vigilance of our Capitol Police to protect the
freedom of access for visitors, as exemplified by the
service of Jacob Chestnut and John Gibson, is a
cornerstone of the sense of security felt by visitors to
the Capitol. These two dedicated officers put the security
and safety of their fellow citizens ahead of personal
fear, and thanks to their vigilance, many lives were
spared. Their dedication to duty stands as a shining
example of the men and women who make the Capitol a shrine
to be revered by thousands of visitors each day.
In the future, the continued accessibility of our
Nation's Capitol to be shared without fear by millions
will stand as a sacred testament to the bravery of
Officers J.J. Chestnut and John Gibson. To the families of
our two heroes, you can take pride in knowing that your
husbands and your fathers stood for all that is good about
America: bravery, love of fellow citizens, and devotion to
duty. I, along with millions of Americans, join in
extending our heartfelt sympathy to the loved ones of
Jacob Chestnut and John Gibson.
Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend
their remarks and include extraneous material on the
subject of the tributes to the memory of the two slain
police officers, John Michael Gibson and Jacob Joseph
Chestnut.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the
request of the gentleman from Ohio?
There was no objection.
Mr. VENTO. Mr. Speaker, I rise, as many of my colleagues
have, to pay tribute to the two fallen Capitol Police
officers Detective Gibson and Officer Chestnut that so
valiantly have demonstrated, I think more than anything,
the importance of their work and the meaning of this
Capitol Building. These buildings are the citadel of free
expression and the rule of law, our Nation's Capitol; but
beyond the symbolism and those flags that are today flying
at half mast and the buildings and other structures, are
the liberty and freedom and the ideas that drive the
hearts and minds of this Nation's pulse.
These two individuals that have sacrificed their lives
obviously symbolize and exemplify the real meaning of this
Nation. Their real sacrifice and contribution underscore
the essence of our common bond and the cost of freedom
that we pledge to one another. This freedom has made our
Nation in the past, today, and, we pray, tomorrow the
democracy that it is. We extend our sympathies to the
families, but celebrate their lives because they made a
real difference, and we mourn the families' losses today.
I know that the people I represent want to extend their
sympathy and support for the families and a recognition of
the important role that the Capitol Police play in
safeguarding our Nation's Capitol.
Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, there are only a handful of words
that can describe the emotions that we are all feeling
today. But for a moment, all Americans should reflect on
the words which describe Friday's actions of J.J. Chestnut
and John Gibson: heroism, sacrifice, honor, commitment,
duty.
Much has been said, appropriately so, about their
heroism and about their dedication to duty. Much has been
said about the appreciation and respect we in the Capitol
community extend to the family and friends of these brave
men who have given us the ultimate sacrifice.
I was traveling back home to Montana at the time of the
incident, returning to my home State to speak to Members
of the Montana Police Protective Association. In turn,
these representatives of Montana's entire law enforcement
community have personally asked me to convey their deepest
condolences to the families and the associates of Officer
Chestnut and Detective Gibson. All Montanans are feeling
the deepest sympathy over these events, and we reach out
in prayer and in support and in compassion today.
Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, it is truly a sad time for the
United States Congress and for the American people. Today
we mourn the tragic loss of Jacob Chestnut and John
Gibson. We mourn for their families and the children they
leave behind. And as we look back on their lives, let us
also look forward. Let us look forward to the time when no
individual needing mental health treatment falls through
the cracks in our health care system. Let us look forward
to the day when guns cannot find their way into our
streets and our public areas.
Today we are united not just in our grief but in our
respect, our admiration, and the utmost gratitude to these
two officers. At this time of deep sorrow, words can never
be enough to erase the pain we are feeling or to capture
the full meaning of the selflessness and the bravery of
John Michael Gibson and Jacob Joseph Chestnut. Words are
not enough, but in our hearts and in our minds, their
heroism will never be forgotten.
Mr. KINGSTON. Mr. Speaker, last Friday America's family
room was invaded. I call the Rotunda in the United States
Capitol America's family room, because this is where
American tourists come and Americans come to see their
government in action. The thin line between them, between
safety and danger, safety and disaster, is the Capitol
Hill Police.
Last Friday, Officers Jacob Chestnut and John Gibson
made the ultimate sacrifice to protect the sanctity of
America's living room. The system worked. They protected
the tourists, they protected Members of Congress, they
protected the staff, and they were able to protect
everyone but, unfortunately, themselves.
Every day hundreds if not thousands of tourists and
employees and Members of Congress walk by these brave men
and women, and often we take them for granted, not
necessarily in a negative sense, but you know they are
there, you know they have got a job to do, and you are
doing yours and you do not really think about it, but over
time they become family. You know them by face, not
necessarily every time by name. You know them, you like
them, you exchange greetings and so forth.
Then suddenly something like this happens, and it
divides their job from your job. We then understand how
important their job is and how ultimately their job
endangers their lives as it protects our lives. I salute
these brave men, I pray for their family, and our hearts
and prayers are with them.
Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, on Friday, July 24, 1998, just
a brief time after the last vote of the day was cast, two
seasoned Capitol Hill Police officers were gunned down in
one of the entrances to the United States Capitol, the
People's House. Hearts were broken, and a part of America
died.
There is a poem, one that is very fitting for this
occasion, about fallen heroes, entitled ``A Part of
America Died Today.'' Its author is unknown to me but I
ask that it be printed in the Record at this point, and I
will state it in tribute to Officer J.J. Chestnut and
Special Agent John Gibson.
Somebody killed a policeman today, and a part of America
died.
A piece of our country he swore to protect will be buried
with him at his side.
The suspect who shot him will stand up in court,
with counsel demanding his rights,
while a widowed mother must comfort her kids
and spend alone many long nights.
The beat that he walked was a battlefield, too.
Just as if he had gone off to war.
The flag of our Nation does fly at half mast.
To his name, they will add a gold star.
Yes, somebody killed a policeman today.
A cop put his life on the line.
Now his ghost walks a beat on a dark city street,
and he stands at each new rookie's side.
He answered the call and gave us his all,
and part of America died.
Mr. Speaker, on behalf of myself, my staff and the
people of the Third District of West Virginia, I extend
our deep sympathy, our prayers and our thanks to the
families of these two fallen heroes, Officer J.J. Chestnut
and Special Agent John Gibson, as we place them in the
comforting arms of God and ask his blessings upon them.
Despite the chaos that ensued during and shortly after
the first shots were fired, killing Officers J.J. Chestnut
and John Gibson, both veterans of 18 years on the U.S.
Capitol Police Force, it was with cool, deliberate bravery
that they pursued and brought down the gunman, even as
they themselves were dying. That they died to stop the
gunman from getting more than a few feet inside the United
States Capitol speaks eloquently of their training, their
devotion to duty, their incredible courage, and their
willingness to take full responsibility for the safety of
others at the expense of their own lives.
These two officers saved countless lives last Friday,
for had the gunman been able to breach the security of the
United States Capitol by even a few more feet, more would
surely have died. Both officers have died in the service
of their country, keeping the Capitol secure, so that
Members, their staff, and the hundreds of thousands of
Americans visiting the ``People's House'' might live.
I do not want fear or unreason to take hold amidst cries
to turn our Capitol into a fortress. There is talk of
beefing up security in the aftermath--a review that would
have taken place after any violent event in and around the
Capitol. I assure you this will not pass us by, but will
grow into something positive in the way of added security.
But we must carry on and let nothing stand in the way of
the public's access to their Capitol or their
representatives. To do otherwise would be to somehow
diminish the supreme sacrifice made by these two brave
officers. Instead, let us grieve along with the families,
and offer them our strength and the comfort of our prayers
to see them through the days ahead, by remembering the
bravery of the men they lost--men who were husbands,
fathers, grandfathers, sons, uncles, friends and above
all, protectors of the public trust.
Mrs. MORELLA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to two
heroes, Private First Class Jacob Joseph Chestnut and
Detective John Michael Gibson of the U.S. Capitol Police,
who sacrificed their lives not only for those of us in
Congress and for the staff and for the tourists, but for
all of the American people.
J.J. Chestnut guarded the main entrance. John Gibson was
assigned to Majority Whip Tom DeLay. Both were veterans of
the force and took their responsibilities seriously, so
much so that in saving the lives of others, they lost
their own.
We take this safety for granted. Who could ever imagine
a shooting in the Nation's Capitol, the shrine of liberty
and justice to all? Who could ever imagine the death of
two officers because of that shooting?
We shall miss these men who guided us, who cheered us,
who cared for us, who asked us about our families and we
inquired about theirs, who shared their interests, always
there, alert and responsive. We will miss them, yes, but
they leave behind them their wives without husbands, their
children without fathers, the Capitol Police without two
colleagues.
We offer our condolences to Officer Chestnut's widow Wen
Ling and his five children, Joseph, Janece, Janet, Karen
and William; and to Detective Gibson's widow Evelyn and
his three children, Kristen, John and Daniel. Those of us
who are Americans, who are part of the Capitol Hill
family, are in mourning over the senseless loss of these
two fine men, all across Washington and across the Nation.
I want to close with a quote from Thornton Wilder who
said, ``There is the land of the living and the land of
the dead, and the bridge is love, the only survival and
the only meaning.'' This is the love that they leave
behind and this is the love we give to them and to their
families.
Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of myself, my staff,
and the people of Delaware, I want to extend my deepest
sympathy to the family and friends of Detective Gibson and
Officer Chestnut. I also want Congressman DeLay and his
staff as well as the visitors to the Capitol who witnessed
this tragedy to know that they are in our thoughts today.
Detective Gibson and Officer Chestnut were heroes who
gave their lives protecting the United States Capitol and
those who work here and visit this great building. Words
are not able to convey the thanks and respect we owe these
two men.
I also want to pay tribute to the other Members of the
Capitol Hill Police who responded to this terrible
tragedy. They too are heroes. Fortunately, they did not
have to pay the price that Officer Chestnut and Detective
Gibson did, but their commitment to their duty and the
safety of others was clearly demonstrated on that fateful
day.
Mr. Speaker, I also want to thank the members of the
Capitol Hill Police Force and our law enforcement officers
across the Nation for the service they provide to the
people of the United States. Unfortunately, I have
attended services like this one today for fallen officers
in Delaware. They are never easy but they do remind us of
the absolute dedication that every law enforcement officer
brings to the job and the very real risk they take every
day.
Mr. Speaker, our thanks and prayers go to Officer
Chestnut and Detective Gibson. We will always remember
them. In their memory, we also thank all the men and women
in law enforcement who share the commitment that these two
heroes exemplified. Finally, I want to say to the families
of John Gibson and J.J. Chestnut, thank you for giving us
these two men. We are eternally grateful, and you will
remain in our thoughts and prayers.
Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Speaker, in this hallowed Chamber
we are often separated by differences in policy and
politics, but today we stand together as a family, bound
in honor of two men who will always be remembered in this
Chamber and in this Nation as heroes.
While the horror of Friday's events will be blurred
sadly by still other tragedies and the passage of time,
the bravery and devotion to duty of Capitol Hill Police
Officers John Gibson and Jacob Chestnut will become as
lasting as the very democracy contained within these
walls. We will not forget them.
This Capitol, the People's House, is honored by the
service of each of our Capitol Police Officers, and to all
of them today I offer praise and gratitude. By these two
fallen heroes the People's House is venerated more so than
the presence of any one of us here, for Officers Gibson
and Chestnut surrendered their lives in protection of
ours.
To the Gibson and Chestnut families, on behalf of New
Jersey's 11th Congressional District, my deepest, most
profound sympathies. They should know we share their grief
and we also share their tremendous pride of these two men
who have given their lives in the preservation of the
sanctity of our Nation's Capitol.
Mr. FOSSELLA. Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that
I come here today with my colleagues from both sides of
the aisle to offer my condolences and prayers to the
families of Officer Chestnut and Detective Gibson. Just on
the way over here I was talking to some retired Capitol
Hill Police, one of whom trained Detective Gibson. And I
guess, in a nutshell, he said, ``It could have been one of
us,'' and I guess that really characterizes the mood
around here these days: It could have been anybody. But it
was two heroes who fell for their country, who fell
protecting others without hesitation, without question.
And, Mr. Speaker, I would be remiss if I did not only
offer my prayers from my family and the people of Brooklyn
and Staten Island to those of the families of Mr. Chestnut
and Mr. Gibson, if I did not mention that, right now,
there is a young police officer back home in Staten Island
who was shot in the head 2 days ago by a 17-year-old boy,
this boy who had killed somebody at the age of 15. So I
say that as an example in reflection of that dedication of
the Capitol Hill Police and police officers around this
country who stand in defense of freedom every single day
to protect the innocent, to protect us. And while we pray
for the families of Mr. Gibson and Mr. Chestnut, may we
also pray for Mr. Carter and hope that he recovers and
that in Staten Island we have him back protecting us as
well.
Mrs. FOWLER. Mr. Speaker, last Friday a terrible and
devastating incident occurred here in the Capitol of our
Nation. Inside this glistening white marble building one
person changed the lives of two families forever and held
a Nation captive as we prayed for the lives of two
dedicated police officers who have protected us without as
much as a second thought.
In our daily rush we may sometimes forget that the
officers we see throughout the buildings are there ready
to make the personal sacrifices their duty requires. Staff
members sometimes feel frustrated if they are stopped by
an officer as they give tours, and interns are sometimes
flustered if asked for identification. It is so easy to
forget that these officers are trying to protect us
despite ourselves.
Winston Churchill once said: ``We make a living by what
we get, but we make a life by what we give.''
The recent events bring their duty into clearer focus
and force us to realize that, despite our occasional
complacency, these officers must be prepared every day to
face danger. Last Friday, in little more than a heartbeat,
a delusional person was able to cowardly snuff out the
life of a dedicated and professional officer. Jacob
Chestnut was, however, much more than just a police
officer. He was a good husband and father, and he was a
caring member of his community and church.
Unfortunately, he was not alone. Officer John Gibson had
three children and made time in his life for many others.
He was the kind of person who was willing to dress up as
Santa Claus to thrill children at Christmas. As a deputy
whip to majority whip Tom DeLay, I came to know John
Gibson as a man assigned to protect the majority whip.
Many days I would go in the side entrance to the office,
and Detective Gibson would be there with his reassuring
presence and smile. We all came to know and care for
Officer John Gibson.
Despite the tragic turn of events on Friday it is my
personal belief that the police security worked. The
intruder was stopped before he was able to roam freely
throughout the U.S. Capitol Building killing innocent
civilians. I am proud of Officers Gibson and Chestnut. I
am also proud of all the other officers on duty that day
for their quick and professional response in bringing down
the alleged killer, helping their fallen comrades and
managing the hundreds of people who were either working or
touring in the Capitol.
I would also like to express my own profound condolences
as well as those of the people of the 4th District of
Florida to the families of Officer Jacob Chestnut and
Officer John Gibson. May God bless them.
Mr. HOUGHTON. Mr. Speaker, so many people have talked so
eloquently about these two brave men that I am not going
to try to do that. However, in less than an hour and a
half we will be having a service in the Rotunda at which
the President, the Vice President, the Members of the
Cabinet and Senate and the House are going to be paying
their final respects to these two courageous men. But I
guess I ask myself how can we help? What goes on
afterward?
We have had 2 days of mourning. There will be other
mournings that go on. But sooner or later those families
are going to be on their own, and they are going to need
our help, and I hope we can be of help to them whether it
is through any contributions we can make to funds, whether
it is some help to their children, whether it is in a
variety of different ways. I think those are the times
when we will be needed.
Also, I would like to feel that we can do what is needed
to be done for the Capitol Police in terms of buttressing
them and making sure that they have the proper protective
equipment.
Another thing I think is that there are a great many
people out there who were not in Washington but have the
same types of functions, and these people need our
protection and our help. I know in my communities and the
district in which I live similar people are exposed daily
to the type of dangers that these two brave officers were.
And also I think that there are a variety of people who
are in service to this country, whether it is in the
military or judiciary or a whole variety of things, and
really we should be aware of and sensitive to the
conditions under which they work.
Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Speaker, President Ronald Reagan in
his inaugural address talked about a man named Martin
Treptoe. Martin Treptoe, like J.J. Chestnut and John
Gibson, had not ever been heard of by America before that
time, but Martin Treptoe was a baker. During World War I,
he volunteered to go to the front. He became a message
carrier. He got to the front, and three other message
carriers had been killed, but yet Martin Treptoe
volunteered again. And like the other three, they found
Martin Treptoe dead about halfway to the front, and they
found his message pouch, and I would like to quote from
that pouch. It says:
``This is a very difficult war. I don't think I will
survive. But I must treat every action as if that action
determined the outcome of this conflict.''
Both J.J. Chestnut and John Gibson treated every one of
their actions as if the outcome made a difference for the
Members of Congress and the safety of the public. We honor
those two individuals today. May God bless them.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the
House, the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee) is
recognized for 5 minutes.
Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in tribute
to Officers J.J. Chestnut and John Gibson, and I hope
something that has been said over these last 2 days will
continue to help and comfort those who mourn.
President John F. Kennedy once remarked: ``A man does
what he must in spite of personal consequences, in spite
of obstacles and dangers and pressures, and that is the
basis of all human mortality.'' Officers J.J. Chestnut and
John Gibson truly upheld this lofty standard.
And I also thank all other Capitol Hill Police Officers
and all law enforcement officers throughout this Nation
who protect us.
As responsible defenders of our country, these two slain
officers protected our citizens from mortal danger, and it
cost them their very lives. But they protected more than
the people around them. Officers Chestnut and Gibson
protected the very core of our American society and our
belief in the preservation of life and democracy.
Today I would like to acknowledge the courage and
dedication that Officers John Gibson and J.J. Chestnut
exemplified this past Friday. Today I seek to honor the
memories of these brave men who served their country with
the utmost dignity.
On a personal note I want to offer a very personal
thanks, for I was here in these very Chambers when the
shootout started, and I know that their bravery served and
saved so many others.
As I say goodbye to our fallen officers, I am reminded
of the Psalm of David where it is written:
Trust in the Lord, and do good, so you will dwell in the
land and enjoy security. Take the light in the Lord, and
He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your
way to the Lord. Trust in Him, and He will act. He will
bring forth your vindication as the light and your right
as the noon day.
Last Friday, Officers Chestnut and Gibson did do good,
and I am certain that they will bask in the Lord's glory
when they reach the heavens.
This event has brought the pall of sorrow across the
expanse of our great Nation. We all grieve today for two
heroes whose lives were prematurely ended. However, we are
gratified that democracy and freedom still lives in these
halls and in our Nation. We can find comfort knowing that
Officers Chestnut and Gibson will glorify the heavens as
their spirits ascend ever upward.
As written in Matthew 5:
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called
sons of God. Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall
see God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness'
sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you
and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my
account.
Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven,
for so men persecuted the prophets who were before you.
And blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be
comforted.
In addition to these two brave officers, we must also
thank the entire Capitol Police Force whose value was
clearly evident during these trying hours this past
Friday. The fast response of all of the Capitol's Officers
diminished the severity of this heinous event. Not only
did the Officers respond to the threat, but they also
maintained a sense of calm that averted panic and
comforted Congress Members, staff members, and the members
of the public touring the capital grounds.
I personally thank the police force for their mere
presence comforts me when I step on these grounds, and I
am comforted knowing that valiant officers like John
Gibson and J.J. Chestnut watch over all of us.
It is so very important to remember Officer Chestnut.
This honorable man was dutifully providing directions for
a man and his son when he was gunned down from behind by a
sick and confused perpetrator. It is cruel irony that
Officer Chestnut was summarily executed as he performed an
act of kindness. As we remember him we must not only
remember his gallantry. It is likely that we would be
grieving the loss of a far greater number of lives if he
had not acted.
Officer Gibson's quick action protected, not only the
lives of the majority whip and his staff, but it also
protected the multitude of innocents who were touring the
Capitol and its grounds. Who knows what carnage would have
unfolded had Officer Gibson not brought an end to this
violence.
I offer my utmost sympathy to the families. Officer
Chestnut was the consummate family man. He shared precious
moments with his wife and his children. He generously
spent time with his father-in-law. He moved forward and
helped all of those who wanted help from him. He helped
and stood by his wife's side, and he savored the moments
with his children and his grandchildren.
Detective Gibson was also a loving man, a good husband,
and a father of three. Detective Gibson spent much time
with his family. He took his children to their athletic
events, played with the family dog, and gladly offered
assistance to his neighbors.
The fact that Detective Gibson had planned to vacation
with his family the moment he left work last Friday is a
testament to his sense of family togetherness. That
vacation on this Earth will never take place, but I know
there are better days ahead.
Mr. Speaker, on behalf of myself, my family, the
constituents of the 18th congressional district in Texas
and my staff, I offer to those who mourn my greatest
sympathy and love. And on behalf of all of us, I offer
these words of comfort in Isaiah 40:31,
But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their
strength, they shall line up with wings as eagles. They
shall run and not be weary, and they shall walk and not
faint.
God bless the families of Officer J.J. Chestnut and
Officer Gibson. God bless America.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in tribute to Officer J.J. Chestnut
and John Gibson. I hope something that has been said over
these days will help those who mourn.
President John F. Kennedy once remarked,
A man does what he must--in spite of personal
consequences, in spite of obstacles and dangers and
pressures--and that is the basis of all human morality.
Officers Jacob J. Chestnut and John Gibson truly upheld
this lofty standard. I also thank all other Capitol Hill
police and all other law enforcement officers who protect
us. As responsible defenders of our country, these two
slain officers protected our citizens from mortal danger,
and it cost them their very lives. But they protected more
than the people around them. Officers Chestnut and Gibson
protected the very core of our American society, our
belief in the preservation of life and democracy.
Today, I would like to acknowledge the courage and
dedication that Officers John Gibson and J.J. Chestnut
exemplified this past Friday. Today I seek to honor the
memories of these brave men who served their country with
the utmost dignity. On a personal note, I want to
personally thank them because I was here in this chamber
during the shootout and know that their bravery saved so
many others.
This incident represented a rare event in our American
history. Violent events in the Capitol, however, have
occurred before. In February 1890, Charles E. Kincaid,
Louisville Times correspondent, shot former representative
William P. Taulbee on stairs leading from the House. Mr.
Taulbee later died from his injuries. In December 1932,
Marlin R.M. Kemmerer entered the House gallery and
demanded time to address the House while brandishing a
revolver. Fortunately, Representative Melvin J. Haas
persuaded the gunman to drop the weapon. In March 1954,
five Congressmen were shot on the floor of the House by
three Puerto Rican nationalists who were in the visitors'
gallery. Until last Friday, the latest act of violence in
the Capitol was the bombing of the second floor of the
Capitol. Fortunately, no one was injured.
What makes this recent event more serious than past
events is the sense of security and safety that was
shattered by the gunman's weapon. Given the heightened
security at the Capitol, I have to think that few of us
expected to face the violent assault on the Capitol, much
less the loss of two Capitol officers.
We must forever remember Officer Chestnut. This
honorable man was dutifully providing directions for a man
and his son when he was gunned down from behind by a sick
and confused perpetrator. It is cruel irony that Officer
Chestnut was summarily executed as he performed an act of
kindness.
We forever remember Officer Gibson. Were it not for his
gallantry, it is likely that we would be grieving the loss
of a far greater number of lives. Officer Gibson's quick
action protected not only the lives of the Majority Whip
and his staff, but it also protected the multitude of
innocents who were touring the Capitol and its grounds.
Who knows what carnage would have unfolded had Officer
Gibson not brought an end to the violence?
Authorizing the use of the Rotunda of the Capitol for
the memorial services for these brave men is fitting
because they truly are national heroes, and they deserve a
hero's tribute. I am also honored that a plaque bearing
the names of Officers Chestnut and Gibson will grace the
walls of the Capitol, so we will forever remember their
selfless acts of valor.
Mr. Speaker on behalf of myself, my family, the
constituents of the 18th Congressional District in Texas
and my staff, I offer my deepest sympathy and I leave you
with the words of Isaiah 40:15, ``Those that wait upon the
Lord shall walk, run and not faint.''
Given the loss felt by the families of our fallen
officers, I feel that we must do what we can to provide
assistance to these survivors. By paying for the funeral
services, creating a survivor's gratuity to the widows of
the two officers, and by urging the establishment of a
Capitol Police Memorial Fund, we can acknowledge the
courage of Officers Chestnut and Gibson in the best way
possible, by helping their family members.
Mr. WICKER. Mr. Speaker, I do not know if Detective John
Gibson or Officer Jacob Chestnut ever met anyone from the
1st congressional district of Mississippi in the
performances of their duties. But my constituents feel a
kinship with these two slain heroes today.
They realize that these brave men gave their lives, not
simply to defend hundreds of innocent people during last
Friday's shootout but to protect and preserve 222 years of
history and freedom symbolized by this majestic Capitol
building.
The gunshots that rang out in these hallowed halls last
week were heard around the Nation. E-mails and messages
from my North Mississippi district reflect the same sorrow
and shock other Members of Congress heard from the people
they represent all across our great country this weekend.
This was not simply a shooting incident on a piece of
federal property, it was an attack on the People's House,
an attack on us all. This e-mail from constituents in
Olive Branch, Mississippi is one example.
It reads, and I quote:
Congressman Wicker, please express the heartfelt
condolences of the people of Mississippi to the families
and friends of the two slain Capitol policemen. They
served and died honorably and in the best traditions of
all those who placed their lives on the line for the
citizens of this country. We trust they will be given the
finest remembrance available in accord with the wishes of
their families.
The American people join us today in honoring Officer
Chestnut and Detective Gibson. We lift them up as the role
models and dedicated servants they were, professionals who
took seriously their obligation to defend and protect the
foundation of our democracy.
It is fitting that we honor these two men as heroes and
that we make sure their sacrifice is never forgotten.
Beyond the words we utter on the House floor and in
memorial services, a more lasting tribute to them is to
ensure that we carry on the orderly functions of
government inside this building that they died to
preserve.
It is important that we send a message to all those who
would tear at the fabric of our democracy that we will not
be deterred from keeping open this historic building which
stands as the most visible symbol of freedom in the world.
I share the sentiment echoed in this Chamber that we
stand united in reassuring our citizens that our free and
open government represented so powerfully by all that goes
on in the U.S. Capitol will not be disrupted by the
actions of one disturbed individual.
Never again will we take for granted the job our law
enforcement officers do in and around the Capitol. They
come to work each day prepared to give their lives in
service to our country.
Last week, for the first time in history, two of these
brave officers made the ultimate sacrifice. They saved
lives in the process. We share the grief their families
feel because they were part of all of our families, and
they will remain so.
Mr. Speaker, the people of the 1st congressional
district of Mississippi join me in saluting the bravery
and courage of Officer Chestnut and Detective Gibson.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the
House, the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Stupak) is
recognized for 5 minutes.
Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute and
to express my sympathy and that of Michigan's 1st
congressional district to the families of our two fallen
officers of the Capitol Police Department, Detective John
Michael Gibson and Officer Joseph Jacob Chestnut.
They are our officers because those of us who were and
those of us who are in law enforcement know that Detective
Gibson and Officer Chestnut are our fellow officers. When
a law enforcement officer was injured or killed, each of
us who have been there is injured in a personal way.
As an Escanaba City police officer and later as a
Michigan State Police trooper, unfortunately, too often, I
felt and I have witnessed the outrage, the mourning, the
sadness like that that has been expressed here in the
Nation's Capitol and all across this great country.
It happens all too often, Mr. Speaker. Every other day a
law enforcement officer dies in the line of duty here in
America. Today we salute Detective Gibson and Officer
Chestnut. In response to their death, there have been
calls for a visitor's center or to move the security
perimeter farther away from the Capitol to protect our
brave law enforcement officers.
Mr. Speaker, I really wish it was that easy. I wish we
could just pass a law that here in America we could say no
more law enforcement officers would have to be killed or
to be injured in the line of duty. But it just does not
work that way.
If we ask Officer Chestnut or Detective Gibson, I am
sure they would tell you that law enforcement officers
rely on that personal contact with the public whom we
serve. We need that contact to do our job.
You see, while Officer Chestnut probably really never
had a chance, Detective Gibson knew what he had to do. He
had to protect employees. He had to protect the visitors.
He had to protect the Nation's Capitol.
He knew what the job demanded. They both understood
their job. They had that sixth sense, that, even in the
time of danger, they understood and they knew what had to
be done.
Mr. Speaker, when I came here in 1993, I realized that
law enforcement officers, not just here in the Nation's
Capitol but all across America, knew how to do their job,
that officers sacrificed their lives or were maimed or
injured each day to protect all of us. I realized when I
got here they really had no voice in this House. They had
no caucus in the Nation's Capitol.
What do the law enforcement officers ask? They ask for
understanding of what they do. They ask for understanding
of what their job entails. So I and other Members in this
Congress back in 1993 formed a Law Enforcement Caucus.
The bipartisan caucus promotes law enforcement ideas,
addresses the needs of law enforcement officers and works
to develop an understanding of their job, an understanding
of what it is to be a law enforcement officer.
Those of us in law enforcement understand the dangers we
face. We know how a peaceful day is shattered by gunfire
and how tragedy can occur each day in America. We know
that, and we understand that.
So I hope that you understand that a visitor's center or
maybe a larger perimeter cannot really protect law
enforcement officers from doing their job or the dangers
that are in their job. But we ask that, as they do their
work, we give them our understanding so that when our
peace is shattered by death or injury they need to know
that their children will be taken care of so they can go
to college, get an education, fulfill their dreams.
We hope you understand that we need a Police Officer
Bill of Rights, so that the needs and concerns of all law
enforcement officers can be addressed.
Officer Chestnut and Detective Gibson understood, and
they did their job. I am not quite sure America
understands their job. I am not quite sure this Congress
understands, but I know that Members of this Congress and
the citizens of this great Nation appreciate them.
As I paid my respects in the Rotunda and witnessed the
Honor Guard at the caskets give the slow hand salute, it
reminded me of other officers like Sergeant Dennis Finch
of Traverse City, Michigan, who was murdered ten weeks
ago. It reminded me of some of the officers with whom I
served. Michigan Police State Trooper Darryl Rantanen of
the Gladstone Post was killed by a teenager who had stolen
a car and rammed the police car and it went off the road
and slammed into a tree. Darryl Rantanen recruited me into
the Michigan State Police.
It reminded me of Trooper Craig Scott of the Lansing
Post, my good friend. He was also a law client of mine. He
stopped by my office, signed some papers went out on the
expressway and was gunned down. I was a pall bearer at his
funeral. He is buried in Muskegon, Michigan.
There was Trooper Paul Hutchins of the Detroit Post,
where I counseled him when I was an instructor at the
State Police Training Academy.
Mr. Speaker, there are officers throughout this great
Nation, and as the Capitol Police officers gave their slow
hand salute, we salute all law enforcement officers, past
and present. We salute their families. We pray for you. We
thank you.
Mr. WELDON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in
tribute to our two fallen heroes. I spoke on the floor
last night discussing actions that we can take in light of
this terrible tragedy. All of our colleagues have come
together in discussing ways that we can assist the
families of these two brave heroes.
As I mentioned last night, over the past 12 years I have
been in this body I have had the pleasure of working with
public safety leaders around America in both law
enforcement, fire, EMS, and life safety concerns. In fact,
in this city I have had the pleasure of working closely
with the Capitol Hill Police in a number of exercises and
in a number of situations that I have been able to witness
their activities.
We take our Capitol Police, as we do our law enforcement
and public safety officials, for granted across this
country. Just in the 12 years that I have been here, I
have seen our Capitol Hill police respond to fires in the
Cannon Building, the Longworth Building, again in the
Longworth Building just a month ago; emergencies in this
building, bomb threats, situations involving people who
become ill or experience heart attacks or other life-
threatening situations. The Capitol Police are always
there.
Mr. Speaker, it takes an event like this where we lose
two lives to realize how valuable these people are day in
and day out. In fact, 3 months ago my colleague and
friend, the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer) and I,
after the fire in the Longworth Building, decided that we
should take the time to recognize these brave heroes. So
we went to Bill Livingood, the Sergeant at Arms and the
chief, and asked if we in the Congress could recognize the
officers who were taken to D.C. hospitals for smoke
inhalation and for anxiety caused by their efforts in
removing our constituents and ourselves and our staffs
from the Longworth Building during that fire?
We assembled them all in a House hearing room in the
Rayburn Building, and the gentleman from Maryland (Mr.
Hoyer) and I both spoke to them. At the end of the
service, one of the officers said, this is the first time
that the Congress has actually recognized what they did in
a formal way.
Last night, Mr. Speaker, in our bipartisan caucus
meeting here in this body I suggested, along with the
gentleman from Maryland, that we establish a permanent
Congressional Recognition Program for our Capitol Hill
Police; not just to recognize these brave heroes when they
make the ultimate sacrifice but to make sure that we have
a way of paying attention to what they do every day that
we are in session.
I would say to America, in this time of national grief,
in this time of tremendous outpourings of emotion and
sympathy from all over the country, and having walked down
the front steps you see police officers from across
America coming to this city to pay their respects to our
two heroes, I would say to America, let us use this
opportunity, this low point in terms of our national
morale, to renew ourselves in two ways: First of all, to
make sure that the families of these two brave heroes
never forget that we care, nor forget their loved ones. We
are doing that.
The leadership on both sides of the aisle has put into
place a memorial fund. We passed special legislation. We
will do everything possible to make the lives of the
siblings and the wives of these brave heroes comfortable
for the rest of their lives, as much as we can, given the
fact that they have lost their fathers and husbands.
Second, I would say to America, there is something else
we can do. Besides taking care of these two families, each
of us in this country needs to reach out and understand.
As I said last night, looking for role models in this
country should not divert us toward Hollywood, should not
divert us toward the movies or TV, should not even divert
us to athletic competition, because the real role models,
the real American heroes, if you will, are not in
Hollywood. They are not on the ballfields. They are false
heroes. The real heroes and the real role models are the
men and women in our neighborhoods who serve as our law
enforcement officials, our sheriffs, our paid and
volunteer firefighters, our paramedics and EMS personnel,
because not only do they do their job and work to save
lives and property every day, as these two brave
individuals did, but they also make our community strong.
Every American who wants to pay tribute to Officer J.J.
Chestnut and Detective John Gibson should make it a
personal challenge to reach out in their own communities,
maybe establish a Hero Scholarship Fund such as the Heroes
Program in Washington; maybe establish a support group,
but get involved locally with those public safety heroes
in America who every day protect all our lives.
We are doing that in Washington, and I would just ask
this country to come together in this time of national
sorrow and allow us to all more fully appreciate the
public safety heroes and role models in America who truly
are the best that America has to offer.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Burr of North Carolina).
Under a previous order of the House, the gentleman from
Maryland (Mr. Cardin) is recognized for 5 minutes.
Mr. CARDIN. Mr. Speaker, as a representative of the
people of the Third Congressional District of Maryland, I
rise today to speak in honor of Detective John M. Gibson
and Officer J.J. Chestnut of the Capitol Hill Police.
These last few days here on Capitol Hill have been
somber ones, and many of us have been given to thoughts of
the abruptness of life; how one minute you can accept the
greeting of an officer as you walk to work and the next
you learn that you will never hear those words again, that
he has been slain in a heroic stand to save your life and
the lives of your co-workers and hundreds of strangers.
These are sad times, Mr. Speaker. Yet we should not, we
cannot, allow the sadness to overwhelm the message of the
lives of Officers Chestnut and Gibson. There is a message
rooted in the ideas of democracy and duty. Democracy has a
price. In an age when life for so many of us is so good,
some of us may have forgotten that.
Tragically, the Chestnut and Gibson families know that
the price for their father and husband was life itself.
But it was their sense of duty, their commitment to
protecting this building that stands for democracy and the
people in it, that should force all of us to consider our
own duty to democracy.
It is said that Robert E. Lee once wrote to his son, and
I quote: ``Duty, then, is the sublimest word of our
language. Do your duty in all things. You cannot do more,
you should never wish to do less.''
I wish to offer my condolences to the Chestnut and
Gibson families. I want to tell them that the lives of
these great men and what they did for me, my colleagues,
and all America last Friday will always be remembered and
honored, but also remembered and honored for what it meant
to the twin ideals of democracy and duty.
I want them to know that even if Officers Gibson and
Chestnut had never heard these words from General Lee,
they lived them, nonetheless. These two men could not have
done more for me, and I hope to use their example to never
wish to do less.
Mr. Speaker, I yield to my friend from Virginia (Mr.
Scott).
Mr. SCOTT. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from
Maryland (Mr. Cardin) for yielding to me.
Mr. Speaker, as the representative of the Third District
of Virginia, I rise to add my voice to the chorus of
supporters of the families and friends of Special Agent
John Gibson and Officer Jacob Chestnut in these painful
hours.
``Senseless'' is the word that keeps coming back to me
as I think of the loss to the families and to our
community of the lives and contributions of these two fine
public servants. The only thing that was not senseless
about the tragedy was their bravery and sense of duty in
sacrificing their own lives to protect the lives of others
and to keep the People's House open to the public.
Any loss of life as a result of tragedy is painful to
the entire community, but when it comes as a result of a
senseless tragedy such as this, we also feel anger,
disgust, and bewilderment over the loss of their lives and
the suffering brought upon their families, friends, and
our Nation as a result of a senseless act. No words are
ever adequate under these circumstances. Yet I wish to
join the long line of my colleagues in Congress to express
my deep sorrow and sympathy to the families of these brave
officers and to try to find a way to come to grips with
this tragedy in our midst.
Mr. Speaker, I appreciate and honor the lives and
contributions of Special Agent John Gibson and Officer
J.J. Chestnut to this Congress, to this community, and to
our Nation.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the
House, the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Barr) is recognized
for 5 minutes.
Mr. BARR of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, last Friday, shots
rang out in the Halls of this Capitol, and today we come
together to remember two officers and the tragedy that has
befallen all of us. Even in the midst of tragedy, we must
reflect on the fact that these two men were defending this
Capitol, the Capitol which is a symbol of freedom around
the world. These two men not only gave their lives in the
line of duty and in order to protect innocent citizens,
but also to protect freedom.
Throughout the history of this Nation, there have been
several demonstrations perpetrated in the walls of this
Capitol in a way to scar the symbol of freedom. In each
instance we have reached within us to find the strength to
go on because we realize that which is so precious must
continue.
Officers Gibson and Chestnut made the ultimate sacrifice
for us, and they would want us to continue on, to take up
their post and to continue to preserve this Democratic
institution. We as a Nation owe it to them to do just
that.
Although they are not here anymore with us, we remember
them as the heroes they are. There is no way to fill the
void they have left in their families. I can only say to
the families of Officers Gibson and Chestnut, may not a
month, not a week, not even a day go by that you and we do
not forget that these two men will always be our heroes in
the truest sense of the word.
As the light on top of the Capitol burns bright at
night, may it be a constant reminder of our freedom and
our fallen heroes. May that light always shine bright for
the memories of Officers Gibson and Chestnut, because they
made the ultimate sacrifice to preserve the principles of
this country and for which that light burns so bright.
We must continue to hear the sound of freedom that rang
out Friday afternoon and every day here, not the sound of
one cowardly, solitary enemy of freedom. Let freedom ring
in our ears, and their memories in our hearts, as we stand
here in the people's Chamber and as we also stand in the
Rotunda of the Capitol building itself, which, in its
majesty, fairly reaches up to the heavens, just as the
souls of these two brave officers rose Friday to heaven to
join our Lord God in eternal bliss.
In God they trust, and as the words raised in marble
behind me state, In God we trust, now and forever.
Mr. DAVIS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, the tragic loss of
Officer Chestnut and Detective Gibson serve as a painful
reminder that every day the men and women of the United
States Capitol Police put their lives on the line,
prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice. Officer Chestnut
and Detective Gibson were called upon to make that
sacrifice without any second thought. They simply did that
to protect others.
So much of what is said and done in these Halls is a
symbol for communities across the Nation. Sadly, the
service and sacrifice of Officer Chestnut and Detective
Gibson represent the 91 law enforcement officers who have
given their lives just this year alone in the United
States. Three of these slain officers served in the
community I represent, the city of Tampa in Hillsborough
County.
When we lost Police Detectives Randy Bell, Ricky
Childers and Trooper James Brad Crooks, it dug a hole in
our heart and took our breath away. That tragedy also
brought our community closer together, and it deepened our
respect and appreciation for the men and women who serve
as law enforcement officers and their families as well.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to share a poem that brought
comfort to our community at that time of tragedy. It was
read at the funeral of the slain officers in Tampa. It is
an anonymous poem, it is entitled, ``Miss Me, But Let Me
Go.''
When I come to the end of the road
And the sun has set for me,
I want no rites in a gloom-filled room,
Why cry for a soul set free?
Miss me a little, but not too long
And not with your head bowed low.
Remember the love that was once shared,
Miss me, but let me go.
For this is a journey we all must take,
And each must go alone.
It's all part of the Master's plan,
A step on the road to home.
When you are lonely and sick of heart,
Go to the friends we know,
And bury your sorrows in good deeds.
Miss me, but let me go.
Mr. Speaker, our thoughts and prayers go out to the
families of these courageous officers. May they rest in
peace.
Mr. SKEEN. Mr. Speaker, the Nation mourns the death of
two Capitol law enforcement officers whose lives were
taken in the tragic shooting incident last Friday during a
busy time in our Nation's Capitol.
As we reflect on this sadness, I cannot help but think
what could have happened if these two men had not been so
courageous and sacrificed their own lives so that others
may live. We owe them a great deal of thanks and gratitude
for protecting the lives of all who visit and work in the
Nation's Capitol. Today we honor their memory and pay
tribute to their heroic action.
We offer our heartfelt sympathy to the families of
Officers Chestnut and Gibson, to Mrs. Chestnut and Mrs.
Gibson. We know your deep sense of loss. For that we pray,
so that you may somehow feel comfort during this difficult
time.
And to your children, we can only hope that your pain
will heal in time by knowing that your father is a
national hero, and will always be remembered as a
courageous and honorable man who gave his life to protect
others. May God bless you and may God bless America.
Let me say one other thing that was a gift from these
gentlemen. They unified this House, this great Capitol,
the two Houses, and we are unified throughout the United
States in awe of this great gift that these two gentlemen
have afforded us. We thank them from the bottom of our
hearts, and will remember them always.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Burr of North Carolina).
Under a previous order of the House, the gentleman from
New Jersey (Mr. Payne) is recognized for 5 minutes.
Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, today I rise for the
constituents of the 10th Congressional District of New
Jersey in support of two great men who gave their lives on
Friday to protect our Nation's Capitol and its visitors. I
send my greatest condolences to the families of Officer
Jacob J. Chestnut and Special Agent John M. Gibson for
their bravery and quick action last Friday.
It is the Capitol Hill Police Force that makes it
possible for us to do our jobs every day. They also make
it possible for all visitors to the Capitol to experience
the legislative process, the proceedings which take place
here.
I would like to commend and honor those two great men
today for their years of service and bravery while
protecting everyone who comes to this Nation's Capitol.
This tragedy has touched all of our lives because it
reminds us that no one is protected from violence, guns,
and people in need of mental care, even in the halls of
Congress.
I have had the pleasure of getting to know many who
serve on the Capitol Police Force, and I commend them, as
always, for their sharp responses to situations, in
addition to their friendly disposition. It has been an
honor to have such men as Officer Chestnut and Special
Agent Gibson, who protected us while we were in these
hallowed halls.
I will forever be indebted to them for their commitment
and protection, and for the safety of the public. They are
true heroes, and their bravery is testimony to the best of
what our country has to offer.
The Capitol Police officers who selflessly gave their
lives are not the only ones who need to be remembered.
There was also an innocent bystander who was injured by
stray bullets as she escorted her family around the
Capitol, Angela Dickerson. I want to send my deepest
condolences to her and husband Steve, and their entire
family.
Angela was the innocent victim of that random act of
violence. I wish her the best of luck in her recovery, and
Angela, we hope that you will come back again to join us
in the Capitol, despite your unfortunate experience. This
is the People's House, and it must remain just that, open
to the people of this Nation.
Angela's experience reminds us that no one is protected
from random acts of violence. One of my interns, Teresa,
was directly above the shooting after delivering a
resolution to the floor, and she was lucky not to be
directly at the scene. This has been a sad and emotional
experience for all of us, whether we knew the victims or
not.
Let me just say that prior to my time in Congress, I
served as an elected official in municipal and county
offices. On the local level, law enforcement, outside of
education, is the largest expenditure of local budgets.
Because of this, a lot of time is spent with law
enforcement people, and we become more cognizant of their
sacrifices, the long hours of the police officers, their
time away from their families, the day-to-day danger, and
their overall dedication of public service.
Let me conclude by saying that an old Negro spiritual
said, Let the work that I have done speak for me. There
was the age-old saying that, if you can help somebody
along the way, then your living shall not be in vain.
Officer Chestnut and Agent Gibson's work that they have
done speaks for them, and certainly their living has not
been in vain.
Mr. Speaker, I yield the balance of my time to the
gentlewoman from Missouri (Ms. Danner).
Ms. DANNER. Mr. Speaker, the Bible tells us, greater
love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life
for his friends. I rise today to join my fellow Members of
Congress to honor the memory of John Gibson and Jacob
Chestnut, who died defending not only our lives but
democracy itself.
These men were our friends, like so many Capitol Hill
police officers who serve and protect us day after day,
Congress after Congress, decade after decade. They do so
with a quiet dedication and an obvious devotion. Whether
helping a Member of Congress or any of the millions of
visitors who come to Capitol Hill every year, the Capitol
Hill Police play a vital role in assuring that American
democracy works. They do so with thousands of acts of
devotion and dedication to their duty. We know they may
have to perform the ultimate act of devotion, but we also
pray that they never do.
John Gibson and Jacob Chestnut made the supreme
sacrifice, and we know they did so without hesitation.
They were our friends, our protectors, and they laid down
their lives, not only for us, but for the freedom that
this institution represents.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the
House, the gentleman from California (Mr. Dreier) is
recognized for 5 minutes.
Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, as the Nation and the Capitol
Hill family and, of course, the families of Special Agent
Gibson and Officer Chestnut deal with this extraordinary
tragedy, we, of course, extend our condolences to the
immediate family members and their dear friends, including
all of our friends here on Capitol Hill who have been so
affected by this.
One cannot help but think of what it is we can learn
from this, and what it is that this has taught us. Of
course, we have all, over the past few days, expressed
greater appreciation for those men and women who are on
the front line as Capitol Hill police officers than we
have ever have.
I have always prided myself on being friendly and
talking with them, but there have been more than a few
occasions where I have been in a hurry and rushed by. Over
the weekend and yesterday and today, of course, like all
of my colleagues, we have stopped and taken a moment to
express our appreciation. We all know how important
gratitude is.
We also must remember, as we had the opportunity to walk
by the two caskets in the great Rotunda, and in about 45
minutes we will be moving into the Rotunda for a memorial
service, that this experience shows us the magnitude of
man's humanity to man. We know it is, from this
experience, our deeds that make us great, and while we
have been talking, as we do so well here, we know that our
words are important, but it is our deeds that will be
remembered.
Mr. Speaker, these two men exemplify the simple,
everyday greatness of self-sacrifice. I join in extending
condolences to the Gibson and Chestnut families, and wish
them God speed.
Mr. GUTKNECHT. Mr. Speaker, we gather today to honor two
men in a way that has been reserved for Presidents and
military heroes. Mr. Speaker, it is fitting that we would
honor these two slain Capitol Police officers as only 26
other Americans have been recognized.
Jacob Chestnut and John Gibson were heroes. They chose
to place themselves in harm's way every day they came to
work. In that awful moment last Friday, they did not
flinch from making the ultimate sacrifice to protect
coworkers, friends, and even complete strangers.
They were more than just officers, though. They were
husbands, fathers, and a grandfather. We grieve with their
families, mourning their loss and ours. Jacob Chestnut and
John Gibson were part of that thin blue line that runs
through every community in America.
As we remember their heroism this week, let us not
forget that their colleagues here at the Capitol and in
law enforcement agencies throughout the Nation still stand
ready to protect and search. Let us appreciate the
contributions they make and the risks that they take each
day when they put on that uniform.
As Ronald Reagan said, those who say we don't have
heroes anymore just don't know where to look. We lost two
of those heroes on Friday.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the
House, the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Bishop) is
recognized for 5 minutes.
Mr. BISHOP. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to
the slain officers who valiantly defended the People's
House last Friday, Special Agent John Gibson and Special
Agent Jacob Chestnut.
Shakespeare wrote, ``All the world is a stage, and all
the men and women, merely players. Each has his entrance
and his exit. One man in his time may play many parts.''
So it was with Officer Chestnut and Detective Gibson.
They, too, played many roles. They were sons, husbands,
fathers, friends, co-workers. They were great men, great
not because of the titles they carried, not because of the
uniforms they wore. They were great not because of where
they worked, nor because of who they worked with.
No, they were great because, measured by the true
standard of greatness set by Jesus, that is, ``he who is
great among you shall be your servant and he who is
greatest shall be servant unto all,'' they measured up.
They served us all. They stood by the door to protect us
and thousands who visit this Capitol each day. Both
literally and figuratively, they served us and America by
giving their last full measure of devotion and to protect
us and the house of democracy.
Too often, those in exalted places of power overlook the
nameless persons who serve and wait. Whether those who
sweep the floors, hold the doors, service or drive the
elevators, serve the food, cut the grass, or clean the
toilets, they are too often overlooked. But they, too, are
great, because they also serve.
We are grateful to God and to the families of Officers
Gibson and Chestnut for allowing us in America to benefit
from their service.
Yes, all the world is a stage and all the men and women
merely players. Each has its entrance and his exit and
these two in their time played many parts. For their
service and their friendship, we are grateful.
Mr. Speaker, I yield the balance of my time to the
gentleman from New York (Mr. Meeks).
Mr. MEEKS of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a
sad heart to extend my condolences to the families,
friends, and colleagues of officers J.J. Chestnut and John
Gibson. I do this on behalf of my wife, Simone, and our
family, my staff, and the constituents of the Sixth
Congressional District of New York.
I have only been a Member of the Capitol community for
about 5 months, and it has been a learning experience for
me and my staff, as most us are new to Washington. One of
the things that we have learned is that there is a strong
sense of community here. Members and staff view each other
as colleagues, and we view our staffs as part of our
families.
The Capitol Police, in my opinion, are indeed an
extension of that spirit of professional respect,
friendship, and family. They protect Members, they protect
our staffs, and they protect the many visitors who visit
the Capitol every day. They risk their lives for us and
for America. But we must ask ourselves, what is it that
they are protecting?
I believe, as I am sure all Americans believe, that they
are defending the crucible of freedom. It is the crucible
of freedom that is on display every day in this building.
The fact that Officers Chestnut and Gibson gave their
lives defending this place will serve as a reminder to me
what the words ``duty'' and ``service'' really mean. The
senseless act of this past Friday truly define the words
``defending the Constitution.''
Yes, I still learn every day that I am here, as I had
learned before I arrived here, that we cannot place a
value on human life. But a person who is willing to give
his or her life makes the ultimate sacrifice so that
someone else might continue to live is one who really
understands life and its value.
As others have said, freedom is not free. And it is with
a tremendous sacrifice that we are free in this country, a
freedom that we all too often take for granted.
But I just pray that we all understand what sacrifice
means after this tragedy. I again send my prayers to the
families of these heroes. I know, and I want them to know,
that they are not alone. This House, this Congress, and
indeed America's prayers are supporting them.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the
House, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. DeLay) is recognized
for 5 minutes.
Mr. DeLAY. Mr. Speaker, I probably will not take the
entire 5 minutes, for those who are waiting to speak. I
just wanted to add to last night's remarks, when I read
into the Record some of my staff's memories of Detective
John Gibson. Today I wanted to read a few more that my
staff offers into the Record as well.
From Jim Morrell,
Working in the front office at the Whip Office for a
year and a half, I had the opportunity to come to know
John; the opportunity to know what an outstanding human
being he truly was. When the nights got late with
Congressman DeLay up in leadership meetings or on the
House Floor, there would often be just a few of us left in
the office. I can remember staying up there until 11:00 or
12:00 at night with John, watching TV or talking about the
latest events in the sports world. With John being a die-
hard Red Sox fan and me being a die-hard Cubs fan, we
often commiserated on the respective futility of our
favorite baseball teams.
I walked into the Whip's office last Friday, minutes
before the tragic events unfolded. Although I came in the
front door, I turned my head towards the back hallway
before continuing on. There sat John at the back desk
dutifully guarding his post.
For the rest of my life, that image of John will stay
with me. The image of a guardian, a defender, a protector.
I can imagine John, even as shots were being fired,
thinking, ``There is no way you are going to harm the
people in this office.''
Well, no one in our office was harmed, thanks to John.
The hardest part of this tragedy is that I will never have
the opportunity to thank John personally. In every sense
of the word, he was a part of our office, a part of our
family, and he will be sorely missed. God was very
gracious to allow me to know John Gibson. I will always
remember his life and will always remember his sacrifice.
From Shannon Graves,
John was my father, my uncle, my brother, my protective
shield. For the year and a half that I sat in a desk right
in front of him, I saw John from sunup to sundown. Gibson,
as I would always call him, was always there with a cheery
``good morning'' and a smile throughout the day.
He took on the role of a father to a very young female
in the office. He was there to give you congratulations,
give you that stern lecture that was needed, and if
someone was ever bothering you he was there to make it go
away.
As we sat together, it became the competition of dueling
TVs, always helping him with the Internet, e-mail, and
loading the latest computer games for him, Doug, and Bob
to play.
I remember the day he was on detail for John Travolta.
It was about 6:30 at night. He came running into the
office asking me to grab any film that I might have. He
would give no details, except to grab the film and follow
him. I ran with him, and the next thing I know, I am
handing the film over to John Travolta's photographer. It
seems that she ran out of film and Travolta was going into
a meeting with the Speaker. I spent the next hour up on
the balcony and then was ushered over to have my picture
taken.
John was always watching out for everyone. He wanted to
make sure that everyone benefited. He escorted Stephanie
and myself to see Mother Theresa when she was leaving the
Capitol. He was always right there for you. Now my Hill
father is gone.
From Dani DeLay, my own daughter, who is now Dani
Farrell,
John always treated me like he was another father.
Whenever I was in Washington, he always was looking out
for me and watching me like a hawk.
I liked to tease him and tell him I feel sorry for his
own daughter. I was sure that, at age 17, he still had not
let her go out on a date.
I feel so safe knowing that now he will always be
watching over me wherever I am.
The last conversation John and I had, he told me how
much he and my family meant to him and how much he loved
us. John, I love you, too.
Mr. Speaker, I just wanted to thank the Members for all
the wonderful words they have said on this floor on behalf
of J.J. Chestnut and John Gibson.
Mr. WAMP. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?
Mr. DeLAY. I yield to the gentleman from Tennessee.
Mr. WAMP. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the gentleman from
Texas (Mr. DeLay), the majority whip, yielding to me.
Mr. Speaker, I just want to make two points. One is this
House has come together in an extraordinary way in the
last 24 hours. Last night's meeting, a joint caucus and
conference meeting between the Democrats and the
Republicans, was this institution at its finest.
I think in the memory of these two outstanding men, we
should all commit ourselves to love each other more, to be
more civil, to hold this institution up in the way that
they deserve. In memory of them, that we would, as a
people, find some good in this and come together in an
extraordinary and historic way.
Mr. Speaker, I also wanted to come today to this floor
and recognize a great ``Tennessee Volunteer,'' Senator
Bill Frist, whose second nature was to help; to put
himself in an awkward position as a physician, though to
always put that patient first, regardless of who that
patient is.
A great Tennessean of whom we are all very proud,
Senator Frist came where he was needed most and gave of
himself in an extraordinary way.
Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Texas (Mr.
DeLay) and the Speaker and the minority leader for this
House coming together for these two remarkable men.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the
House, the gentleman from American Samoa (Mr.
Faleomavaega) is recognized for 5 minutes.
Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, like my colleagues before
me, I rise to extend my heartfelt sympathies and deepest
condolences to the families of Officers Jacob Chestnut and
Detective John Gibson. We pay this special congressional
tribute today in honor of these extraordinary and
courageous Americans who sacrificed their lives so that
the Members of this institution and the public could be
protected from harm and from danger.
Mr. Speaker, sometimes we take it for granted that our
Capitol Hill officers perform their duties day and night,
faithfully, steadfastly, without complaint and with quiet
dedication. At all times, they are willing to assist us
and assist our constituents, going out of their way to be
helpful and courteous. They serve this institution with
dignity, with selflessness and, Mr. Speaker, as this
tragedy as shown us, they serve this institution with
great courage.
My colleagues in the House, for all I know, it could
have been any one of us walking down that Capitol hallway
last Friday afternoon, any one of us or any one of the
thousands of more than 18,000 staff members and visitors
who enter that hallway of the Capitol building every day.
The violence was that random.
Mr. Speaker, several Members of Congress could have been
hurt or killed last Friday. These brave officers, John
Gibson and Jacob Chestnut, took the bullets instead. They
took the bullets that recklessly endangered everyone in
that hallway, including visitors who wanted very much to
see America's greatest monument, a building that
symbolizes freedom and democracy throughout the world.
In this moment when there was only time to act, we saw
the true nature of both these men. We saw their courage
and their deeply selfless impulse to protect life and the
sacred space which is at the very heart of this democracy,
the House of Representatives of the American people.
So while this tragedy has shocked all of us, Mr.
Speaker, I would join my colleagues who have urged that it
not result in undue restrictions of public access;
restrictions that would change the very essence and
character of the People's House.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank all the men and women
in uniform, along with these two gentlemen, who perform
their duties day and night to protect us and to protect
all Americans who grace the People's House with their
presence to witness the world's greatest democracy. We
know that all of them are sworn to protect this
institution, as were Officer Chestnut and Detective
Gibson.
Mr. Speaker, words simply cannot express our great
sorrow and the depth of gratitude. Mr. Speaker, in our
Samoan tradition we say--(The gentleman from American
Samoa spoke in Samoan)--``May your voyage be one of
greatness and with great success.''
Mr. Speaker, I yield the balance of my time to the
gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands (Ms. Christian-Green).
Ms. CHRISTIAN-GREEN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman
from American Samoa (Mr. Faleomavaega) for yielding me
this time.
Mr. Speaker, I rise to add my condolences, and that of
my constituents in the U.S. Virgin Islands, to the family
of our slain officers, as well as our respect, honor, and
gratitude to these officers for their years of exemplary
service and their supreme sacrifice.
We are all the beneficiaries of their service and
bravery and that of their fellow officers who greet us
daily, look after our welfare, protect us and our families
and our constituents.
On a personal level, they help me find my way between
meetings; they greet me as I arrive and leave. When
necessary, they have seen to it that I have gotten home
safely and have been helpful above and beyond the call of
duty in many ways.
Officers Chestnut and Special Agent Gibson have served
us and their country at the highest level of service. May
the sorrow of their families be eased by the fact that so
many share the burden of their loss.
May God bless them and us, and may our beloved officers
rest in peace.
Ms. HOOLEY of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to say
thanks to Capitol Police Officer Jacob Chestnut and
Special Agent John Gibson for being there when we needed
them the most.
I really shudder to think of how much worse this tragedy
could have been if these two men had not been there to
make the ultimate sacrifice at their posts.
Today, as we honor them, I want to take a moment to
recognize the reassuring presence of the Capitol Police
who guard their institution with their lives every day.
Thank you.
As Friday's events so vividly demonstrated, without you,
the exercise of democracy in this House, the People's
House, would not be possible. You do a great service to
your country. I ask for God's blessing to the family, to
friends, to the other officers in this time of tragic
loss.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Burr of North Carolina).
Under a previous order of the House, the gentleman from
California (Mr. Calvert) is recognized for 5 minutes.
Mr. CALVERT of California. Mr. Speaker, Special Agent
John Gibson, Officer Jacob ``J.J.'' Chestnut, duty, honor,
country.
Many Members of Congress have expressed our collective
grief over the loss of Special Agent Gibson and Officer
J.J. Chestnut, but it is worth repeating over and over
again. Officers, law enforcement, fire personnel over the
country every year lose their lives helping all of us,
American citizens. We should express our grief today and
remember them as they remembered us, helping us through
difficult situations. Condolences to the family. God bless
you all.
Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr.
Oxley).
Mr. OXLEY. Mr. Speaker, I also add my voice to the
chorus of sympathy being sung on this day of mourning here
at the Capitol for the Chestnut and Gibson families. To
them we give thanks in the memory of their fallen heroes.
We pray that their grief will be comforted.
They died protecting freedom and protecting the lives of
all of us here in the Capitol. They died as any U.S.
soldier would have in any war. It is now just to remember
how much we appreciate and admire their leadership and
their service, and we send our deepest sympathies to the
family as we proceed to the memorial service in the
Rotunda.
I thank the gentleman from California for yielding to
me.
Mrs. MINK of Hawaii. Mr. Speaker, I join a mournful
Nation to express my deepest sympathy to the families and
loved ones of Officer Jacob Joseph Chestnut and Detective
John Michael Gibson. These two brave and courageous
officers gave their lives to protect Members of Congress,
our staff, and visitors who come to see the Capitol from
all over the country.
On behalf of the people of the Second Congressional
District of the State of Hawaii, I stand to pay tribute to
the gallantry and bravery of these two men who lost their
lives in the line of duty.
Many people from Hawaii visit the Capitol each year and
have felt the assurance of safety provided by the
dignified and diligent service of our Capitol Police. To
learn that two of them died in the line of fire is
shocking news everywhere in America.
I returned home to Hawaii the next day after the event
to find that all the people I saw received word of this
terrible loss with a sense of personal loss. Everyone felt
that their safety had been compromised with such an
assault upon our House. The feeling of warmth and
compassion for the families of the slain officers was deep
and very moving.
As we reflect on these events, I realize how guilty we
all are in taking for granted officers like Chestnut and
Gibson who stand in the line of fire every day that they
serve us here and in our home communities. I pray for
their eternal peace and for the life and safety of every
one of their colleagues who serve us here in the Nation's
Capitol.
Mr. MINGE. Mr. Speaker, this last week of July, 1998, we
honor Officers Gibson and Chestnut. We honor them for the
ultimate sacrifice they have made on behalf of this
country and on behalf of this institution.
I join my many colleagues in all of their eloquent
remarks. We certainly cannot be too eloquent to thank
those officers and share with their families the
bereavement of their loss.
On behalf of the people of the State of Minnesota, I
wish to extend our condolences.
Finally, on behalf of the Members of this institution, I
think it is fair to say that we recognize a renewed
obligation to meet the challenges that we face with the
same dedication that the officers who have given their
lives met their obligation.
I share in the comments of my colleague, the gentleman
from Tennessee (Mr. Wamp) in the desire to see this
institution work on a collegial basis in the months and
years to come.
Mr. GINGRICH. Mr. Speaker, the attached transcript is of
my radio address to the Nation on Saturday, July 25, 1998.
During this address, I discussed the tragic attack at the
Capitol and the courage of those officers who responded to
this tragedy. The officers who were killed--and all those
who helped apprehend the gunman, assist the injured, and
evacuate the building--are true heroes of democracy, and
every American owes them a deep debt of gratitude. They
gave their lives to protect the lives of hundreds of
tourists, staff, and Members of Congress. If not for their
quick and courageous action, many innocent people would
likely have been injured or killed. I submit the
transcript to the Congressional Record.
[Republican response to the President's Weekly Radio
Address, July 25, 1998]
GINGRICH: Good morning. I'm Newt Gingrich, the Speaker
of the United States House of Representatives.
And I want to report to you on the tragic attack on the
United States Capitol, your Capitol, on the
professionalism of the Capitol police, on the heroic
actions of two fine policemen who sacrificed their lives
in defense of the Capitol, and in their sacrifice, saved
many innocent lives.
I also want to talk briefly about their families, the
tragic loss they've suffered and the loss that the entire
Capitol Hill family has suffered.
And finally I want to emphasize that this building is
the keystone of freedom, that it is open to the people
because it is the people's building. And that no
terrorist, no deranged person, no act of violence will
block us from preserving our freedom and from keeping this
building open to people from all over the world, and to
every American who wants to come and visit the center of
their self government.
This is the people's building. Up to 23,000 people a day
visit this Capitol, their Capitol, to see their government
at work, to stand in the shrine of freedom and teach their
children--and we have many, many school children who visit
on a regular basis.
But those who hate or fear freedom, sometimes seek to
attack this Capitol and those in it precisely because they
symbolize America, self government, authority and the
process of freedom.
The Capitol police protect the Capitol as the Secret
Service protects the White House. Each day thousands of
people enter the Capitol and are greeted by our protectors
and our ambassadors to the world. The thin blue line of
the Capitol police, provide both safety and information.
Yesterday, as officer J.J. Chestnut was advising a
visitor how to get to the subway, a deranged man tried to
force his way into the Capitol. He killed Officer Chestnut
and wounded Angela Dickerson, a visitor to the Capitol.
J.J. Chestnut's partner, who was getting a wheelchair to
help a visitor, returned the gunman's fire. As the gunman
fled, he ran into Whip Tom Delay's office and there
exchanged fire with Officer John Gibson.
Officer Gibson, at the sacrifice of his own life, saved
the lives of dozens of innocent people in those offices,
including Missy Jenkins, a member of my staff who said to
me last night very emotionally--and she had even more
trouble than I am saying this to you--that she really felt
that Officer Gibson had died literally so she was alive.
Now, forgive me for my emotions, but these two men are
genuine heroes. You see, they literally every day,
knowingly and voluntarily, put their lives on the line.
They understood that to be free, somebody had to be
willing to take this risk.
In the case of J.J. Chestnut, a man who had served 20
years as an MP in the Air Force, his wife told me last
night when I visited on behalf of the Congress that he was
so proud to serve his country--seventeen years on the
Capitol Police force, he was only two years away from
retirement.
And I remember because that's the door I go in and out
of every day, how often he would quietly but firmly insist
that you go through the magnetometer, that you obey the
rules, as he did his job to protect this Capitol.
We should remember that Officer J.J. Chestnut is still
here in the spirit with his wife, Wen Ling. He has
children--Joseph, Janice, Janet, Karen and William. And
they remember. And I think each of you wants to join us in
remembering this true hero.
In addition, Officer John Gibson had become a member of
Tom DeLay's family. He had been assigned to protect the
Majority Whip and Christina DeLay told me last night that
they were so close. And Mrs. Gibson told me that he had
enjoyed so much working in that close relationship,
knowing that his job was to protect Tom DeLay and that he
was doing something important for his country.
He responded immediately to the crisis. I was told by
those in the room that he promptly told everyone to get
down, close the doors, and he drew his gun as the gunman
entered and they exchanged shots.
Officer Gibson's wife Evelyn and their three children
Kristin, John, and Daniel have a very large hole in their
lives because their father, her husband, served his
country. And yet I hope of each of them will realize that
he was a true hero, a hero in the deepest sense, a man who
when confronted with danger, moved toward it to save
others when he could have moved away.
As this was happening, the Capitol police were doing
their job, responding immediately to the crisis, sealing
off the perimeter, protecting the tourists, protecting the
staffs and Members who were around. A number of people
responded and made it possible both to suppress the gunman
and to save lives.
Dr. Eisell, the Capitol's attending physician and his
staff, and also Dr. Bill Frist who is a Senator, had just
finished presiding over the U.S. Senate. Senator Frist
went immediately to the scene and then went on to the
emergency room.
The Washington D.C. Emergency Medical Service, including
the D.C. Fire Department, MedStar at the Washington
Hospital Center, the George Washington Hospital, the U.S.
Park Police whose helicopter arrived to help save lives,
the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Washington
Metropolitan Police Force, who promptly intervened in the
investigation--again and again professional people did a
professional job to make sure that your Capitol was safe
and that the visitors and workers in it were safe.
We can all be proud of them. But we can also do more.
We will be establishing a trust with the U.S. Capitol
Police for the two families who have sacrificed for their
country and for freedom. Anyone who wishes to help can
write to the U.S. Capitol Police Memorial Fund,
Washington, D.C.
But we must do more. Each of us everyday should
recognize that many people are in uniform in this
country--the police, the Capitol police, the Secret
Service, your local police, your local sheriff's office,
your state police, the Border Patrol, the United State
military--people who get up every morning and risk death
because they want you to be safe. And because they believe
that they and their children should share the freedom and
the security that America has provided for over 200 years.
We're not going to back off.
I want to thank the president for his call last night,
for his concern, for his statement this morning, for his
plan to visit the families--it will mean a great deal to
them.
I want to thank each of you who has called. The tourists
I saw out front who are here to visit, the people who have
been calling in to C-Span, all the people back home who
have called Marianne and me. It does mean a lot to the
Capitol Hill family when the American family comes
together.
Let me close by asking you to join me for just a moment
in prayer.
Dear God, please watch out over the Chestnut family and
the Gibson family. Help them in their time of grief. Help
them to come to understand, to be comforted by the love
and the thanks of many, many grateful people. Help them to
remember the heroes who they sacrificed for their country.
Please take to your bosom, Officer J.J. Chestnut, and
Officer John Gibson. Please watch over all of us and watch
over all who defend and protect us and keep us safe.
Please help this country learn to live with its freedom.
Please help those who are troubled learn to live
peacefully with their problems. Please help each of us as
we strive to do our duty and to reach out to each other in
this American family.
Please forgive us our sins, and bless America and the
American people. Amen.
Thank you for allowing me to share this with you.
Mr. GOSS. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the people of
southwest Florida, I would like to offer not only our
deepest sympathy to the families of Officers Jacob
Chestnut and John Gibson, but also our greatest admiration
for the total professionalism and full sacrifice these men
gave to protect the People's House and its visitors.
Officer Chestnut and Officer Gibson truly understood
exactly what the U.S. Capitol building represents to the
people of this country and to people everywhere. With
honor and courage they stood their ground for the world to
see.
Early one morning a while ago, as I neared the Capitol,
I watched some visiting foreign tourists with tears of joy
kiss the Capitol steps; to them this great building meant
freedom and democracy. Now our friends, Jacob Chestnut and
John Gibson, join so many other Americans paying
unhesitatingly with their lives to defend us and our
freedom.
And without question in this needless tragedy, they did
save the lives of citizens, visitors, staff, and Members.
I also would like to thank and praise their fellow
Capitol Police officers who dedicate their lives to
defending our freedom. Their bravery and professionalism
does not go unnoticed nor unappreciated. Their conduct in
containing this tragedy and coping with its aftermath has
been exemplary.
It really is ``family'' up here on Capitol Hill. We all
have our own memories and associations of Officer J.J.
Chestnut and Detective John Gibson. J.J. pulled weekend
guard duty on occasion for the House Intelligence
Committee and served those of us on that committee well
and faithfully. John was true family to Joe Moakley, our
distinguished former chairman and current ranking Member
on the Rules Committee. He was also a regular feature in
the workings of our whip chores as deputy whips under Tom
Delay.
Other Members had other contacts with these officers but
we are all of one mind in knowing J.J. and John will be
missed--that we are deepfully grateful for their lives and
fiercely proud of their work and that, above all, all our
sympathy and love go out to their families in a way that
seeks to share the burden of their losses.
Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, it is with great sadness that I
rise today to pay tribute to two American heroes who have
lived, worked, and now died in our midst. John Gibson and
Jacob Chestnut epitomized the very finest in the tradition
of public service and law enforcement.
Every day as we arrive at work and as we move about the
Capitol Hill complex, we are greeted and protected by
members of the Capitol Police force. They are not only our
protectors, they are also an integral part of the Capitol
Hill ``family.'' We exchange stories of children and
grandchildren, the news of the day, and the joys and pains
of everyday life. They are our friends--indeed a part of
our extended family.
It is easy to forget that their profession is a
dangerous, life-threatening one. Seemingly endless hours
of uneventful duty can be broken, without warning, by
violent events.
Last Friday, Detective Gibson and Officer Chestnut
answered the call to duty, and paid the ultimate sacrifice
in performing their duty. Their presence and their actions
saved countless lives of innocent people who might have
been caught in the crossfire.
Mr. Speaker, it is completely right and fitting that we
take this day to honor and remember the lives of John
Gibson and Jacob Chestnut. They served their country with
dignity; they performed their duty with integrity; and
they gave their lives in the defense of our Capitol and
our democracy. Our thoughts and prayers are with their
families.
Mr. BARTLETT of Maryland. Mr. Speaker, it is with a
heavy heart that I would like to pay tribute to Officers
Jacob Joseph (J.J.) Chestnut and John Michael Gibson of
the United States Capitol Police and extend my condolences
to their families and colleagues. This is a solemn duty
that I undertake on behalf of the hundreds of thousands of
people who live in the sixth district of Maryland and
elected me to represent them in the 105th Congress of the
United States of America.
John Gibson and Jacob Chestnut were exemplary members of
the thin blue line of the United States Capitol Police.
The men and women in this law enforcement force protect
and defend the most important symbol of our representative
democracy, the magnificent Capitol building. Their joyful
but anonymous and humble service touches and enriches the
lives of thousands of their fellow Americans and visitors
who work in or visit the Capitol on a daily basis. They
serve and protect millions of us.
The excellence, quiet dignity, and anonymity that were
the hallmarks of the careers of Officers Chestnut and
Gibson were swept away in a matter of seconds by a violent
attack. The fury may have been directed by madness, but it
is clear that this deliberately deadly attack was
unleashed upon the Capitol because this building is open
to everyone and is the most central and sacred symbol of
our democratically elected government. Moreover, it is
clear that members of the Capitol Police were the special
and first targets of this assault.
I don't believe as human beings we will ever be able to
understand why it was the fate of Officers Gibson and
Chestnut to be called upon to face the fire that was
unleashed during those moments of utter chaos. Officers
Chestnut and Gibson instantly stepped into that awful
breach. Without hesitation, they swiftly ended that attack
and protected the lives of hundreds of others by willingly
sacrificing their own lives.
It is fitting and proper, I believe it is our duty to
honor their bravery and the courage of their sacrifice.
Words are inadequate to express how grateful we as a
Nation are today to John Gibson and Jacob Chestnut. I
believe President Abraham Lincoln perhaps said it best
when he honored the fallen heroes at Gettysburg for
``offering the last full measure of devotion'' to
preserving and protecting the cause of freedom and
``government of, by, and for the people.'' Words are
inadequate to express the condolences we as a Nation pay
to the Gibson and Chestnut families and to the members of
the Capitol Police on the loss of their loved ones. We
cannot erase their grief. We can only offer this small
tribute to comfort them.
As a living tribute to the memories of Jacob Chestnut
and John Gibson, I hope the Capitol will continue to
remain open and accessible under the unsurpassed
protection of our thin blue line, the United States
Capitol Police. Our democratically elected government was
attacked, but the thin blue line was not breached. The
line held. Our freedom and liberty have been secured once
more by the terrible and brave sacrifice of two good men.
Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, this week our Nation mourns the
deaths of Capitol Hill policemen John Michael Gibson and
J.J. Chestnut. In the aftermath of the shooting in the
Capitol, as Members of Congress reflect on whether this
event was avoidable, we must take responsibility for this
and other acts of violence attributable to the mentally
ill. The Capitol shooting was all too familiar an
occurrence, a scene that has been played out in our
schools, on our streets, our subways, and in homes
throughout America.
The movement in the 1970s and 1980s to
deinstitutionalize persons with mental disorders was not
an unqualified success. It is time that we admit that
closing the institutions did not negate the need for
further care; the mentally ill still need consistent
treatment and many of them are not getting it.
Two to three percent of the population experience severe
mental disorders. Many more suffer from milder forms of
mental illness. In almost every town, we see people on the
street whose illness precludes them from working or
connecting with other people in a meaningful way. Many of
them could be helped with medication and therapy, but only
if they had access to care.
We must provide that care. We can and must prevent
future unnecessary violence so that other families do not
have to endure what the Gibson and Chestnut families go
through today.
Mr. BARRETT of Nebraska. Mr. Speaker, I sadly join my
many colleagues who have taken the floor to mourn the loss
of Detective John Gibson and Officer J.J. Chestnut. I want
to extend my deepest sympathy to their families and my
thanks and appreciation, and that of the people I
represent in Nebraska, for the ultimate sacrifice they
have suffered.
The men and women who serve on the United States Capitol
Police Force guard our Capitol. They protect the people
who serve and work here and the millions of visitors each
year from across the country and around the world. They
stand guard for the principles on which the Nation was
founded and which make this Capitol building such an
attraction and source of price. We pass them everyday as
we enter and leave the Capitol and House and Senate office
buildings, as we walk the hallways, and as we go about our
business in our offices and committee rooms.
And until Friday, July 24, it had been all too easy to
forget they came to work each day ready and willing to put
their lives on the line for their job and their country.
It will be very long time before any of us again pass a
Capitol Police officer and not remember John and J.J. and
that they all put at risk their lives everyday.
Over the past two days, as Members have taken the floor
to pay tribute to our two fallen heroes, there have been
wonderful stories about both men. A story I'd like to
share with my colleagues comes from one of my
constituents, a farmer, from a town with a population of
only 1,900 in the Nebraska Panhandle. The story speaks to
how a dedicated man, who would be the first to say he was
just doing his job, makes an impact and leaves behind a
legacy.
Bob Busch, from Mitchell, Nebraska, first met Officer
J.J. Chestnut in 1988. It was Bob's first trip to
Washington, D.C. Bob and a fellow Nebraskan were attending
a meeting and reception in the Hart Senate Office
Building. Neither of them had ever been inside the
Capitol. On the way out of the reception, they asked how
best to see the Capitol. They were told to go to a certain
door at the Capitol and ask for Officer Chestnut.
At the door, Officer Chestnut answered their query and,
even though it was late, offered to take them on a tour of
the Capitol himself. That was the beginning of quite an
evening--a complete behind-the-scenes tour of the
Capitol--and a new friendship. Bob got to see things I'm
not sure I've ever seen. Since that first tour in 1988,
Bob has taken the time to seek out Officer Chestnut each
time he's been in Washington. In 1995, he introduced his
wife to J.J.
In addition to the tour, Bob and Officer Chestnut shared
a love for this earth. Officer Chestnut was an avid
gardener. Bob is a sugarbeet farmer. Bob recounted to me
how Officer Chestnut was always interested in farming and
how his operation was doing. Bob said Officer Chestnut had
a real kinship with farmers. Bob called my office upon
hearing that Officer Chestnut had lost his life in the
line of duty. He said how much he admired Officer
Chestnut, how personable he was, so tall and so proud,
such a fine man who did his job.
Like all of us, Bob and his wife are grieving for
Officer Chestnut and his family. And as we all know, there
are countless stories similar to Bob's about both John and
J.J. They touched many lives, and did so in a manner that
can only make their families proud knowing that it is not
just their Capitol Hill family grieving, but that they
have the sympathy and gratitude of people across the
Nation.
Nothing can ease their pain or lessen their loss, but an
excerpt from a poem has always given me comfort:
The sun goes down, but gentle warmth still lingers on the
land,
The music stops, and yet it echoes on in sweet refrains,
And reminds us that for every joy that passes, something
beautiful remains.
May the memories that remain bring you comfort and keep
your loved one close at heart.
Mr. EVERETT. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Second
Congressional District of Alabama, we extend our heartfelt
sympathies to the families of Special Agent John Gibson
and First Sergeant Jacob Chestnut. The heroism that these
two men displayed in protecting the People's House cannot
be overstated. They gave the ultimate sacrifice on behalf
of the freedom's we Americans enjoy in our free and open
society. The following editorial, which ran in today's
Montgomery Advertiser, reminds us that freedom is not
free.
Freedom Isn't Free
officers gave lives for public
Two men gave their lives Friday to once again prove what
U.S. history has shown time and again--freedom isn't free.
When a gunman opened fire at the U.S. Capitol, two
Capitol police officers, Jacob Chestnut and John Gibson,
were killed.
They died while protecting the occupants of the Capitol
and the public, which is in itself a noble sacrifice. But
they also died protecting the public's freedom of access
to its government, something U.S. citizens may enjoy to a
greater extent than citizens of any other Nation.
That is an essential freedom in a democratic Nation. We
suspect Officers Chestnut and Gibson were well aware of
that. It makes their sacrifice all the more noble.
These officers deserve all the praise and honor a
grateful Nation can bestow upon them. But we doubt that
any would have pleased them more than the reopening of the
U.S. Capitol to citizens on Saturday.
It is only common sense for government authorities to
review security measures at the Capitol and to take
whatever reasonable steps are necessary to close breaches
in that security.
But care needs to be taken that nothing is done to
significantly limit the public's access to ``America's
house.'' If authorities overreact and make it difficult
for the public to gain ready access to the halls of
Congress, it would amount to capitulation to whatever
insanity prompted this despicable act.
There were a lot of heroes Friday. Among them was U.S.
Sen. Bill Frist of Tennessee, a heart surgeon who helped
treat the injured. There were scores of tales of adults--
parents and strangers--who used their bodies to shield
children. There was also the quiet dignity of Sgt. Dan
Nichols, who noticeably struggled to hold his emotions in
check while ably serving as spokesman for the Capitol
police.
But at the head of the list of heroes are Officers
Chestnut and Gibson. They, like so many others before
them, paid the ultimate price of freedom.
Mr. HOEKSTRA. Mr. Speaker, last Friday, July 24, 1998,
is a day that none of us will ever forget for many
reasons, but mostly for the heroism displayed by Officer
Jacob J. Chestnut and Special Agent John M. Gibson. Mere
words cannot express our gratitude for their actions, our
grief for their fates, or our sorrow for their families.
To the families of Officer Chestnut and Special Agent
Gibson, we offer our most heartfelt condolences and pray
that God provides comfort and assurance to you in your
time of need.
When the House of Representatives is in session, we
enter this building many times a day. Usually, we offer a
nod or an off-hand comment to the officers at the entrance
and they respond in kind. Sometimes, we are in a rush or
preoccupied and may not say anything. But it must be made
clear that we appreciate the work these officers do.
So, to all of the officers of the Capitol Police force,
all I can say is ``thank you.'' It is only a two-word
phrase, but it means so much. You are not taken for
granted. Our prayers are with you and for your continued
safety.
Mr. GILLMOR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to reiterate the
special and heartfelt sentiments that many of my
colleagues have been making during the past several days.
Last Friday, July 24, 1998, United States Capitol Police
Officers John Gibson and J.J. Chestnut made the ultimate
sacrifice defending our Nation's Capitol. In a tragic
moment, these two brave and courageous men gave their
lives to defend and protect the safety and dignity of the
United States Capitol.
Officer Chestnut and Detective Gibson, although slain in
a tragic moment, embody the very spirit that is the United
States Capitol Police Force. These officers, without a
second thought, put themselves in harm's way to protect
the lives of others. These men approached their jobs each
day with the highest commitment, dedication, and honor.
The brave men and their colleagues put their lives on the
line each day knowing that the perils of danger may be
just around the corner. But, without high praise or
recognition, they do their jobs with incredible grace and
extraordinary professionalism.
Although we, in the Capitol Hill family, have lost two
close members, this institution and the freedom and
democracy for which it stands will continue for those of
us who work here and for the millions and millions of
visitors who join us here each year. From the heroic
efforts of Officer Chestnut and Detective Gibson, the
world will continue to look to the United States and the
United States Capitol as the true symbol of freedom,
liberty, and perseverance.
Mr. Speaker, for myself and my family, my staff, and the
people of the Fifth Congressional District of Ohio, I rise
to pay this most honorable tribute to Detective John
Gibson and Officer J.J. Chestnut. To their families,
friends, and colleagues, please know that their legacy of
unwavering loyalty and supreme dedication will forever
live in the hearts and minds of those who pass through
these halls. On behalf of a grateful Nation, we are
eternally indebted. Our hearts and prayers are with you.
God Bless you.
Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute
to the two Capitol Police Officers who gave their lives in
the line of duty. Officer Jacob (J.J.) Chestnut and
Officer John Gibson died protecting the freedoms of our
Nation. For that we owe them a debt of gratitude. The
tragedy that transpired last Friday has shaken this
Nation. We will continue to mourn the loss of these two
fine officers.
Officers Gibson and Chestnut died heroes. Because of
them no visitors to this institution lost their lives.
Because of Officers Chestnut and Gibson this Capitol
building remains open and safe. These two officers gave
the ultimate sacrifice. They remind us that our freedom
can come at a personal cost. Let us be clear, they did not
die in vain. Officers Gibson and Chestnut will forever be
remembered for bravely defending the Capitol.
As a former law enforcement officer, I am especially
saddened when a fellow officer's life is taken in an act
of violence. I would like to express my sincere
condolences to the families of Officers Jake (J.J.)
Chestnut and John Gibson. They will be missed.
Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, today is a sad day in the United
States Capitol. The murder of two U.S. Capitol Policemen
last Friday was a tragedy that words cannot convey. As
legislators in the U.S. Congress, we are committed to
making laws to protect the people and create a more
peaceful society for all Americans. Today we gather in
this Chamber to recognize the supreme sacrifice that those
who are sworn to protect this institution may be called
upon to make.
Officer Jacob Chestnut and Special Agent John Gibson are
heroes who gave their lives to protect this institution. I
join my colleagues in saluting these fallen officers--
history will forever record the last acts of heroism to
two of the Capitol's finest.
My thoughts and prayers are with the families of Officer
Chestnut and Agent Gibson. May time ease the burden of
their loss and bring peace and understanding to all who
have shared the sorrow of their untimely passing.
Mr. WEYGAND. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join my
colleagues in expressing my deepest sympathies to the
families of Officer Jacob Chestnut and Special Agent John
Gibson. I would like to also extend my sincere regrets to
the members of the United States Capitol Police who have
also lost two members of their family.
It is at times like this that we are reminded of the
inadequacy of our language. How do we properly express our
regret and sorrow to the wives of Officer Chestnut and
Special Agent Gibson at the loss of their husbands? How do
we share with their children the appreciation we feel for
the valor displayed by their fathers? How do we share with
the other officers of the Capitol Police our thanks and
admiration at the bravery displayed by Officer Chestnut,
Special Agent Gibson and their fellow officers for risking
and giving their lives so others might live? Thank you,
I'm sorry, brave, hero--all words that pale in the face of
the loss of a husband, father, colleague, friend.
It has been said often in the last several days that
freedom is not free. Since before the founding of our
Nation, men and women have been willing to stand up and
give their lives for their country and their countrymen.
Often, this price has been paid on the fields of battle in
distant places. We should not, however, diminish the price
paid by these two men solely because they gave their lives
here at home. The heroes of the past gave their lives in
the defense of democracy. Special Agent Gibson and Officer
Chestnut gave their lives in defense of democracy's house.
We are told that Officer Chestnut loved to work in his
garden and share the fruits of his labor with his friends
and colleagues here on the Hill. I know the struggles and
rewards of gardening. The frustration when a promising
spring becomes a parched summer. The satisfaction that
comes with a plentiful harvest. We are also told that
Special Agent Gibson was a Red Sox fan. Sooner or later
every Sox fan comes to know the age-old frustration of a
promising season that disappears as July becomes August.
And sooner or later, every Sox fan learns to take
satisfaction in the hope that the Sox will make it next
year for sure.
Today, the Nation will have the opportunity to pay their
respects and express their sorrow and thanks. As we move
on, we must not forget these two officers and their
families. We must also remember those members of our
Capitol Police--our own thin blue line--and the thousands
of men and women all over our Nation who are willing to
place themselves between their fellow citizens and danger.
Mr. HOBSON. Mr. Speaker, I want to join my colleagues in
expressing my deep grief over the tragic loss of Officer
Jacob Chestnut and Officer John Gibson who were lost last
Friday in the line of duty. I know that the men and women
of Ohio's 7th Congressional District share our grief and I
know their thoughts and prayers, as are mine, are with the
families and friends of these two officers.
I honor the long service of these two officers who died
bravely while protecting our Nation's Capitol. Law
enforcement is one of the highest forms of public service,
and today we are reminded of our deep debt to those
individuals who daily risk their lives to protect the
public's safety.
Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, the
Capitol Hill community and our country suffered a personal
loss of two fine Capitol Police officers on Friday, July
24, 1998. On that afternoon, a lone gunman invaded the
People's House and put many visitors, staffers and Members
of Congress in danger. If it were not for the sacrifices
of Special Agent John Gibson and Officer Jacob ``J.J.''
Chestnut, we would be mourning the passing of other human
beings on this day.
On behalf of the constituents of the 30th Congressional
District, I would like to extend my personal condolences
to the families and friends of Detective Gibson and
Officer Chestnut. While we take for granted the fact that
such tragic incidents can happen to us, we must not take
for granted the lives of those two Capitol Police officers
who gave their lives so that we may live.
Mr. Speaker, the spirit and dedication of those officers
will live on and truly embody what this place means. Our
Capitol symbolizes service, duty and honor. Both the life
and death of those officers were examples of those
qualities. It is because of their duty and service, our
work can go on. Indeed, it must. We cannot let an
individual who is distrustful of our Government to allow
our democracy to cease. Officers Gibson and Chestnut would
not want our business to stop because of real or perceived
threats to our system. Officers Gibson and Chestnut would
not want us to cower and hide in fear of any group or
individual who would seek to disrupt the proceedings of
our Government in such violent methods.
One of the best tributes to those officers would be for
all of us, staffers and Members, to be just as dedicated
to service and duty as Officers Gibson and Chestnut were.
I believe that this will be the finest remembrance that we
can offer.
Mr. Speaker, after the brief moments of chaos and
tragedy, I received many calls from worried family members
and friends inquiring about my whereabouts and safety at
that moment. If not for the service of Officers Gibson and
Chestnut, and the entire Capitol Police Force, I may not
have been in the arms of safety, telling my family and
friends that I was safe. We literally owe our lives to our
two fallen officers, our friends whose heroism protected
many others from harm and possible death.
Mr. Speaker, along with my condolences, I offer the
families and friends of Officers Gibson and Chestnut my
prayers and ask that our Lord give them the strength to
deal with such a terrible tragedy. Most important, I would
like to give Officers Gibson and Chestnut my gratitude. It
was once said that, ``gratitude is the memory of the
heart.'' Therefore, my heart goes to Officers Gibson and
Chestnut with the utmost gratitude.
Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of
the resolution agreed to yesterday to remember and honor
the lives of two American heroes, Detective John Michael
Gibson and Private First Class Jacob Joseph Chestnut of
the United States Capitol Police.
Officer Chestnut and Detective Gibson died in the line
of duty last Friday while courageously protecting Members
of Congress, congressional staff, and visitors to the U.S.
Capitol. Their heroic actions, and those of other U.S.
Capitol Police officers, saved countless lives--including
my Health Subcommittee staff, two interns in my office,
and a family from my congressional district visiting
Washington, D.C.
We cannot forget that the men and women of the U.S.
Capitol Police put their lives on the line every day for
us. They are dedicated professionals who protect our
Nation's foremost symbol of freedom and democracy. More
important, they protect our lives, those of our staff, and
the millions of tourists who visit the Capitol each year.
Detective Gibson and Officer Chestnut are heroes. Their
selfless act of courage exemplifies the valor, dedication,
and professionalism of the men and women who serve on the
U.S. Capitol Police Force. As the resolution before us so
eloquently states, ``those who guard the Capitol guard our
freedom.''
I extend my deepest sympathies to the families of these
two guardians of freedom and all of the officers of the
U.S. Capitol Police. Although words are little solace, I
hope their families and colleagues will take comfort in
the admiration and respect of a grateful Nation for these
fallen heroes. May they rest in peace.
Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, as a former law enforcement
officer, I understand the pain and difficulty associated
with the continuation of lives without fathers and
husbands, brothers, and friends. As I was a sheriff before
coming to Congress, I keep up my contacts with other law
enforcement types, both here and back in Texas.
So I knew both officers who died in the brief combat
inside the doors of our Nation's Capitol, and my staff and
I mourn their loss, along with their families, and their
extended families here on Capitol Hill in the larger
family of Congress.
I know this: There is nothing that either of these
officers would have wanted more than to fulfill their
mission and be hailed by the institution they served, as
well as their country, as heroes for democracy. That is an
honor of the highest order. Those of us who walk these
hallways each day understand the perils we face at the end
of the 20th century. There is no grand military conflict
consuming the world today.
Yet the minds of some of our citizens are badly
tormented, to the point that they believe they can only
resolve that conflict by doing damage to their government.
This man was not an enemy of the state--he was mentally
disturbed. What was fundamentally different about him was
that he carried a gun and apparently had no fear of being
killed in an attempt to violate this sacred building.
We cannot protect this building, nor the people who work
here, from the evil in the minds of individuals who are
unafraid to die and have the nerve to rush a security
checkpoint with a gun. This is a democracy in pursuit of
life, liberty, and happiness. If we lock off elected
officials from those they govern, our democracy will come
out of this tragedy a little weaker.
Democracy is not easy. It has never been easy. For those
people who work for the Federal Government, this
particular time in history is occasionally dangerous. We
all know it. It was never more apparent than in 1995 when
a fanatic blew up the Oklahoma City Federal building. It
is part of our consciousness, but we know that if we let
them dictate how we behave, the bad guys win.
I won't stand for that. My colleagues in this hallowed
hall won't stand for that. Officers Jacob Chestnut and
John Gibson didn't stand for that, and they laid down
their lives as they were trained to do to protect the
civilians who inhabited the building at the moment the
gunfight broke out. They gave the last full measure of
devotion to their country and to this institution they
were sworn to protect.
My personal thanks today to the officers, and to their
families, for standing firm on that thin blue line.
Mr. JENKINS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer my
deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of Jacob
Chestnut and John Gibson, the two brave officers who
sacrificed their lives to protect the lives of hundreds of
others visiting this scared symbol of freedom. No words
can begin to ease the pain and suffering that the Chestnut
and Gibson families are feeling at this moment. I hope,
however, that these grieving families can take some solace
in the outpouring of love and support from grateful
Members, staff, fellow police officers, and citizens from
across this country.
The bravery and sacrifice exhibited by these offices are
characteristics of the entire Capitol Hill Police Force.
Far too often, all of us take their work in protecting
these grounds for granted. We forget that in a moment's
notice someone intending to cause harm to others can
disrupt the order and normalcy that many of us have come
to expect as we work here. It is during this time that we
depend on those brave men and women who work to ensure
that the Capitol remains a safe haven for those working
and visiting. Officer Chestnut and Detective Gibson did
not let us down. At the first sign of trouble, both
officers intervened and took the appropriate action. As a
result of their selfless and heroic actions, I am
confident that many were spared injury or death.
Mr. Speaker, it is highly appropriate to see these
heroes given the ultimate tribute of lying in honor in the
Rotunda of the building where they served, protected, and
perished. No one deserves this honor more than Officer
Chestnut and Detective Gibson. May God bless each of them.
Mr. HALL of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay
tribute to Officer Jacob Chestnut and Detective John
Gibson who valiantly gave their lives this past Friday,
July 24, in the Capitol. If it were not for the courage
and composure which they displayed in the face of mortal
danger, more lives may have been lost. Officer Chestnut
and Detective Gibson made the greatest sacrifice that a
human can make in order to save the people that were
working in or visiting the Capitol. We are forever in
their debt and will not forget their bravery and valor.
Both Officer Chestnut and Detective Gibson were husbands
and both were fathers. I know that these moments are
difficult ones for their wives and children and that words
are unlikely to ease their pain. They should know,
however, that they are in my prayers and are in the hearts
of all Members of this Congress and of all the American
people. What these officers did will not be forgotten.
They placed the lives of others above their own, and for
that they are heroes. Officer Chestnut and Detective
Gibson did not die in vain; they died honorably, saving
the people whom they had sworn to protect.
Friday's attack on the Capitol was a surprise and a
shock that has left everyone shaken. It was a tragic
incident without any known motivation. Though we may not
be able to understand what prompted it we can ensure that
the Capitol remains guarded by dedicated officers who make
it a safe place in which to work and visit.
Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I ask you and
my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to Detective
John Gibson and Officer Jacob Chestnut. They were good men
who were loved dearly by their families and who were
respected deeply by those who worked with them. They are
true heroes whose courageous actions will always be
remembered. Moreover, for those who knew them and
interacted with them on a daily basis, their loss is deep.
Detective Gibson and Officer Chestnut have moved us with
their deeds. In protecting the lives of others, they gave
their own.
Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise both with grief and
with pride in support of House Concurrent Resolution 311.
Like all of my colleagues and, indeed, like all Americans,
I am grieving over the tragic, violent deaths on Friday of
two valiant U.S. Capitol Police Officers, Private First
Class Jacob Joseph Chestnut and Detective John Michael
Gibson. And I am proud of these two heroes, members of our
Capitol Hill family, who made the paramount sacrifice by
giving their lives to protect the Members, staff, and
guests of this Congress.
Mr. Speaker, J.J. Chestnut and John Gibson were special
men every day. They loved their families and their jobs.
They were courteous and friendly, generous, and
professional. On Friday, they did what they had to do,
what they were trained to do, and became heroes. Their
deaths leave tremendous holes in the fabric of our lives.
These crimes were particularly alarming because they
took place inside the Capitol building, the People's
House, which is and must always remain open to the public,
and where people expect to be safe. Witness after witness,
tourist after tourist, told the press that they had never
imagined they would hear gunfire here.
But, Mr. Speaker, the heroism of J.J. Chestnut and John
Gibson demonstrate that the Capitol is safe. It may not be
challenged very often, but on this terrible Friday the
security system worked. Two officers gave their lives and
many others responded swiftly and capably to protect the
public and apprehend the gunman, but only one visitor was
wounded. Without our Capitol Police Officers'
professionalism, readiness, and training, and their heroic
responses to a terrible threat, the harm would undoubtedly
have been much greater.
Finally, Mr. Speaker, I want to extend my condolences to
the wives and children, other family members, neighbors,
and friends of J.J. Chestnut and John Gibson and to assure
them that we share their sorrow over their loss, and that
they are in our thoughts and our prayers. They, too, are
heroes, who every day sent their loved ones to work, never
certain they would return. They, too, have paid an
enormous price for the safety of Members, staff, and
visitors to the Capitol.
Mr. Speaker, this resolution, like House Concurrent
Resolution 310 passed yesterday, is necessary and
appropriate, and I urge all my colleagues to support it.
Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the
heroic courage displayed by Officer Jacob Chestnut and
Special Agent John Gibson during Friday's violent episode
that took place in our Nation's Capitol.
These two brave men, in the ultimate act of selfless
defense of others, put themselves in harm's way to protect
the public, members and staff in the United States Capitol
building. Through their heroic actions, they averted a
potentially more tragic situation. These two men are a
tribute and a testament to law enforcement officers
everywhere who risk their lives daily to defend the
citizens of this Nation.
In light of this grave tragedy, let us not be swayed
from keeping our Nation's capitol open to the people. Let
us also recognize this tragedy as a harsh reminder of the
price we sometimes pay for freedom in our country. We are
grateful for these men who, in the ultimate sacrifice,
gave their lives in the defense of others. We are thankful
for the law enforcement officers who risk their lives in
the defense of freedom in our country and pay tribute to
those who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
I offer our deepest gratitude to the officers who work
day in and day out for the protection of the citizens of
this Nation, and I offer my deepest sympathies to the
families of these two heroes, Officer Chestnut and Special
Agent Gibson. Our thoughts and prayers are with the
Chestnut and Gibson families.
Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with my fellow
colleagues to honor both Detective John Gibson and Officer
Jacob Chestnut, who selflessly gave their lives in the
protection of this Capitol and all those who work and
visit here.
Mr. Speaker, it is easy to overlook the efforts of those
who protect and serve on these grounds. It is easy to
overlook because they do their jobs with the greatest
efficiency and professionalism every hour of every day,
all year long. This past Friday, we were all reminded of
just how important a part these brave men and women play
in protecting this ``House of the people.''
Mr. Speaker, we were also reminded that there is often a
price to pay for the freedom we enjoy in this great
Nation. Every day, thousands of men and women across this
Nation risk their lives to protect and to serve. Police,
firefighters, military personnel--all have committed their
lives to protecting others.
This past Friday, Detective Gibson and Officer Chestnut
did more than protect Members of Congress, congressional
staff and visiting tourists--these two men gave their
lives to protect our very unique form of government. They
gave their lives so this building could remain open,
accessible and safe for all Americans to participate in
their democracy.
Mr. Speaker, I ask that every American keep the families
of Detective Gibson and Officer Chestnut in their daily
prayers and thoughts. Both of these men are genuine heroes
whose selfless and courageous deeds will not be soon
forgotten.
I commend my colleagues who have joined in support of a
resolution that authorizes the establishment of a fund to
provide financial support to the families of these two
men. I hope those who wish to help these families will do
so by contacting the United States Capitol Police Memorial
Fund, Washington, D.C. 20515.
Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor two
men who gave their lives in defense of freedom--Officer
J.J. Chestnut and Special Agent John Gibson. They will be
deeply missed by all who had the great privilege of
knowing them.
As one of my colleagues so eloquently stated, we are the
land of the free because we are the home of the brave.
Last Friday, our freedom was preserved by the bravery of
Officers Chestnut and Gibson, when a deranged gunman tried
to invade the People's House.
These two heroes were both dedicated family men. Officer
Chestnut's wife, Wen Ling, and their children--Joseph,
Janece, Janet, Karen, and William--and Officer Gibson's
wife, Evelyn, and their children--Kristen, John, and
Daniel--should know that their husbands, their fathers,
each served his country with the utmost dedication and
honor. They will not be forgotten.
The men and women of the Capitol Police are dedicated to
preserving and protecting the People's House. They put
their lives on the line for us--Members of Congress, our
staffs, and each American who comes to visit our great
Capitol--every day.
Through their selfless act of bravery, Officers Chestnut
and Gibson saved the lives of countless Members, staff,
and tourists who were working in and walking through the
Capitol last Friday. We literally owe our lives to them.
I know that the House, Senate, and indeed the entire
Nation joins me in expressing our deepest sympathies and
prayers for the families of Officer Chestnut and Special
Agent Gibson. These two men are true American heroes.
Mr. GUTKNECHT. Mr. Speaker, in honor of the memory of
John Michael Gibson and Jacob Joseph Chestnut, I move that
the House do now adjourn.
The question was taken; and the Speaker pro tempore
announced that the ayes appeared to have it.
Mr. GUTKNECHT. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas
and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The vote was taken by electronic device, and there
were--yeas 392, nays 0, answered ``present'' 1, not voting
41.
The motion was agreed to.
The result of the vote was announced.
Accordingly (at 2 o'clock and 59 minutes p.m.), the
House adjourned until tomorrow, Wednesday, July 29, 1998,
at 10 a.m.
(Following adjournment of the House, the Speaker pro
tempore announced that Members should proceed through the
double doors to the memorial service.)
Mrs. NORTHUP. Mr. Speaker, I recognize that my few
remarks here today could never adequately express the
profound sadness felt by myself, my congressional
colleagues members of the Capitol Hill Police Force, and
indeed the entire Nation, over the slaying of Officer J.J.
Chestnut and Detective John Gibson.
Last Friday an individual bent on destruction and
misery, launched an attack on this building. But he did
much more than that. He also attacked the very freedom
this building symbolizes. But he was not successful. At
that critical moment in time, two officers performed the
duties they were sworn to, and sacrificed their lives to
save others.
This tragedy has affected us all. I believe that during
the past few days, Americans have paused to reflect what
freedom and democracy mean to them. Because the Capitol is
much more than just a building. The Capitol Hill Police
Force do not just project a physical structure, but also
the very center of our democracy.
In my year and a half in Congress, I have often
commented on the openness of our Capitol building. I have
seen how the history of both the building and our Nation,
expressed on the walls and ceilings and stairs, interested
and inspired school children and senior citizens alike.
The supreme sacrifice given us by Officer Chestnut and
Detective Gibson is in the same tradition of courage and
honor demonstrated by every man and woman who have given
their lives so that we may be free.
I would like to complement the outstanding work
performed daily by the Capitol Hill Police Force. Every
day they stand on the street corners and in doorways and
give directions to lost and tired visitors. They answer
the same questions one hundred times a day. And they do it
with courtesy, dignity, and professionalism. They are
goodwill ambassadors to thousands of visitors--yet they
remain largely unheralded. Finally, they are highly
trained law enforcement agents sworn to protect the lives
of Members of Congress, staff, and all others who make
their way to Capitol Hill.
Last Friday, two brave men upheld their oath with
heartbreaking efficiency, and today we mourn their loss.
Mr. KIND. Mr. Speaker, I want to express my deepest
sympathy to the families of Officer Jacob Joseph ``J.J.''
Chestnut and Detective John Michael Gibson. These fine men
made the ultimate sacrifice for their government and their
country. My wife, Tawni, and I will keep their loved ones
in our prayers in this time of terrible pain and sadness.
This is my first term in Congress. I have been impressed
by how accessible the Capitol building, and all the
buildings in the Capitol complex, are to the American
public. I have also been impressed with the superb level
of security provided to the Members of Congress, staff,
and the public by the Capitol police force.
This senseless act of random violence will cause some
people to call for closing the doors of the Capitol to the
public--turning it into a fortress. This building has
historically been the center of the people's government,
housing the proceeding of the House, the Senate and the
Supreme Court. The public has always been able to freely
witness the proceedings under its roof. Millions visit the
Capitol of the United States each year. They come from
across the country and around the world for the chance to
walk through the halls of what they know is the ultimate
beacon of democracy and freedom.
Officers Chestnut and Gibson knew, as well as any of us,
how important a visit to this Nation's Capitol is to so
many people who pass through its doors. Their names have
been added to the list of those who have died to preserve
the freedoms we enjoy. Many of us forget all too often
that freedom has a heavy price. Their astonishing bravery
is becoming clearer as we learn the details of their
struggle to stop the gunman last Friday. Their selfless
instincts were to protect, at all cost, the innocent
people working in and visiting the Capitol that day.
Sealing off the Capitol to the public would sidestep the
real issue that these officers and police everywhere in
America deal with every day--escalating gun violence. We
should use this horrible incident to examine our society
and consider what can be done to reduce this violence and
keep guns out of the hands of those who would perpetrate
such heinous crimes. When it comes to the point where
children are shooting other children in our schools and a
gunman shoots his way into the U.S. Capitol, we must
recommit ourselves to finding real solutions to gun
violence.
We should honor the memory of Officer Chestnut and
Detective Gibson by taking the steps necessary to reduce
gun violence in our country. That is the challenge posed
to us by their ultimate sacrifice. That is the legacy they
deserve.
Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise with my colleagues
to pay tribute to the valiant work and lives of two fallen
heroes--J.J. Chestnut and John Gibson. The whole community
here in Congress is slowly recovering from the shock of
the fatal shooting of two honorable Capitol Hill policemen
just under a week ago. It is disturbing and sad that this
happened.
Just 10 short minutes after the House adjourned for the
weekend last Friday, bedlam and terror engulfed the
Capitol of the United States. An armed gunman entered the
Capitol--and who knows what his intent was. Were it not
for the valiant efforts of two brave Capitol Police
Officers, many lives of staff, tourists, and Members of
Congress could have been lost.
We cannot quite fathom the implications of the bravery
of these two men. Those of us who work here can attest to
the commitment of the Capitol Police Force. Yet, we are
never really ready for something like this.
Scripture tells us that ``there is no greater love than
this, that a man would lay down his life for a friend.''
Where terror struck, these two men knew exactly how to
respond. Officers J.J. Chestnut and John Gibson have paid
the supreme sacrifice for their friends by giving their
lives.
They represent the finest among us--officers who protect
our freedom, our Capitol, our system of government, our
way of life. It is a great tragedy that they have been
slain in the line of duty. But we honor them, we honor
their memory, we honor their commitment. Their lives
exemplify duty, honor and country.
J.J. Chestnut and John Gibson are American heroes. Our
thoughts and prayers are with their families and loved
ones.
Mr. ROMERO-BARCELO. Mr. Speaker, I would like to extend
the heartfelt sympathy of the citizens of Puerto Rico for
the families, friends, and colleagues of Officer Jacob
Chestnut and Special Agent John Gibson, the Capitol Hill
Police officers who were tragically killed on June 24.
These two officers sacrificed their lives to ensure the
safety of the Senators, Representatives, staff, and
visitors to the U.S. Capitol. For this, we will be forever
grateful. I hope their families can take some solace in
the knowledge that their fellow Americans hold these
heroic men in the very highest regard for their courageous
actions.
In times of tragedy and sorrow I turn to prayer and I
hope the families of Special Agent Gibson and Officer
Chestnut can take comfort in the 23rd Psalm:
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me
beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of
righteousness for his name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of
death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy
rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine
enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup
runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of
my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
for ever.
Mr. EHRLICH. Mr. Speaker, below is the text of a poem
written by Mr. Albert Caswell. Mr. Caswell, a longtime
Maryland resident, outstanding collegiate athlete, and
historian with the U.S. Capitol Guide Service, was
profoundly moved by the heroism and sacrifice displayed by
U.S. Capitol Police Officers J.J. Chestnut and John Gibson
during last week's assault on the Capitol. He set his
thoughts to paper in loving tribute of these two fine and
brave souls who selflessly and unflinchingly laid down
their lives for their country. it is my pleasure to submit
his words into the Congressional Record.
UP TO THE LORD THEY DID FLY
On one bright, warm, and wonderful sunny day in July,
Two great American heroes would lay down their lives.
People stunned and confused, asking the eternal question
. . . Why?
Few noticed on that day as two bright lights were heading
up into the sky.
As straight up to heaven, their souls . . . Up to the Lord
they did fly.
For in this World no woman, nor man . . . Knows their date
. . . Their time,
When one's life passage . . . So precious . . . Will end
without reason or rhyme.
Until tested, acting on a clarion call, will we be the one
ever standing tall . . . While in death's line.
Yes, on this day two great American heroes, . . . This our
Nation's heart did find.
As straight up to heaven, their souls . . . Up to the Lord
they did fly.
Children and wives now without husband or dad, oh how
unjust . . . So very sad.
No greater act of courage is to be, as in the line of
one's duty . . . Gallantly forsaken the life you
have. For all those spared, remember how they cared,
hold in your hearts the good not bad.
In God's kingdom, `one's life, no greater gift could ever
be,' rejoice they are now with the Lord, be glad As
straight up to heaven, their souls . . . Up to the
Lord they did fly.
To the children, wives, who have lost the ones so close,
your loved ones sacrifice means everything . . . The
most Rev. King, Rembrandt, or a woman who might one
day save our World, from these acts we may soon
boast. Families hugging & crying . . . Still intact,
because these heroes lay dying, death this day came
so very close. The names Chestnut & Gibson we now
carry ever in our hearts . . . Just everything . . .
All . . . For they gave the most. Surely those two
bright lights heading up into the sky . . . This day
. . . Were but their souls, as straight Up to heaven
with the Lord they did fly.
To the families, our hearts, our prayers, our thoughts
with you,
We cherish the honor and great privilege to have known and
served
With such men of character, and all the heroes in blue who
Showed all their true and great worth
May God bless you.
Albert Caswell
U.S. Capitol Guide Service.
Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to
Capitol Police officers John Gibson and Jacob Chestnut who
gave their lives last week in a vicious attack by a
deranged gunman.
My heart goes out to the families of these officers,
both of whom spent 18 years in courageous and devoted
service to their country as members of the Capitol Police.
They gave their lives, not only protecting Members of
Congress, but the thousands of Americans and foreign
visitors to this great monument, the People's House of
government.
Officers Gibson and Chestnut were both known as kind,
personable men who were especially devoted to their
families. They performed their jobs with a special kind of
pride in playing a small part in the smooth and efficient
conduct of the processes of government.
As we go about our business in the Capitol, we tend to
take for granted the freedom and protection we enjoy
because of the selfless contributions of our Capitol
Police who are constantly on guard against the type of
insane acts that took the lives of Officers Chestnut and
Gibson and wounded an innocent civilian.
This horrible act reminds us once again of the debt we
owe to those officers who do their jobs daily in
protecting those who work here and those who visit. With
few exceptions, problems, large and small, are prevented
so we are left free and comfortable to perform our jobs in
peace.
We owe these men and their families a great debt of
gratitude for their sacrifice. They will not be forgotten,
and their contributions will be forever recognized by the
Members of the House of Representatives.
Mr. MANZULLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to help express
my thoughts to the families of slain Capitol police
officers John Gibson and Jacob Chestnut. I say ``help
express'' because there is no total way to thank these men
for laying down their lives for others. I would defer to
the words of my wife, Freda, for these remarks, in the
joint letter she sent to the Gibson and Chestnut families.
To the families of Officer John Gibson and Officer Jacob
Chestnut:
My heart today is filled with a tremendous sense of debt
and gratitude to your fathers and husbands and the
sacrifice they have made. Scripture tells us in John
15:13, ``Greater love has no one than this, that one lay
down his life for his friend.'' Indeed, we consider each
officer at the Capitol a friend. Daily we give thanks for
their constant careful watch of the Members of congress
and the millions of visiting tourists. Last night as we
welcomed my husband, Congressman Donald Manzullo, home we
breathed a prayer of thanksgiving for his safe return. But
also your families and great loss were uppermost in our
thoughts. Our heartfelt thanks pour out to you. Our sorrow
at your loss is overwhelming. Another scripture comes to
mind, one that I believe the Lord said as he received your
loved ones into this eternal kingdom, ``Well done, good
and faithful servants; you were faithful with a few
things; enter into the joy of your master,'' Matthew
25:23.
With love and gratitude,
Freda Manzullo.
Mr. KENNEDY of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, I rise today
to pay tribute to the two men who gave their last full
measure of devotion in defense of the People's House, the
U.S. Congress.
Capitol Police Officers John Gibson and J.J. Chestnut
leave behind friends and family who will mourn their
sacrifice for years to come. Today, a grateful Nation
mourns with them.
Thousands of Americans are paying tribute as we speak,
filing past their caskets in the Capitol Rotunda just a
few hundred feet from where they died.
In the last few days, we've learned a great deal about
Officers Gibson and Chestnut--their love of family and
country, the many kindnesses they showed over the years to
everyone on Capitol Hill, from committee chairmen to
wandering tourists.
The focus on the lives of these two courageous men has
been a poignant reminder of what America is really all
about.
In death, Officers Gibson and Chestnut have been hailed
as heroes, but they were quiet heroes each day of their
lives. They symbolize what all of us strive to achieve.
J.J. Chestnut served his country in Vietnam, raised five
children, loved gardening, and helped raise money in his
neighborhood for college scholarships. He and his wife
were often seen bicycling around their home in Fort
Washington, Md.
John Gibson, from the great State of Massachusetts,
suffered from the regional malady known as Red Sox Fever
and shared his tragic affliction with all who would
listen.
John was married to the niece of my good friend and
colleague Joe Moakley. A deeply religious man, John was
devoted to his wife and their three teenage children and
worked hard to give them a stable and loving home. In the
Lake Ridge neighborhood of Woodbridge, Va., John was known
for an easy smile, a generous laugh, and the best-kept
lawn on the street.
In some ways, these were ordinary men leading ordinary
lives. But when duty called, they acted in extraordinary
fashion. They acted just the way all who knew them always
expected they would.
Every one of us in this chamber owes them a special debt
of gratitude, They served the Congress faithfully. They
served the country faithfully. They swore an oath to
protect and serve, and they died as they lived--holding
true to those vows.
There is nothing we can say or do to diminish the loss
felt by those who loved these men and knew them best. But
at one time or another, we have all lost friends, we have
all lost brothers, we have all lost fathers, and so we
share their loss as well.
And today, we pause to remember not just what we have
lost, but what Officers Gibson and Chestnut gave to each
of us: a lesson of bravery and courage under fire and a
reminder of the greatest love of all--that of laying your
life down for others.
That's what these quiet heroes did. I'm grateful for the
opportunity for us to come together as a Nation, here in
the temple of democracy they gave their lives to defend,
to offer them a final salute.
My heart goes out to their families and all those who
feel their loss most of all.
Finally, I hope this tragic incident makes us look
inside as a Nation to recognize the real meaning of
heroism--the selfless work that goes on every day by those
who take an oath to protect us.
I would ask that we look around us today and take a
moment to appreciate the men and women of our law
enforcement community who serve with courage and devotion.
They are police officers and firefighters, soldiers and
sailors, secret service and FBI agents. And, as we know
too well, they are also mothers and fathers, husbands,
sons, and daughters. Some serve in uniform, some do not,
but each carries the same badge of honor, and we should
never take them for granted.
Because of the sacrifice of Officers Gibson and
Chestnut, I know I never will.
Mr. ABERCROMBIE. Mr. Speaker, Officers Jacob J. Chestnut
and John M. Gibson are American heroes. They gave their
lives protecting us, our staffs, and visitors to the
United States Capitol. This tragedy reminds us that the
members of the Capitol Police and other police officers
across the country put their lives on the line for us
every day.
We honor Officers Chestnut and Gibson for their bravery
and sacrifice. We lost two good men and fine police
officers. No words can adequately express our feelings on
this sad occasion. Our hearts go out to their families and
to their fellow officers.
This tragedy highlights a dilemma as old as democracy
itself: the balance between security and openness. We have
made a decision--the correct decision, I believe--to
maintain public accessibility to the Capitol. The people's
business must be open to the public gaze. Every year
people from our districts, some traveling literally
thousands of miles, visit the Capitol to share their views
and urge us to support or oppose this or that bill. They
come to partake of the history that walks these halls.
They come simply to see us in the flesh, look us in the
eye, and take the measure of the men and women whom they
have elected to make our laws. Their right to do so is
enshrined in the very concept of democracy. Nowhere is it
more appropriate to exercise that right than here in the
People's House.
At the same time, we cannot escape the reality of the
world in which we live. There are some individuals who
would take advantage of that openness to enter this
building and do violence to those engaged in the people's
business. Their actions defile this temple of democracy.
That is why it is necessary to have a Capitol Police
Force. Its members not only protect us as individuals,
they defend the accessibility of this building,
accessibility which is so important to our democracy.
On Friday, July 24, 1998, two of those officers made the
ultimate sacrifice. Their bravery and devotion to duty
enshrine the names of Jacob Chestnut and John Gibson among
the heroes of our Nation. We bow our heads in sorrow and
gratitude. We pledge to honor their memories by keeping
our Nation's Capitol open, accessible, and safe for
everyone who desires to enter this building, the People's
House.
Mr. LUTHER. Mr. Speaker, I would like to add my voice
today to the much-deserved tributes being paid to U.S.
Capitol Police Officers Jacob Joseph Chestnut and John
Michael Gibson. This is a sad day for Congress and our
Nation. Just a few short steps from here two American
heroes lay in honor in the Rotunda of the United States
Capitol. This past Friday these men gave the last full
measure of devotion to their country. Their honored
sacrifice no doubt saved numerous lives and served as a
stark reminder of the reality of the violent world in
which we live. This tragedy also reminds us of the price
that must sometimes be paid for the great privilege of
having our democratic form of government.
So today it is appropriate that all of us pause for a
moment to thank officers Chestnut and Gibson for what they
did last week. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten.
And we should also extend our thanks to all of the members
of the Capitol Police Force and all other law enforcement
officers throughout our Nation. They have an incredibly
difficult mission--providing security while serving as
goodwill ambassadors for their communities. They do a
terrific job day in and day out, and frankly we don't do
enough to show our appreciation for all of their hard
work.
And finally, Mr. Speaker, I just want to point out that
this seems like a different place today than it did when I
left here on Friday. The tragic events of last week seem
to have pulled us together. Democrats and Republicans,
Members and staff, as well as so many people of our
country have all joined hands in coming to terms with what
happened here. If there is a silver lining in these tragic
circumstances perhaps it is that we all may gain a little
more appreciation for the people we work with on a daily
basis and for the wonderful country we are proud to call
our own. The differences we have pale in comparison to the
bonds we share as Americans. A tragedy like this reminds
us of this simple truth and affords us the opportunity for
a renewed perspective as we face the challenges ahead.
Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I wish to pay tribute to the
ultimate sacrifice made by Detective John Gibson and
Officer Jacob J.J. Chestnut while conducting their duty
protecting the Capitol. I admire the tremendous sacrifice
made by these individuals and my thoughts are with their
families as they cope with the departure of their loved
ones. Like countless others, I did not personally observe
the tragedy. But like them, I have been shaken by the
event and moved by the warm reception all have provided in
memory of the fallen men.
No one can bring back these brave officers who gave
their lives to protect us. But I stand today to recognize
the risks that our law enforcement personnel face each
day. I express the gratitude that I have for the
dedication of these people, who each day leave the
security of their homes and families to protect and serve
those in need all across America.
Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, upon my return from my home
district of Guam yesterday, I had the privilege of paying
my respects to slain Officers Jacob J. Chestnut and John
Gibson. As Members of Congress join the Nation in mourning
the passing of these two gentlemen who paid the supreme
sacrifice for our safety and protection, I could not help
but reflect upon my constituents from Guam, people who,
like me, have to overcome the rigors of traveling several
thousand miles in order to experience, to participate, or
maybe even just to catch a glimpse of their government at
work.
As with everyone, the highlight of my constituents'
Washington, D.C. trip is a visit to Members' offices and a
tour of the Capitol. Times like these remind us of the
valuable service provided by police officers stationed at
different posts within the Capitol complex ensuring the
safety of constituents who travel the many miles in order
to visit members who represent them in this body.
Speaking not only for myself but for the people of Guam,
I wish to express appreciation to the Capitol Hill Police
Force who, by the loss of Officers Gibson and Chestnut,
demonstrated their willingness to lay down their lives for
the safety and protection of Members of Congress and our
constituents. As quoted from the Book of John, ``Greater
love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life
for his friends.'' John Gibson and J.J. Chestnut gave
their lives so that others may live.
Roman Benavente, a retired Capitol Police officer--a
native son of Guam who has chosen to reside in the State
of Maryland, has called together members of the Guam
Society of America to honor the slain officers in a
Memorial Mass to be celebrated this Friday at St. Ignatius
Catholic Church in Oxon Hill, Maryland. I hope that my
colleagues would be able to join Guam residents in the
area for this memorial service.
The sacrifice of Officers Gibson and Chestnut will never
be forgotten. On behalf of the people of Guam, I extend
sincerest thanks to Officer Chestnut and Officer Gibson
for their sacrifice. To the families and loved ones of
these two American heroes, we offer our most heartfelt
sympathies.
Mr. ADERHOLT. Mr. Speaker, today we continue to mourn
the loss of two of the finest men this Capitol has known.
John 15:13 states that, ``Greater love hath no man than
this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.'' Had
John Gibson and J.J. Chestnut not put themselves in harm's
way, the lives of many would have been lost in last week's
tragic event. These two men of courage laid down their
lives so that Members of Congress, co-workers, and
tourists visiting from around the world would be safe. We
are truly blessed to have men and women of such noble
character and bravery serving on the Capitol Police Force.
As thousands of visitors came together yesterday to walk
through the Capitol Rotunda to pay their respects to these
men of courage, I realized that we are only able to safely
visit this building which is a symbol of freedom because
of the service of the many members of law enforcement we
have here in Washington. We must never take for granted
those who serve to protect and preserve the freedoms that
we enjoy here in the United States Capitol, and across
this Nation.
My prayers go out to the families of these two heroes
who died that we might live. The memory of their actions
will not be soon forgotten.
Mr. DeLAY. Mr. Speaker, I want to place in the Record
further tributes to the police officers who died
protecting the United States Capitol last Friday.
susan hirschman, chief of staff to the majority whip
John Gibson made the ultimate sacrifice last Friday
defending us. John's professional skills saved each of us.
We will always remember John's sacrifice. But we will also
remember the many other contributions John made to our
lives. John's official duty was protecting Tom, the role
that ultimately cost him his life. However, I will also
remember that John had a quiet way of helping each of us
do our job better. For example, as the person who spent
more time with Tom than any of us, he was usually the
first person to see when things weren't working right.
Often, as I walked into the office passing his desk at the
back door, he would look at me and simply say ``Have you
talked with the boss yet?''--gently letting me know that
something was on Tom's mind. As we have gathered over the
past few days to discuss how much we will miss John, I was
not surprised that he had a similar way of helping every
person in the office. John was a friend to each of us and
he made our entire team work more effectively.
monica vegas kladakis, majority whip staff
I got to know John Gibson better during the Republican
Convention in 1996. I remember squeezing into a cab with
him and a bunch of other staff people as we drove from
place to place, and I thought, ``He must really hate
this.'' I had thought he was reserved and maybe even a
little distant, but after that week I not only realized
that he had a lot of patience to deal with all of us
raucous staff people, I also discovered what a great sense
of humor he had, how kind he was, and how much fun he was
to be with.
And now he has saved my life. I feel an overwhelming
sense of gratitude toward him, from a depth which I don't
know if I've ever reached before. We can never thank him
properly for what he did for us, but I hope he knows that
we will never forget it.
I'll miss him.
special agent bob glynn and detective doug shugars
Detective John M. Gibson and Officer Jacob J. Chestnut
are American heroes. Their heroic actions and personal
sacrifice was responsible for saving numerous lives and
ensuring the freedoms which all American enjoy continue.
Officer Jacob J. Chestnut was a very professional member
of the United States Capitol Police. The polite and
friendly manner in which he did his job will always be
remembered. Every evening as Congressman DeLay and his
security would leave the U.S. Capitol, Officer Chestnut
would always extend a friendly, ``Have a good evening
sir.'' This remark always made for a nice ending to a very
long day.
Detective John M. Gibson was a cop's cop. Anytime John
was working and there was some police action happening on
Capitol Hill, John would be there. It might be standing in
an intersection wearing a suit and directing traffic,
assisting with the evacuation of a Congressional building
that was on fire, or providing a backup for a fellow
officer. John was always there. It was no surprise that
John was involved in this kind of heroism. He would have
had it no other way. John loved working the security
detail for Congressman DeLay and took great pride in the
assignment. John was considered to be a part of
Congressman DeLay's staff and a very close friend to the
DeLay family. John's unselfish actions and personal
sacrifice ensured the safety and the lives of Congressman
DeLay, his staff, and the public. John was an excellent
police officer, a great partner and a wonderful friend.
You will be missed.
There is an inscription on the National Police Memorial
in Washington, D.C. by Vivian Eney, another survivor of a
fallen Capitol Police Officer. This inscription is a
fitting tribute to both Officer Chestnut and Detective
Gibson: ``It's not how these Officers died that made them
heroes. It's how they lived.''
kelly potter, a trustee for the d.c. lodge of the
fraternal order of police
I keep this poem on my refrigerator at home, which I
thought was appropriate:
a part of america died
Somebody killed a policeman today, and
A part of America died.
A piece of our country he swore to protect
Will be buried with him at his side.
The suspect who shot him will stand up in court,
With counsel demanding his rights,
While a young widowed mother must
Work for her kids
And spend alone many nights.
The beat that he walked was a battlefield, too,
Just as if he'd gone off to war.
Though the flag of our Nation won't fly at half mast,
To his name, they will add a gold star.
Yes, somebody killed a policeman today.
It happened in your town or mine.
While we slept in comfort behind our locked doors,
A cop put his life on the line.
Now his ghost walks a beat on a dark city street,
And he stands at each new rookie's side.
He answered the call and gave us his all,
And a part of America died.
shawna barnett, former delay staffer
May John's kind nature and selfless acts remind us
always of our fallen hero. He is out of our grasp but so
very close to our hearts.
tom vincent, de lay staffer
The biggest thing I remember was his sense of humor. I
keep thinking of John taking a special effort to joke and
tease Shawna Barnett and keep a smile on her face when she
was down. It wasn't just Shawna he kept smiling, he made
us all smile.
willy imboden, de lay staffer
When I reflect on John Gibson, I remember a man of quiet
dignity, integrity, and resolve. He possessed a calming
presence about him, his steady bearing lending a tranquil
air to the constant chaos of Capitol Hill. In many ways,
his 18 years of patient service to Congress and to the
American people culminated finally in the greatest and
noblest sacrifice, the laying down of his life for others.
I am reminded of the Apostle Paul's words in the Epistle
to the Philippians: `Do nothing from selfishness or empty
conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard
one another as more important than himself; do not merely
look out for your own personal interests, but also for the
interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves,
which was also in Christ Jesus . . .' John Gibson's life
and final sacrifice personified this ethic, and we are all
humbly and eternally indebted to him.''
Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the memories
of Officer Jacob Chestnut and Special Agent John Gibson.
The untimely and tragic deaths of these two men demand
from all of us contemplation as to the awesome costs of
freedom as well as the delicate nature of life.
The freedoms that we, as Americans, enjoy today are a
direct result of a brave decision made long ago by the
first Americans, a decision reaffirmed by every generation
of the Nation's citizenry. This was the decision made by
Officer Jacob Chestnut and Special Agent John Gibson this
past Friday. The measure of America's greatness, a
greatness in which Officer Chestnut and Special Agent
Gibson share, is this brave commitment to a free society.
The burden of this commitment is an unflinching
vigilance against those who threaten our freedoms. Officer
Chestnut and Special Agent Gibson devoted their lives to
providing the very security that allows our free society
to flourish. It was in providing this security that these
two men lost their lives, a sacrifice which demands the
reverence of a grateful Nation.
My fellow colleagues, let us learn from the sacrifices
of Officer Chestnut and Special Agent Gibson. The legacy
of these two patriots offers important lessons to us all.
Ms. MILLENDER-McDONALD. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the
people of the 37th Congressional District of California,
my family, my staff and the American people, I wish to
express our most heartfelt condolences and sympathy to the
wives, children, and extended families of United States
Capitol Police Detective John Gibson and Officer Jacob
``J.J.'' Chestnut as we pay homage to the nobility of
service they rendered and their ultimate sacrifice: their
lives. I was deeply saddened to learn of the turn of
events that led to this tragedy. Their sacrifice is a
terrible reminder of the risk the men and women of the
United States Capitol Police and all law enforcement
personnel face on a daily basis in order to protect us and
our ability to serve the American people.
Words are unable to capture the breadth and depth of the
sorrow I and the members of my staff feel.
Yet, Friday's event is a reminder to those of us whose
lives are consumed in the work of this building that real
bonds of friendship, camaraderie, and a sense of family
can and do, indeed, develop. And, as in most families,
sometimes we take one another for granted. The simple
pleasantries we extend to one another can become all too
routine and often distracted by the burdens of the work we
perform. Unfortunately, a tragedy like this one makes us
aware of both the significance and the fragility of our
relationships, our responsibilities, and our friendships.
Let their sacrifice not only serve as a reminder of the
costs associated with duty, service, and commitment, but
let it also serve as a reminder of our own mortality and
humanity.
I hope the circumstances surrounding the events on
Friday, July 24, 1998 will serve as a reflection of our
having known these fine officers, who were dedicated and
committed, and of the reality that much too often their
ultimate form of service could be their lives. Their
heroism and their duty to the People's House and to all of
us is the epitome of patriotism. May God grant the
families the strength to endure!
Mr. JACKSON of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, with a heavy heart
I come before you today. On Friday, July 24, we lost two
members of our congressional family: Capitol Police
Officer Jacob J. Chestnut and Special Agent John Gibson.
Although tragic, these men died in service to the
Nation, in service to us. In the Gospel of John, Jesus
says, ``Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay
down his life for his friends.''
With faith and trust in God and the help of family and
friends the Chestnut and Gibson families will endure this
seemingly unbearable time. I hope that the families of
these two men--genuine American heroes--take comfort in
knowing that their husbands, their fathers, their
brothers, their sons, did not die in vain. By laying down
their lives, these two men upheld our most cherished
principles of liberty and democracy. I speak for all
Americans when I say I am grateful for and honored by
their courage, service, and sacrifice.
While we mourn their death, we also celebrate the lives
of Officer Chestnut and Special Agent Gibson. All
Americans can rest assured that their freedom and the
future of this great land remain intact because Officers
Chestnut and Gibson died preserving liberty so that we may
survive in freedom. We all are forever indebted to them.
On behalf of the people of the Second District of
Illinois, I thank Officers Chestnut and Gibson for giving
the ultimate sacrifice so that all Americans can sleep
tonight under a security blanket of freedom. Their earthly
lives may have drawn to a close, but their lives with God
are eternal. Psalm 30 reminds us that ``Weeping may endure
for a night, but joy comes in the morning.''
Mr. TANNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to
Officer Jacob Chestnut and Detective John Gibson, and to
honor the sacrifice they made for their country last
Friday afternoon. These two dedicated Capitol Police force
officers never hesitated for one second when faced with a
situation where the lives of others were at risk. They had
been trained for such an event and without pause sprang
into action and fulfilled their duty.
These men are indeed heroes, in every sense of the word.
But, they are ordinary men, with families and friends who
mourn their passing. While we have seen in the last few
days how dedicated they were to their jobs, we have also
learned of how caring they were in their homes and
neighborhoods. Testimony after testimony from friends and
loved ones has shown us the high regard these men were
held in their ``civilian'' lives. We have seen photos of
the prized garden ``J.J.'' kept and whose bounty he shared
with all. We have learned that John Gibson kept an eye on
his neighborhood and made sure all was right. For a police
officer, constant vigilance is the way of life and both of
these men lived that credo.
Friday was no exception. As the gunman burst into the
Capitol Building through the detector, Officer Chestnut
immediately knew trouble was at hand and without
hesitation took action. Unfortunately, his assailant had a
split second on him and had his gun pulled. Detective
Gibson heard the gunshots and knew immediately what the
sound was. He was in the immediate vicinity of several
staff members and he took action to put himself between
them and the danger at hand. It ultimately took the lives
of these two officers, but the lives of many others were
spared because of the selfless acts by these two officers.
No words can comfort their families. No words can change
the events of last Friday. No words can make these two men
come walking through the door. Our words can only serve as
some solace to their loved ones. Officer Chestnut and
Detective Gibson will long live in our consciousness, and
in our hearts. Time may ease the sharpness of the pain of
their loss, but, I say to their families, they will never
be forgotten.
They are, now and forever, heroes of America's
democracy.
Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, many years ago a poet
eulogized the sacrifice of hundreds of young men. The poet
was Tennyson. The poem was the ``Charge of the Light
Brigade.'' In this famous verse, Tennyson gave answer to
those who wondered why so many young men would give so
much. ``Theirs not to make reply,'' Tennyson explained.
``Theirs not to reason why. Theirs but to do and die.''
The price of freedom has never been cheap. But in
America, there have always been those willing to meet the
demand, bear the burden, and pay the price to keep our
Nation free.
Mr. Speaker, I believe that America will remain the land
of the free only as long as it is the home of the brave.
Andrew Jackson once said that one man with courage is a
majority. Last Friday afternoon, not one but two
courageous leaders formed a supermajority--and thereby
saved the lives of others.
When the moment of crisis arose last week, Officer Jacob
J. Chestnut and Detective John M. Gibson were not found
wanting. They were there. They responded. And they gave
their lives.
The thin blue line held firm last Friday--thanks to two
heroes. Like the men of Tennyson's tribute, their
sacrifice was complete. It was theirs to respond. It is
ours to remember. Mr. Speaker, I hope America never
forgets that freedom isn't free. And I know that the
prayers and thoughts of every American are with the
Chestnut and Gibson family.
May God Bless them. And May God Bless America.
Mr. JOHN. Mr. Speaker, I wish to join my colleagues
today in honoring the selfless acts of Detective Gibson
and Private First Class Chestnut of the United States
Capitol Police.
As we know, the U.S. Capitol is the People's House and
the dedicated men and women of the United States Capitol
Police guard this institution to protect the Members of
Congress, their staff, and millions of people who come to
bear witness to the working of our democratic process. The
Capitol is a living testament to the rights of our
citizens, and those that are sworn to guard it truly
defend the rights of mankind.
On July 24, 1998, Officers Gibson and Chestnut made the
ultimate sacrifice for these unalienable rights in
courageously protecting the lives of tourists, staff, and
Members of Congress. We are forever indebted to these
brave men. Had it not been for their heroic actions, many
more innocent people could have been seriously injured or
killed.
Mr. Speaker, I stand with my colleagues today to honor
these men killed in the line of duty and to pay my
condolences to their families. I vow to ensure their
legacy of defending the People's House will live on for
generations to come; symbolized by our continuing
commitment to open the halls of democracy to the public.
God bless Officers Gibson and Chestnut for their memory
will forever survive in the freedoms of our Nation's
Capitol.
Mr. TAYLOR of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, it's said
that tragedy can bring us together and result in stronger
bonds than existed before. The tragic deaths of Officers
Chestnut and Gibson have brought a most heartfelt
expression of the appreciation we all have for the heroic
efforts of not just Officers Chestnut and Gibson, but all
of our law enforcement officers throughout the Nation.
Sue Stover Gaither, a volunteer chaplain with the
Asheville, North Carolina, Police Department was asked to
sing at the Department's Annual Awards Banquet. Sue asked
her brother, Jim to write a song meaningful `just for
them.' Sue made a special effort through my office to
share a recording of ``Heroes in Blue,'' with the Chestnut
and Gibson families; noting in her letter to the families,
that while the title of the song is ``Heroes in Blue,'' it
was written and is performed in appreciation of all law
enforcement officers, no matter what color their uniform
or department in which they serve.
Mr. Speaker, I am proud to share the lyrics of ``Heroes
in Blue,'' by Jim Stover.
Heroes in Blue
To the footsoldier faithfully pounding the beat
The one in the blue and one cruising the street
Laying your life on the line, protecting mine
There's always somebody who's breaking the rules
Thugs in the alley and drugs in the schools
In a war that never ends, you hold the line
Chorus: To every hero dressed in blue
Thank you all for everything you do
Each and everyday you risk your lives
And that makes you a hero in my eyes
And when we fail to acknowledge the good deeds you do
It may be that many are known to only a few
You keep the faith, you fight the fight
You teach the kids that right is right
Into the dark, you bring some light
Footsoldiers pounding, blue and whites cruising
Good guys are winning, bad guys are losing
Almighty God is on your side!
Chorus: To every hero dressed in blue
Thank you all for everything you do
Each and everyday you risk your lives
And that makes you a hero . . .
Each and everyday you risk your lives
And that makes you a hero
And that makes you a hero
And that makes you a hero in my eyes!
Mr. FOSSELLA. Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that
I come here today to offer my condolences and prayers to
the families of Officer Chestnut and Detective Gibson. As
I was walking here just a few moments ago, I stopped to
speak to a retired Capitol Hill Police officer. As we were
discussing last week's tragic shooting, he said to me,
``It could have been one of us.'' In many ways, I think
that characterizes the mood on Capitol Hill right now.
Many of us feel vulnerable today because, indeed, it could
have been one of us.
The greatest gift one human being can give another is
his life. Officer Chestnut and Detective Gibson made the
ultimate sacrifice not because they sought to be heroes,
but because that was the type of men they were. In a
moment of intense fear, of extreme panic that I pray most
Americans will never know, Officer Chestnut and Detective
Gibson stood tall. They laid their lives down so that
others would not have to.
Sadly, in my community on Staten Island, there is
another hero in need of our prayers. Police Officer Gerard
Carter is lying in a hospital bed right now with a bullet
lodged in his brain. He is holding onto life with the
faintest of grips, struggling to survive after being shot
in the right temple two nights ago by a 17-year old, two-
time murderer. Police Officer Carter is truly one of New
York's finest, a brave young man who stared danger in the
face and sought to make a difference.
Sometimes we may forget the danger that our law
enforcement officers face when they put on their uniforms,
clip on their badges, and take to the streets. They put
themselves in harm's way so that we may be safe. I offer
them our thanks, and to the families of Officer Chestnut,
Detective Gibson, and Police Officer Carter, I offer you
our prayers.
Mr. FRANKS of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, ``To everything
there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the
heaven; a time to be born, and a time to die . . . ''
For Officer Jacob Joseph (J.J.) Chestnut and Detective
John Michael Gibson, the time to die came too soon. These
two brave men sacrificed their lives so that others might
live. Our Nation will never forget their acts of bravery
and courage.
On behalf of all the citizens of the Seventh
Congressional District of New Jersey, I express our
sadness and grief to the families of these two heroes.
While words cannot mend their broken hearts, our thoughts
and prayers are with them.
Officer Chestnut, Detective Gibson, you showed us what
courage really is. God bless you and God bless the United
States of America.
Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, at a time like this, it is
difficult to find appropriate words that do justice to the
people you are honoring. Officers Jacob J. Chestnut and
John Gibson made the ultimate sacrifice to protect the
People's House--the U.S. Capitol. A great American--
President Abraham Lincoln--would see the great
significance of their sacrifice and understand what J.J.
Chestnut and John Gibson gave their lives to protect.
The Rotunda where their bodies will lie in state is
shielded by a great dome built during the dark days of the
Civil War. President Lincoln knew in his heart that the
Capitol is more than just a building, that the Capitol
stands as a symbol of freedom and serves as the seat of
democracy. President Lincoln believed this so strongly
that he demanded the work being done to raise the dome
proceed, despite the war and its drain on government
resources. He knew that completing the Capitol dome would
show America that the United States would stand despite
the grueling war then being waged.
Soldiers fighting to preserve the United States and
protect the Capitol camped on the same floor where
officer's Chestnut and Gibson will lie in state today.
President Lincoln's words uttered on a Gettysburg
battlefield nearly 135 years ago are proper to honor these
two protectors of freedom who fell in the line of duty.
. . . We have come to dedicate a portion of that field,
as a final resting place for those who here gave their
lives that that Nation might live. It is altogether
fitting and proper that we should do this.
But, in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate--we cannot
consecrate--we cannot hallow--this ground. The brave men,
living and dead, who struggled here have consecrated it,
far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will
little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it
can never forget what they did here. It is for us the
living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished
work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly
advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the
great task remaining before us--that from these honored
dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which
they gave the last full measure of devotion--that we here
highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in
vain--that this Nation, under God, shall have a new birth
of freedom--and that government of the people, by the
people, and for the people, shall not perish from the
earth.
In their lives and deaths, these two brave officers
helped keep the dream alive, the dream shared by Abraham
Lincoln and by Americans from coast to coast and from year
to year, the dream to preserve a government of, by, and
for the people. Our prayers go out to the families of
these brave men and our thanks for the sacrifice that was
made to protect and preserve freedom.
Mrs. ROUKEMA. Mr. Speaker, in a few tragic moments of
July 24, the peace was shattered at the U.S. Capitol, and
two members of the United States Capitol Police were
killed in the line of duty. The work of the Congress
paused last week to remember the sacrifice of John Gibson
and J.J. Chestnut.
The investigation into this horrible tragedy is
continuing. Without seeking to prejudge the outcome of
that investigation, the senseless death of two police
officers has proved to the world what many of us already
know: there are gaping holes in the network of services
designed to identify, assist, and treat those people with
mental illness.
To this end, I will be working with my colleagues,
Representative Marcy Kaptur of Ohio in particular, to
develop an organized response to the Capitol tragedy. We
will be working with the joint Congressional Leadership to
design a method by which we can evaluate and respond to
the mental health crisis facing this Nation.
In this context, I would like to draw the attention of
my colleagues to a column by Frank Rich which was
published in the New York Times of July 29. It should be
required reading for every Member of the House and Senate.
[From the New York Times, July 29, 1998]
This Way Lies Madness
(By Frank Rich)
The Capitol police officers Jacob Chestnut and John
Gibson had hardly been declared dead when Senator Robert
Torricelli, the New Jersey Democrat, sent out a press
release arguing that tighter gun control could have
prevented the tragedy. Not missing a beat, Trent Lott was
soon arguing that a $125 million bunker-barricade
camouflaged as a visitors' center would repel future
assailants. But in a city where most politicians are so
ignorant about mental illness that they still think
Whitewater, not the disease of depression, drove Vincent
Foster to suicide, no one said the obvious: It is the
gaping cracks in American mental-health care, not in
Capitol security or gun-control laws, that most clearly
delivered Russell Weston Jr. to his rendezvous with
history.
Mr. Weston's paranoid schizophrenia surfaced long ago.
Yet, as The Times reported, this now 41-year-old man
``received no regular psychiatric treatment or medication
over the last two decades and [his] family seemed to
understand little about how to seek help for him.'' This
is hardly an anomaly. E. Fuller Torrey, a psychiatrist who
campaigns for better mental-health care through the
Treatment Advocacy Center in Arlington, Va., says that of
the 2 to 2.5 million Americans with schizophrenia, ``40
percent are not receiving treatment on any given day.''
Cases like Mr. Weston's--in which a mental patient eludes
follow-up care and medication after a hospital release--
number ``in the hundreds of thousands.''
How does this happen? Nearly as heartbreaking as the
preventable murders of officers Chestnut and Gibson is the
plight of Mr. Weston's family. They obviously love their
child; they knew he was sick; they wanted to get him help.
But, as Russell Sr. said: ``He was a grown man. We
couldn't hold him down and force the pills into him.'' A
comprehensive system of mental-health services, including
support for parents with sick adult children who refuse
treatment, doesn't exist. If it had, the Westons might
have had more success in rescuing their son--as might the
equally loving family of Michael Laudor, the Yale Law
School prodigy charged last month with murdering his
fiancee.
That safety-net system doesn't exist because mental
illness is still in our culture's shadows--stigmatized,
misunderstood and therefore the beggar of American health
care. Though Mr. Weston's home state of Montana offers
particularly skimpy services, the national baseline is
``not high,'' says Dr. Torrey. Poorly covered by health
insurance and spottily served by overcrowded and
underfinanced public institutions, mental illness is ``the
last discrimination,'' as Michael Faenza of the National
Mental Health Association puts it, even though we now have
the science to treat mental illness at a success rate
comparable to physical illness.
It's not only politicians who are complicit in this
discrimination. The media sometimes compound the ignorance
that feeds it. Too many commentators look at Mr. Weston's
symptoms--such as his paranoid delusions about the CIA--
and lump him in with gun-toting, anti-government
ideologies, making no distinction between the clinically
ill and political extremists. A Time reporter, on the
hapless CNN show ``Newsstand,'' expressed surprise that
Mr. Weston would so easily be diagnosed as a paranoid
schizophrenic given that he had no previous ``episodes of
violence.''
In fact, the majority of those ill with paranoid
schizophrenia are not violent, and the disease has no
ideology. As Sylvia Nasar's new book, ``A Beautiful
Mind,'' documents, many of Mr. Weston's oddest symptoms
(including the conviction he was being beamed encrypted
messages) also characterized the paranoid schizophrenia of
John Nash, the brilliant, nonviolent Princeton
mathematician who won the Nobel Prize in Economics in
1994.
Back in 1835, one of the very first patients at
Washington's Government Hospital for the Insane--as St.
Elizabeth's Hospital was then known--was Richard Lawrence,
a pistol-armed man who tried and failed to assassinate
Andrew Jackson in the Capitol's Rotunda and was then
pronounced not guilty by reason of insanity in a trial
whose jury deliberations took five minutes. More than a
century and a half of medical and economic advances later,
what kind of progress is it that we still so often fail to
treat the mentally ill until after tragedy strikes?
Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise to echo
all the remarks made by my colleagues. My father was a
police officer and I know how our family felt every time
he went to work protecting the people under his
jurisdiction. I can only imagine what the families of
Officer Jacob J. Chestnut and Special Agent John M. Gibson
are going through right now, the emptiness, the pain, and
the sorrow.
I can only hope that the bravery and the distinguished
act of courage by these two outstanding police officers--
and the more than appropriate tribute being paid to them
will ease just a little of their pain and make the days
pass a little easier for the Chestnut and Gibson families.
Mr. WATKINS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to have printed
in the Congressional Record a prayer I received from
Chaplain James Paul Maxwell from Shawnee, Oklahoma. When
Reverend Maxwell learned of the tragic deaths of Officer
Chestnut and Detective Gibson he composed a beautiful
prayer and asked that I share it with Congressman DeLay.
After reading the prayer myself, I was so moved that I
felt it would be a shame not to share this with the entire
Congress so I therefore ask that it be made a part of the
formal Congressional Record.
Dear Heavenly Father, Our Lord
We come to rejoice in Your gracious mercy and
forgiveness of sins. Today we praise Your name for taking
bad things and working them together for good.
Lord, we are grieved at the unnecessary death of two
Washington, D.C. police officers. We come to You, leaning
on Your love and Holy Spirit for patience, for strength,
and for courage in the midst of great sorrow.
Dear Lord, we pray for the wives and children of Officer
Jacob J. Chestnut and Officer John Gibson. And we pray for
the family, friends, and colleagues of these men. We know
their hurt and sorrow is almost unbearable. Lift these up
with Your love and healing and fill their loneliness
magnified with grief with the presence of Your Spirit, and
the Hope of Your gift of eternal life.
Heavenly Father, we pray for our Nation's congressional
leaders and for our President. Give our Nation's leaders
Your wisdom that they will lean upon You for understanding
and direction.
Lord we pray for all law-enforcement officers. Give them
Your protective care and wisdom to respond in courage to
perform their duties with firmness and with love. We long
for the final victory over sin and evil and sorrow in this
world and pray that You will give us determination and
faith to take our stand for righteousness in our land.
Thank You Lord Jesus for laying down Your life for us that
we might have life and have it more abundantly. Lift us up
through this darkness of evil that we might praise You in
Jesus' Name. Amen.
Chaplain James Paul Maxwell, Shawnee Police Department,
Shawnee, Oklahoma.
Wednesday, July 29, 1998
Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, it's difficult to
add to what my fellow Members of Congress have said here
today about the dedication and commitment of the Capitol
Police Force.
Officers Jacob Chestnut and John Gibson gave their lives
so that some of my colleagues might live.
I did not know officers Gibson or Chestnut. But they
laid down their lives for my fellow Members and in so
doing, they were my friends.
I want to simply thank the Capitol Police Force for
their acts of bravery. And I deeply admire their courage--
not only in the face of danger but also in the face of
tremendous grief these past few days.
Officers Jacob Chestnut and John Gibson are leaving
behind wives and children. I extend my condolences to
them, and I also extend my condolences to my fellow
Members of the House because we all clearly have lost two
friends--two people who were committed to service--who
were committed to us, committed to this country, and
committed to democracy.
They have continued to stand proudly and helpfully on
the streets and corners of Capitol Hill carrying on
through these difficult days.
We remember these two brave officers today--and will
memorialize them in the Capitol building.
It's also a time to remember the officers across the
country who have laid down their lives for the citizens
they protect.
Right now--near my home town--a 28-year-old officer is
struggling to stay alive after a teenager shot him in cold
blood. Officer Gerard Carter took a bullet to his head as
he walked with a fellow officer apparently on his beat in
Staten Island.
Officer Carter had recently received the ``Policeman of
the Month'' award. He is married and has a young son. I
pray for his survival.
Mr. BECERRA. Mr. Speaker, on July 27, 1998, I was away
from the House on official business during Monday's roll
call vote No. 340, on agreeing to the resolution honoring
the memory of Detective John Gibson and Private First
Class Jacob Chestnut of the United States Capitol Police.
Had I been present for the vote, I would have voted
``yes.''
As the official designee of the House Minority Leader, I
was present in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on July 27 along
with three of my Congressional colleagues representing the
Speaker of the House, the Senate Majority Leader, and the
Senate Minority Leader to join the President of the United
States as participants in ``The Great Social Security
Debate #3.'' May I note for the record that immediately
prior to the commencement of this debate President Clinton
asked all in attendance, in person and via television, to
observe a moment of silence in memory of the two heroic
officers.
I join with my colleagues in the House to express my
deepest condolences to the families of Detective John
Gibson and Private First Class Jacob Chestnut who
sacrificed their lives for our Nation. For their acts of
courage, this country is forever grateful; their memory
will never be forgotten.
Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing the
Jacob Joseph Chestnut-John Michael Gibson United States
Capitol Visitor Center Act of 1998 (Chestnut-Gibson Act).
I feel a special obligation to do so because I represent
the District of Columbia in which the Capitol is located.
I also introduce the bill because the residents of the
District have a special relationship with the Capitol
Police. In 1992, when there was a large spike in crime in
the District, Congress passed the United States Capitol
Police Jurisdiction Act, a bill I introduced authorizing
the Capitol Police to patrol parts of the Capitol Hill
residential community closest to the Capitol where various
facilities of the Capitol are located. Capitol Police
officers were not only willing; they were enthusiastic to
use their excellent training and professionalism for the
benefit of residents and the many tourists and visitors
whose safety might be compromised by having to travel
through high-crime areas in order to get to the Capitol.
My bill authorizes the Architect of the Capitol ``to
plan, construct, equip, administer, and maintain a Capitol
Visitor Center under the East Plaza of the Capitol''
grounds. The primary purpose of the bill is to increase
public safety and security. A second purpose is to provide
a place to welcome visitors who are seeking tours, taking
into account their health and comfort. To guard against
excessive costs and to obtain quick action, the bill
requires the Architect to consider existing and
alternative plans for a visitor center and to submit ``a
report containing the plans and designs'' within 120 days.
I have supported a Capitol Visitor Center since it was
first extensively discussed in 1991. During this decade of
high deficits, the reluctance of Congress to appropriate
funds for such a center has perhaps been understandable,
until last Friday. No one knows whether Officer Chestnut
or Detective Gibson or, for that matter, any other officer
or individual would have been spared had a visitor center
been in place. What we do know is that our nineteenth
century Capitol was not built with anything like today's
security hazards in mind. According to the Capitol Police
and the United States Capitol Police Board, a visitor
center would provide significant distance between the
Capitol and visitors, and for a host of reasons they have
documented, would make the Capitol more secure.
Our foremost obligation is to protect all who visit or
work here and to spare no legitimate consideration in
protecting the United States Capitol. The Capitol is a
temple of democracy and is the most important symbol of
the open society in which we live. It is more so than the
White House, in part because the President's workplace is
also a residence and cannot be entirely open. However, the
Capitol symbolizes our free and open society not only
because it is accessible but also because of what
transpires here. It is here that the people come to
petition their government, to lobby and to persuade us,
and ultimately to discharge us if we stray too far from
their democratic demands. Thus, we neither have nor would
we want the option to make the Capitol more difficult to
access. After last Friday's tragedy, we have an obligation
to demonstrate that security is not inconsistent with
democracy.
There is a second reason why this bill is necessary.
Visitors are safe when they come to the Capitol, but the
conditions they encounter do not ensure their health,
convenience, and cordiality, nor afford them the welcome
to which they are entitled. Members address constituents
seated on stone steps outdoors. In the blistering heat and
merciless cold of Washington, visitors wait in line
outdoors to tour the Capitol. During this summer, the
hottest on record in the United States, it has not been
uncommon for tourists to faint during lengthy waits on
line and then be rushed inside to be treated by our
physicians. Even if the Capitol had not incurred a
terrible tragedy, we would be in need of a more civil way
to welcome the people we represent.
I will seek co-sponsors for this bill at once. I have
not waited to do so because I believe a bill requiring
plans for a visitor center is necessary to provide the
assurance of safety and comfort the public has a right to
demand. We must do more than try to recover from the shock
of the invasion of the Capitol by a gunman. We must do
more than mourn the irreplaceable loss of two fine men. We
must do what we can and we must do it now.
Thursday, July 30, 1998
Prayer
The Reverend W. Douglas Tanner, Jr., Faith & Politics
Institute, Washington, D.C., offered the following prayer:
Let us pray. Almighty God, we come before You this day
with hearts still heavy from the tragic events of last
Friday. Even as we begin to heal, we are conscious that
the pain of this week has been seared into our souls.
And yet, in our sorrow and vulnerability, we have deeply
experienced our common humanity. Fierce political
adversaries have reached out to each other. Mutual respect
and genuine appreciation have been accorded across the
lines of party, ideology and station. We have known in our
hearts that every elected official, every police person,
every staff member, every tourist is, first, a fellow
human being. For that we are grateful.
We pray that a constant awareness of each other's
humanity in this often fractious Capitol Hill community
might become the lasting legacy of officers J.J. Chestnut
and John Gibson. Amen.
Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that
the Committee on House Oversight and the Committee on Ways
and Means be discharged from further consideration of the
bill (H.R. 4354) to establish the United States Capitol
Police Memorial Fund on behalf of the families of
Detective John Michael Gibson and Private First Class
Jacob Joseph Chestnut of the United States Capitol Police,
and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the
request of the gentleman from California?
Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, reserving the right to object,
and of course I will not object, but under my reservation,
I would yield to the gentleman from California (Mr.
Thomas), the chairman of the Committee on House Oversight.
Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from
Maryland (Mr. Hoyer) for yielding.
Mr. Speaker, this bill establishes the United States
Capitol Police Memorial Fund on behalf of the families of
detective John Michael Gibson and Private First Class
Jacob Joseph Chestnut.
I want to make sure people understand that this bill
establishes by law an official fund in the United States
Treasury. Because of that, it is not only permissible, but
obviously appropriate, to use official House resources in
support of and to solicit contributions to the memorial
fund.
In addition to that, the reason the Committee on Ways
and Means had jurisdiction over this measure is that those
donations to this fund are considered charitable and are,
therefore, tax deductible. In addition, there is a
provision which says that Federal campaign committees may,
in fact, donate funds to the memorial fund.
It is an appropriate gesture, structured in the
appropriate way, that it is a tax deduction and no tax
would be levied against it.
Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding under
his reservation.
Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his
explanation.
Mr. Speaker, continuing under my reservation, many of us
attended the funeral of Detective Gibson today, and
tomorrow morning we will be attending the funeral of
Officer Chestnut. It has been a sad week for us all; in
some ways, however, a very proud week as well when we
consider the actions of these two brave and courageous
men, and indeed, the actions of their colleagues on the
Capitol Police Force and other emergency response teams
that came to the Capitol to assist our own Capitol Police.
Mr. Speaker, as we drove from the church, there were
literally thousands upon thousands of Americans who stood
by the curb and watched the procession go by, waved,
saluted, placed their hands on their hearts, in
recognition of the contribution to their own welfare and
the welfare of their country, that these two brave and
courageous Americans had performed and the sacrifice they
had made.
This will allow all of us, all Americans and indeed
others, in a very tangible way to participate in showing
to the families of Officer Chestnut and Detective Gibson
that our words are not the only thing that we are prepared
to raise on their behalf.
Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California for
this action.
Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?
Mr. HOYER. I yield to the gentleman from California.
Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, the gentleman's words are quite
appropriate and timely in terms of the death of these two
particular officers.
I do want to underscore that the establishment of this
United States Capitol Police Memorial Fund is dedicated on
an even basis to the families of these two gentlemen for a
6-month period. It means that this fund will live beyond
these two families' needs, and that it will become a
perpetual memorial fund available to the Capitol Police;
entirely appropriate for this occasion, but available in
the future, unfortunately, if needed. I thank the
gentleman for yielding.
Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, reclaiming my time, I thank the
gentleman for his comments.
Mr. Speaker, obviously I am in strong support, as I know
every Member of this House is, of this resolution.
Mr. Speaker, continuing my reservation for just a
minute, I yield to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr.
Moran).
Mr. MORAN of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I thank the
gentleman from Maryland for yielding to me.
I would just like to mention at this point there is
another organization that has fulfilled a complementary
role. That organization's name is Heroes, Incorporated.
They responded immediately with cash assistance to the
family and are also prepared to provide scholarship funds,
as they have for every police officer killed in the
District of Columbia, I think it is over 300 now, and
dozens of children are receiving college scholarships as a
result of this organization. This is a wonderful fund, and
I mean nothing pejorative, and I wholly support it. But I
think it might be appropriate to mention the fact that the
Heroes also responded in a very generous fashion and
deserve some credit for doing that as well.
Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, reclaiming my time, I thank the
gentleman for his comments, and I would point out that
when the gentleman from Texas (Mr. DeLay), the majority
whip, made his initial presentation, he did, in fact,
speak directly of Heroes and the wonderful work they had
done, not only with respect to their immediate response
for these two officers, but the work that they had done
for so many other officers, and indicated as well that the
Hero scholarship is probably the most generous scholarship
that is given in America and will ensure that the children
of Detective Gibson and Officer Chestnut will not need to
worry about their educational expenses.
But I thank the gentleman for his very appropriate
remarks.
Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to
temporarily withdraw the bill.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the
request of the gentleman from California?
There was no objection.
Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Speaker, due to business in my
Congressional District, it is with deep regret that I was
unable to vote in support of roll call vote 340, a
resolution honoring the slain capitol police officers,
Jacob Chestnut and John Gibson. My sincerest condolences
go out to their families and loved ones.
Friday, July 31, 1998
Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that
the Committee on House Oversight and the Committee on Ways
and Means be discharged from further consideration of the
bill (H.R. 4354) to establish the United States Capitol
Police Memorial Fund on behalf of the families of
Detective John Michael Gibson and Private First Class
Jacob Joseph Chestnut of the United States Capitol Police,
and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Dreier). Is there objection
to the request of the gentleman from California?
Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, reserving the right to object,
and I will not object, but under my reservation, I yield
to the gentleman from California.
Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for
yielding.
As we were discussing last night, this is a resolution
to create a memorial fund under the title ``United States
Capitol Police Memorial Fund.'' It will initially be on
behalf of the Gibson and Chestnut families for a period of
6 months, when it will continue in perpetuity as a United
States Capitol Police Memorial Fund. It is to create an
official fund in the United States Treasury. Therefore,
the support and oversight of that is entirely appropriate
in using Federal funds.
In addition to that, any contributions to the fund are
tax deductible as charitable donations, and because of the
description and type of the fund, Federal campaign
committees may be able to contribute to the funds as well.
When the gentleman finishes his comments and withdraws
his reservation, Mr. Speaker, I have an amendment at the
desk which will allow us to conclude the resolution.
Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, reclaiming my time, I said
yesterday that for the past 2 days, all of America has
paid its respect, its admiration, and its thanks to two
heroic officers, two officers who themselves acted in the
defense of freedom and this institution, but who also
symbolize those who every day place themselves in harm's
way to ensure civil order in our democracy, civil order
which is absolutely essential if our democracy is to
function as our Founding Fathers conceived it.
Mr. Speaker, this resolution, if adopted as I expect it
to be unanimously, will provide an additional way in which
we can honor those two officers through contributions to
this fund that will ensure that the families who have
sustained an inestimable loss will find that loss to some
small degree diminished, to the extent that we can as a
generous Nation provide for them from an economic
standpoint. It is an appropriate resolution, an
appropriate action, and I would be pleased again, under my
reservation, Mr. Speaker, to yield to the distinguished
gentleman from California (Mr. Thomas), chairman of the
Committee on House Oversight.
Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, it is entirely appropriate that
at the time that the Chestnut family is, in fact,
remembering their father and husband and friend and
relative, that we establish this fund. At this time I
would also like to thank the gentleman from Maryland for
the courtesies and cooperation that he exhibited; indeed,
all of the Members of this House, in terms of the level of
intensity of their response to an extremely tragic and
unfortunate situation. In all likelihood, this will be the
last resolution on this particular subject to come before
the House, and I did want to indicate that the House is an
institution and each individual in it, I believe, can be
extremely proud of the way in which the Capitol community
responded to such a tragic incident affecting two of its
own.
Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I withdraw my reservation of
objection.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the
request of the gentleman from California?
There was no objection.
The Clerk read the bill, as follows:
H.R. 4354
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives
of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. ESTABLISHMENT OF UNITED STATES CAPITOL POLICE
MEMORIAL FUND.
There is hereby established in the Treasury of the
United States the United States Capitol Police Memorial
Fund (hereafter in this Act referred to as the ``Fund'').
All amounts received by the Capitol Police Board which are
designated for deposit into the Fund shall be deposited
into the Fund.
SEC. 2. PAYMENTS FROM FUND FOR FAMILIES OF DETECTIVE
GIBSON AND PRIVATE FIRST CLASS CHESTNUT.
Subject to the regulations issued under section 4,
amounts in the Fund shall be paid to the families of
Detective John Michael Gibson and Private First Class
Jacob Joseph Chestnut of the United States Capitol Police
as follows:
(1) 50 percent of such amounts shall be paid to the
widow and children of Detective Gibson.
(2) 50 percent of such amounts shall be paid to the
widow and children of Private First Class Chestnut.
SEC. 3. TAX TREATMENT OF FUND.
(a) Contributions to Fund.--For purposes of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, any contribution or gift to or for
the use of the Fund shall be treated as a contribution or
gift for exclusively public purposes to or for the use of
an organization described in section 170(c)(1) of such
Code.
(b) Treatment of Payments From Fund.--Any payment from
the Fund shall not be subject to any Federal, State, or
local income or gift tax.
(c) Exemption.--For purposes of such Code,
notwithstanding section 501(c)(1)(A) of such Code, the
Fund shall be treated as described in section 501(c)(1) of
such Code and exempt from tax under section 501(a) of such
Code.
SEC. 4. ADMINISTRATION BY CAPITOL POLICE BOARD.
The Capitol Police Board shall administer and manage the
Fund (including establishing the timing and manner of
making payments under section 2) in accordance with
regulations issued by the Board, subject to the approval
of the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate
and the Committee on House Oversight of the House of
Representatives. Under such regulations, the Board shall
pay any balance remaining in the Fund upon the expiration
of the 6-month period which begins on the date of the
enactment of this Act to the families of Detective John
Michael Gibson and Private First Class Jacob Joseph
Chestnut in accordance with section 2, and shall disburse
any amounts in the Fund after the expiration of such
period in such manner as the Board may establish.
amendment offered by mr. thomas
Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, I offer an amendment.
The Clerk read as follows:
Amendment offered by Mr. Thomas:
Add at the end of section 4 the following: ``Under such
regulations, and using amounts in the Fund, a financial
adviser or trustee, as appropriate, for the families of
Detective John Michael Gibson and Private First Class
Jacob Joseph Chestnut of the United States Capitol Police
shall be appointed to advise the families respecting
disbursement to them of amounts in the Fund.''.
Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, I urge that the resolution and
amendment be adopted.
Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I support the amendment.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the
amendment offered by the gentleman from California (Mr.
Thomas).
The amendment was agreed to.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the
engrossment and third reading of the bill.
The bill was ordered to be engrossed and read a third
time, and passed, and a motion to reconsider was laid on
the table.
Monday, August 5, 1998
Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, we all know the name Russell
Weston, Jr., and we all know that he tragically took the
lives of two fine Americans, Officers Jacob J. Chestnut
and John Gibson. But many Americans still do not know that
this tragedy could have been avoided, not by installing
even more security here, but by improving the state of
health care available to the seriously mentally ill among
our citizens.
The state of psychiatric care in our country has spawned
growing homelessness, more neglect, as well as increasing
violence since deinstitutionalization of mental patients
occurred over 2 decades ago with no community follow-up.
The gentlewoman from New Jersey (Mrs. Roukema) and I are
working hard to establish a special House task force on
serious mental illness. This task force would be
responsible for examining the state of our mental health
system, especially those who are not being adequately
treated. This task force would gather testimony about what
America can and should do.
Please support our effort to establish a task force on
mental illness. Contact the leadership. Urge them to move
so we can begin to repair the tattered dreams of millions
of American families.
Friday, September 18, 1998
Public Bills and Resolutions
Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I have today introduced in the
House a concurrent resolution. That resolution renames the
headquarters of the Capitol Police in the memory of
Officers Christopher Eney, Jacob Chestnut and Detective
John Gibson. I am introducing this resolution along with
Senator Paul Sarbanes, and I know that many Members on
both sides of the aisle will want to cosponsor it as well.
H. Con. Res. 327. A concurrent resolution to redesignate
the United States Capitol Police headquarters building
located at 119 D Street, Northeast, Washington, D.C., as
the ``Eney, Chestnut, Gibson Memorial Building''; to the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
Mr. Speaker, these men are fallen heroes of the Capitol
Police. Officer Eney lost his life during a training
exercise in August of 1984. He was the first Capitol
officer to lose his life. As we tragically know, Officer
Chestnut and Detective Gibson were struck down in the line
of duty just a few weeks ago on July 24. They were
defending this Capitol, innocent citizens, staff, and
Members from a maniacal and senseless shooting spree at
this Capitol.
Mr. Speaker, August 24, 1984, and July 24, 1998, will
forever remind us that the risk is always present for
those we ask to defend this free society. The Capitol
police force, as a family who wish to honor the colleagues
of the family who died while performing their duties by
renaming their headquarters after them.
This resolution would rename the United States Capitol
Police Headquarters as ``The Eney Chestnut Gibson Memorial
Building.'' This was popularly selected by the Capitol
Police and reflects the order in which each man lost his
life.
I am proud and honored on behalf of all of my colleagues
to work with Senator Sarbanes and his colleagues in the
Senate to honor these heroes and their families.
Mr. Speaker, these men and women of law enforcement,
like those we ask to join the armed forces and defend
freedom abroad, are responsible for us being able to meet
in this body in a society that honors peace and order and
law. The least we can do as a people is to honor our
fallen officers by naming the headquarters where they
served with dignity and pride.
I know that my colleagues will want to join me in co-
sponsoring this resolution.
Monday, September 28, 1998
Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the
Committee on House Oversight be discharged from further
consideration of the concurrent resolution (H.Con.Res.
317), expressing the sense of Congress that Members of
Congress should follow the example of self-sacrifice and
devotion to character displayed by Jacob Chestnut and John
Gibson of the United States Capitol Police, and ask for
its immediate consideration.
The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the
request of the gentleman from Ohio?
Mrs. MYRICK. Mr. Speaker, reserving the right to object,
this past July, the United States Congress and our entire
nation were gripped by a terrible tragedy, the deaths of
the Capitol Police Officers Jacob Chestnut and John
Gibson. Officers Chestnut and Gibson gave their lives
defending the United States Capitol, all of us who work in
this complex and the American people who visit it to see
their democracy in action. They died heroically while
defending our democracy.
The outpouring of affection and gratitude for these two
men was as deep and genuine as any I have witnessed, and I
am certain that the many tributes to them served as a
comfort to their families.
Of course, no words or tributes can replace their loss.
In the aftermath of this tragedy and the heartfelt
sympathy of the American people, we in this body were
briefly changed. We came together as one family to pay our
respects, to reflect on the almost surreal tragedy of that
July afternoon and, for a time, respect, civility, and
comity ruled the day.
In fact Pastor Marcom, in delivering Officer Chestnut's
eulogy, remarked on the change that tragedy had on our
relations with one another, and he speculated that
probably the next week it would be business as usual. In
the weeks and months since this time, I have thought long
and hard about what we all experienced. I am convinced
that what we admired about Officer Gibson and Officer
Chestnut and what made them heroes is not the way they
died but the way in which they lived.
Officers Chestnut and Gibson were honest, genuine, hard-
working family men who loved their jobs and loved their
country. In an age where too many people seem consumed by
life's most superficial pleasures, they showed us that
America is populated by common men of the most substantial
and admirable character.
Of course, the great tragedy is that it took their
deaths for us to recognize what heroes they had been all
along.
Mr. Speaker, there is a lesson here. We would do well to
learn it. While we too often argue, bicker, and consume
ourselves with political maneuvering and intrigue, the
Nation cries out for real leadership, not in words but in
deeds. These complicated times demand a Congress dedicated
to integrity, good works, and behavior that reflects
admirably, not just on ourselves but on our sacred rights
and responsibilities as constitutional officers. But that
is too rarely the case.
Simply put, Mr. Speaker, we are too much like a
caricature of ourselves and too little like Officers Jacob
Chestnut and John Gibson. We are too much like adversaries
and too little like we were in the days after the gun fire
erupted in the Capitol.
This resolution asks that we honor those officers by
living our lives and performing our duties with the same
dignity, love, and respect with which these men lived
their lives and performed their duties.
This resolution asks us to honor them by honoring the
people they protected and the people we represent, by
living up to a standard of service and behavior that we
can be proud of, as much as we were proud of the service
of these two men. This resolution asks us to exemplify
what is best in America, to lead rather than follow. If
one thinks about it, it is really not much to ask, and it
is long, long overdue.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the honorable
gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Lewis), my friend, for his
assistance with this resolution, as well as the gentleman
from Texas (Mr. DeLay), the honorable majority whip, for
his continued courage in the aftermath of a tragedy that
struck him so close to home.
Mr. Speaker, in drafting this resolution, we consulted
the United States Capitol Police and the Chestnut and
Gibson families, who believe it to be appropriate and
fitting.
Mr. Speaker, I withdraw my reservation of objection.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Fossella). Is there
objection to the request of the gentleman from Ohio?
There was no objection.
The Clerk read the concurrent resolution, as follows:
Whereas Jacob Chestnut and John Gibson of the United
States Capitol Police laid down their lives for their
country and all of us;
Whereas beyond the devotion of Jacob Chestnut and John
Gibson to duty, honor, and country was their commitment to
respect;
Whereas Jacob Chestnut and John Gibson were simple,
humble, private men who deeply moved this nation simply by
doing their jobs;
Whereas the focus on their exemplary personal character
could not have come at a time of greater need as many in
our country seem more and more dedicated to self-
indulgence; and
Whereas the Members of Congress have an unparalleled
opportunity to be urgently needed role models of respect
and dignity with no loss of personal principles: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring), That Members of Congress should follow the
example of Jacob Chestnut and John Gibson by living lives
of love, respect, and integrity every day at all times,
including on the floor of the Senate and House of
Representatives, and should deserve the title
``Honorable'' by setting an example so that Jacob Chestnut
and John Gibson did not die in vain.
The concurrent resolution was agreed to. A motion to
reconsider was laid on the table.
Proceedings in the Senate
Monday, July 27, 1998
The Senate met at 12 noon, and was called to order by
the President pro tempore (Mr. Thurmond).
Prayer
The Chaplain, Dr. Lloyd John Ogilvie, offered the
following prayer:
Gracious Father, the source of comfort and courage in
times of grief, our hearts are at half-mast in honor of
Capitol Police Officers Jacob Chestnut and John Gibson who
were killed in the line of duty here in the Capitol last
Friday afternoon. These officers are like members of our
family. Their loss creates an empty place in our hearts.
Now that place is filled with profound gratitude for them
and their heroism. They lost their lives protecting all of
us who work here and those who visit the Capitol. Greater
love has no man than this, to give his life for his
friends.
Dear Father, we can only imagine the wrenching grief of
the families of these valorous men. Place around them Your
arms of love, encouragement, and peace. Most of all, help
them to know that, for believers in You, death is not an
ending. Bullets cannot kill the soul. John and J. J. are
alive in You.
Now we ask for one more thing. Make us more sensitive to
the dangers our officers face daily. Help us to express
our gratitude for what they do and for the great friends
they are. In the name of He who is the Resurrection and
the Life. Amen.
Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, what happened in the Capitol
last Friday afternoon was a tragedy for our Nation. But
for all of us here it was something more. It was a death
in the family.
We work here every day together, as Senators and as
officers of the Senate, staff members, pages, policemen.
We see them, and we pass them, over and over again. We
talk to them. Some of them we get to know quite well.
I have had the occasion myself to develop a very
personal relationship with the man who was my security
detail when I was the whip in the House, a man named
George Awkward. He did for me what John Gibson did for Tom
DeLay as the whip in the House. We got to be very personal
friends. He had pizza at night, when we would get home
late, with my wife and with me and my children.
So I know how much these men and women put their lives
on the line, and how much they mean to us on an individual
basis, but also how far too often we walk past them; we
take them for granted; we don't realize that they really
are there for a very important purpose--protection of our
constituents and of all of us and of this magnificent
building in which we serve.
Detective John Michael Gibson and Private First Class
Jacob Joseph Chestnut were members of our congressional
family. They died defending us.
They died defending this Capitol building, this temple
of law, where armed violence is a sacrilege against our
democratic institutions.
So much has been said in their praise, and yet we need
to say more.
So much has been offered in their honor, but we still
look for ways to express our admiration, our gratitude,
and most of all, our sorrow.
We search for words to comfort their families, and it is
not easy to find them. Some losses stay with us forever.
But far more important than our words and our
condolences is the assurance of Scripture, that our
Chaplain just gave--that ``greater love than this has no
man, than that he lay down his life for his friends.''
That is what the speaker of those words did, almost
2,000 years ago, and that is what officers Chestnut and
Gibson did 3 days ago.
In fact, it is what they were ready to do every day of
their career, every day when they left their homes and
loved ones knowing that they could face a deadly peril in
their daily routine.
We do not think often enough of the quiet bravery it
takes for officers like those two--the men and women who
come to work, here at the Capitol and in communities
throughout the country, knowing that this might be the day
they encounter mortal danger in the course of their
duties.
In my own area of the country--the gulf coast of
Mississippi--we recently lost a policeman in the line of
duty in Long Beach, Miss., and it made an indelible mark
on that community and on our whole region.
Senators have already been informed that Officers
Chestnut and Gibson will lie in state tomorrow in the
great Rotunda of the Capitol.
This is an extraordinary honor that we are paying to
them. In the past only Presidents, Supreme Court Justices,
and generals like Pershing and MacArthur, former Senator
Pepper, have lain in repose in the Rotunda. But I think it
is appropriate that these two men, who gave their lives
just down one flight of stairs defending that room always
packed with constituents, would have this moment to be
honored the way they deserve in that room.
There will be times throughout the day for Members and
staff and the general public to pay their respects to
these two men to say a prayer, to consider how much we owe
these fallen colleagues and their families and all those
like them throughout the country.
It is important to note that the public will be welcome
in the Capitol during that time, and welcome to join us in
our solemn tribute in the Rotunda, with the exception of
only one hour in the afternoon where there will be a
private opportunity for Members of Congress to observe and
to pay our respects to these men.
It is most fitting that the public, our constituents
from all over the country and all over the world, should
be there with us, as they will be, for Officers Chestnut
and Gibson and their colleagues were defending them, too.
I can understand the wish in some quarters to make the
Capitol absolutely impregnable, or even to close it to the
general public so that nothing like this could ever happen
again. We will, of course, examine closely all of our
security procedures again as we continue to do almost
daily to see whether anything can be done to improve it.
But we have to keep in mind that this Capitol is, more
than any other edifice in the country, and certainly I
believe in the world, the People's House.
When I walk out of my majority leader's office and take
three steps, I am standing with constituents from all
across America. They are there every day. Sometimes they
seem surprised that they would see Senators and
Congressman walking among them. But that is the way it
should be. This building is accessible and it amazes our
visitors, domestic and foreign, many of whom have had
chance encounters with Members of Congress, the
President's Cabinet, in the halls, in the dining rooms, in
the elevators. The reason the Capitol is so open is that
our society is so open. We pride ourselves on that fact.
The people's access to their Capitol is the physical
manifestation of democracy. It represents something rare
and precious, something all Americans take for granted. It
represents the bond between those in high office and those
who put them there. It represents, in short, our freedom.
For that freedom, throughout our history, men and women
have been willing to stand guard, to fight if necessary,
and to die on many fields in many places in the world.
They have done all that to protect their homes, to
shield their loved ones, and to preserve their Nation.
Some of those brave individuals are memorialized in the
Capitol itself in statues of bronze and marble. They stand
among us, mute but strangely eloquent about the price of
liberty.
Tomorrow, amid those grand statues of heroes past, we
will honor two of our own to whom heroism was simply duty.
For those two, for Officers Jacob Chestnut, affectionately
known as J.J., and John Gibson, this open Capitol, with
wide-eyed kids learning the Nation's history, with
strangers from abroad awed by its grandeur, with Americans
of all creeds and races and religions celebrating their
common faith in God, and in one another, this Capitol
itself will be their enduring monument.
Mr. President, the Senate later on today will adopt an
appropriate resolution. It will be a joint resolution,
House and Senate. We will confer with the leaders of both
bodies on both sides of the aisle as to the appropriate
time to have that vote, and we are reviewing the language
at this time.
I thank all Senators in advance for their cooperation.
I yield the floor.
Mr. THURMOND addressed the Chair.
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Hagel). The Senator from
South Carolina.
Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, I have another engagement
at this time, but sometime during the day I expect to make
a statement on the death of Officer Chestnut and Officer
Gibson, heroes of the Senate.
Mr. MACK. Mr. President, I rise today to honor John
Gibson and Jacob ``J.J.'' Chestnut, the officers who gave
their lives Friday in the line of duty.
For Members of the Senate, I would remind them that John
Gibson was one of the individuals who was a part of our
security detail on our most recent retreat. Yesterday
morning, after an early morning run, I stopped by the
Capitol where people had placed flowers at the steps, and
I talked with a young officer who told me how proud he was
of J.J. J.J. was the kind of person who, after 20 years of
service in the military, took under his wing the new men
and women who were coming into the Capitol Hill Police
Force and helped them on a personal basis, giving them
tips about the kinds of things to which they needed to pay
attention with their training, the kinds of things they
ought to try to accomplish when they are dealing with our
constituents when they come into the Capitol.
Many times, I am sure, we forget the difficulty of the
duty that they have, on the one hand to be trained to the
extent to react the way they reacted on Friday,
unselfishly, putting themselves in harm's way so that
others may survive, but at the same time having the
responsibility of treating with such graciousness our
constituents, our friends, our neighbors, when they come
to the Capitol. It is a really difficult job, and I just
want to express to the members of the Capitol Hill Police
Force, all of those who participate in providing security,
our deep appreciation for what they do on a day-to-day
basis. Each day we come to work, we pass these officers.
As the majority leader said, some of them we know by name,
others we have befriended.
I particularly remember C.J. Martin over at the Delaware
entrance in the Russell Building, how each morning we
would discuss some very personal things about our lives,
the kinds of common bonds, if you will, that we shared.
And so, while I didn't know J.J. Chestnut and John Gibson
to the degree that I have known other members of the
police force here, I know that they were very special
people. Again, listening to that young officer talk about
how J.J. would stand at that door, erect in that military
stance, with great pride, frankly, in the job that he
performed, and the reaction that he had, again, with the
people as they came in, we don't take what they do for
granted, and we want them to know that we are concerned
about them and we are concerned about their families.
I had the opportunity on Friday evening to visit the
families of J.J. Chestnut and John Gibson and to express
to them our deep concern and our love for them, wanting
them to know that we cherish their fathers, their
husbands, that they mean a great deal to us, that we will
do what we can to comfort them, that we won't forget them,
that we will remember the families.
While the officers are the ones who lost their lives,
now it is a tough and difficult time for the families.
Each one of us, I know, has had the experience of losing
someone close to us and we can feel the pain of the
tragedy that took place, and we want those families to
know that we have not forgotten them and that we will do
what we can over the years to see that they are not
forgotten.
Friday, in talking with the young sons of ``Gibson,'' as
they refer to him, I can only imagine the hurt and pain
that those boys 14 and 15 years old must be feeling. I say
to all of us, regardless of the role that we play in the
Senate or in the House, we are all one big family.
In a sense, there are many families within the family.
There is the family of officers and the special grief that
they must be experiencing today, as they are required to
carry out their duties at a moment in which their minds
and hearts must be focused on their lost officers and
their families. So I ask everyone, if they would, during
this day and the next several days, to pray for those
families--for comfort, for love, and for hope.
Again, I can remember a particular time in which my
younger brother passed away. I was so angry about his
loss; people would come up to me and say, ``Connie, time
will take care, time will heal,'' and I was so angry I
said, ``I don't want it to be healed. I don't want time to
take care of it. I am angry.''
But I hope that the families, especially the children,
will deal with those feelings inside, that they will share
those thoughts to get them out so they don't carry around
that hurt and that pain. We want them to know that we
truly love them, that we will miss their fathers, their
husbands, and we will try to make the Senate and House and
the Capitol a place in which they can be proud.
I yield the floor.
Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a
quorum.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
Mr. KEMPTHORNE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent
that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so
ordered.
Mr. KEMPTHORNE. Mr. President, for the past 5 years I
have had the honor of sponsoring the resolution
designating National Peace Officers Memorial Day. This
year we added the names of 159 officers to the National
Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. Since the inception of
this memorial, 14,662 peace officers have been added to
the wall.
Next year, two more names will now be added to the wall.
These memorials and others around the Nation serve as
proof that the individuals who serve this Nation, as our
guardians of peace, do so at great personal risk. There
are few communities in America that have not been touched
by the senseless death of a peace officer by violent
means.
This community of Capitol Hill has been touched by
tragedy. On Friday, two of our own, Officers John Gibson
and J.J. Chestnut, were felled by an assailant while they
performed their duties.
America should know that for all the influence of this
city and this place, this is, in some ways, like a small
town. We know the people in this community as well as we
know the people in our own communities back home. The
employees who work here day to day become very familiar
faces to those of us who are sent here temporarily by our
States.
The Capitol Hill Police have a very special duty and a
very special trust. They guard this place, this summit of
freedom, this People's House, and keep it safe for the
citizens of the world. The Capitol Hill Police perform
this duty with an unwavering commitment to our safety. And
they are willing, as Officers Gibson and Chestnut proved,
to lay down their lives for all of our safety.
John Gibson--whom I knew personally--was a tremendous
professional in every sense of the word. When I saw his
photograph in the paper, the difference was every time
that I would see John or have a word with him his face
always had a smile.
J.J. Chestnut, who worked in one of the entrances to
this great building, like so many of our officers, was
perceived to be more than just a police officer to the
wonderful citizens who come to this magnificent building.
I think they sense that instead of just a police officer,
they are being greeted by ambassadors in the People's
House.
I believe that our Capitol Police Department exemplifies
the finest in America. I have never heard any statement
that any of our police officers have been badge-heavy. I
have simply heard great reviews of the professionals who
carry the badge of the Capitol Police Department.
I know many of the Capitol Police officers personally. I
have listened to stories about their families. I have seen
photographs of their kids--just parent talking to parent
who share a funny story or observation or simply a good
word at the end of the day. But in the end, put most
simply, they are here to take care of us.
As we near the end of this century, we are often
impelled to observe this country is cynical. It is, I
suppose, in the American character to question our
condition and bemoan the things that are not now as we
remember them to be. But in truth, the sacrifice of these
men and their families are akin to the selfless ideal that
has made this country great. The bravery and the
commitment to community that these men possessed will be
carried on by their families.
I have had the honor to meet with the families of slain
officers from my home State. The strength and the
perseverance that is exemplified by each of them is an
inspiration to me.
My thoughts and prayers go out to these families and
others who have been devastated by this type of senseless
violence. There is no answer to the meaningless violence
that occurs, but we must celebrate and memorialize the
lives of the officers who serve and protect us.
To the Capitol Hill Police, I would like to simply say,
I am sorry for your loss and for our loss because we are
family here, to say how proud all of us are of you and to
thank you for your service that you give to us each day,
and to say to the families of Officer Gibson, Officer
Chestnut: Your husband, your father, demonstrated service
beyond self in the most dramatic way--by sacrificing their
lives for our safety, for our freedom.
Our prayers are with John, with Officer Chestnut, with
their families, and with the other officers who continue
that tradition of being truly some of the finest anywhere
in the Nation or the world. You are our friends, you are
our guardians, so that we can do our duty here in the
Nation's Capitol. God bless these two officers and God
bless what they mean to all of us.
I yield the floor.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Connecticut.
Mr. LIEBERMAN. I thank the Chair.
Mr. President, it has struck me often in my 10 years
here in the Senate that one can look at the life we lead
here in different ways. In one sense, in a sense that is
most visible, we do the work of the country: We hold
hearings, we meet with constituents, we legislate. This is
the Congress of the United States.
But in another sense, it has struck me increasingly over
the years I have been honored to be here that there is
another level of experience in this Capitol, which is that
we are, in our own way, a small town of our own. We are a
community. Yes, we have the Members of Congress and we
have all who serve in our offices so well. We have the
officers of both Chambers and those who work to keep these
Chambers going. But there is a broader community here that
we are all part of. It is the people who keep the
buildings in such good repair.
We have doctors, we have nurses, we have clergy people,
we have representatives of the media who live in this
community with us who cover us. We even have our own
newspapers. And we have police officers. We are a small
town in the way that life is lived in so many small towns
across America. But we are very different from most any of
those small towns in that hundreds of thousands of fellow
Americans--indeed, people from all over the world--come
and walk through this great citadel of democracy, this
great symbol of freedom, peacefully and respectfully,
coming through our community.
On Friday, as we all know, one madman disrupted the
tranquility of our community and took two of our own,
Special Agent John Gibson, Officer Jacob Chestnut. There
is a sense of palpable sadness and grief in this Capitol
today, a sense of mourning at the loss of these two
officers, because they were members of our community. We
saw them every day. We exchanged greetings with them. We
deeply regret and in some ways, I am sure, feel anger at
what happened on Friday to take these two fine men, these
two heroes, from us.
As we mourn their loss, I do think it is important for
us to remember the extraordinary and unique war that law
enforcement officers play in this small town, our little
community, the Capitol of the United States, which is
similar to the part they play in every other community
across America. Think of what happened in those few
tragic, jolting moments on Friday afternoon when danger
occurred and the sound of bullets resonated through the
halls of the Capitol. Most everyone in the Capitol ran for
cover, locked their office doors, jumped under tables and
desks, got out of the way of danger. But the law
enforcement officers, the Capitol Police throughout this
Capitol, including these two fallen heroes, rushed to the
danger. That is their job, to protect the rest of us. It
is an extraordinary difference in a quiet, normal moment
on a midsummer Friday afternoon. Suddenly, one madman
pierces all of that, and every officer, every Capitol
Police officer in our small town rushes to their duty
station. These two responded with instinctive but
extraordinary, heroic impulses to stop this man, and
ultimately did, and save so many lives through their
heroism.
Mr. President, I mentioned this to pay tribute in some
small way to Special Agent Gibson and Officer Chestnut,
but also to remind us how much we owe these people in this
small town of ours, and in every city and town across
America, and why we ought not to just treat them with a
warm hello but feel, as we do today, in some measure every
day the gratitude we have to them and express that in the
best way we can, which is not only as friends and fellow
citizens of our communities, but when we have a chance, as
employers, to treat them appropriately and according to
the extraordinary responsibilities that they bear in a
moment of crisis.
Mr. President, by coincidence this morning I was reading
from Jeremiah's Book of Lamentations and I read the
commentary on Lamentations in which were cited the
comments of an ancient rabbi who was interpreting David's
Book of Psalms. In dealing with the sadness, the sense of
gloom that is so at the heart of the Book of Lamentations,
this sage of old expressed a thought that is familiar to
all religions, which is, ``If I had not fallen, I could
never have arisen. If I had not sat in darkness, I could
never have seen the light of God.''
So in this time of deep and heavy darkness for our
community here on Capitol Hill, we pray with faith
together and the faith that unites us in our community,
unites us as faith has always united people in American
communities, that Special Agent Gibson and Officer
Chestnut are seeing the light of God, that they are being
welcomed in the warm embrace of eternal life, greeted as
the heroes that they are. We pray, also, that God will
grant strength and comfort to their families, to their
friends, to their fellow officers in the Capitol Police
corps, and in some measure to all of us in this small
town, Capitol Hill, who, today, mourn their loss.
I thank the Chair and I yield the floor.
Mr. ROBB addressed the Chair.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The distinguished Senator from
Virginia is recognized.
Mr. ROBB. Mr. President, first, I ask unanimous consent
the period for morning business be extended by an
additional 15 minutes--I know there is at least one other
colleague on the floor and there may be others--so that we
might spend a moment in additional tribute to the two
officers.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so
ordered.
Mr. ROBB. Mr. President, I just want to add my voice to
those who have already spoken and those who will.
Friday was a difficult day for all of us here as part of
the family. That has been more eloquently described than I
can describe it both today and elsewhere. Like many of the
Members, I happened to be in my office less than 100 yards
away from where the shooting took place. I was unaware of
the shooting. I heard the sirens and I heard the
helicopter when it approached to take the victims to the
trauma center. At that point, I tuned in and observed what
was happening.
There was a sense on the part of all of us that
something very tragic had occurred to members of the
family. It wasn't until the names were released that we
knew which members of the family had been affected. I
realized when I heard the names and saw the pictures that
Officer J.J. Chestnut was the person who had been on that
post any number of times. Many of us who come and go from
the Nation's Capitol late in the evening find that is one
of the few doors that is open. So we get to know the
people who are there, and they are always greeting us with
a smile.
In truth, I didn't know that I knew or had a
relationship with Special Agent Gibson until I found out
from my wife and mother-in-law that during a recent visit
he had accompanied them throughout a tour of the Capitol,
and they had been very grateful for the professional
courtesies and kindness that he had extended to them. I
found out that he was a resident of Lake Ridge, Va. It
just so happens that the other person who was wounded,
Angela Dickerson, who was a tourist taking a family on a
tour, also happens to be from Chantilly, Va. I noted that
J.J. Chestnut was a Vietnam veteran and is going to be
accorded full military honors when he is buried Friday in
Arlington.
These were very special people. The initial feeling
among many when we heard that there had been gunfire
inside the Capitol was that somehow the security system
had broken down. I was relieved and pleased, as I think
all of our Members were, to know that in this case the
system had actually worked, and it had worked superbly.
The men who ultimately gave their lives had done so in
precisely the way they were trained to protect the Capitol
and all who serve in it. I think that is a testament to
the professionalism of the Capitol Police and to all of
the members of this extended family.
I didn't go out and talk to the media on Friday, but two
down-State reporters came to my office, unsolicited, and I
talked to them for a couple of minutes. One asked me,
``What should we do?'' I said, ``I hope we don't do much
of anything. We will take a look at the procedures, but we
want to keep the People's House as open as we possibly
can.'' I think this is a symbol of democracy, and these
two men died in defending that symbol. But we want to be
careful not to take the wrong actions.
What we can do, and what we ought to do, is remember to
thank those who serve us--whose service we sometimes take
for granted. On the way out of the Capitol later that
evening, I stopped and thanked the Capitol Police officers
who were still on duty. They were still doing their duties
professionally, although they were grieving. I happened to
go to an engagement that I had that evening and I was late
coming back. It didn't conclude until almost midnight. I
said, ``I want to go back to the Capitol. The midnight
shift will have come on now and they are going to take it
pretty hard as well.'' I had a chance to quietly visit
with some of the other members of the Capitol Police.
Many of us are trying to find a way to say to those men
and women who serve so ably, and sometimes without the
recognition that they deserve, that we are grieving with
them, that we appreciate what they did, what they continue
to do. I suggest to people who might not be a part of the
extended family here in the Capitol that all of us feel
that if you want to find a way to express your
appreciation, stop your local policeman on the street and
say ``thank you'' because they, too, are providing a kind
of service that, in many cases, we end up taking for
granted; yet, it is critically important. When the chips
are down, these folks respond. And as my distinguished
colleague from Connecticut noted a minute ago, when many
seek cover, that is the time they put themselves directly
in harm's way to ensure that access to our Nation's
Capitol and the freedom to move about goes uninterrupted
for all of us who benefit from their services.
With that, I will close. I just wanted to say to all of
those who continue to serve: Thank you. We don't always
remember to say that. To the families of J.J. Chestnut and
John Gibson, in particular, we share your loss. You are in
our thoughts and prayers, and to all who serve us in ways
too numerous to count, we do appreciate what you have done
for us and what you continue to do for us. We will
continue to remember the extraordinary service and the
ultimate sacrifice that was made by these two fine
officers in defense of our Nation's Capitol.
With that, Mr. President, I yield the floor.
Mrs. HUTCHISON. Mr. President, I just want to say that
all of us in the Capitol have one overriding thought in
our minds right now, and that is that our hearts go out to
the families of the two officers who were slain in the
line of duty last Friday.
All of us were in a different place. But I will never
forget where I was when learning this tragic news. I had
left the Capitol that morning and had returned home to
Texas. I was just stunned. And when I learned that these
officers had passed away after their injuries, I was
heartsick, as all of us were.
There is no question that the Capitol Police are friends
to all of us. When I came into the Capitol this morning
and saw the black tape across their badges, it all hit.
And I want to say there is not anyone here who has worked
with these fine men and women who doesn't appreciate every
day the job they do protecting all of us and every visitor
to the Capitol.
Mr. SARBANES. Mr. President, I want to take just a
moment to join those of my colleagues who have already
spoken with respect to our profound shock at the death of
Jacob ``J.J.'' Chestnut and John Gibson, two Capitol
Police officers who lost their lives in the line of duty
on this past Friday, and to express my very heartfelt
sympathies to their families.
J.J. Chestnut and John Gibson have been engaged over
their working careers in the dedicated mission of
protecting the lives of their fellow citizens, literally
thousands of people who move in and out of the Capitol
Building each day, those who work here, those who visit
here, both our own citizens and from abroad.
As we all know, on Friday, the People's House, the U.S.
Capitol, was violated by a gunman. Officer Chestnut and
Special Agent Gibson put themselves on the line, as do all
law enforcement officials each day, both at work and,
since they are committed to law enforcement, even when
they are off work, literally all the time, in order to
protect the physical well-being--indeed, to protect the
freedoms that so many of us have taken for granted.
In its editorial today, Roll Call, which, of course, as
we all know, is the newspaper devoted to reporting the
activities on Capitol Hill, said this:
Sometimes, given the comparative low level of violence
around the Capitol complex and given that Capitol Police
officers are usually seen cheerfully directing traffic and
gently herding tourists, it's forgotten that ours [meaning
the Capitol Police Force] is a real police force. We who
live and work around the Capitol know--but others don't--
that our police also fight crime in the neighborhood as
well as watch the Capitol. But now all of America
understands that the Capitol Police do not just stand
guard, but also stand ready to be heroes. That knowledge
was derived last week at heartrending cost.
We call them heroes today, and they truly are, but
Officer Chestnut and Special Agent Gibson were also
husbands, fathers, grandfathers--already heroes to their
wives, to their children and grandchildren, to their other
family members, and to their neighbors who respected them
not only for their uniforms but for the laws they vowed to
uphold and the lives they protected on a daily basis. It
is these loving people they leave behind, having given of
themselves to protect the lives of others and to defend
one of the great symbols of this democratic Nation,
perhaps the preeminent symbol of our democratic Nation--
the United States Capitol.
Mr. President, may God bless J.J. Chestnut and John
Gibson. They are true heroes, and I join with my
colleagues in expressing my condolences to their family
members.
Mr. DODD. Mr. President, I join other colleagues of ours
who today, and I hope tomorrow as well, will find time to
express their deep sense of sorrow over the loss of two of
our Capitol Hill police officers last Friday, as well as
to express their sincere condolences to the families and
friends of these two very fine officers, J.J. Chestnut and
John Gibson.
The events of last Friday, July 24, certainly will leave
an indelible mark on this community--this Capitol
community, if you will--and our Nation. The tragic legacy
of this incident will not only be the courage displayed
opposing this senseless act of savagery but will also be
the premature loss of these two fine, brave men.
J.J. Chestnut and John Gibson were not just courageous
officers, they were fine human beings. They were friends
of many here and in the House of Representatives. All of
us in this Chamber cannot help but take this loss
personally, because Officers Chestnut and Gibson worked
every day to ensure the safety of every one of us in this
Capitol Building. I think that every American should look
into their hearts and thank these two men for their
sacrifices, because they also worked to protect all of
those who visit this great Capitol Building, this symbol
of democracy, as well as the freedoms which the Capitol
represents.
All Americans should give thanks and say a prayer for
these two fine men and all of the men and women in uniform
throughout our Nation who take that oath to ensure our
safety every day. Our police officers are husbands, they
are parents and friends, they are neighbors--in many ways,
ordinary citizens just like the rest of us. But in one
very important way, these individuals are quite
extraordinary. Every day when they put on their uniforms,
their work clothes, and they say goodbye to their families
and go to work, they literally put their lives on the line
so that we may enjoy the safety and the freedoms that too
often, I think, we take for granted. We describe their
actions as heroism, but they simply view them as their
duty.
President John Kennedy once said:
The courage of life is often a less dramatic spectacle
than the courage of a final moment; but it is no less a
magnificent mixture of triumph and tragedy. A man does
what he must--in spite of the personal consequences, in
spite of obstacles and dangers and pressures--and that is
the basis of all morality.
While we will forever remember Officer Chestnut and
Detective Gibson for their actions on July 24, they
deserve our respect and admiration not only for the way
they performed their duties on that day but for the way
they and those who share a similar uniform carry
themselves every day throughout their lives--always
working in the service of others, with great courage and
character.
It is important that we remember not only those who gave
their lives but also express our gratitude to those who
are left to carry on their mission.
Officers Chestnut and Gibson's colleagues must put these
events behind them and carry on with their everyday lives
and continue performing the services that are so
important. We are all very grateful for the sacrifices
they make every day and the commitment to their
communities that these men and women display.
It has been ordered that their bodies will lie in state
in the Capitol Rotunda tomorrow, the same Capitol where
they gave their lives in service to their country. This
honor is usually reserved for our Nation's most prominent
leaders, Presidents, Supreme Court Justices, and Generals.
But I know all of us in this Chamber feel that this is an
appropriate tribute to the two men whose commitment to
their country and their community is surpassed by none.
J.J. Chestnut and John Gibson leave behind loving wives
and children. I offer my heartfelt condolences to both
families and their friends, and, on behalf of this body, I
know I speak for all of our colleagues in saying they will
long be remembered for their friendship and their courage.
Mr. BENNETT. Mr. President, I wish to make a personal
comment about the tragedy that occurred in this building
on Friday and add my voice to those that have been raised
in tribute to the professionalism, courage, and compassion
of the members of the Capitol Police Force.
I remember, when I first came to Washington as an intern
in 1950, a student from the university, the Capitol Police
Force was affectionately referred to as the ``campus
cops.'' It was a patronage job, and people who served on
the Capitol Police Force in those days were appointed by
their Senators. Usually, they were law students who were
going to school at George Washington University that
taught the entire curriculum at night. So the Capitol
Police could earn their way through law school by sitting
at their various stations in the Capitol during the
daytime and taking their classes at night. One of the more
prominent attorneys in Salt Lake City got his law degree
that way and said he did all of his studying at his desk
as a Capitol policeman and commented, ``If I had ever been
called upon to draw my weapon, I wouldn't have known what
to do. I would have been scared to death if anybody had
ever confronted me in my position as a policeman.''
That was the situation 40, 45 years ago. The
professionalism of those who did draw their weapons and
handled them expertly in the crisis that occurred last
Friday demonstrates how far we have come and how great a
debt those of us who labor here, hopefully doing the
people's business, have to those who have produced that
kind of professionalism and produced that kind of change
from what we once had. I add my voice to those that have
been raised in tribute to those who serve us in that
capacity.
Mr. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I rise to pay tribute to
the memory of the two Capitol Hill Police officers who
gave their lives in the line of duty Friday afternoon.
Jacob J. Chestnut and John Gibson were dedicated
officers whose deaths are mourned by all of us on Capitol
Hill, and by many across America.
A sense of genuine grief grips us as we come to terms
with the tragedy that unfolded in our midst on Friday. At
the same time, we stand in awe of the heroism they and
other officers displayed in ending a gunman's rampage and
saving the lives of innocent citizens.
Jacob Chestnut and John Gibson were committed to the
United States, having sworn to protect lawmakers,
citizens, and the peace as Capitol Police officers. While
I did not have the honor of knowing them personally, I am
truly grateful for their dedication and service--as well
as the dedication and service of all who serve as police
officers.
As a father of six and grandfather of eleven, I know how
important family is. The loss of a son, father, husband,
and friend is devastating. My thoughts and prayers and
those of my wife Nancy are with those who knew and loved
these two quiet heroes.
Officer Gibson has left behind his wife, Evelyn, and
three children. While the loss of Officer Gibson as a
father and husband is immeasurable, I know his memory will
be a source of strength for his family.
Officer Chestnut is survived by his wife, Wen-Ling, and
five children: Joseph, William, Janet, Janece, and Karen.
Grief has surely stricken this family and the death of
their cornerstone can never be as deeply felt by others,
but Officer Chestnut died a hero, protecting his country
as he had sworn to do both during his years in the Air
Force and as a Capitol Police Officer.
Mrs. Chestnut, Mrs. Gibson--please accept our
condolences are prayers. We are all indebted to both your
husbands for their dedication and their selfless, heroic
acts.
I yield the floor.
Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, on behalf of myself, the
Democratic leader, and the entire Senate Membership, I
send a Senate concurrent resolution to the desk regarding
the fallen U.S. Capitol policemen. And I ask unanimous
consent that the Senate proceed to its immediate
consideration, and ask that the clerk read the resolution
in its entirety.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, the clerk will
report and read the concurrent resolution.
The legislative clerk read as follows:
A concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 110) honoring the
memory of Detective John Michael Gibson and Private First
Class Jacob Joseph Chestnut of the United States Capitol
Police for their selfless acts of heroism at the United
States Capitol on July 24, 1998.
Whereas the Capitol is the People's House, and, as such,
it has always been and will remain open to the public;
Whereas millions of people visit the Capitol each year
to observe and study the workings of the democratic
process;
Whereas the Capitol is the most recognizable symbol of
liberty and democracy throughout the world and those who
guard the Capitol guard our freedom;
Whereas Private First Class Jacob ``J.J.'' Chestnut and
Detective John Michael Gibson sacrificed their lives to
protect the lives of hundreds of tourists, staff, and
Members of Congress;
Whereas if not for the quick and courageous action of
those officers, many innocent people would likely have
been injured or killed;
Whereas through their selfless acts, Detective Gibson
and Private First Class Chestnut underscored the courage,
honor, and dedication shown daily by every member of the
United States Capitol Police and every law enforcement
officer;
Whereas Private First Class Chestnut, a Vietnam veteran
who spent 20 years in the Air Force, was an 18-year
veteran of the Capitol Police, and was married to Wen Ling
and had five children, Joseph, Janece, Janet, Karen and
William;
Whereas Detective Gibson, assigned as Rep. Tom Delay's
bodyguard for the last three years, was an 18-year veteran
of the Capitol Police, and was married to Evelyn and had
three children, Kristen, John and Daniel;
Whereas Private First Class Chestnut and Detective
Gibson were the first United States Capitol Police
officers ever killed in the line of duty;
Whereas Private First Class Chestnut and Detective
Gibson, and all those who helped apprehend the gunman,
assist the injured, and evacuate the building, are true
heroes of democracy, and every American owes them a deep
debt of gratitude: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate, (the House of Representatives
concurring), That--
(1) Congress hereby honors the memory of Detective John
Michael Gibson and Private First Class Jacob Joseph
Chestnut of the United States Capitol Police for the
selfless acts of heroism they displayed on July 24, 1998,
in sacrificing their lives in the line of duty so that
others might live; and
(2) when the Senate and the House of Representatives
adjourn on this date, they shall do so out of respect to
the memory of Detective John Michael Gibson and Private
First Class Jacob Joseph Chestnut.
The Senate proceeded to consider the concurrent
resolution.
Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, I want to extend my deepest
sympathy to the families of Officer J.J. Chestnut and
Detective John Gibson, and to the many friends that they
leave, particularly their brothers and sisters in arms,
the members of the United States Capitol Police. Our
hearts ache for them as they struggle with their
staggering loss.
Like many Members of Congress, I was headed home Friday
afternoon when Officer Chestnut and Detective Gibson were
slain. I was in the airport in Minneapolis, changing
planes, when I first learned of what had happened. I was
shocked and sickened and saddened.
Throughout the airport, wherever there was a TV, people
crowded around it to watch the news, and try to
understand.
At home in South Dakota this past weekend, I spoke with
countless people who told me how terribly sad they are
about the deaths of these two brave men.
In that airport, in South Dakota, and across our Nation,
Americans understand that Officer Chestnut and Detective
Gibson sacrificed their lives to guard and protect
something that is sacred to all of us.
This Capitol truly is ``the People's House,'' a symbol
of freedom and democracy, recognized the world over.
That is one of the reasons Officer Chestnut and
Detective Gibson loved it so, and were so proud to work
here.
It is difficult, unless you have worked here, to
understand what a close-knit family the Capitol community
is. We come to work every day, pass each other in the
halls. We ask about each others' families, joke with each
other.
And today, we try to comfort each other.
Whenever you suffer a death in the family, as we have in
the Capitol Hill family, there is at first a sort of
unreality about it.
That is especially true when the person is taken
suddenly, or too young, as Officer Chestnut and Detective
Gibson were.
But then, you come to where they should be and there is
a hole in the world and you begin to understand that it's
true.
Coming back to work today, we have all experienced that
void.
Inside the Capitol, another officer stands where Officer
Chestnut should be.
And the door over the House Majority Whip's office,
where Detective Gibson was stationed, is draped in black
bunting.
Everywhere, the voices are quieter than usual. Tears rim
the eyes of many people. Outside, the flag over the
Capitol flies mournfully at half-staff.
Below it, on the white marble steps, lay flowers and
cards left by a grateful public to honor two fallen
heroes.
Then, there is perhaps the saddest sight of all: the
black bands stretched like a gash over the badges of the
Capitol Police officers.
These are the inadequate tributes we pay to these two
extraordinary men whose professionalism, courage, and
selfless dedication last Friday afternoon surely saved
many innocent lives.
But the real tribute is not what is different about the
Capitol today. The real tribute is what is the same.
The halls of ``the People's House'' are filled today--as
they are every day--with vacationing families, school
children, Scout troops, and thousands of others who have
come to see their government in action. They walk these
majestic halls and marvel--as they do every day--at the
beauty of this building, at its history and its openness.
That is the real tribute to Officer Chestnut and
Detective Gibson.
Because they made us feel so safe, we may not have
understood fully the risks they took each day when they
put on their badges and came to work. But they understood.
They knowingly risked their lives because they loved
this building and what it represents, and they wanted
others to be able to see their government at work.
Among the bouquets on the steps outside is a handmade
tribute: a collage of a silvery cross on black paper.
Glued across the top of the collage is the headline from
Saturday's newspaper. It reads ``2 Slain Officers
Remembered, Called Heroes.''
Today, as we struggle to accept that loss, we offer our
condolences and thanks to the men and women of the Capitol
Police Department especially those who were at work last
Friday afternoon and who reacted with such selfless
professionalism as well as those who worked through the
weekend so that ``the People's House'' could remain open
to the people.
We can only imagine how awful these days are for you,
and how difficult it must be for you to be here.
We are proud to work with you, and deeply grateful to
you for your courage and dedication.
Above all, our thoughts and prayers are with the
families and friends of Officer Chestnut and Detective
Gibson. May God comfort them and ease their terrible
anguish.
Tomorrow, we will put aside our normal schedule in order
to pay our final respects to Jacob Joseph Chestnut and
John Gibson.
Their bodies will lie in honor in the Rotunda,
surrounded by statues of other American heroes. That is as
it should be, for they truly are heroes. They gave their
life for their country and, in doing so, saved the lives
of countless others. We are in awe of their sacrifice, and
we are grateful to them beyond words.
Ms. MIKULSKI. I also want to voice my sorrow and the
sorrow of the people of Maryland following the tragic
events on Friday, July 24.
And I rise in tribute to the heroic acts of Officer
Jacob ``J.J.'' Chestnut, from Ft. Washington in my home
state of Maryland, and special agent John Gibson, of
nearby Woodbridge, Virginia, who gave their lives to
protect the U.S. Capitol and its residents, to protect
this building that is the symbol of freedom and democracy
the world over.
No words can adequately express my pain and outrage at
the senseless killings that took place at 3:40 on Friday.
No words can adequately comfort those who were emotionally
and physically injured, nor relieve the pain of the
families who lost loved ones. No words can erase the
horror of the Weston family upon learning that their son
may have committed this horrific act. And no words can
adequately express the sorrow that millions of Americans
feel today about this assault on our Nation's heritage and
democratic institutions.
However, words can be used to remember and applaud the
lives and heroism of Officer Chestnut and Detective
Gibson. And I want to add my voice to the call today to
remember those brave men and commend all the Capitol Hill
police officers who put their lives on the line to protect
democracy. And I want to add my voice to the call to
ensure that the People's House remains open to the people,
while preserving the safety of those who work and visit
this great institution.
Many of my colleagues know how indispensable and brave
the Capitol Hill Police Officers are, but many other
Americans learned of these brave troops just on Friday.
Let me tell you what I think many people didn't really
know until Friday: what a Capitol Hill Police Officer does
and what makes them so special.
These men and women are some of the most unique officers
in the country. First, they are excellent federal law
enforcement officials who protect Members of Congress from
crooks, terrorists, or anyone else who would want to harm
us. They also protect all the people in the building,
whether it's a foreign dignitary, like Mr. Mandela, or a
girl-scout troop from Iowa. Second, they are also
``Officer Friendly''--welcoming people and answering
questions. Many have taken special language training to
help visitors from around the world. Third, many are also
trained for other possible emergencies: to provide basic
paramedic help in the case of an ill tourist, or to
provide basic fire-fighting and help evacuate buildings in
the case of fires.
These police are like our own ``cops on the beat.'' Many
of the officers are assigned a primary beat, which means
they get to know particular Members, our hours, and our
staffs; the regular delivery people; and others. They know
who are the usual folks coming in and can then detect
anyone who is strange, or who is acting strange. So, just
like thousands of towns across the country, Capitol Hill
has its own community policemen. They have a beat, they
get to know us, and we get to know them.
And if you're on the beat, you get to know the officers
on your beat. We talk about the Orioles. We talk about
their families. There is always the proud dad. The one
who's getting off early because his daughter is going to a
prom and he's chaperoning. Or one who is the first in her
family to get her college degree.
They also get to know us. We talk to them about our own
families. I know when my own mother was ill and we thought
she needed surgery, they volunteered to organize a blood
drive if I needed it. They told me that I never had to
worry, that if I needed extra people to come to Baltimore,
they would. They just said, ``Don't worry, Senator Barb,
we'll be there for you.''
Finally, so many of the Capitol Hill Police Officers are
my Maryland constituents, just like J.J. Chestnut. So, I'd
hear if the fishing was good down in Southern Maryland, or
if the traffic was congested. Officer Chestnut was from
Ft. Washington in Prince Georges County. It's close to the
Potomac River, and it is where a lot of our officers live.
Where they can have a wonderful family life, fish in the
Potomac, or, as I've learned about Officer Chestnut, tend
a wonderful vegetable garden. Officer Chestnut was always
one of the stars--trained as an MP in the military, he'd
been with the Capitol Police for eighteen years and was
known for having a unique touch with tourists and
constituents. We were very proud of him and that he was
even nominated at one time as Capitol Police Officer of
the Year.
And I know how proud we were of Detective Gibson as
well. He was from just across the River in Virginia, and
was also a star and a hero. From helping tourists to
protecting dignitaries, Detective Gibson always made the
safety of others his top priority. I know he was a true
hero on Friday, when he stopped the gunman from entering
further into the building.
The Capitol Hill Police Officers are our hi-touch, hi-
tech community police officers and we are very proud of
them. We are profoundly grieved at the passing of two of
that force's brightest lights, Officer Chestnut and
Detective Gibson.
My heart and prayers go out to their families, as they
cope with their overwhelming loss. And my heart goes out
to the family of the suspect, Mr. Weston. From everything
I've seen and heard, Mr. Weston was mentally ill. From
interviews I've seen, the Weston family is a good family
and his mom and dad are absolutely grief-stricken at the
thought that their son could have done such a terrible
act. Our thoughts and prayers should be with them as well
today.
Mr. President, I know the entire Senate joins me in
saying that this act was a horror and that no family, no
nation, should have to endure the pain we feel today. I
know that we will honor them tomorrow in a service
befitting heroes because, Madam President, they were
heroes. Giving their lives so that others might be safe is
the ultimate act of heroism. We know that Officer Chestnut
and Detective Gibson are heroes for today and all
eternity.
Madam President, I hope that as we respond, we are very
careful to ensure that the public access continues to be
granted here. We need to ensure that what they died for,
which was defending not only the building, but what the
building stands for, remains accessible so that the public
can always come see us doing our work while they so
valiantly did their work. I thank the Chair and my
colleague, the senior Senator, for yielding me this time.
I yield the floor.
Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, on Friday, two veteran
Capitol Police Officers were killed in the line of duty
during a tragic attack in the United States Capitol. Their
sacrifice in performance of duty will forever be
remembered in the halls of the United States Congress.
Tomorrow in the Rotunda of the Capitol we will
memorialize the bravery and sacrifice of these two
officers--the first Capitol Police Officers to be killed
in the line of duty.
Officer ``J.J.'' Chestnut was 58 and the father of five
children. He was a grandfather and a 20-year veteran of
the United States Air Force with service in Vietnam.
Officer Chestnut was a member of the Capitol Police Force
for 18 years.
Special Agent John Gibson was 42 and the father of three
children. He was an 18-year veteran of the Capitol Police
Force who served as a Special Agent assigned to House
Majority Whip, Tom DeLay for the last three years.
To the families of these men, we extend our deep and
heartfelt sympathy during this very difficult time. The
Capitol Hill community has lost two respected and brave
defenders of democracy.
To the fellow officers of these fallen heroes, you have
our unqualified support as daily you carry your duties to
protect the halls of freedom. Your dedication and service
to the Nation is deeply appreciated.
Indeed, all Americans are indebted to Officer Chestnut
and Special Agent Gibson for their devotion to duty and
their sacrifice in the defense of freedom.
Mr. President, as chairman of the Rules Committee, I
also had the opportunity over the weekend to maintain
close contact with those here under the direction of our
distinguished majority leader and minority leader, notably
the Sergeant at Arms and the chief of police. I wish to
commend them in the manner in which they very quickly took
charge of this tragic situation and, once again, reopened
the People's House--that is what this magnificent
structure is--so that the people from the United States,
people from all over the world, can continue to come and
share the magnificence of this edifice.
A great debt of gratitude is owed, of course, especially
to these two officers and to their families. As I look
into the eyes of the men and women who guard the Capitol,
each day, I silently express my gratitude, for we couldn't
have 32,000 visitors as we did the day before and probably
in the days to come, who could walk through these
magnificent halls with a sense of safety and confidence--
we couldn't have that without the dedicated service of our
Capitol Police. Nor could the business of the Congress
itself take place without their taking a risk every minute
of the day and night that this edifice is open for the
people's business.
I also thank the medical department. They responded and
were on the scene within less than 2 minutes. I went down
to personally express my appreciation and their reply to
me was, we are there, we did our duty like everyone else,
and we are delighted to be a part of this team that
functions to make this magnificent organization and this
building serve the people of this country and, indeed,
stand as a symbol to the whole free world.
I thank the Chair and I thank my distinguished
colleague.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Florida.
Mr. GRAHAM. Mr. President, I wish to join briefly in the
comments that have been made. The heroism of the two slain
officers will be a permanent memorial to the hundreds of
others, the thousands, the tens of thousands of others
here and across our land who daily put their lives at risk
so we can live as free and secure people.
The greatest testimony that we could give to these two
brave men would be to continue the practice of openness in
this Capitol. Our democracy depends upon a very special
relationship between the people and those who are
fortunate enough to be their representatives. We must not
break that bond. We must be prudent in our actions, but
not closed in our demeanor toward the thousands of
citizens who come here on a daily basis to observe their
democracy.
So I join in the comments that have been made by our
leaders and extend our heartfelt sympathy to those
families who have been so tragically ruptured by this
senseless act.
Mr. KENNEDY addressed the Chair.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Massachusetts.
Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, the Nation was stunned as we
learned of the tragic deaths of John Gibson and J.J.
Chestnut, two veteran officers of the Capitol Police who
lost their lives in the line of duty in the tragic and
senseless shootings last Friday. The extraordinary
dedication and heroism of these two courageous officers
clearly prevented greater loss of life in the Capitol, and
I join all Americans in mourning their deaths.
These brave men represented the very finest traditions
of American law enforcement. They protected a building--
the Nation's Capitol--and in doing so they were also
defending our democracy. Unless citizens can come freely
into the Capitol building and meet with their elected
Senators and Representatives, our democracy and our
freedoms are greatly diminished. Special Agent Gibson and
Officer Chestnut understood this, and with professionalism
and dedication, they served Congress well and served the
country well too.
It is fitting that these two brave men will lie in state
tomorrow in the Capitol building where they gave their
lives. They made the ultimate sacrifice to protect us, and
we will forever owe them and their families a debt of deep
gratitude.
Our thoughts and prayers go out especially to the Gibson
and Chestnut families. My family too has suffered the
sudden loss of loved ones, and I know that there is no
greater tragedy, no greater sadness for a family.
Special Agent Gibson is a son of Massachusetts, and we
were all especially proud of him. He loved his family, his
country, his church, and his Capitol. Our hearts go out to
his wife Lynn and his three children during this very
difficult time of loss.
Officer Chestnut, too, was well known by anyone who
entered the Document Room door. He was always friendly to
everyone, and was a consummate professional in the conduct
of his duties. I join Wendy and the rest of Officer
Chestnut's family in mourning his loss.
We cannot help but be angry at the senseless act that
led to the death of these two extraordinary officers. One
minute, the Capitol building is full of the people's
business--with debates and meetings and visitors from
across the country in this great and open symbol of our
free government. The next minute, the Nation was shocked
to learn the news that a man who had no business
possessing a handgun had taken the lives of these officers
in two brutal acts that shocked the conscience of Congress
and the country.
In the days ahead, we will consider what steps may be
taken to ensure a secure--and yet open--Capitol. I hope
Congress will also consider further actions to keep guns
out of the hands of those who so easily misuse them. As we
saw on Friday, our failure to do so leads to tragedy far
too often.
The Gibson and Chestnut families know that all of us in
Congress embrace them at this sad time. The Nation loves
them. We are grateful for their extraordinary service, and
saddened by their tragic sacrifice.
Mr. President, on Saturday, at Andrews Air Force Base,
President Clinton spoke eloquently and movingly about the
loss of these two brave officers. I ask unanimous consent
that his remarks be printed in the Record at this point.
There being no objection, the material was ordered to be
printed in the Record, as follows:
Remarks of President Clinton, July 25, 1998
Good morning. The shooting at the United States Capitol
yesterday was a moment of savagery at the front door of
American civilization. Federal law enforcement agencies
and the United States Attorneys' office are working
closely with the D.C. Police and the Capitol Police to
ensure that justice is pursued.
Meanwhile, I would ask all Americans to reflect for a
moment on the human elements of yesterday's tragedy. The
scripture says ``greater love hath no man than this, that
he lay down his life for his friends.''
Officer Jacob ``J.J.'' Chestnut and Detective John
Gibson laid down their lives for their friends, their co-
workers, and their fellow citizens--those whom they were
sworn to protect. In so doing, they saved many others from
exposure to lethal violence.
Every day, a special breed of men and women pin on their
badges, put on their uniforms, kiss their families good-
bye, knowing full well they may be called on to lay down
their lives. This year alone 79 other law enforcement
officers have made the ultimate sacrifice. Every American
should be grateful to them, for the freedom and the
security they guard with their lives. And every American
should stand up for them and stand against violence.
Officer Chestnut was a Vietnam veteran, a member of the
Capitol Police for 18 years, just months away from
retirement.
Detective Gibson was a deeply religious man, beloved by
his co-workers and, being from Massachusetts, devoted to
the Red Sox and the Bruins.
Both leave behind loving wives and children, the
affection of neighbors, friends, and co-workers, and the
deep gratitude of those who are alive today because of
their bravery.
In this one heartless act, there were many acts of
heroism, by strangers who shielded children with their
bodies, by officers who fanned across the Capitol, by Dr.
Bill Frist, a renowned heart surgeon before his election
to the Senate from Tennessee, who had just put down his
gavel, when he rushed to tend the injured.
To all these and others, who stood for our common
humanity, we extend the thanks of our Nation. To the
families of Officer Chestnut and Detective Gibson, nothing
we say can bring them back. But all Americans pray that
the power of a loving God, and the comfort of family and
friends, will with time ease your sorrow and swell your
pride for loved ones and the sacrifice they made for their
fellow citizens.
To Angela Dickerson, the young woman who was injured in
the shooting, we extend our prayers and hope for your
speedy recovery.
To every American who has been shaken by this violent
act, to the millions of parents who have taken your
children through those very same doors, I ask you to think
about what our Capitol means. All around the world, that
majestic marble building is the symbol of our democracy
and the embodiment of our Nation. We must keep it a place
where people can freely and proudly walk the halls of
their government. And we must never, ever take for granted
the values for which it stands, or the price of preserving
them.
Mr. HATCH addressed the Chair.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Utah.
Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, I have been honored to serve
here in the Senate for 22 years. I have to say that, to a
person, our Capitol Hill Police are terrific human beings;
to a person, they are dedicated to their jobs and they
want to do the best they can. Frankly, without them, I
think this place would not run anywhere near as well as it
does. To a person, those of us who knew John Gibson and
J.J. Chestnut have to say these are two of the finest who
have ever served on Capitol Hill. These are people for
whom everybody should have a sense of deep gratitude. They
gave their lives as a last full measure of devotion so
that many others might live.
It is a shame that we have people who violate the law
and who may be emotionally disturbed and do things like
this. And it is an absolute catastrophe and tragedy for
the families of these two fine men. Our hearts go out to
them. Elaine and I have them in our prayers, as I know
other Members of Congress and Members of the Senate do as
well. These were two fine men--always courteous, always
looking out for not only the Members as they came in and
out of those doors and in and out of the Capitol, but for
every citizen who came to the People's House time after
time--and millions of them do. Both of them had long
tenures here and both served every day of those tenures
with distinction.
Mr. President, I want to personally express my gratitude
to these men for the sacrifice they have made, and to
their families for the sacrifice that they have made. I am
sure the families will be taken care of. I hope we will do
some good for them and that they will realize how deeply
we all feel about the sacrifice that these two brave men
gave for us.
Mr. President, this is one of the great spots on this
Earth. It is visited by millions of people. It means so
much to those of us who serve in this building. We are
vulnerable to people who are emotionally disturbed or who
may be terrorists. We are vulnerable to people who are
insensitive to the needs of those who serve here. On the
other hand, every one of us feels it to be such a
privilege to serve in these two great bodies, in this
separate branch of government that means so much to the
people. We could not serve very well, nor could we
accomplish very much if it weren't for the sacrifices of
all of our people here on Capitol Hill who work so hard--
like John Gibson and J.J. Chestnut.
Again, Mr. President, I pray to our Father in Heaven
that the families of these two heroes will be comforted
and cared for. As a Nation, we are deeply grateful for
their service. God bless those who remain that we all
might keep in remembrance the sacrifice of these two fine
men.
Mr. DURBIN addressed the Chair.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Illinois is
recognized.
Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, this is a special moment in
the history of this body. I wanted to be heard for a very
brief moment on what happened in the last few days here in
this building. I guess it is customary, when you work in a
building for many years, to get used to it and not to be
stirred by it, but not this building. For 16 years, it has
been my honor to serve in the House and the Senate, and I
can tell you that as I walk up to this building still in
daylight, or in the middle of the night, it still has a
special impact on me, as it does on so many Americans.
There have been those who have come before us, and my
colleague from West Virginia, who is a historian of this
body, remembers, I'm sure, better than most that when
President Lincoln was engaged in the Civil War, we were in
the process of building the great white dome that we now
see on the top of this Capitol Building.
People came to him, and said, ``Mr. President, we can't
continue this construction. We have a war to fight.'' He
said, ``No. We will continue this construction. We will
build this dome during the war as a symbol of what this
Nation will be after the war; that it will be united
again; and that this building will be the symbol of that
unity.''
President Lincoln had it right. As you reflect on this
building and what it means to so many of us, you have to
also reflect on its history.
This is not the first act of violence in this building.
It is not the first time that lives were lost, or that
blood was shed.
The British invaded this building and came up the spiral
staircase. During the Civil War, the Union troops who had
been felled in battle were brought here and laid in the
Rotunda in a hospital where they were treated. In the
1950s, a group of terrorists took control of the Chamber
of the House for a few brief minutes, firing pistols on
the floor and injuring people. In 1983, just outside this
Chamber, there was a bomb that was detonated late at
night. We have never discovered the cause of that bombing.
And then, of course, the tragic incident which occurred
last Friday involving one very troubled, disturbed
individual who took two lives and injured another person.
I guess each of us who walk in the door of the Capitol
each day take for granted the warm greeting and the smile
from the Capitol Police and forget that it is more than
just a responsibility to greet. It is a responsibility to
protect that brings them to this building. Like so many
Senators, I came to take that for granted. You think it is
always going to be safe and that they will never need to
take the pistols from their holsters, or use them. And yet
last Friday that all changed.
When I came to this building today and walked in the
entrance and saw the Capitol policeman at his post, I
looked at him in a different way, understanding that he
was doing more than just his duty. He was protecting me
and thousands of others who come to this building.
On behalf of John Gibson and Mr. Chestnut, J.J.
Chestnut, my sympathies go out, from the people of
Illinois and all of my friends and my staff, to their
families. They have left behind eight children who now
should be cared for, and I hope all of us will join in
that effort to make certain that that occurs--and that
their family goes through this period of mourning
understanding that they do not stand alone, that we stand
with them shoulder to shoulder in gratitude for what they
have given us. Because what they have given us is
something we all hope to bring to this building--to bring
more honor to this building, to the people who work here,
and to the great tradition in history of the U.S. Capitol.
We do it in our daily activities, in our speeches, in our
conduct. What these men have done is to give their lives
in the service to that great tradition and that great
history.
There will be another time and another place when we
will talk about how this tragedy might have been averted
with better security measures, or better efforts in terms
of the control of guns, or keeping guns out of the hands
of those who should not have them. But let's save that
debate for another day. Let us close this debate with fond
memory of the contributions made by these two men, and
with gratitude not only to them but to all of the men and
women who protect our lives in law enforcement, and
particularly those on the Capitol Hill Police Force.
Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, I rise today to join my
colleagues in expressing shock, dismay, and most
significantly, sorrow at the tragic events that unfolded
not far from this Chamber last Friday.
The killing of a police officer is always a disturbing
event because a mortal attack on a law enforcement officer
is also an attack on society at large. After all, it is
those men and women who are sworn law enforcement officers
who stand between the law abiding citizens of the United
States and those elements within our society that seek to
do harm. Being any sort of law enforcement officer is a
thankless job fraught with danger, two facts that it is
sometimes easy to forget.
The deaths of Capitol Police Officers Jacob Chestnut,
known as J.J., and John Gibson, not only remind us of just
how dangerous law enforcement is, but also of the
admiration we have for those who protect us. What makes
their deaths all the more disturbing is that they were
attacked in the United States Capitol, a place that is
more than an office building; it is a symbol of our
Nation. What makes their deaths all the more sad is that
close interaction each of us has with Capitol Police
officers. We have come to think of these men and women as
much more than simply protectors; we have come to view
them as friends.
Since its founding in 1828, the United States Capitol
Police and its officers have worked, largely in anonymity,
to protect Members of Congress, their staffs, the Capitol,
and all those who visit this magnificent building. They
are a force that carries out its responsibilities
professionally and effectively, and they manage to bring
credible security and protection to one of the most
publicly accessible places in the world. Last Friday, fate
forced Officers Gibson and Chestnut to shed their
anonymity in the most tragic and brutal of manners, but
the manner in which they put duty and aiding others above
personal safety is a credit to not only each of them, but
to all the members of the United States Capitol Police.
The members of the South Carolina Congressional Delegation
feel a special sense of grief as ``J.J.'' Chestnut was
both a native of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and a 20-
year veteran of the United States Air Force who retired as
a Master Sergeant
Many have likened Capitol Hill to a small town, as this
is a place where people know each other, stop to talk, and
where there is a true sense of congeniality and
hospitality. That spirit is certainly evident in the
outpouring of grief, support, and sympathy we are seeing
for these two slain officers. Sadly, no amount of
expressed condolences or high praise will bring these two
brave men back to their families and loved ones. I think,
however, that each of us hopes that these expressions will
convey the high regard we hold for these two men, and our
inexpressible gratitude that Officers Chestnut and Gibson
were on duty. Their actions truly saved the day and they
will no doubt forever be remembered as ``heroes.''
Mr. HOLLINGS. Mr. President, as with everyone in
Congress and the Nation, my thoughts today are with the
victims of Friday's shooting and their families. And like
many of my colleagues, I wish to pay tribute to the
heroism of Capitol Police officers Jacob Chestnut and John
Gibson and to mourn their passing.
This is a terrible time for the Congress and the Nation.
It reminds me, Mr. President, of having to write the
families of dead comrades in World War II. How does one
summarize the achievements and meaning of two lifetimes in
a short letter or brief remarks? How does one do justice
to men who gave the last full measure of devotion so that
others might live? Consoling the families of the dead and
doing justice to the ultimate sacrifices and nobility of
heroes is never easy. It is particularly hard in time of
peace, when we take our safety and security for granted.
But even in peace time, Mr. President, unfathomable evil
exists and threatens to shatter our security at any
moment. Officers Chestnut and Gibson knew that the price
of our safety here in the Capitol was their unceasing
vigilance; and they showed us that even in peace time, the
heroism of brave and selfless individuals like them often
is all that enables us to live in freedom and work in
safety. It is easy to forget this; but we must not forget,
and Friday's events ensure that we will not forget.
Officer Chestnut, a South Carolina native who served with
distinction in the Air Force for many years, would not
want us to forget. He knew the price of freedom, and he
was willing to give his life for his fellow citizens.
Who knows how many lives officer Gibson saved by
confronting the gunman, Russell Weston, outside the office
of Representative Tom DeLay? Who knows how many tourists
and staffers would have died were it not for the bravery
and heroism not only of officers Gibson and Chestnut but
of all the Capitol Police?
Friday's shootings were a reminder that all of us who
live and work on Capitol Hill owe an unpayable debt to the
Capitol Police. The brave men and women of that force put
their lives on the line for us every time they put on a
uniform. It is their job to stand between us and harm's
way, and they perform it with unceasing devotion and
consummate professionalism. We should all give thanks to
God that we are protected by these officers. And we should
realize that it is thanks to their zealous devotion to
duty that we live in freedom from constant fear and
danger.
For those of us who see the Capitol Police every day, it
is easy to forget they are fathers and mothers, sons and
daughters. Officers Chestnut and Gibson were not only
exemplary guardians of the public safety--they also were
dedicated and loving family men. Each leaves behind a wife
and children. These shattered homes are the legacy of one
lunatic's senseless violence.
Jacob Chestnut and John Gibson's heroic deaths are all
the more painful for the loss their families will forever
feel. We whom they died to protect can only hope that the
nobility of their sacrifice and the priceless ideal for
which they gave their lives--not us, but freedom and
democratic government--will be of some small comfort to
their families.
I join with all Americans today in offering my deepest
thanks to these men, my condolences to their families, and
my promise that their sacrifice will not be forgotten.
Mr. CAMPBELL. Mr. President, today I pay tribute to two
Capitol Police officers, two heroes, who last Friday gave
their lives in the line of duty while serving their
country, Detective John Gibson and Officer Jacob Chestnut.
Last Friday's shocking and senseless violence in the
halls of the U.S. Capitol both saddened our Nation and
took the lives of two of our finest. I would like to take
a moment to share a few memories and thoughts about the
two slain officers.
About a month ago, in late June, I had the chance to
start a new friendship with a good man. I had the pleasure
to get to know John Gibson, not just as an able and
dedicated detective, but also as a gentleman and dedicated
family man.
During our time together, I learned that we shared
common values and a similar hobby. As a former deputy
sheriff myself, it quickly became evident that Detective
Gibson and I shared an understanding of the daily perils
facing law enforcement officers.
Detective Gibson and I also discovered that we both
shared the rather unique hobby of collecting police
patches. In fact, just last month I sent him several
police arm patches from Colorado to add to his collection
as a small token of my appreciation for his dedicated
service.
I understand that it was Detective John Gibson's final
shot, his final act as a defender of the peace, that
brought the gunman down and ended the violent rampage. The
Detective's steadfast valor, while already having been
shot several times, was the difference that saved many
lives. We all owe him a deep debt of gratitude.
Officer Jacob Chestnut was posted at the Document Door
entrance on the Capitol's East Front. Officers posted to
this entrance are the first faces that many tourists see
when they come to visit the Capitol. Officer Chestnut's
post, which involves achieving a delicate balance between
the ensuring safety of those who visit the Capitol while
keeping the People's House as free and open as possible,
requires a very special combination of hospitality, humor,
patience, and professionalism. To his credit, Officer
Chestnut excelled in this endeavor.
If it had not been for the heroic actions of these two
brave officers, this dangerous gunman would almost
certainly have killed many more innocent people. The
officers' ultimate sacrifice saved lives. I extend my
deepest sympathies to the families of these two fallen
heroes.
This building, the U.S. Capitol, is far more than just a
building, it is a living monument to freedom and
democracy. It is perhaps the only building on earth that
simultaneously houses a healthy democracy at work, while
standing as a tribute to freedom that attract millions of
visitors from all over the U.S. and the entire world each
year. The Chambers, galleries, and halls of our Capitol
are full of statues, busts, paintings, and displays that
commemorate heroes and key events in our Nation's history.
The men and women honored under this magnificent dome have
served their country in a wide variety of ways. Some have
been great visionaries and statesmen. Some have been
leaders in science or adventurers, like Colorado's son,
astronaut Jack Swigert whose statue stands in these halls.
Each of these heroes has contributed and sacrificed in his
or her own very real and personal way.
Some of these heroes have made the greatest sacrifice
for their Nation, giving their lives. Detective John
Gibson and Officer Jacob Chestnut have joined this honored
rank. They gave their lives for their Nation while
protecting our Nation's Capitol, and it is fitting that
they will lie in honor in the Capitol's Rotunda while a
grateful Nation pays its respects.
Not only is the Capitol the American People's House, it
stands as a bright beacon of hope to all of the world's
freedom loving people. While traveling this building's
halls, I have been regularly awed by the comments of
visitors from other countries as they comment in
astonishment how open and free this building is. They
state how they would never be allowed to walk so freely
through the halls of their own capital buildings back home
in their respective countries. This is an important part
of what makes America great.
Whenever I have heard such sentiments, I am reminded of
just how fortunate I am, and we all are, to be Americans.
Our Capitol is the People's House, and it must remain open
and accessible to all.
Thanks to the sacrifices of Detective John Gibson and
Officer Jacob Chestnut, and the dedication and
professionalism of the entire U.S. Capitol Police Force,
our Nation's Capitol building is freely accessible and
continues to serve as a beacon of freedom.
Mr. GLENN. Mr. President, today we mourn the loss in our
Capitol family of two brave men who gave their lives in
service to our Nation.
Last Friday, in a running gun battle, United States
Capitol Police Officer Jacob J. Chestnut and Detective
John M. Gibson were killed in the line of duty.
Mr. President, each of us who works in the Capitol feels
a kinship to and a deep appreciation of the officers of
the U.S. Capitol Police. We know that our lives are
protected each day by the work that they do. In the
twenty-four years that I have served Ohio as Senator, I
have come to know many of the fine officers on the force.
A former member of my staff is currently a member of the
force and other staff members have officers among their
immediate family members.
This highly trained and professional force polices our
Nation's Capitol and performs numerous law enforcement
duties as they monitor the entrances of our buildings,
ensure the safety of the millions of tourists who visit
the Capitol each year, and provide a kind word and a
watchful eye as we come and go. These officers go about
their duties with dedication and great skill.
In a senseless, momentary act of violence, these fine
officers gave their all. They gave their lives in the
defense of all who visit and work here. Mr. President, we
may never understand why such a tragedy occurred in our
halls last Friday afternoon. Despite this lack of
comprehension, we will always be certain that J. J.
Chestnut and John Gibson fulfilled their responsibilities
to our Nation and will be remembered as heroes.
I think that it is a fitting tribute that these officers
will lay in state in the Capitol tomorrow, an appropriate
commendation for the selfless sacrifice that they gave in
the performance of their duties. My wife, Annie, joins me
in extending my deepest sympathy to the families of
Officer Chestnut and Detective Gibson.
Mr. THOMPSON. Mr. President, I want to join my
colleagues in expressing my sincere condolences to the
families of the two Capitol Police officers who gave their
lives last Friday defending the Capitol and all of us who
work here, as well as the many Americans who come here
from around the country to see their government in action.
Officers J.J. Chestnut and John Gibson are American
heroes in the truest sense of the word. Their actions last
week unquestionably prevented a terrible tragedy from
becoming even more deadly. I know I speak for every Member
of Congress in expressing my respect and gratitude to
them, their families, and their colleagues on the Capitol
Police Force.
At the first sign of trouble, Officers Chestnut and
Gibson acted on instinct, doing what they were trained to
do and saving lives in the process. When an event like
this happens, I think many of us react according to
instinct, and our instincts differ depending on the
varying experiences we've had.
As most people know by now, my colleague from Tennessee,
Senator Frist, also acted on instinct when he heard the
news of Friday's shootings. Upon returning to his office
from speaking on the Senate floor and learning what had
happened, Senator Frist immediately called the Capitol
physician's office to see if they needed assistance, and
then rushed over to the scene of the shootings to lend a
hand however he could. He assisted in treating one of the
two fallen police officers, administered CPR, made sure
that he made it safely to a waiting ambulance--and then
went back inside to treat another of the victims. After
restarting this second victim's heart, he rode with him to
D.C. General Hospital to ensure that, if paramedics had to
open up his chest on the way to the hospital, he would be
there to provide assistance or do the procedure himself.
Mr. President, Senator Frist's actions are both a
reminder of the very different routes each of us took in
coming to the United States Senate, and of the importance
of preserving the diversity of backgrounds that we have in
this body. His instinct as a heart surgeon and trauma
specialist took over last Friday, and he rushed to the
scene to provide whatever help he could--just as he's done
hundreds of times before when patients were relying on
him.
I want to take this opportunity to salute my colleague
from Tennessee for his heroic actions last Friday, and for
all of the other times he has provided medical assistance
since coming to the Senate three and a half years ago.
Many people will remember that a couple of years ago, one
of our constituents, a man from Cleveland, Tennessee, had
a heart attack in the Dirksen Building, just outside of
Senator Frist's office. Senator Frist immediately came to
the rescue, and saved this Tennessean's life. Now that's
what I call constituent service.
Mr. President, the events of last Friday have affected
all of us very deeply. We will not soon get over the
memory of the tragedy that occurred inside ``the People's
House'' or of the heroic sacrifice made by Officers
Chestnut and Gibson. Again, I want to offer to their
families and Capitol Police colleagues our sincere
condolences and our deepest thanks.
Mr. MOYNIHAN. Mr. President, the U.S. Capitol Police--so
ubiquitous, so steady, so utterly competent. We take them
for granted. Yet every day they defend us, our families,
our staff, millions of tourists, ready to lay down their
lives. Last Friday, two of them did: Officer Jacob J.
Chestnut and Detective John Gibson, each an 18-year
veteran, each married, each with children. One in the
prime of life; the other, a few short months from
retirement. What a tragedy.
What happened on Friday could happen at any instant. One
never knows when. In the crucible of a gun battle,
Chestnut, Gibson, and other Capitol Police officers
performed their duty in the most exemplary fashion.
Chestnut and Gibson made the ultimate sacrifice, laying
down their lives to defend others. We can only speculate
how many bystanders would have been killed if not for
their--and the other officers'--quick and appropriate
actions.
To the wives and children, other family members, and
friends and colleagues of Officer Chestnut and Detective
Gibson, our words cannot assuage your grief. But perhaps
there is some solace in knowing that these fine two men,
killed in the line of duty, have died the most honorable
deaths, defending the United States Congress and its most
sacred building. They are heroes. Remember, as Pindar
wrote, that ``the bright gleam of noble deeds moves on
with undying voice, ever unquenchable.'' And as you
struggle to be brave in the days and weeks ahead, know
that courage is marked not by the absence of fear, but
rather by the presence of faith. May God be with you, and
may God be with J.J. Chestnut and John Gibson.
Mrs. HUTCHISON. Mr. President, I join my colleagues and
our fellow citizens all across this country in honoring
the memories of Detective John Gibson and Private First
Class Jacob Chestnut. These two fine law enforcement
officers gave their lives in the line of duty during a
tragedy on Friday, July 24, 1998, while guarding the
United States Capitol. Our thoughts and prayers go out to
the families of these two fine gentlemen.
The United States Capitol is recognized the world over
as the symbol of American freedom and of the still
revolutionary idea that citizens confer power upon those
who serve us in government. That it could become the scene
of so heinous an act as this cannot but shake us from the
complacency by which we sometimes take this all for
granted.
But on a beautiful summer day and with thousands of
ordinary people in sight, Officers Chestnut and Gibson
gave their lives as proof that everyday, in places as near
as our Capitol and as far away as seven seas, men and
women serve selflessly to protect the freedom that is the
American birthright and the dream of millions around the
globe.
I commend the United States Capitol Police, the D.C.
Metropolitan Police, and the other law enforcement
agencies that have performed so professionally throughout
this difficult period. They are a continuing tribute to
their fallen comrades, and I trust that they will be
inspired to serve on in their memory.
Mr. CONRAD. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute
to Jacob J. Chestnut and John M. Gibson, Capitol Police
officers who were tragically killed in the line of duty on
Friday.
Officers Chestnut and Gibson were decent and highly
capable law enforcement professionals. On Friday, their
selfless devotion to duty saved countless lives. Their
deaths were not in vain.
The service of these Capitol Police officers will not be
forgotten by the Congress. In particular, I will always
remember the spirit and good humor brought to this job by
J.J. Chestnut, whom I knew personally from years of
working together here at the Capitol. This institution has
known few, if any, who were more friendly and able
protectors.
On this day of reflection, I think it is important to
note that incidents such as occurred on Friday do not
happen every day precisely because Gibson, Chestnut, and
other Capitol Police officers have done their jobs so
well. Even as they stood their ground and gave their
lives, Gibson and Chestnut demonstrated that attacks on
this building and the Members and staff who work here will
simply not succeed.
Mr. President, every day of their careers here on the
Hill, Chestnut and Gibson provided a unique and important
service to every American. By protecting the United States
Congress, they made it possible for our Nation's
legislature and our county's greatest public building to
be open and accessible to the American people. American
democracy could not function as it does in the sunlight of
public scrutiny, engagement, and participation if not for
the safety provided by officers Gibson and Chestnut. If
for this reason alone, every American owes these
officers--and everyone serving in the United States
Capitol Police--a deep debt of gratitude.
It is difficult for those of us who knew these officers
to let them go easily, but certainly not as trying as this
loss has been for their families. With our friends and
colleagues here in the Senate and millions of Americans
throughout our country, my wife Lucy and I will be sure to
keep the families of Chestnut and Gibson in our thoughts
and prayers. It is my understanding that a scholarship
fund is being established in their honor, and I would urge
every Member and staff member to contribute.
Mr. President, I think the most important message we can
deliver here today is one of thanks. Officers John Gibson
and Jacob Chestnut made the ultimate sacrifice: they laid
down their lives so that others could live. For that, they
deserve our unending gratitude and respect. Mr. President,
I yield the floor.
Mr. D'AMATO. Mr. President, I rise today to take time
out of our busy schedule to recognize the bravery and
valor of U.S. Capitol Police Officers John M. Gibson and
Jacob J. Chestnut. These two fine officers were killed in
the line of duty while protecting our Nation's Capitol
building and protecting those who pass through this great
building. They died fulfilling their sworn duty to protect
the public, and they did so in an exemplary way. They are
heroes who saved many lives by their actions.
I remember a period of time after the World Trade Center
bombing in New York in 1993 when law enforcement officials
informed me of threats against my life. The Capitol Police
quickly formed a detail for my protection. Officer Gibson
was a member of this detail. I feel a personal loss. This
man was willing to lay down his life for mine and, in
fact, he did for others.
Tomorrow we will pay homage to their memory as they lay
in honor beneath the majestic Rotunda in the very building
in which they gave their lives to protect.
The thoughts and prayers of this great body, as well as
that of the Nation, goes out to the families and friends
of officers Gibson and Chestnut.
Ms. MOSELEY-BRAUN. Mr. President, I would like to say a
few words about the tragedy that occurred last Friday here
in the Capitol. As all the world now knows, the heart of
our democracy was invaded that day by a gunman who opened
fire in an area crowded with tourists. Before the melee
was over, two Capitol Police officers were dead and an
innocent bystander was wounded.
Even before Friday's events, every Member of this
Congress was well aware of how critical the Capitol Police
are to the functioning of our democracy. We are here to do
the people's business, but the sad fact is that there are
those--both at home and abroad--who do not wish us well in
our efforts. Instead of the free exchange of ideas central
to the concept of democracy, some of those individuals
would, if given the chance, express their views through
bullets and explosives. The only thing that stands between
those individuals and the daily practice of our democratic
ideals is the Capitol Police. They are nothing less than
the guardians of those ideals--for what meaning would such
principles have if they could not be safely exercised?
On Friday, Officer John Gibson and Officer Jacob J.
Chestnut sacrificed their lives defending those
principles. An 18-year veteran of the force, Officer
Chestnut was serving that day as the Capitol's first line
of defense, manning the metal detector designed to keep
instruments of violence out of these halls. When the
gunman set off the alarm, Officer Chestnut immediately
responded, but, tragically, was mortally wounded before he
could stop the intruder. Officer Gibson, also an 18-year
member of the force, performed several acts of bravery
before his death, pushing a French tourist out of harm's
way, hiding a congressional staff member under a desk,
ensuring that Representative Tom DeLay and members of his
staff were hidden from danger, and then helping to bring
down the gunman in the battle that ultimately cost his
life. Before he died, Officer Gibson singlehandedly kept
the gunman out of Representative DeLay's office and, in so
doing, saved the lives of both the Congressman and his
staff.
Those of us who work here--the Senators, the
Representatives, the staff members, the Capitol Police--
have lost two members of our congressional family. But it
is not only those who work and visit the Capitol who owe
an unrepayable debt to those officers--every citizen of
the United States is indebted to them. For Officers
Chestnut and Gibson died defending an institution that is
the very embodiment of all the democratic freedoms that we
Americans hold dear.
Mr. President, our democracy does not exist in a vacuum;
it functions in a very dangerous world. For that reason, a
system of security has been established in the Capitol to
try to insulate the Congress from those who would do it
harm while guaranteeing that we remain accessible to the
people we serve. On Friday, that system worked. This is
``the People's House,'' and each year we welcome roughly
four million people to it. That is precisely the way it
should be. This Capitol--the greatest symbol of democracy
of the greatest democratic republic the world has ever
known, a building aptly described by President Clinton as
``the front door of American civilization''--belongs to
the people of the United States, and it must always be
open to them. I do not oppose calls for tighter security,
but I would take issue with any measure that would make it
more difficult for the American people to visit their
House.
Mr. President, I am the daughter and sister of police
officers. I know the terrible fear that every law
enforcement officer's family endures--the fear that when
their loved one departs for work, he or she may never
return home. It is my good fortune that, throughout my
life, I have never seen that fear materialize. Therefore,
I cannot claim to have any concept of what the families of
Officers Gibson and Chestnut are going through right now.
Nevertheless, I want to express my heartfelt sorrow to
them. Our prayers are with you and the entire Nation will
forever be grateful for the heroism and sacrifice that
your loved ones made on our behalf.
Ms. SNOWE. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to
the two Capitol Police Officers who gave their lives to
protect Members of Congress, their staffs, and visitors
from throughout the world during last Friday's tragic
shooting at the United States Capitol.
For those of us who work in the Capitol, Special Agent
John Gibson and Officer Jacob Chestnut were among the
people who are part of our daily lives. And over the
twenty years I have served in Congress, I've been
constantly impressed with their courteous manner and their
friendliness and the way they know all of us by name, all
the while maintaining the highest degree of
professionalism in carrying out their solemn duties. They
become extensions of our staffs, and they become our
friends.
Sometimes, in the commotion of everyday life around
here, it is easy to forget that each new day brings the
potential for unknown dangers for these brave men and
women. The fact is, those assigned to protect the sanctity
and safety of the U.S. Capitol put themselves in harm's
way on a daily basis, and three days ago, two of them came
to work in the morning never to return to the lives and
families they loved.
It is difficult for us to understand how a day which
began like so many other summer days here on Capitol Hill
could so suddenly end in violence and terror. Here beneath
this dome of marble and stone, here behind these historic
walls, and here at the epicenter of the world's greatest
democracy we feel somehow that such heinous acts are
simply too incongruous with our noble surroundings to be
possible. And yet, history and reality tell us they are,
in fact, all too possible.
It vividly brings back to me one such incident fifteen
years ago, when I was in the House of Representatives. My
future husband, Congressman John McKernan, and I were
standing with others on the House floor when, right above
us, two officers tackled a man brandishing a bomb in the
House gallery. These two men unhesitatingly put the safety
of the entire House Chamber before their own, without
questioning the danger they faced.
Such was the case last Friday--as certainly more would
have been injured or killed had it not been for the
willingness of Special Agent Gibson and Officer Chestnut
to put their lives on the line. Their actions not only
prevented what could have been an even greater
catastrophe, but sent a message to those who would violate
the People's House that they will never prevail.
During what I know is the most difficult of times for
the families of Agent Gibson and Officer Chestnut, I hope
it will be at least some measure of comfort for them to
know that so many here and across America are keeping them
in their thoughts and prayers. The entire Nation shares in
their sense of loss, and our hearts go out to the loved
ones that these brave individuals have left behind.
I also want to extend my sympathies to all the men and
women of the Capitol Police Force. They have lost two of
their finest--men whose actions under the most dire
circumstances have brought tremendous credit to the
Capitol Police. As members of the force go about their
vital duties, I want them to know that they have our
fullest support, trust, and appreciation for all they do
to keep us safe.
Last Friday's shootings stunned the Nation and affected
us all in very personal ways. For those of us here on
Capitol Hill, we lost two members of our family. And in
Maine and throughout the country, people felt a sense of
outrage that this symbol of freedom of democracy--the
greatest public building in the country--would be stained
with the mark of violence.
Today, let us as a country be grateful that people like
Special Agent John Gibson and Officer Jacob Chestnut are
willing to make the ultimate sacrifice so that this
building will always remain the People's House. Let us
mourn their loss, celebrate their lives, and never forget
their courageous deeds on behalf of all the citizens of
our great Nation.
Mr. KERRY. Mr. President, all of America mourns the loss
of two brave Capitol Police Officers--John Gibson and
Jacob Chestnut. We will never understand the senseless
violence that took their lives, never be able to explain
why two fine men who loved their families have been stolen
away from their wives and children. But we know for
certain that Special Agent Gibson and Officer Chestnut
made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.
It has become almost cliche to say that Congress is the
``People's House.'' What many forgot, though, until last
Friday, is that John Gibson and Jacob Chestnut were two
very real people who kept the People's House safe for over
a million visitors and thousands of staff members in the
Capitol each year. Members of Congress know the Capitol
police as men and women who come to work each day to
protect us. We see them every morning and late into the
night. We spend free moments in the hallways and off the
Senate floor talking with them--talking about family, the
score of last night's ball-game, the weather, and, of
course, the prospects of getting home for the weekend.
There is a special bond between us, those who are elected
to serve here for a period of time and those who put on a
uniform to serve in a different way. It is a bond of
public service, a common purpose too often overlooked in
the hustle and bustle of everyday life in Washington.
This remains a country where we allow the media
spotlight and our collective imagination to transform our
public figures into heroes. John Gibson and Jacob Chestnut
require no exaggeration or rhetorical enlargement to be
seen as something above and beyond the ordinary. They
are--quite simply--and will be, forever--heroes.
John Gibson was a native of Massachusetts who, although
he made his career here in Washington and his home in the
suburbs of Northern Virginia, never left his allegiance to
Massachusetts--or to the Boston Red Sox--behind. John
Gibson cherished his Waltham accent and his deep roots in
our state. He carried with him, everywhere, the values
instilled in him in Waltham. He is remembered by those who
knew him as the kind of husband and father who never went
anywhere--not even on a routine errand to the corner
store--without one of his children happily in tow. John
Gibson served with total dedication to protect
Representative Tom DeLay, and died because his commitment,
when tested under fire, remained resolute. I want to
extend my deepest condolences to John Gibson's family, to
his wife and their three children, Kristen, John, and
Daniel, and to the Moakley clan which is mourning John's
loss. John Gibson became a part of Massachusett's biggest
extended political family when he married Joe Moakley's
niece, Evelyn. Whether debating Boston College football or
sharing Irish stories in the afternoon, John Gibson was a
special friend to the dean of our congressional
delegation. Even in his sadness, Congressman Moakley knows
that the young man from Waltham who joined the Capitol
police force 18 years ago, served as a professional who
took his sense of duty to heart.
Jacob Chestnut, too, died as he lived--giving selflessly
of himself to help others. The tragedy on Friday made
Jacob Chestnut a hero throughout the country, but, long
before that, he was a hero to the community in Maryland
where he made his home. Jacob Chestnut was the neighbor
who always lent a helping hand to those who needed it, the
good Samaritan who expected nothing in return and served
his community because it was the right thing to do. Long
before he was a hero to his country, Jacob Chestnut was a
role-model to his children and grandchildren.
One never knows how one will react under fire, how, when
the shots ring out and the adrenaline flows--at the moment
when duty calls--one will call upon the inner strength to
react with bravery. It requires a degree of courage found
in the deepest reserves of the human character. Every
police officer in this country chooses to serve with the
knowledge that the day may come when that commitment will
be tested. John Gibson told a friend--just a week before
he was struck down at the Capitol--that he hoped that if
that moment came, if he was called upon to draw his gun
and defend tourists or Members of Congress or a fellow
officer, that he would rise to the occasion. It is a
thought that accompanies every police officer through
every step of what is at once a dangerous and vital
career. History will record that when that moment came for
John Gibson and Jacob Chestnut, they rose to the occasion,
remembered their duty, and gave their lives selflessly to
protect not just the People's House, but the people
themselves who make that Capitol a home. For the families
they left behind, for those among us privileged to work
with them, and for all Americans, these two officers will
forever be heroes.
Even as we pay tribute to these brave, fallen officers,
we must remember that we are obligated to honor their
memory with more than words alone. There is a temptation
in this country to focus only on the extraordinary
circumstances of these tragic deaths, to remember merely
that John Gibson and Jacob Chestnut were fatally wounded
in the ``People's House.'' Too many commentators in the
last few days have said--again and again--``can we believe
that this type of violence could occur in our Nation's
Capitol?'' The truth is--and police officers on the front
lines know this better than we can imagine--violence does
occur in the Nation's Capitol, and in our classrooms, and
our tree-lined neighborhoods, and in homes across this
country. To pay tribute to John Gibson and Jacob
Chestnut--to truly honor them for their sacrifice--we must
make clear our conviction as a Nation that we will not
tolerate any form of violence in this country. To remember
John Gibson and Jacob Chestnut in a way that lifts us all
up--in a way that creates a safer world for the eight
children these fine men left behind--we must commit
ourselves to safer neighborhoods, violence-free schools,
and communities where the sound of our children's
laughter--not the sound of gun shots--fills the air.
Mr. FAIRCLOTH. Mr. President, I rise to give my
condolences to the slain officers and their families. Both
of these brave men gave their lives to defend innocent
visitors to our Nation's Capitol. Both gave their lives so
that the Capitol can remain a free and open institution,
visited by millions each year from this Nation and nations
of the world. But for their acts of bravery, we don't know
how many others may have lost their lives. The entire
Capitol Police Force deserves congratulations, because I
know there were other officers who assisted in bringing
the situation to a close. Further, I share the sentiments
expressed by the Majority Leader that we do everything we
can to ensure that their families are well taken care of,
I am sure that is what these two brave officers would have
wanted most. On behalf of the citizens of North Carolina,
we collectively express our deep sorrow about this tragedy
and extend our heartfelt condolences to their families.
Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that
the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to,
and the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so
ordered.
The concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 110) was agreed
to.
The preamble was agreed to.
Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I send a second concurrent
resolution to the desk regarding the use of the Rotunda in
memory of Detective Gibson and Private First Class
Chestnut and ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed
to its immediate consideration.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, the clerk will
report the resolution.
The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:
A concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 111) authorizing
the use of the Rotunda of the Capitol for a memorial
service for Detective John Michael Gibson and Private
First Class Jacob Joseph Chestnut of the United States
Capitol Police, and for other purposes.
The Senate proceeded to consider the concurrent
resolution.
Mr. LOTT. I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be
agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motion to
reconsider be laid upon the table.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so
ordered.
The concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 111) was agreed
to.
The preamble was agreed to.
The concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 111), with its
preamble, was read.
MESSAGES FROM THE HOUSE
At 1:22 p.m., a message from the House of
Representatives, delivered by Mr. Hays, one of its reading
clerks, announced that the House has passed the following
bill, in which it requests the concurrence of the Senate:
H.R. 4193. An act making appropriations for the
Department of the Interior and related agencies for the
fiscal year ending September 30, 1999, and for other
purposes.
The message also announced that the House has agreed to
the following concurrent resolution, in which it requests
the concurrence of the Senate:
H. Con. Res. 310. Authorizing the use of the Rotunda of
the Capitol for memorial service for Detective John
Michael Gibson and Private First Class Jacob Joseph
Chestnut of the United States Capitol Police, and for
other purposes.
Mr. LOTT (for himself, Mr. Daschle, Mr. Abraham, Mr.
Akaka, Mr. Allard, Mr. Ashcroft, Mr. Baucus, Mr. Bennett,
Mr. Biden, Mr. Bingaman, Mr. Bond, Mrs. Boxer, Mr. Breaux,
Mr. Brownback, Mr. Bryan, Mr. Bumpers, Mr. Burns, Mr.
Byrd, Mr. Campbell, Mr. Chafee, Mr. Cleland, Mr. Coats,
Mr. Cochran, Ms. Collins, Mr. Conrad, Mr. Coverdall, Mr.
Craig, Mr. D'Amato, Mr. DeWine, Mr. Dodd, Mr. Domenici,
Mr. Dorgan, Mr. Durbin, Mr. Enzi, Mr. Faircloth, Mr.
Feingold, Mrs. Feinstein, Mr. Ford, Mr. Frist, Mr. Glenn,
Mr. Gorton, Mr. Graham, Mr. Gramm, Mr. Grams, Mr.
Grassley, Mr. Gregg, Mr. Hagel, Mr. Harkin, Mr. Hatch, Mr.
Helms, Mr. Hollings, Mr. Hutchinson, Mrs. Hutchison, Mr.
Inhofe, Mr. Inouye, Mr. Jeffords, Mr. Johnson, Mr.
Kempthorne, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Kerrey, Mr. Kerry, Mr. Kohl,
Mr. Kyl, Ms. Landrieu, Mr. Lautenberg, Mr. Leahy, Mr.
Levin, Mr. Lieberman, Mr. Lugar, Mr. Mack, Mr. McCain, Mr.
McConnell, Ms. Mikulski, Ms. Moseley-Braun, Mr. Moynihan,
Mr. Murkowski, Mrs. Murray, Mr. Nickles, Mr. Reed, Mr.
Reid, Mr. Robb, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Rockefeller, Mr. Roth,
Mr. Santorum, Mr. Sarbanes, Mr. Sessions, Mr. Shelby, Mr.
Smith of New Hampshire, Mr. Smith of Oregon, Ms. Snowe,
Mr. Specter, Mr. Stevens, Mr. Thomas, Mr. Thompson, Mr.
Thurmond, Mr. Torricelli, Mr. Warner, Mr. Wellstone, and
Mr. Wyden) submitted the following concurrent resolution;
which was considered and agreed to:
S. Con. Res. 110
Whereas the Capitol is the People's House, and, as such,
it has always been and will remain open to the public;
Whereas millions of people visit the Capitol each year
to observe and study the workings of the democratic
process;
Whereas the Capitol is the most recognizable symbol of
liberty and democracy throughout the world and those who
guard the Capitol guard our freedom;
Whereas Private First Class Jacob ``J.J.'' Chestnut and
Detective John Michael Gibson sacrificed their lives to
protect the lives of hundreds of tourists, staff, and
Members of Congress;
Whereas if not for the quick and courageous action of
those officers, many innocent people would likely have
been injured or killed;
Whereas through their selfless acts, Detective Gibson
and Private First Class Chestnut underscored the courage,
honor, and dedication shown daily by every member of the
United States Capitol Police and every law enforcement
officer;
Whereas Private First Class Chestnut, a Vietnam veteran
who spent 20 years in the Air Force, was an 18-year
veteran of the Capitol Police, and was married to Wen Ling
and had five children, Joseph, Janece, Janet, Karen and
William;
Whereas Detective Gibson, assigned as Rep. Tom DeLay's
bodyguard for the last three years, was an 18-year veteran
of the Capitol Police, and was married to Evelyn and had
three children, Kristen, John and Daniel;
Whereas Private First Class Chestnut and Detective
Gibson were the first United States Capitol Police
officers ever killed in the line of duty;
Whereas Private First Class Chestnut and Detective
Gibson, and all those who helped apprehend the gunman,
assist the injured, and evacuate the building, are true
heroes of democracy, and every American owes them a deep
debt of gratitude: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate, (the House of Representatives
concurring), That--
(1) Congress hereby honors the memory of Detective John
Michael Gibson and Private First Class Jacob Joseph
Chestnut of the United States Capitol Police for the
selfless acts of heroism they displayed on July 24, 1998,
in sacrificing their lives in the line of duty so that
others might live; and
(2) When the Senate and the House of Representatives
adjourn on this date they shall do so out of respect to
the memory of Detective John Michael Gibson and Private
First Class Jacob Joseph Chestnut.
Mr. LOTT (for himself, Mr. Daschle, Mr. Abraham, Mr.
Akaka, Mr. Allard, Mr. Ashcroft, Mr. Baucus, Mr. Bennett,
Mr. Biden, Mr. Bingaman, Mr. Bond, Mrs. Boxer, Mr. Breaux,
Mr. Brownback, Mr. Bryan, Mr. Bumpers, Mr. Burns, Mr.
Byrd, Mr. Campbell, Mr. Chafee, Mr. Cleland, Mr. Coats,
Mr. Cochran, Ms. Collins, Mr. Conrad, Mr. Coverdell, Mr.
Craig, Mr. D'Amato, Mr. DeWine, Mr. Dodd, Mr. Domenici,
Mr. Dorgan, Mr. Durbin, Mr. Enzi, Mr. Faircloth, Mr.
Feingold, Mrs. Feinstein, Mr. Ford, Mr. Frist, Mr. Glenn,
Mr. Gorton, Mr. Graham, Mr. Gramm, Mr. Grams, Mr.
Grassley, Mr. Gregg, Mr. Hagel, Mr. Harkin, Mr. Hatch, Mr.
Helms, Mr. Hollings, Mr. Hutchinson, Mrs. Hutchison, Mr.
Inhofe, Mr. Inouye, Mr. Jeffords, Mr. Johnson, Mr.
Kempthorne, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Kerrey, Mr. Kerry, Mr. Kohl,
Mr. Kyl, Ms. Landrieu, Mr. Lautenberg, Mr. Leahy, Mr.
Levin, Mr. Lieberman, Mr. Lugar, Mr. Mack, Mr. McCain, Mr.
McConnell, Ms. Mikulski, Ms. Moseley-Braun, Mr. Moynihan,
Mr. Murkowski, Mrs. Murray, Mr. Nickles, Mr. Reed, Mr.
Reid, Mr. Robb, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Rockefeller, Mr. Roth,
Mr. Santorum, Mr. Sarbanes, Mr. Sessions, Mr. Shelby, Mr.
Smith of New Hampshire, Mr. Smith of Oregon, Ms. Snowe,
Mr. Specter, Mr. Stevens, Mr. Thomas, Mr. Thompson, Mr.
Thurmond, Mr. Torricelli, Mr. Warner, Mr. Wellstone and
Mr. Wyden) submitted the following concurrent resolution;
which was considered and agreed to:
S. Con. Res. 111
Resolved by the Senate, (the House of Representatives
concurring),
SECTION 1. AUTHORIZING USE OF ROTUNDA OF THE CAPITOL FOR
MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR DETECTIVE JOHN MICHAEL GIBSON
AND PRIVATE FIRST CLASS JACOB JOSEPH CHESTNUT.
The Rotunda of the Capitol is authorized to be used for
a memorial service and proceedings related thereto for
Detective John Michael Gibson and Private First Class
Jacob Joseph Chestnut of the United States Capitol Police
on Tuesday, July 28, 1998, under the direction of the
United States Capitol Police Board.
SEC. 2. PLACEMENT OF PLAQUE IN CAPITOL IN MEMORY OF
DETECTIVE GIBSON AND PRIVATE FIRST CLASS CHESTNUT.
The Architect of the Capitol shall place a plaque in
honor of the memory of Detective John Michael Gibson and
Private First Class Jacob Joseph Chestnut of the United
States Capitol Police at an appropriate site in the United
States Capitol, with the approval of the Speaker of the
House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of
the Senate.
SEC. 3. PAYMENT OF FUNERAL EXPENSES FOR JOHN GIBSON AND
JACOB JOSEPH CHESTNUT.
(a) In General.--The Sergeant at Arms of the House of
Representatives is authorized and directed to make such
arrangements as may be necessary for funeral services for
Detective John Michael Gibson and Private First Class
Jacob Joseph Chestnut of the United States Capitol Police,
including payments for travel expenses of immediate family
members, and for the attendance of Members of the House of
Representatives at such services, including payments for
expenses incurred by Members in attending such services.
(b) Source and Manner of Making Payments.--Any payment
made under subsection (a) shall be made from the
applicable accounts of the House of Representatives, using
vouchers approved in a manner directed by the Committee on
House Oversight.
SEC. 4. PAYMENT OF SURVIVOR'S GRATUITY TO WIDOWS OF JOHN
GIBSON AND JACOB JOSEPH CHESTNUT.
(a) In General.--In accordance with the first sentence
of the last undesignated paragraph under the center
heading ``HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES'' in the first section
of the Legislative Branch Appropriation Act, 1955 (2
U.S.C. 125), the Chief Administrative Officer of the House
of Representatives is authorized and directed to pay, from
the applicable accounts of the House of Representatives--
(1) a gratuity to the widow of Detective John Michael
Gibson of the United States Capitol Police in the amount
of $51,866.00; and
(2) a gratuity to the widow of Private First Class Jacob
Joseph Chestnut of the United States Capitol Police in the
amount of $47,280.00.
(b) Treatment as Gift.--Each gratuity paid under
subsection (a) shall be held to have been a gift.
SEC. 5. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING ESTABLISHMENT OF
CAPITOL POLICE MEMORIAL FUND.
It is the sense of Congress that there should be
established under law a United States Capitol Police
Memorial Fund for the surviving spouse and children of
members of the United States Capitol Police who are slain
in the line of duty.
Mr. WARNER (for himself, Mr. Moynihan, and Mr. Ford)
submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was
considered and agreed to:
S. Con. Res. 112
Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives
concurring), That the eulogies for Detective John Michael
Gibson and Private First Class Jacob Joseph Chestnut of
the United States Capitol Police, as expressed in the
House of Representatives and the Senate together with the
text of the memorial services, shall be printed as a
tribute to Detective Gibson and Officer Chestnut, with
illustrations and suitable binding. The document shall be
prepared under the direction of the Joint Committee on
Printing. There shall be printed 300 casebound copies; 50
to be delivered to each of the families of Detective
Gibson and Officer Chestnut, and 200 for the use of the
United States Capitol Police.
Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that
the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of S.
Con. Res. 112 submitted earlier today by Senators Warner,
Moynihan, and Ford.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report.
The bill clerk read as follows:
A concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 112) authorizing
the printing of the eulogies of the Senate and House of
Representatives for Detective John Michael Gibson and
Private First Class Jacob Joseph Chestnut.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection to the
immediate consideration of the concurrent resolution?
There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to
consider the concurrent resolution.
Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that
the resolution be agreed to, the motion to reconsider be
laid on the table, and that any statements relating to the
resolution appear in the Record.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so
ordered.
The concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 112) was agreed
to.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under the previous order, the
Senate stands adjourned as a further mark of respect to
the memory of Detective John Michael Gibson and Private
First Class Jacob Joseph Chestnut, until 9:45 a.m.,
Tuesday, July 28, 1998.
Thereupon, the Senate, at 7:23 p.m., adjourned until
Tuesday, July 28, 1998, at 9:45 a.m.
Tuesday, July 28, 1998
The Senate met at 9:45 a.m., and was called to order by
the President pro tempore (Mr. Thurmond).
prayer
The Chaplain, Dr. Lloyd John Ogilvie, offered the
following prayer:
Gracious Father, whose mercies are new every morning, we
praise You for Your faithfulness. We exalt You with a
rendition of the words of that wonderful old hymn, ``Great
is Your faithfulness! Great is Your faithfulness! Morning
by morning, new mercies we see; all we have needed Your
hand has provided. Great is Your faithfulness, Lord, unto
us!'' As we begin this new day, we thank You for Your
faithfulness to our Nation throughout history. And one of
the ways You express that now is through the labors of the
women and men of this Senate. May they experience fresh
assurance of Your faithfulness that will renew their
faithfulness to be God-centered, God-honoring, God-guided,
God-empowered leaders.
In the quiet of this moment, we ask You to help us
experience Your grace in the midst of the grief of this
day. We ask You to be with us as we honor the memory of
Officers Chestnut and Gibson. Especially, Lord, be with
their families and with their fellow officers, that they
may know that You are the Lord of life and eternity.
Through our Lord and Savior. Amen.
Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, much has been said on the
Senate and the House floor about John Gibson and Jacob
``J.J.'' Chestnut, two police officers on the Capitol
Police Force. And much more will be said. I add my words
of praise and appreciation to both of them.
I knew both these police officers. Officer Chestnut--
J.J.--would see us come through the Senate at several
different times, and he would tell me a member of my
family has already gone through because he had seen them,
or conversely, if they came through he would tell them
where I was.
Detective Gibson traveled with many of us at different
occasions. He even came to one, I believe, with the
``Singing Senators'' from the other side of the aisle. He
was the man who at events where Senators would gather,
would be there because he would recognize not only the
Senators, but their spouses; would wave them on through,
would greet them, would make them know they were among
friends. We always knew we were.
Mr. President, I have been a Senator now for nearly 24
years. I walk into this building every day that we are in
session, many when we are not. I have gotten to know many
of the police officers, and so many others, the hundreds
of people that make this body run, make this Capitol run.
This truly is a death in the family.
Even if I had not known the officers as I did, I would
feel that way. But knowing them in some ways makes it even
sadder, more poignant, more difficult.
I love the Senate and I love the symbol of democracy
that our Capitol holds to the public. To see this terrible
thing happen in something that means so much to all of us,
it is almost impossible to describe my feelings.
My wife and I had flown to Vermont last Friday. We got
to my office in Burlington and were there only a matter of
minutes and heard the news. Much of the rest of the
evening was a blur, just sitting in our farmhouse watching
the news and not believing it.
Probably the greatest tribute to two brave police
officers was the fact that this Capitol, this symbol of
democracy not only to our own Nation of a quarter of a
billion people but to the rest of the world, this Capitol
was open almost immediately thereafter.
There is no way we could bring these officers back. It
is a tragedy that will be felt by their spouses and their
children, in one case, grandchildren, for the rest of
their lives. No matter what we do as Members of the Senate
or the House, we cannot bring them back to their families.
We can only offer our profound sympathy to their families.
It is a sympathy that is felt deeply by every single
Member of the Congress, Republican or Democrat. It makes
no difference whether they have been here a long time or a
short time. Our hearts go out as human beings to the
families of these officers.
What we have done in immediately reopening the Capitol,
in saying to the public today they can walk in here at any
time as they do in the galleries today, we are saying to
those officers that your deaths were not in vain. Think,
Mr. President, what a different country this would be if
somehow this Capitol, this symbol of democracy, was closed
down. Think what it would be like if the public, not only
Americans but those visiting from around the world, think
what it would be like if they could not come into this
Capitol, as I did when I was a law student here in
Washington or when I first came here with my parents as a
teenager. If we could not be here, the public could not
come in and see us debate great matters and tiny matters,
they could not see that.
Mr. President, at the time of the breakup of the Soviet
Union, I remember so many who came here and met with all
of us and asked, ``How does your democracy work,'' and
they told me--I heard this over and over again--that they
would see the picture of our Capitol when they came to
Washington, that was the thing they recognized before
anything else. They said they saw it sitting up here.
I have been coming to this Capitol Building as a Senator
for 24 years. I feel a thrill every time I come up here. I
hope I always will because I know it represents democracy.
These two brave officers, just like the hundreds of other
men and women who guard these halls, they keep it open.
Let's hope they always will. Let us hope that we always
have the courage to do that. Then the lives that every one
of us would pray we could bring to the family, those lives
would not be lost in vain.
Like some others in this body, I had the privilege to
serve in law enforcement for years before coming here. I
know how all of us felt in law enforcement at that time if
one of our own was cut down. I think if you have not
served in law enforcement it is almost impossible to
explain to the American public how other law enforcement
officials feel when they lose one of their own. I know how
the men and women in the police force here on Capitol Hill
feel, but also how they feel all over the Nation. This is
a loss. This is a family, a fraternity, a sorority. It is
something that binds all law enforcement people together.
I am joined with every single person who works on
Capitol Hill in an expression of appreciation to them and
to everybody who responded--all the police officers
responded, medical personnel responded. I will take just 1
minute more to express my personal appreciation to Senator
Bill Frist for what he did. I spoke with Senator Frist
yesterday and told him how much his actions meant to me,
to my wife, who is a registered nurse. She knows when
something like this happens, if you are a medical
personnel, you respond. But he responded not only with his
great skill as a cardiac surgeon, he responded when there
was gunfire erupting only moments before and there might
have been more, with no thought to his safety, but
thinking of only those who may have been injured.
Mr. President, it is a sad day. Let us say also it is a
proud day to our country because this symbol of democracy
will not be closed down by the actions of one deranged
American, any more than it was in the 1980s when the bomb
went off outside this Chamber at night just minutes after
we recessed. I remember so well the next morning, every
single one of us was in our seats. We were here to show we
wouldn't stay home. And we will be here today, as will the
President and the Vice President, all of the House and
Senate leadership, and the Members, to show nothing closes
us down.
I yield the floor, and I suggest the absence of a
quorum.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
The bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.
Mr. CAMPBELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent
that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so
ordered.
Mr. KOHL. Mr. President, before I get started, I express
my deep sympathy to the families of Officers John Gibson
and Jacob Chestnut. I also want to express my thanks to
these brave heroes and to all the other law enforcement
officers here in the Capitol and all over our great
country who put their lives on the line every day to keep
the rest of us safe. The two fallen officers are true
heroes. They died protecting the Nation's most precious
symbol of democracy and protecting the people who work
here and who visit here. I hope their families take some
comfort in the deep respect, gratitude, and pride all of
us here feel for their acts of bravery.
Mr. CAMPBELL. Mr. President, before I send the first
amendment to the desk, I would like to associate myself
with the remarks made by Senator Leahy, whom I found to be
very poignant and very moving in his tribute to the two
slain officers.
Today, Mr. President, is sad day indeed for the
congressional family, because in just 30 minutes--in fact,
a little less than that--we will all participate in a
memorial for Detective John Gibson and Officer ``J.J.''
Jacob Joseph Chestnut, who gave their lives in the line of
duty this past Friday.
In fact, the Capitol Police patch which I wear today in
memory and honor was given to me by Detective Gibson just
a few weeks ago. As late as 2 weeks ago, he was kind
enough to come out all the way to Dulles Airport when I
had a delayed flight and get me here on time for a vote on
Monday night.
I was a military policeman, Mr. President, and a deputy
sheriff in my younger days. Like most former law
enforcement officers, like Senator Leahy was, perhaps the
death of these two wonderful men touched us in a very
special way, because for law enforcement people, when a
law enforcement officer is killed, it is not like losing a
stranger or a colleague, it is like losing a brother or a
sister.
But our system of democracy mandates that our citizens,
who own this building, have a right to enter it at any
time. I think that is the way it should be. Most of us
want to keep it that way, as Senator Kohl has alluded to.
Mr. BYRD. Mr. President, we have just returned from a
most moving ceremony in the great Rotunda of the Capitol.
The flag-draped coffins of Officer Chestnut and Officer
Gibson, who died while doing their solemn duties
protecting the public, the employees, and the Members of
the institution they served, rested imposingly on
catafalques, mere yards from where these two brave men
were brutally cut down by an armed assailant on last
Friday. The sublime majesty of the great marble dome
rising above us was somehow magnified by the solemn and
eerie silence which was broken only by an occasional
cough. The sense of loss was palpable. Sadness permeated
the very air.
Such times as these cause all of us to ponder anew the
fragile brevity and uncertainty of the human condition.
Officer Chestnut was apparently writing directions for a
tourist--doing a kind deed--when his life was suddenly
ended. I am sure that when he arose and dressed for work
on Friday morning he expected nothing more than an
ordinary day, followed by a night at home with his family
and the simple pleasures of a sunny weekend.
Officer Gibson, as he began his day, likewise, probably
had no expectations of the bloody gun battle which would,
in just hours, mean his death. It is at times like these,
when we witness the anguish of families and friends trying
to cope with the incomprehensible reality of brutal and
sudden death, that some may wonder how a just God could
allow such seemingly mindless violence and misery. In the
face of such tragedies, some may even question the very
existence of a Creator. We reach for answers that elude
our grasp. Why do such things happen? What, after all, is
the point of human existence? It seems that our faith is
tested most severely when good men senselessly die.
Yet, the proof of a living Creator is in abundant
evidence all around us. It is in the perfection and order
of the natural world in which we live. It is in the beauty
and endless variety of the millions of species which
inhabit the planet. It is in the mystery and complexity of
the human genetic code. It is in the intangible and
unconquerable bravery of the human spirit. It is in the
magnificence of the wonders which modern science daily
unveils. And I, for one, find no disparity between
scientific discovery and God's living word in the Holy
Bible.
Genesis, the first book of the Bible, gives the account
of all creation, tells of the establishment of the family,
the origin of sin, the giving of divine revelation, the
development of the human race, and the inauguration of
God's plan of redemption through its chosen people.
Genesis takes the reader to the moment when the omnipotent
Creator spoke into being the matchless wonders of sun,
moon, stars, planets, galaxies, plants, and moving
creatures, and man, whom He made in His image. It is the
first book of the Pentateuch, which both Scripture and
tradition attribute to Moses.
If a student expects to find in Genesis a scientific
account of how the world came into existence, with all
questions concerning primitive life answered in technical
language familiar to the professor or student of science,
he will be disappointed. Genesis is not an attempt to
answer such questions. It deals with matters far beyond
the realm of science. Yet, I have not personally read of
any disagreement within the science community concerning
the chronological order of the events of creation as set
forth in the book of Genesis. Instead of disagreement, it
has been my perception that there is agreement.
The opening sentence of the first chapter of Genesis
states, ``In the beginning God created the heaven and the
earth.'' That is as far back in time as one can get--``in
the beginning.'' And it could include a billion years or
ten billion years or 500 billion years.
The second sentence of Genesis, Chapter 1, reads as
follows: ``And the earth was without form, and void; and
darkness was upon the face of the deep.'' I doubt that any
scientist would disagree with this.
According to the account in Genesis, God then divided
the light from the darkness, and scientists agree that
there could have been cosmic light before the sun, moon
and stars were created. The Creator then proceeded to
divide the waters and to let the dry land appear. The dry
land was called ``earth,'' and the gathering together of
the waters was called ``seas.''
The next step as related by Genesis was the bringing
forth of grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree
yielding fruit.
Then, according to Genesis, God said, ``Let the waters
bring forth abundantly the moving creatures that have
life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open
firmament of heaven.
``And God created great whales, and every living
creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth
abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after
his kind.''
On the scientific side, facts from fossils, plus other
data, have shown that mammals (animals with solid bones,
warm blood, lungs that breathe air, and nourish their
young with milk) form the final stage in a long series of
development, which began with tiny sea-dwelling creatures.
Scientists seem to think that an early type of fish was
the ancestor of amphibians and thereafter evolved into
mammal-like reptiles. The primitive amphibians also
branched into creatures with wings and thus became birds
and other fowl. Great changes occurred over time.
Primitive true mammals, according to science, lived during
the age of reptiles and these were the probable ancestors
of the mammals alive today.
Returning, now, to the biblical account of creation, by
the conclusion of the ``fifth day,'' God had said: ``Let
the earth bring forth the living creatures after his kind,
cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after
his kind,'' and, in the ``sixth day,'' God said: ``Let us
make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them
have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl
of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth,
and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the
earth.''
We have reached the ``sixth day'' in the biblical
account. A day, in God's divine revelation to Moses,
evidently meant a period of some undetermined length. In
Psalm 90--a prayer of Moses--we are told: ``Before the
mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed
the earth and the world, even from everlasting to
everlasting, thou art God. . . . For a thousand years in
thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a
watch in the night.''
Regardless of the length of the creation ``days,'' in
the sixth, all preparations had been completed for the
advent of man. ``So God created man''--we are told--``in
His own image, in the image of God created He him; male
and female created He them.''
On the seventh day, God rested from his work. Hence,
both science and the Bible seem to agree, in broad terms,
regarding the chronological order of the events of
creation.
The modern explanation of evolution dates from 1859,
when Charles Darwin published the ``Origin of Species.''
According to Darwin, members of each species compete with
each other for a chance to live, as well as with members
of different species. In this competition any helpful
variation gives its owner an advantage over others in the
species that are not so well adapted. Members with such
variations, therefore, will win the struggle for
existence. They will live and reproduce their kind, while
forms not so well equipped will die. Darwin called this
process natural selection; it is also referred to as
``survival of the fittest.''
According to a national poll that was published earlier
this year, only 40% of the nation's scientists are said to
believe in God. I was amazed that 60% of the scientists,
according to the poll, share no belief in a Creator.
Darwin, however, apparently did not share such disbelief.
Some years ago, I read his ``Origin of Species.'' In this
brilliant work of a great British naturalist, I came
across this incisive question, posed by Darwin himself:
``Have we any right to assume that the Creator works by
intellectual powers like those of man?''
What a pertinent question? I think we human beings tend
to forget that the Creator, as Darwin observed, may work
by intellectual powers unlike those of man.
In comparing the eye of a human being to an optical
instrument made by man, Darwin had this to say: ``If we
must compare the eye to an optical instrument, we ought in
imagination to take a thick layer of transparent tissue,
with spaces filled with fluid, and with a nerve sensitive
to light beneath, and then suppose every part of this
layer to be continually changing slowly in density, so as
to separate into layers of different densities and
thicknesses, placed at different distances from each
other, and with the surfaces of each layer slowly changing
in form. Further, we must suppose that there is a power,
represented by natural selection or the survival of the
fittest, always intently watching each slight alteration
in the transparent layers; and carefully preserving each
which, under varied circumstances, in any way or in any
degree, tends to produce a distincter image. We must
suppose each new state of the instrument to be multiplied
by the million; each to be preserved until a better one is
produced, and then the old ones to be all destroyed. In
living bodies, variation will cause the slight
alterations, generation will multiply them almost
infinitely, and natural selection will pick out with
unerring skill each improvement. Let this process go on
for millions of years; and during each year on millions of
individuals of many kinds''--this is the question that
Darwin poses--``and may we not believe that a living
optical instrument might best be formed as superior to one
of glass, as the works of the Creator are to those of
man?''
Thus, Darwin appears to acknowledge a Creator back of
the creation--a master mind back of the work. I suggest
that the 60% of today's scientists today who, according to
the poll, doubt the existence of a Creator, read what
Darwin has to say in this regard, if they have not already
done so, and if they have already done so, it may be valid
for them to read Darwin's observation again.
Darwin's work is sprinkled throughout with conjecture,
assumptions, presumptions, and, in some cases, just plain
guess work. For example: the reader often finds such words
and phrases as: ``Has probably played a more important
part'', ``there can be little doubt'', ``we may infer'',
``seems probable,'' ``I have come to the conclusion,''
``it cannot be doubted,'' ``I am fully convinced''--this
is Darwin talking--``it must be assumed,'' ``seems to have
been,'' ``appears to have played an important part in the
origins of our breeds,'' ``seems to have been the
predominant power,'' ``it is probable that they were once
thus connected,'' ``thus it is, as I believe,'' ``bearing
such facts in mind, it may be believed,'' ``we may
conclude,'' ``seem to have been the chief agents in
causing organs to become rudimentary,'' ``is probably
often aided,'' ``is perhaps intelligible by the aid of the
hypothesis of pangenesis, and apparently in no other
way,'' ``it may be,'' ``every character, however slight,
must be the result of some definite cause,'' ``one chief
cause seems to be,'' ``some additional rudimentary
structures might here have been adduced,'' ``we have only
to suppose that a former progenitor possessed the parts in
question in a perfect state,'' ``the more complex
instincts seem to have originated independently of
intelligence,'' ``appears to have been gained,'' ``such
variations appear to arise from the same unknown causes,''
``it is not improbable,'' . . . and so on and so on.
Darwin, posing the question, ``whether there exists a
Creator and Ruler of the universe,'' responds. Listen to
his response to his own question: ``And this has been
answered in the affirmative by the highest intellects that
have ever lived.''
Twelve years after the publishing of the ``Origin of
Species,'' Darwin published ``The Descent of Man.'' In his
second book, Darwin applied his theory of evolution to the
human race. In Chapter IV, Darwin makes an interesting
admission. Here is what he said:
I now admit . . . that in the earlier editions of my
``Origin of Species,'' I probably attributed too much to
the action of natural selection or the survival of the
fittest. I have altered the fifth edition of the Origin so
as to confine my remarks to adaptive changes of structure.
. . . I may be permitted to say as some excuse, that I had
two distinct objects in view, firstly, to show that
species had not been separately created, and secondly,
that natural selection had been the chief agent of change,
though largely aided by the inherited effects of habit,
and slightly by the direct action of the surrounding
conditions. . . . Hence, if I have erred in giving to
natural selection great power, which I am far from
admitting, or in having exaggerated its power, which is in
itself probable, I have at least, as I hope, done good
service in aiding to overthrow the dogma of separate
creations.
Darwin was not alone in his effort. Since the earliest
days of man's exploration of his universe, science and
religion--when not simply ignoring each other--have often
been at odds. Throughout the ages, it seems that the more
man has learned about the physical nature of the universe
and its creatures, the greater the gap between religion
and science has become.
To many in the scientific community, the world has
largely become divided between that which can be
scientifically and mathematically explained away, and that
for which the mathematical equation or scientific basis
has not yet been discovered. The Creator has had no role.
He has been left out. The fabulously intricate pattern of
occurrences, which had to exist in order to account for
the strictly scientific view of the creation of the
universe, has been viewed as merely chance--a lucky
shot!--with no connection to any sort of greater
intelligence. How absurd!
Mr. President, I have in my pocket a gold watch and a
golden chain. Watches are not in the habit of assembling
themselves. There has to be a designer. There has to be a
maker back of the watch, a creator back of the chain.
There has to be a greater intelligence, a Creator.
On the other side, to many of those in the religious
community, too tightly held religious doctrine has
precluded all possibilities suggested by scientific
investigation of the physical world.
Happily, however, scientists and men of the cloth both
appear to be rejecting doctrinal absolutism and
discovering some common ground.
Recent articles in Newsweek and U.S. News and World
Report, point to a change in attitude among scientists and
theologians. Rather than opposing one another, the study
of science and the practice of religion may at last be
able to enhance one another. Science may be recognizing
that rules, or tangible events, or even the laws of
physics may not always be entirely explainable. As we
search for scientific truth we may also provoke a faith
that instills in the previously cynical, a wonder for the
unexplainable and a tacit admission that there must be a
higher power.
In innumerable cases, science is apparently unearthing
instances of perfection in the physical world which are so
far beyond even the wildest imaginings of the human mind
that chance could not account for them, and even nondevout
scientists have tended to conclude that such minute
miracles can only have been wrought by some form of divine
design.
Newsweek, in its edition of July 20, said, ``Physicists
have stumbled upon signs that the cosmos is custom-made
for life and consciousness. It turns out that if the
constants of nature--unchanging numbers like the strength
of gravity, the charge of an electron and the mass of a
proton--were even the tiniest bit different, then atoms
would not hold together, stars would not burn, and life
would never have made an appearance.'' As Nobel-prize-
winning Physicist and Christian Charles Townes put it,
``somehow intelligence must have been involved in the laws
of the universe.'' And, consider the words of Physicist-
turned-priest John Polkinghorne, who said that the most
fundamental component in the belief in God ``is that there
is a mind and a purpose behind the Universe.''
Similarly, Newsweek and U.S. News and World Report
relate the story of Allan Sandage, one of the world's most
preeminent, respected, and accomplished astronomers, who
spoke at a recent meeting of cosmologists gathered
together to consider the theological implications of their
work. Sandage, who reportedly admits to having been
``almost a practicing atheist as a boy,'' has come to the
conclusion through his work that creation can only be
explained as a ``miracle''. ``It is my science that drove
me to the conclusion that the world is much more
complicated than can be explained by science. It is only
through the supernatural that I can understand the mystery
of existence.''
I find it rather exhilarating that men like Sandage and
Townes and Polkinghorne, who have devoted so much of their
lives to questioning their universe in order to discover
its secrets, have come to a conclusion that to me was
answered long ago through simple, basic, unquestionable
faith, and simple, common-sense reasoning.
There are those who will only ever be comfortable with a
world of rules and measurements, in which events are
quantifiable and reliable, and a ``miracle'' is defined
only as that which has not yet been thoroughly dissected
and concretely explained. There are also those who will
always reject scientific theory if it seems in any way to
challenge their religious doctrine.
But it seems to me that scientists such as Allan
Sandage, who embrace both religion and science, can teach
a valuable lesson to us all. A black-and-white science of
stiff rules and blinders is fatally flawed. It is the
scientist who looks to the heavens for divine intervention
and is willing to admit that not all things are
explainable, who has the greatest opportunity to achieve
medical breakthroughs, uncover the mysteries of outer
space and develop life-changing technologies. His is an
intellect which is truly free, for he allows for all
possibilities.
The two great disciplines of the world, science and
religion, represent the ceaseless human probing for
answers to the mysteries of life. They are, at their
cores, nothing more than man's quest for truth.
As we search, may we never close our hearts to the
abundant evidence of His love and his miracles all around
us.
Even in the midst of great sorrow and profound tragedy,
He is there and His love will prevail and will triumph. So
my heart goes out today to the families of the two brave
men whose lives and dedication we honored today in this
magnificent Capitol, itself a symbol of man's belief in
things which cannot be seen. And I hope that these loved
ones will remember the words of hope from the Scriptures
and the words of William Jennings Bryan:
If the Father deigns to touch with divine power the cold
and pulseless heart of the buried acorn, to make it burst
forth from its prison walls, again the mighty oak, will He
leave neglected in the Earth the soul of man, created in
his own image?
If He stoops to give to the rosebush whose withered
blossoms float upon the autumn breeze, the sweet assurance
of another springtime, will He refuse the words of hope to
the sons of men when the frosts of winter come?
If matter, mute and inanimate, though changed by the
forces of Nature into a multitude of forms, can never be
destroyed, will the imperial spirit of man suffer
annihilation when it has paid a brief visit like a royal
guest to this tenement of clay?
No, I am sure that He who, notwithstanding His apparent
prodigality, created nothing without a purpose, and wasted
not a single atom in all His creation, has made provision
for a future life in which man's universal longing for
immortality will find its realization. I am as sure that
we live again as I am sure that we live today.
With those words of William Jennings Bryan, Mr.
President, I yield the floor.
Mr. ROTH. Mr. President, I rise to express my profound
respect and appreciation for Officers John Gibson and
Jacob Chestnut, two men whose lives were tragically cut
short on Friday as they stood watch in the Capitol--a
building that is, as we have constantly been reminded this
weekend, ``the People's House.'' Officer Chestnut was 58--
a loving husband, a veteran of Vietnam, the father of five
children, and the grandfather of another five.
Officer Gibson was 42--a bright young man, full of
energy and good works, who had dedicated his life to
protecting others. Like Officer Chestnut, he, too, was a
loving husband and the father of three.
Today, both men are gone. We mourn their loss and
express our deepest condolences to their families. We
acknowledge that we will never fully understand what would
motivate such a heinous act of violence against the
innocent in a building that is the icon of Democracy, but
we know that in stopping such brutality--in saving the
lives of how many tourists, staff members and Congressmen
we will never know--the names of John Gibson and Jacob
Chestnut are etched forever in the pantheon of heroes.
All who are indebted to them--myself included--will from
this day forward speak their names in reverence. Their
courage will inspire those who will hear told the tale of
their sacrifices. While their children, their
grandchildren and great grandchildren will stand tall--
living legacies of extraordinary men.
In expressing our gratitude to these brave officers, we
also acknowledge the skill, professionalism, and
dedication of the other 1,250 members of the United States
Capitol Police Force. They are among the most highly
trained and well-respected law enforcement officers in the
world.
Members of Congress, congressional staff, tourists, and
all those who come and go through these buildings are
blessed to have these men and women on the ramparts. Our
hearts are with them as well, as they mourn the loss of
their two distinguished colleagues and friends.
It is never easy, Mr. President, to weather a tragedy of
this kind. There is little, if anything, that can be done
to console loved ones and to reassure the children of men
whose lives were lost that the principles and sense of
duty for which their fathers stood are the very virtues
which sustain life's goodness. But in time, they will be
assured.
They will come to discover--as we all discover--that
such principles are eternal: service, selflessness,
sacrifice. Their meanings resonate beyond mortality. And
we come to acknowledge the simple truth written more than
2,000 years ago: Greater love hath no man than that he lay
down his life for a friend.
Mr. WELLSTONE. Mr. President, I guess what I will say on
the floor of the Senate, in part, is an effort to speak to
the families of Officer Chestnut and Officer Gibson, but I
guess it is also an effort on my part not only to speak to
their families, but also to speak to the Capitol Hill
Police.
Early Monday morning, Sheila, my wife, and I were
walking from our apartment, which is near the Hart Senate
Office Building, over to the doctor's office. Usually that
takes about 7 minutes. It took about 40 minutes because of
all of the officers who we ran into and all of the
embraces, the hugs and the tears, just the embrace of real
pain that people feel.
I want to say--I don't really have any words--this is a
very sad day in Washington, D.C., but I want to say to the
Capitol Hill Police that all of us in the Senate--but I am
now speaking for myself as a Senator from Minnesota--want
you to know of our love and our support. We want Officer
Chestnut and Officer Gibson's families to know that their
husbands and fathers, sons, brothers were so courageous. I
wish personally that there is something I can do to change
everything. I wish that none of this had happened. It is
horrifying. It seems senseless.
They were two wonderful men. I only knew them to say
hello. I know the Capitol Police much better on the Senate
side. It never should have happened, but these men deserve
all of our praise. Their families deserve all of our love
and support.
Especially as a U.S. Senator, I say to the other police
officers--I guess that is mainly the one thing I want to
do today--I want them to know how much I appreciate what
they do. I want them to know how sorry I am that this
happened. I want them to know that I hope and pray it will
never happen again. And I want all of my colleagues to
know, Democrats and Republicans alike, that I think today
we are all together. Everybody can feel this, everybody
can understand this, and I think probably the best thing
we can do in memory of two very brave police officers is
to understand how precious each day is, understand how
precious people are, understand how important life is,
appreciate the people who help us and go out of our way to
make sure we live our lives in the most honest way
possible.
To the Capitol Hill Police, thank you for some of you
being really great friends to Sheila and me. I know how
much pain you are in, but please know that you have our
support.
Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, last week's deadly violence
in the halls of the United States Capitol touched the
conscience of a Nation. From coast to coast, Americans
gathered to talk about the shootings. The coverage has
dominated television, has dominated our newspapers, as
well it should. There has been much discussion about who
the assailant was, where he was born, where he lived, what
might have caused him to do this dreadful deed.
I must say, Mr. President, with deep regret, that this
assailant spent a part of his life in my home State of
Montana. We in Montana are even more grieved, even more
touched, and find this tragedy even more tragic than
others in the Nation--if that is possible.
This man was not from Montana. We pride ourselves that
those of us from our State have a great sense of honor,
pride, duty, sense of family, sense of community. This
person, unfortunately, spent some time in our State before
he perpetrated this dreadful, violent, evil act.
We are deeply grieved. We are very deeply sorry. I am
speaking for the people of my State of Montana.
Mr. President, there has been some conversation, too,
about why things like this happen. Did somehow the system
allow a person like this with some mental illness to fall
between the cracks? Was the system we have for treating
mental illness somehow not adequate?
Frankly, I believe that the system is inadequate. That
is, there are many people who are homeless. We are not
properly treating people who are mentally disturbed, some
of whom are paranoid schizophrenic. They are not receiving
medication. They are not being properly treated, because
our system is not paying enough attention to people who
have this illness. I think if we do not remedy the
situation, we will have continued troubles on our hands. I
hope we do remedy it very quickly.
Remember more than anything else the real heroes here.
The real heroes are the officers who were shot performing
their duty. Talking about the assailant and talking about
how we correct the system is meaningless--because the real
lesson here is the lesson of Jacob Chestnut and John
Gibson.
All of us here personally know many of the Capitol
Police. We live with them. We see them daily. We talk with
them. We know many by their first names. We know something
about them personally.
Tony, for example. Tony D'Ambrosio was a plainclothes
detective, first a uniformed policeman, on Capitol Hill
for many years. It wasn't too many years ago I received
several death threats--regrettably, in my home State of
Montana. Tony came out to Montana with me and we ran a
marathon together. I got to know Tony quite well and have
the highest regard for him.
There is Steven out there. Many know Steven. Steven
stands by the door to the entrance of the Senate. We talk
with him, we joke with him. He is part of our family.
Then there is Henry Turner. Henry is a policeman
originally from Alabama, who is also stationed out here at
the front door. I often talk to Henry about legislation on
the floor. ``This is a good bill to vote for,'' or ``This
is not a good amendment to vote for.'' Henry would know
more about the legislation before the Senate than a lot of
Senators, on occasion. A great man to talk to. A very
wise, very thoughtful man from Alabama.
The same is obviously true for John and for Jacob. I did
not personally know them nearly as well as I know other
Capitol Police, but they are men, they are fathers, they
are parents. They have family just like all of us do, all
of us in the Senate, all of us in the country. We are all
bound together by the community of brotherhood, the
community of sisterhood, the community of family. We are
all together.
Many people have said it in many, many ways, and I want
to share my deepest sympathy for them, John and Jacob, for
their families, and I want them to know that we all are
with them. We are now and we will always be.
Mr. BIDEN. Mr. President, it is with some reluctance
that I rise this afternoon to speak of the tragic
occurrence, where two fine officers were gunned down here
in the Capitol. The reason I say it is with reluctance is
because, like many of us in this Chamber, I know from
personal experience that when a wife or husband or son or
daughter is taken from a family as a consequence of a
totally unexpected violent event, there is little that
anyone can say or do, no matter how well intended we may
be, that can in any way ease the pain of the family
members who survive--the children, the spouses, parents.
So I debated with myself today whether or not to say
anything at all. Much has been said about the heroism
displayed in the performance of duty, and much more will
be said about the lives that these two men, in giving
theirs. All that need be said, but none of that in any way
is likely to produce any sense of relief on the part of
the children of the officers, on the part of their
spouses, on the part of their families. As a matter of
fact, it is likely to produce, initially, a sense of
anger; a feeling of ``Why my father?'' a feeling of ``Why
did it have to be my husband?''
So, in a few moments each of us in our own ways will, as
we attend the memorial service, demonstrate our high
regard for and pay respects to the families as well as the
deceased officers. But I also note one other thing from
personal experience. Notwithstanding the fact that nothing
we say today can ease that horrible void that seems to
occupy the chest of the family members who can't fathom
why this occurred to their father or to their husband--
nothing we do will make them feel any better today--but,
as time goes on, they will find a sense of comfort knowing
that so many people held their father, their spouse, in
such high regard. It will not occur for months, but it
will occur. And when it does, it will at that time help
ease, ever so slightly, that sense of loss. The pain will
never go away. The sense of loss will never be completely
abated. But it will become easier to live with. So, as I
said, although a lot of us in this Chamber know from
similar experiences the feeling, it is hard when you are
going through it to know one other thing that occurs and
that is that time will not erase the pain, but time will
make it livable.
At this moment, I expect, family members feel that
nothing that will happen to them from this point on will
make life as worth living as it has been for them. But,
again from personal experiences, all of us know, who have
gone through similar things, that the time will come when
the memory of J.J. or John, the memory of their father or
husband, will bring a smile to their lips rather than a
tear to their eyes. My only prayer, on behalf of my wife
Jill and me--we talked a lot about this morning before I
came down--is that the moment will come sooner rather than
later.
We ask a lot of those who serve this Nation. But few of
us, few of us ever have to give what these two officers
gave. Even fewer family members have to live with the
sacrifice they have made, the void that is created and the
pain that will endure for some time, like the families of
the two fallen officers. So, again, I have no illusions
that my words, as inadequate as they are, or the words of
any of us, will at this moment give much comfort. But in
time, in time I hope they will find some refuge in what
has been said, in the outpouring of respect, the
outpouring of emotion, the outpouring of just simple,
plain gratitude on the part of the staff, the Senators,
and all Americans for what these two men did.
They did their duty. And, in doing so, they clearly
saved the lives of other innocent people. That is no
comfort now, but it will, in time, be some comfort.
Let me close by saying, once again, in time the pain
will ease. In time, when they think of their father, when
they think of their husband, they will, in fact, smile
rather than cry. All that we can hope is that time will
come sooner than later.
I yield the floor.
Mr. HAGEL. Mr. President, I rise this afternoon to add
my tribute and honor to our fallen comrades and
colleagues, Officers Chestnut and Gibson, whose bodies lie
in state in the Capitol Rotunda just down the hall, where
Members of the House and Senate paid tribute this morning.
I am not nearly eloquent enough to express the feelings,
certainly, that all of us have about what these two men
did mean to us, what all of our officers, protectors, men
and women who guard over us and our population that visits
this great and magnificent Capitol, this Capitol that
represents free men and women, this Capitol that
represents the best hope for mankind, mean to us.
What I would like to offer is a saying that I have found
comforting over the years and I believe applies very much
to our fallen heroes. And that saying goes like this--that
man is a success who has lived well, laughed often, and
loved much; who has gained the respect of men and the love
of children, who leaves the world better than he found it,
whether through an improved poppy, a perfect poem or a
rescued soul, who never failed to appreciate the beauty of
nature, and always gave the best he had. Officers Chestnut
and Gibson gave the best they had and the America they
leave behind is a better place.
Mr. President, I thank the Chair. I yield the floor.
Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I rise to express my deep
regret over the deaths of the two capitol police officers
slain in the line of duty last Friday. Officers John
Gibson and Jacob Chestnut were family men; each was
married with three children. They also were dedicated
professionals and, as shown by their final acts, heroes.
Officer Chestnut confronted the lone gunman whose weapon
set off the metal detector at the ``document door''
entrance to the main Capitol building. Officer Chestnut
was fulfilling his duty to protect the people's building
and the thousands upon thousands of Americans who visit
their building, from violence. He paid for his dedication
with his life.
The gunman mortally wounded Officer Chestnut, then went
into the building, firing his weapon and finding his way
to the office of the distinguished Majority Whip,
Congressman Tom DeLay. Congressman DeLay and his staff
were in mortal danger from this gunman. I know that every
one of them thanks God for the acts of Officer Gibson,
whose bravery and perseverance brought down the gunman at
the office door, even as Officer Gibson himself lay
mortally wounded.
Each of us who serves in the United States Senate
depends on the bravery and dedication of men and women
like Officers Gibson and Chestnut. Every day they put
their lives on the line to protect the safety and well-
being of Members of Congress and the public. Many of us
have become friends with particular officers over the
months and years we have served in this body, and that is
only right. But it certainly doesn't make it any easier
when we have to say goodbye to two such dedicated public
servants and members of our Capitol Hill family.
My condolences go to the families of these brave men. It
is my hope that they will derive comfort from the
knowledge that Officers Gibson and Chestnut died
protecting people from a mad gunman, sacrificing
themselves for the greater good--a greater good to which
they had devoted their careers and their lives.
Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I rise to join the people
across our Nation paying tribute to the heroic actions of
Officer Jacob J. Chestnut and Detective John M. Gibson.
These two men, who were killed during a senseless act of
violence last Friday, gave their lives in order to protect
the American people and their Capitol. They died
fulfilling their sworn duty to protect the men and women
who work in the Capitol compound and the multitudes of
visitors who tour each day. The loss of J. J. Chestnut and
John Gibson is like a death in the family. However,
despite the great loss that we will feel, our thoughts and
prayers are first with their families, who will bear the
greatest burden of this tragic event. We hope that they
may find some solace in knowing that the Nation joins them
in their grief.
These fallen protectors were true heroes. They faced
gunfire and death in the line of duty. It is fitting that
we are able to pay our final respects to them today in the
very place where they worked and gave their lives. The
Capitol Police serve with pride, efficiency, and good
humor. They handle the enormous task of allowing the
multitude of people who visit our Capitol, the symbol of
freedom and democracy the world over, access to it without
a feeling of having to cross a barricade. This openness
and accessibility have a heavy price, as we mourn the loss
of these brave men.
Today, J. J. Chestnut and John Gibson are being given an
extraordinary honor by the Congress when their caskets are
placed in the Capitol Rotunda. It is an honor that has
been bestowed upon very few of our Nation's exemplary
public servants and one which is entirely fitting for J.
J. Chestnut and John Gibson. They were public servants in
the most fundamental sense. Their sense of duty and
service were unmatched, and as we mourn the deaths of
these two outstanding men we can also feel a sense of
pride in the great sacrifice they made in the defense of
democracy, our Capitol, and its visitors.
Mr. President, I know my Senate colleagues and Americans
everywhere join in honoring these two fallen heroes: Jacob
J. Chestnut and John M. Gibson.
Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, today, in a place where
President's have laid, Officers J.J. Chestnut and
Detective John Gibson lay in state under the Capitol dome,
the very symbol of freedom and democracy that they died to
protect.
On Friday, July 24th, Mr. Gibson and Mr. Chestnut laid
down their lives for the people visiting their Capitol,
for our staffs, and for us. These two brave men are true
public servants. Their actions protected American lives
and our cradle of freedom, the Capitol.
Even though I never had the opportunity to meet Mr.
Gibson and Mr. Chestnut, I do know many like them. They
are both husbands, fathers--Mr. Gibson has 3 children, and
Mr. Chestnut has 5, and J.J. Chestnut is a grandfather. I
also know them from the friendships that I and my wife
Joan have formed with the committed and selfless Capitol
Hill Police. I want to thank them for their service to me,
my family, my staff, and every visitor who enters this
Capitol.
Our hearts go out to the families of these two loved
family men and the Capitol Hill Police for their two
fallen respected colleagues. My wife and I and my staff
offer our depest sympathies. These officers are heroes.
While no words can ever express the sorrow felt, our
prayers go out to their families, friends, and the Capitol
Hill Police.
Thank you Officer John Gibson and Officer J.J. Chestnut
for your service to all of us and to this country. God
bless their memory and their families.
Mr. CLELAND. Mr. President, I rise today to honor two
fallen heroes--U.S. Capitol Police Officer J.J. Chestnut
and U.S. Capitol Police Special Agent John Gibson--who
gave their lives to protect us. When I say ``us,'' I do
not refer only to Members of Congress, to the tourists who
visited the Capitol last Friday, or to staff members
working that afternoon, I refer to all Americans. J.J.
Chestnut and John Gibson gave their lives to protect our
house, the People's House, and our freedom.
J.J. Chestnut, 58, joined the Capitol Police force in
1980, following 20 years of service in the United States
Air Force. He earned numerous commendations and awards for
both his military and police service, including a Vietnam
Service Medal, the Bronze Star for Meritorious military
service and countless letters of appreciation from
citizens and staff for assistance provided and attention
to duty. Officer Chestnut is survived by his wife, Wen
Ling, and five children.
John Gibson, 42, also joined the Capitol Police force in
1980, and also earned numerous commendations. In 1988,
Gibson was commended for going to the aid of a citizen,
and saving their life by administering CPR. Special Agent
Gibson is survived by his wife, Evelyn, and three
children.
It is horribly ironic to me that one of the fallen
officers, J.J. Chestnut, was a Vietnam veteran who
survived combat only to fall at the hand of a fellow
American. As a veteran he served his country so that we
could all have our freedom, a freedom which the gunman who
walked into the United States Capitol last Friday and
opened fire, did not understand, did not honor, and
certainly did not respect.
In 1862, Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote: ``It is natural
enough to suppose that the center and heart of America is
the Capitol.'' He stated that the Capitol's combination of
dignity, harmony, and utility made it a fit embodiment of
the highest traits of our Nation. A year later, Sculptor
Thomas Crawford's 19\1/2\ foot, 7\1/2\ ton Statue of
Freedom was lifted and placed atop the Capitol Dome.
Nearly every President since Andrew Jackson has been
inaugurated on its steps. The Capitol has hosted a cast of
American legends, as great Senators and great Members of
the House have presided and debated in each of two houses
over the years, including John Calhoun, Daniel Webster,
Henry Clay, Robert Lafollette, George Norris, Richard
Russell, John F. Kennedy, Sam Rayburn, Carl Vinson, Robert
Byrd.
The Capitol has also been home to so many milestones in
American history. The Capitol was where the Civil Rights
Act was passed in 1964, and where women were granted the
right to vote. It was where war was declared after the
invasion of Pearl Harbor following upon the famous ``Day
of Infamy'' speech. It was where the Social Security Act
was enacted, and where legislation was passed to limit
child labor.
More than anything, our Capitol has stood as a symbol of
our democracy, of our liberty, and of our freedom since
President George Washington laid the cornerstone for the
building in 1793.
Let us not let the actions of the gunman last Friday
threaten our freedom, or our belief in our democracy.
Instead, let us focus on the heroic actions of officers
J.J. Chestnut and John Gibson, who last week gave the
ultimate sacrifice for their country.
I am reminded of a passage from Thucydides' ``Funeral
Oration of Pericles'':
So they gave their bodies to the commonwealth and
received, each for his own memory, praise that will never
die, and with it the grandest of all sepulchers, not that
in which their mortal bones are laid, but a home in the
minds of men, where their glory remains fresh to stir to
speech or action as the occasion comes by. For the whole
earth is the sepulcher of famous men; and their story is
not graven only on stone over their native earth, but
lives on far away, without visible symbol, woven into the
stuff of other men's lives. For you now it remains to
rival what they have done and, knowing the secret of
freedom a brave heart, not idly to stand aside from the
enemy's onset.
We have a lot to learn from the selfless bravery and
public service displayed by these two men. Our thoughts
and prayers are with their families and friends at this
difficult time. God bless.
Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, my heart goes out to the
families of the two officers slain in Friday's brutal
shooting. These two men will be forever known for their
bravery, courage and heroism in laying down their lives to
protect all of us who pass through the halls of the United
States Capitol.
The Capitol police officers, Jacob Chestnut and John
Gibson, made the ultimate sacrifice that any person can
give in laying down their lives so that others would be
spared. Their actions demonstrated the highest form of
bravery, selflessness, and professionalism.
We must all remember that the price of democracy is
indeed, a high one. At times, the openness of our
government is sometimes challenged by events like those
that took place this past Friday. But even though our
democracy sometimes seems fragile when challenged by
senseless violence, we must all do our part to ensure that
this type of violence never happens again. I am confident
we will take those steps as a Nation.
I had just landed in Colorado when I learned what had
happened in the Capitol building. When my plane arrived, I
received an emergency call from my office informing me of
the tragic events. In an instant, my mind fell back to
November 28th, 1978 when in City Hall in San Francisco the
double assassination of Mayor George Moscone and
Supervisor Harvey Milk took place. I knew the terrible
anguish--even anger--that accompanies events like this
one.
This event also shows the depth to which America's
infatuation with weapons can lead to tragedy. Not only do
we now see youngsters shooting other youngsters, but also
the unthinkable slayings in what should be one of the
safest places in our Nation, the United States Capitol. In
this very difficult time, I am proud to say that Officers
Jacob Chestnut and John Gibson will always be remembered
as American heroes.
Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I rise humbly to pay tribute
to Officers Jacob Chestnut and Special Agent John Gibson--
and all of their fellow Capitol Police officers and law
enforcement officers across the Nation and world.
As I filed past the bodies of our slain officers in the
Rotunda this morning, I was overwhelmed by the sacrifice
they made to protect us, our families, and fellow
citizens. So many times, we take law enforcement for
granted because we see them every day monitoring
entrances, patrolling the Capitol, just being there. And,
thankfully, we don't often see events like the tragedy
that occurred on Friday.
But such events do happen. They happen every day across
this great Nation. Law enforcement officers sacrifice
their lives so we can live more safely and freely. Every
time that happens, I remember the commitment they have
made and I thank them.
When such madness strikes at our Nation's symbol of
democracy, it should remind us even more that freedom
comes at a price. Our citizens and people of all lands are
welcome to visit our capitol and participate in the
democracy that they help sustain. They can watch Members
of Congress undertake the people's business from the
galleries above the two house chambers. They can visit us
in our offices. They can visit sacred monuments and
historic sites.
Just last Wednesday, at a coffee I held for visiting
constituents from Washington State, one tourist exclaimed
how impressed she was with the accessibility of the
Capitol, with the openness of the process and the ability
to meet and see her Senator and Representatives. I agreed
that we have a wonderful system and I praised her for
taking advantage of that openness and participating in our
great democracy.
But we have defenders of this democracy and openness.
Those men and women are our police officers who try to
find that perfect balance of an open society and a safe
society. Sometimes that balance means lives are sacrificed
to protect those noble goals.
My thoughts and prayers are with the families of Officer
Chestnut and Special Agent Gibson. This is such a tragedy.
As I have read about their lives and families and
commitment to their communities, their sacrifice was made
even more real. They are true heroes.
So, I thank them and I thank the Capitol Police. I honor
their service. I will use this tragedy to make sure I
remember the tremendous commitment our law enforcement
officers have made to us: To keep us as safe and when we
are in danger, to lay down their lives for us.
Mr. SANTORUM. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize
and mourn the passing of two cherished members of our
Capitol Hill community, Officer J.J. Chestnut and Officer
John Gibson, slain Friday in the line of duty.
As we mourn their deaths and pay tribute to them,
perhaps we should recall the particular, even paradoxical,
quality of who they were and what they did: They stood
among us, as members of this community, but they also
stood apart.
As many have noted since their deaths, both officers
were familiar to those of us who work in the Capitol. They
stood guard in these halls--and so they stood, literally,
among us. And their lives resembled many of our own lives;
they were husbands, fathers, sons, and brothers. They took
pleasure from their families and pride in their work. If
but for the sad events on Friday, they might have
continued to live as so many of us do: simply but
decently, content to be known and loved mostly by those
closest to them.
But they stood guard in these halls--and so they also
stood apart. They belong to that small but remarkable
group of people whose profession requires the willing
forfeiture not just of their time and talent but, if
necessary, of their very lives. Unlike most of us, their
daily work was to offer their life in the place of
another's. More dramatically and compellingly than most of
us, they embodied the qualities that sustain our
democracy: selflessness and courage. In this, they stood
guard over our democratic tradition.
As individuals and citizens, we are defined not only by
with whom we stand, but by when we choose to stand apart.
I am honored that these men stood among us everyday and
grateful that, when the critical moment came, they also
freely chose to stand apart. In tribute, in these halls
they guarded, we stand as one and grieve their deaths.
Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, I rise to pay tribute to
Capitol Police Officers Jacob Chestnut and John Gibson who
sacrificed their lives last Friday safeguarding our
Nation's Capitol, Members of Congress, our staffs, and the
thousands of Americans who were visiting the Capitol on
that tragic day.
We are privileged to work in these hallowed buildings
that are central to the greatest democracy in the world.
We are equally privileged that Officers Chestnut and
Gibson and their colleagues are willing to risk their
lives to defend us from harm and keep democracy alive.
Capitol Police officers protect more than 7 million
visitors who come to our Nation's Capitol every year.
Often, they are the first to welcome these visitors to our
Capitol. I thank all the officers who secure our grounds
and dedicate their lives to our safety.
Officers Chestnut and Gibson and their families are in
our thoughts and our prayers, but we also should remember
to pray for the safety of hundreds of other men and women
who protect us everyday as we do the business of the
American people. This tragedy should remind all of us that
our democracy and our Nation's security are ultimately
dependent upon the courage and commitment of individuals
such as Jacob Chestnut and John Gibson.
Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, honoring those who die in the
service of others is a practice as old as life itself.
From ancient times to the present day, those who survive
pay tribute to those who have fallen with songs and
symbols, flowers and ceremonies.
And it is a good thing, for it is at times like these
that words often fail us. Few memorial addresses have
outlived those who uttered them--not because of the
inadequacy of the speakers, but because of the inadequacy
of words themselves. To quote General James A. Garfield,
who spoke at the first memorial at Arlington National
Cemetery--where Officers Gibson and Chestnut will be
buried later this week--``If silence is ever golden, it
must be here beside the graves of men whose lives were
more significant than speech, and whose death was a poem
the music of which can never be sung.''
John Gibson and Jacob Chestnut were such men, as their
countless friends and associates have testified, and so I
add my small tribute to the hundreds that have already
been offered in the hope that it may, in some small way,
console the hearts of those they leave behind.
Mr. President, long after these men are laid to their
final rest, the memory of their warmth and their many
kindnesses, their lives and their heroic sacrifice will
live on in the hearts and minds of all of us--indeed, of
all who visit the soaring symbol of freedom and democracy
they died to defend. From this day forward it will stand,
like a silent sentry, guarding the memory of their valor
and courage.
May the Almighty god who watches over all of us, comfort
and strengthen their wives and children in the days ahead,
and may He protect all who place themselves in harm's way
so that we may enjoy the blessings and benefits of
freedom.
Mr. President, I thank the chair and yield the floor.
Messages from the House Received During Adjournment
Under the authority of the order of the Senate of
January 7, 1997, the Secretary of the Senate, on July 27,
1998, during the adjournment of the Senate received a
message from the House of Representatives announcing that
the House has agreed to the following concurrent
resolution, in which it requests the concurrence of the
Senate:
H. Con. Res. 311. Concurrent resolution honoring the
memory of Detective John Michael Gibson and Private First
Class Jacob Joseph Chestnut of the United States Capitol
Police for their selfless acts of heroism at the United
States Capitol on July 24, 1998.
Messages from the House
At 5:39 p.m., a message from the House of
Representatives, delivered by Mr. Hays, one of its reading
clerks, announced that the House has passed the following
concurrent resolution, without amendment: S. Con. Res.
112. Concurrent resolution to authorize the printing of
the eulogies of the Senate and the House of
Representatives for Detective John Michael Gibson and
Private First Class Jacob Joseph Chestnut.
Submission of Concurrent and Senate Resolutions
The following concurrent resolutions and Senate
resolutions were read, and referred (or acted upon), as
indicated:
By Mr. CAMPBELL:
S. Con. Res. 113. A concurrent resolution to rename the
Document Door of the Capitol as the Chestnut-Gibson
Memorial Door; to the Committee on Rules and
Administration.
Senate Concurrent Resolution 113--to Rename the Document
Door of the Capital as the Chestnut-Gibson Memorial Door
Mr. CAMBPELL submitted the following concurrent
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Rules
and Administration:
S. Con. Res. 113
Whereas on Friday, July 24, 1998, a lone gunman entered
the United States Capitol building through the door known
as the Document Door, located on the first floor of the
East Front;
Whereas while the gunman's intentions are not yet fully
known, nor may ever be known, it is clear that he would
have killed many more innocent people if Officers Chestnut
and Gibson had not ended his violent rampage;
Whereas Officer Jacob Chestnut was the first Capitol
Police officer to confront the gunman just inside the
Document Door and lost his life as a result;
Whereas Detective John Gibson was the next officer to
confront the gunman and also lost his life in the ensuing
shootout;
Whereas the last shot fired by Detective Gibson, his
final act as an officer of the law, finally brought down
the gunman and ended his deadly rampage;
Whereas this was the first time members of the Capitol
Police have been killed in the line of duty in the 170-
year history of the police force;
Whereas the Capitol Police represent true dedication and
professionalism in their duties to keep the Capitol
Building, the Library of Congress, and the Senate and
House of Representatives office buildings safe for all who
enter them;
Whereas the Capitol shines as a beacon of freedom and
democracy all around the world;
Whereas keeping the sacred halls of the Capitol, known
as the People's House, accessible for all the people of
the United States and the world is a true testament of
Congress and of our Nation's dedication to upholding the
virtues of freedom;
Whereas the door where this tragic incident took place
is known as the Document Door; and
Whereas it is fitting and appropriate that the Document
Door be renamed as the Chestnut-Gibson Memorial Door in
honor of Officer Jacob Chestnut and Detective John Gibson:
Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives
concurring), That the Document Door located on the first
floor of the East Front is renamed as the Chestnut-Gibson
Memorial Door in honor of Officer Jacob Joseph Chestnut
and Detective John Michael Gibson.
Mr. CAMPBELL. Mr. President, today I submit a Senate
concurrent resolution to rename the Document Door as the
Chestnut-Gibson Memorial Door. I feel that it is only
fitting that this door be named in honor of the two brave
Capitol Police Officers, Detective John Gibson and Officer
Jacob Chestnut, who just last Friday, gave their lives in
the line of duty while serving their country.
Last Friday's shocking and senseless violence in the
halls of the U.S. Capitol both saddened our Nation and
took the lives of two of our finest.
Officer Jacob Chestnut was posted at the Document Door
entrance on the Capitol's East Front. Officers posted to
this entrance are the first faces that many tourists see
when they come to visit the Capitol. Officer Chestnut's
post, which involves achieving a delicate balance between
the ensuring safety of those who visit the Capitol while
keeping the People's House as free and open as possible,
requires a very special combination of hospitality, humor,
patience, and professionalism. To his credit, Officer
Chestnut excelled in this endeavor.
Detective John Gibson was the second Capitol Police
Officer to engage the gunman. I understand that it was
Detective John Gibson's last shot, his final act of a
defender of the peace, that brought the gunman down and
ended the violent rampage. The Detective's steadfast
valor, while already having been shot several times, was
the difference that saved many lives. We all owe him a
deep debt of gratitude.
If it had not been for the heroic actions of these two
brave officers, this dangerous gunman would almost
certainly have killed many more innocent people. The two
officer's ultimate sacrifice saved many lives.
This building, the U.S. Capitol, is far more than just a
building, it is a living monument to freedom and
democracy. It is perhaps the only building on earth that
simultaneously houses a healthy democracy at work, while
standing as a tribute to freedom that attracts millions of
visitors from all over the U.S. and the entire world each
year. The chambers, galleries, and halls of our Capitol
are full of statues, busts, paintings, and displays that
commemorate heroes and key events in our Nation's history.
The men and women honored under this magnificent dome have
served their country in a wide variety of ways. Some have
been great visionaries and statesmen. Some have been
leaders in science or adventurers, like Colorado's son,
astronaut Jack Swigert whose statue stands in these halls.
Each of these heroes has contributed and sacrificed in his
or her own very real and personal way.
Some of these heroes have made the greatest sacrifice
for their Nation, giving their lives. Detective John
Gibson and Officer Jacob Chestnut have joined this honored
rank. They gave their lives for their Nation while
protecting our Nation's Capitol, and it is fitting that
they will lie in honor today in the Capitol's Rotunda
while a grateful Nation pays its respects.
Not only is the Capitol the American People's House, it
stands as a bright beacon of hope to all of the world's
freedom loving people. While traveling this building's
halls, I have been regularly awed by the comments of
visitors from other countries about how open and free this
building is. They state how they would never be allowed to
walk so freely through the halls of their own capital
buildings back home in their respective countries. This is
an important part of what makes America great.
Whenever I have heard such sentiments, I am reminded of
just how fortunate I am, and we all are, to be Americans.
Our Capitol is the People's House, and it must remain open
and accessible to all.
Thanks to the sacrifices of Detective John Gibson and
Officer Jacob Chestnut, and the dedication and
professionalism of the entire U.S. Capitol Police Force,
our Nation's Capitol building is freely accessible and
continues to serve as a beacon of freedom.
For these reasons I feel that it is only fitting that
the Document Door be renamed in honor of the two brave
Capitol Police Officers, Detective John Gibson and Officer
Jacob Chestnut, who gave their lives so that the Capitol
building could remain the People's House and open to all.
Wednesday, July 29, 1998
Mr. FEINGOLD. Mr. President, in the wake of the terrible
crime committed in the Capitol last Friday, I want to take
a moment to reflect on the courage exhibited by the
Capitol Police Force in the face of that attack at the
heart of America's democracy.
The Capitol Police have guarded the U.S. Congress since
1828, but their finest, yet most tragic, moment came on
July 24, 1998, when two officers gave their lives to
defend their fellow citizens, and our Capitol and all that
it represents.
Officer Jacob J. Chestnut and Detective John M. Gibson,
like all the quiet heroes of the Capitol Police Force and
their colleagues across America, came to work each day,
performing their duties with dedication and
professionalism, prepared at any moment to lay down their
lives so that others could be saved, and the security of
the Capitol could be preserved.
In a few terrifying minutes on the afternoon of July
24th, that moment came, as Detective Gibson and Officer
Chestnut gave their lives for ours, and for countless
other people working and visiting here that day. As they
bravely defended the Capitol, Detective Gibson and Officer
Chestnut showed the enormity of their courage, the depth
of their character, and the fullness of their commitment
to duty as Capitol Police officers.
As Americans, we owe Officer Chestnut and Detective
Gibson a debt that can never be repaid. Instead, we can
only offer our deepest sympathies to the families of these
two brave officers, and pledge to honor their memories
with the same enduring strength and vigilance with which
they defended our lives.
I also want to recognize the other Capitol Police
officers involved in apprehending the gunman, rushing
people in the building to safety, and conducting the
subsequent investigation with such a high degree of
professionalism. We commend their service in protecting
our Capitol and reaffirm with confidence that under their
watch the House of the people will stay open to all the
people.
Americans can take great pride in the heroism the
Capitol Police displayed last Friday, and in the bravery
they summon every day as they protect our Nation's
Capitol. To them I offer my thanks, and the thanks of my
staff and the people of the State of Wisconsin, for their
courageous work.
Friday, July 31, 1998
Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, once again, I want to
acknowledge that our thoughts this morning are with the
family, friends and colleagues of Officer J.J. Chestnut.
He will pass before the Capitol one last time today and be
laid to rest. Our hearts continue to be heavy with sorrow
for the loss of this fine man. We certainly have his
family in our prayers today.
Mr. KYL. Mr. President, as long as the majority leader
is still on the floor, let me repeat what I told him a
couple days ago. The remarks he made on the occasion of
the public ceremony in the Rotunda for the two fallen
Capitol Police officers, I thought, were extraordinary,
right on the mark, and I very much appreciate his
representation of the Senate at that occasion. This Nation
has now spent 1 week thinking very carefully about what
the meaning of the events of just a week ago are. I think
that his remarks and the remarks of other speakers on that
occasion certainly help to bring proper perspective to
those events for all Americans as well as those of us here
in the Congress.
Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, today Capitol Police Officer
Jacob J. Chestnut was laid to rest at Arlington National
Cemetery, concluding a week that has saddened and shocked
every American and touched the hearts of millions of
people around the world. I rise to express my profound
sorrow over the death of Officer Chestnut and Detective
John Gibson, and to extend my sympathy to the families,
friends, and fellow officers of these two brave men. The
tremendous outpouring of grief and respect we have
experienced and witnessed during the congressional
ceremony and honors on Tuesday, and in the requiem
services for Detective Gibson and Officer Chestnut over
the past two days are fitting tribute to the courage and
selfless sacrifice of these fallen heroes.
The deaths of Officer Chestnut and Detective Gibson,
killed in the line of duty as they defended all of us who
are privileged to work and visit the Capitol, is a
testament to the fidelity and valor of these men, as well
as a reminder of the exceptional bravery and courage of
the men and women of the Capitol Police who protect the
Capitol complex and grounds. We are fortunate to have
these officers on the job, protecting all of us, willing
to confront the dangers and violence that too often
afflict our world today, so that our Capitol can remain
open and accessible to the public. The professionalism,
pride, and good-natured courtesy which these officers
bring to their duties, day in and day out, serves our
democracy by keeping the Capitol open to the people and
safeguarding, with their lives if necessary, the freedom
and liberty we cherish.
On the Capitol dome, looking across the Capital City,
stands the Statue of Freedom Triumphant in War and Peace,
an emblem of democracy and hope, a symbol of America's
promise that every citizen has the freedom and opportunity
to realize their God-given potential. In her right hand
Freedom holds an olive branch, in her left, a sword, a
reminder that the preservation of freedom and democracy
often requires sacrifice.
Over the course of our history, the Capitol has
witnessed stirring oratory and the passage of landmark
legislation which have inspired us, strengthened our
Nation, restored hope, preserved our Republic, and
maintained our resolve. The heroic actions of Officer
Chestnut and Officer Gibson, who acted to preserve and
protect life without regard to their own safety, bonds
deeds to the ideals and values we celebrate and honor here
at the heart of our democracy. The President said it best
when he stated that the actions of these brave men
sanctified the Capitol. May God bring comfort and peace to
the families, friends, and colleagues of Detective John
Gibson and Officer Jacob Chestnut.
Messages from the House Received During Adjournment
Under the authority of the order of the Senate of
January 7, 1997, the Secretary of the Senate, on July 31,
1998, during the adjournment of the Senate, received a
message from the House of Representatives announcing that
House has passed the following bill, in which it requests
the concurrence of the Senate:
H.R. 4354. An act to establish the United States Capitol
Police Memorial Fund on behalf of the families of
Detective John Michael Gibson and Private First Class
Jacob Joseph Chestnut of the United States Capitol Police.
The message also announced that the House has agreed to
the following concurrent resolution, without amendment:
S. Con. Res. 114. Concurrent resolution providing for a
conditional adjournment or recess of the Senate and a
conditional adjournment of the House of Representatives.
Tuesday, September 22, 1998
Mr. SARBANES (for himself, Ms. Mikulski, Mr. Robb, and
Mr. Warner) submitted the following concurrent resolution;
which was referred to the Committee on Rules and
Administration:
S. Con. Res. 120
Whereas the United States Capitol Police force has
protected the Capitol and upheld the beacon of democracy
in America;
Whereas 3 officers of the United States Capitol Police
have lost their lives in the line of duty;
Whereas Sgt. Christopher Eney was killed on August 24,
1984, during a training exercise;
Whereas officer Jacob ``J.J.'' Chestnut was killed on
July 24, 1998, while guarding his post at the Capitol; and
Whereas Detective John Gibson was killed on July 24,
1998, while protecting the lives of visitors, staff, and
the Office of the Majority Whip of the House of
Representatives: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives
concurring), That the United States Capitol Police
headquarters building located at 119 D Street, Northeast,
Washington, D.C., shall be known and designated as the
``Eney, Chestnut, Gibson Memorial Building''.
Mr. SARBANES. Mr. President, today I am submitting a
concurrent resolution to redesignate the United States
Capitol Police Headquarters as the ``Eney, Chestnut,
Gibson Memorial Building'' in honor of the three brave
United States Capitol Police Officers who have been killed
in the line of duty since the inception of the Capitol
Police.
The United States Capitol Police are a very special
breed. They have a very special duty and a special trust.
They guard our Nation's Capitol and keep it safe and
secure for the citizens of the world. When Officers Gibson
and Chestnut were killed on July 24, 1998, I joined my
colleagues on the floor to express my profound shock, and
to express my very heartfelt sympathies to their families.
I quoted an editorial in Roll Call then and I want to read
from it again because I think it sums up the nature of our
Capitol Police Force:
Sometimes, given the comparative low level of violence
around the Capitol complex and given that Capitol Police
Officers are usually seen cheerfully directing traffic or
gently herding tourists, it's forgotten that ours--meaning
the Capitol Hill Police Force--is a real police force. We
who live and work around the Capitol know--but others
don't--that our police also fight crime in the
neighborhood as well as watch the Capitol. But now all
America understands that the Capitol Police do not just
stand guard, but also stand ready to be heroes. That
knowledge was derived last week at a heartrending cost.
So Mr. President, the purpose of this concurrent
resolution is not just to memorialize these three
officers, but to honor in perpetuity the bravery, and
acknowledge the sacrifice of the men and women who put
their lives on the line daily to protect this symbol of
democracy. I urge my colleagues to join me in support of
this measure.
Thursday, October 1, 1998
MESSAGES FROM THE HOUSE
The House has agreed to the following concurrent
resolution, in which it requests the concurrence of the
Senate:
H. Con. Res. 317. Concurrent resolution expressing the
sense of the Congress that Members of Congress should
follow the examples of self-sacrifice and devotion to
character displayed by Jacob Chestnut and John Gibson of
the United States Capitol Police.
MEMORIAL SERVICES
FOR
JACOB JOSEPH CHESTNUT
AND
JOHN MICHAEL GIBSON
A Congressional Tribute Honoring
Officer Jacob Joseph Chestnut
AND
Detective John Michael Gibson
3:00 p.m., Tuesday, July 28, 1998
U.S. Capitol Rotunda
Washington, D.C.
MASTER OF CEREMONIES. Ladies and gentlemen, the
Congressional Tribute in the United States Capitol
Rotunda.
The invocation will be delivered by the Chaplain of the
United States House of Representatives, Dr. James D. Ford.
DR. FORD. Let us pray.
With sadness and grief, oh, gracious God, we join the
members of our community expressing our sorrow that an act
of violence has taken two of the sons of this institution
who have given their lives so that others might live.
The names of John Michael Gibson and Jacob Joseph
Chestnut are engraved upon our hearts and their memory is
etched in our very souls. Their noble service will ever
bring to mind the words of sacrifice and dedication, of
commitment and faithfulness, the motto of duty, honor,
country.
We gather in this hallowed room, full of the memories of
days past, to praise their memory, to salute their
selfless deeds, to honor their sacrifice.
As their colleagues and friends, we are humbled by their
deeds and inspired by their concern for others in ways
that we cannot measure. When we remember what they have
done, may we find our hearts lifted and our lives
inspired. Let us go forward more appreciative of the
sacrifice that law enforcement officers make to ensure
that the spirit of democracy continues strong in this
place and the light of freedom burns bright.
May your rich blessing, oh God, be with the families of
these men and may your spirit strengthen their spirits and
may your grace be sufficient for all their needs. So dwell
with them and be their God until the day break and the
shadows flee away.
As a family mourns when one is lost, so our community
mourns the loss of these men. Oh, gracious God, as our
heads are weighed by grief, our spirits take confidence
that you are the giver of everlasting life, and in that
confidence is our hope and our trust.
May your peace, oh, God, that passes all human
understanding be with us now and evermore. Amen.
MASTER OF CEREMONIES. Ladies and gentlemen, we will now
have the laying of the wreaths. The first wreath will be
laid by the United States Senate.
The next wreath will be laid by the United States House
of Representatives.
The President of the United States will lay the
Executive Branch wreath.
Chief of Police Gary L. Abrecht will lay the United
States Capitol Police wreath.
Ladies and gentlemen, the Honorable Trent Lott, Majority
Leader of the United States Senate.
SENATOR LOTT. Members of the Chestnut family, members of
the Gibson family, and members of the Capitol Police Force
of the United States of America, this is truly a very
emotional moment for the United States Congress family. We
share the pain and the suffering of this family. We
struggle to find a way to express our feeling of grief and
sorrow and appreciation at the same time.
These two men have proven that they are the very best of
friends because they have paid the ultimate price.
In this room there are murals, pictures, statues of the
great men and women in our country's history. Today, we
honor two men that should rightly be recognized in this
hall of heroes.
We have had Presidents lie in repose here, generals,
Members of Congress, unknown soldiers, but it is
appropriate today that we honor these two men who did
their job, who stood the ground and defended freedom, this
very room, and all of our lives, and that we honor them
here with these heroes.
Abraham Lincoln in his most famous speech said it best
when he said that there is very little that we could say
to add or detract from the moment and the sacrifice that
these men have given, but we must try to express our love
and our appreciation.
At the top of this dome is a statue. Many argue about
its symbolism, but it stands for the spirit of freedom.
And today the spirit of freedom is in this room because of
these men, and it will continue to live in this building,
in our hearts, as we maintain freedom and liberty for
future generations.
The monument for these two heroes, J.J. Chestnut and
John Gibson, is the monument of freedom that is so
exemplified by this building.
On behalf of the Congress, the Senate, and the American
people, we extend to you our sympathy, our love and our
appreciation.
MASTER OF CEREMONIES. Ladies and gentlemen, the
Honorable Newt Gingrich, Speaker of the House.
SPEAKER GINGRICH. I wish that I could say to the two
wives who are here and to the children that are here that
their fathers were going to come through the door. I wish
that we could say the terrible things did not happen. But
we can't.
The most we can do is come together as a remarkable
extended family, really from all across the country as
people have called in, people who are watching now, people
who are concerned, people who have visited the Capitol,
people who see this as their centerpiece of freedom and
try to reach out to the wives, to the children, to all the
relatives who are here to say that your personal loss is
shared by a remarkable number of people; that in the case
of Officer Chestnut there were so many people who every
day walked right past that door, including me, my staff,
most of the leadership on the House side; to say of
Officer Gibson, there are so many people, as you know, who
literally believe that they today would be dead except
that he sacrificed his life for theirs; and to try to
extend to you some of our love, our concern, and our
caring.
But, in addition, I wanted to suggest to you that, in
passing, your husbands and your fathers had in fact
brought together this Nation; that their devotion to duty,
their sacrifice to defend freedom, their commitment of
their life both on a daily basis and at the crisis that
occurred on Friday has in fact reminded millions and
millions of people that while this is the center of
freedom in the world and this building is the centerpiece
of freedom in our constitutional system, it only lasts as
long as there is courage.
So, in part, on behalf of the family of freedom
worldwide, on behalf of all Americans and on behalf of the
congressional family, I want to say to both families that
your sacrifice is a painful but real building block of
freedom, and that for the rest of your lives you will in
fact know from people you see all around the country and
all around the world that your husbands and your fathers
did not die in vain. They in fact died in duty to the very
freedom that each of us cherishes.
MASTER OF CEREMONIES. Ladies and gentlemen, the Vice
President of the United States.
VICE PRESIDENT GORE. Today we honor two watchmen who
guarded not just a building, but an ideal; men who lived
and labored not only to keep our democracy free from harm,
but to keep it free and open to all our people.
So many times, upon entering this building, I have been
greeted by Officer Chestnut, standing proudly at his post;
so many times, as I have walked through this Rotunda, I
have been accompanied and guarded by Detective Gibson and
the protective detail on which he served. I know I am not
alone among those here today in thinking how fragile is
the safety and security we take for granted, how thin the
blue line these brave men and women have drawn for us here
in the Capitol and in every American community.
Soon two new names will be inscribed on the Law
Enforcement Memorial less than a mile from here, but
future generations will owe these men a debt outlasting
any monument. As much as any soldier who has landed on a
beach, last week the gatekeepers of the our Capitol became
the frontline guardians of our freedom. In defending each
citizen's right to cross through that doorway in safety
they were defending democracy itself at its core.
It is written in the Scripture that whosoever will be
great among you, let him be your minister, and whosoever
will be chief among you, let him be your servant even as
the son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to
minister and to give his life as a ransom for many.
I believe it is men like John Gibson and J.J. Chestnut,
who are in a sense ministers of our democracy, and who by
virtue of their extraordinary sacrifice are rightly
honored here today as chief among us. They also remind us
that for all those who suffer and die for righteousness'
sake, theirs is the kingdom of God.
Let me say to the Gibson and the Chestnut families, we
know nothing can lift your loss; we do not forget that,
for you, each day forward the sacrifice will go on. But I
hope there is comfort and I know there is pride and truth
in the poet's words, ``How sleep the brave who sink to
rest by all their country's wishes bless'd!''
God bless you and God bless America.
MASTER OF CEREMONIES. Ladies and gentlemen, the
President of the United States.
PRESIDENT CLINTON. To the Chestnut and Gibson families,
my fellow Americans:
The Bible defines a good life thusly, ``To love justice,
to do mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God.''
Officer J.J. Chestnut and Detective John Gibson loved
justice. The story of what they did here on Friday in the
line of duty is already a legend.
It is fitting that we gather here to honor these two
American heroes here in this hallowed chamber that has
known so many heroes, in this Capitol they gave their
lives to defend.
And we thank their families for enduring the pain and
extra burden of joining us here today, for they remind us
that what makes our democracy strong is not only what
Congress may enact or a President may achieve.
Even more, it is the countless individual citizens who
live our ideals out every day, the innumerable acts of
heroism that go unnoticed; and especially it is the quiet
courage and uncommon bravery of Americans like J.J.
Chestnut and John Gibson, and, indeed, every one of the 81
police officers who just this year have given their lives
to ensure our domestic tranquility.
John Gibson and J.J. Chestnut also did mercy in giving
their lives to save the lives of their fellow citizens. We
honor them today. And in so doing, we honor also the
hundreds of thousands of other officers, including all of
their comrades who stand ready every day to do the same.
They make it seem so ordinary, so expected, asking for
no awards or acknowledgment, that most of us do not always
appreciate--indeed, most of the time we do not even see
their daily sacrifice. Until crisis reveals their courage,
we do not see how truly special they are.
And so they walked humbly.
To the Gibsons, to Elaine, Wendy, Kristin, Jack and
Danny; to the Chestnuts, Joseph, Janice, Karen and
William; to the parents, the brothers, the siblings here,
you always knew that John and J.J. were special. Now, the
whole world knows as well.
Today, we mourn their loss and we celebrate their lives.
Our words are such poor replacements for the joys of
family and friends, the turning of the seasons, the
rhythms of normal life that should rightfully have been
theirs. But we offer them to you from a grateful Nation,
profoundly grateful that in doing their duty, they saved
lives, they consecrated this house of freedom, and they
fulfilled our Lord's definition of a good life.
They loved justice. They did mercy. Now and forever,
they walk humbly with their God.
MASTER OF CEREMONIES. Ladies and gentlemen, the Chief of
the United States Capitol Police, Gary L. Abrecht.
CHIEF ABRECHT. There is no easy way to absorb the tragic
events of last Friday. For all of us, it is difficult to
comprehend why someone would commit such an egregious act
in the building which is at the core of our democracy.
The American people hold a unique reverence for the
United States Capitol. Its soaring dome and marble columns
exemplify the strength of our Nation. When we look at this
grand building, our hearts swell with pride.
Today our hearts are heavy with sorrow. When Officer
Jacob Chestnut and Detective John Gibson lost their lives,
it was in the defense of this building and all those who
work and visit here. They selflessly sacrificed their
lives so that others may live.
We could not have asked any more of them. They would not
have given any less for us.
The men and women of the United States Capitol Police
are committed to continuing to serve with the level of
dedication, professionalism, and bravery exhibited by
these two fine officers. We understand that there are
those who seek to disrupt the national legislative process
or come here to commit acts of violence. It is important
that those individuals understand that there are other
officers like J.J. and John who are determined to fill the
breach and hold tight the thin blue line which protects
our congressional community and allows the public to
safely visit their seat of government.
It is therefore fitting that we gather in the Rotunda of
this great building to remember the lives of the officers
who made the ultimate sacrifice defending it.
While what we say here will soon be forgotten, the
memory of the heroic actions of Officer Jacob Chestnut and
Detective John Gibson will become as timeless as the
building in which they died.
To the Gibson and the Chestnut families, you have our
deepest sympathy and our never-ending gratitude.
MASTER OF CEREMONIES. Ladies and gentlemen, the
benediction will be delivered by the Chaplain of the
United States Senate, Dr. Lloyd J. Ogilvie.
DR. OGILVIE. Let us pray.
Oh, gracious God, you have promised to keep us in
perfect peace when our minds are stayed on you. Do that
for us now, for we cannot do it for ourselves. Keep our
minds on you, invade our thinking with your peace, your
shalom, the peace that passes understanding, the peace
that places a balm of healing on our raw nerves, the peace
that makes us secure in your everlasting arms.
You alone, dear Father, can heal our grief.
You are the source of comfort for the immense loneliness
and pain that the families of Jacob Chestnut and John
Gibson have suffered and will endure. Oh, blessed God, be
the unseen but powerful presence in their homes, the
strength to their wives, the eternal Father to these
fatherless children. Mend their broken hearts and fill
them with courage.
Thank you for the memory of these gallant officers who
gave their lives to protect others. May we never forget
their heroism and commitment.
Help us to be much more sensitive to the Capitol Police
officers who daily serve to protect us and keep this
magnificent building, the center of democracy, open and
safe for those who work and visit here.
Lord, your perfect love casts out fear.
And now, J.J. and John, cherished friends and heroes, we
say an official good-bye, but you will always be in our
hearts. Death for you became no conqueror in the end. You
left your physical bodies to rise to meet your Saviour and
friend.
In his name, Amen.
MASTER OF CEREMONIES. Ladies and gentlemen, please
remain in place until the families and the President have
departed.
Thank you.
A Service of Remembrance
Celebrating the Life and Work of
Jacob Joseph Chestnut
April 28, 1940-July 24, 1998
``I know your works, your labor, your patience.''--Rev.
2:2
10:00 a.m., Friday, July 31, 1998
Ebenezer A.M.E. Church
7707 Allentown Road
Fort Washington, MD 20744
This Is My Beloved
Remembrance is a gold chain, death tries to break,
but in vain. The years may wipe out many things,
but they will never wipe out the memory
of all those happy years, when we were together.
Dramatically on Friday, July 24, while doing what he
loved, Jacob Joseph Chestnut, affectionately called
``J.J.'' by those who knew him best, entered life
everlasting while guarding the citadel of freedom, the
Nation's Capitol.
He was a product of the Jacksonville, North Carolina,
Public Schools and was born in Myrtle Beach, South
Carolina.
``J.J.'' enlisted into the United States Air Force in
June 1960. During his tenure of service he was awarded
numerous decorations and citations, including the Bronze
Star and the Air Force Commendation Medal as a military
policeman. He was honorably discharged in February 1980
having obtained the rank of Master Sergeant.
While serving in Taiwan he met Wen-Ling, his wife of
twenty-three years. Out of this marriage there were two
children, William Liao and Karen Ling and granddaughter,
Jasmine. Other children include Joseph, twin daughters
Janet and Janece, and grandchildren Ashton, Brandy, and
Joyce. ``J.J.'' was a devoted father who gave good common
sense advice and taught them well.
Also, remembering his kindness, love, and advice are
brothers Herman, Caleb, and Henry. Half-brothers include
David, Richard, and Daniel and two half-sisters, Marie and
Margaret. ``J.J.'' was a humble and yet proud professional
who served for 18 years as a National Capitol Police
Officer. His many years of mentoring, advice-giving, and
friendly spirit will leave a great void in the lives of
Officers of C-3. Standing guard at the gates of freedom
was his joy as he smiled and greeted daily the leaders of
our nation. Whatever he did, he did with enthusiasm and
professionalism.
His enthusiasm was shared with his neighbors as he
shared the ``goods'' from his garden. Serving his
neighbors, he was active in the Tantallon Square Civic
Association. Whether running at 6 a.m. to keep in shape or
joking with family or friends at work, he gave it his all.
Nothing was done except completely and with great
excitement.
We thank God today for the quiet, dedicated, and
purposeful life of ``J.J.'' Chestnut. A life filed with
caring and sharing. He lived, he loved, and he made us
whole and happy.
Order of Service
Organ Prelude
Processional
Call to Worship Pastor Grainger Browning
Ebenezer A.M.E. Church
Invocation
Opening Hymn ``To God Be the Glory''
The Readings Chaplain David Lothrop
Isaiah, 40:28-31 National Chaplain,
Romans, 12:9-18 Federal Law Enforcement
Association
``Amazing Grace'' Metropolitan Police Choir
Washington, D.C.
Tributes
Chief Gary L. Abrecht, National Capitol Police
Henry Chestnut, Brother
Karen Chestnut, Daughter
Prayers for the People CH (Col) Edward T. Grogan
United States Air Force
``The Lord's Prayer'' The Mass Choir of Ebenezer
Meditation Pastor Jack A. Marcom, Jr.
``Good & Faithful Servant'' Fort Washington Baptist Church
Blessing
Recessional
Interment
Arlington National Cemetery
Pallbearers
National Capitol Police Ceremonial Unit
Music Provided by:
The Voices of Ebenezer
Ebenezer A.M.E. Church
Metropolitan Police Choir
Washington, D.C.
Acknowledgments
We are most appreciative for your visits, prayers, and
all acts of kindness extended to the family during this
time by the President, Vice President, and the
congressional leadership. Especially we wish to thank
Liaison Officers Investigator Richard Lopez and Officer
Kevin Jackson. To a grateful Nation and to the Capitol
Police, we will always be blessed by your caring.
In Memory of John Gibson
Born 29 March 1956
Born to eternal life 24 July 1998
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
Catholic Church
Funeral Liturgy for John Gibson
Entrance Rite
Opening Hymn: ``Old Rugged Cross''
First Reading: Wisdom, 4:7-15
Deborah Hemenway
Responsorial Psalm: Judy Snopek & Jeff Schuller
Second Reading: Thessalonians, 4:13-18
Eileen Sheenan
Gospel Acclamation: Deacon Emil Myskowski
God loved the world so much, he gave His only Son,
that all who believe in Him might have eternal life.
Gospel: Gospel of John, 15:12-16
Deacon Emil Myskowski
Homily: Father Daniel Hamilton
Presentation of Gifts: Members of Gibson Family
Presentation Hymn: ``Peace in the Valley''
Eucharistic Prayer
Our Father
Sign and Exchange of Peace
Communion
Communion Hymn: ``Now behold the Lord''
``Total Praise''
``Ave Maria'': Judy Snopek & Mark Forrest
Eulogy: Jack DeWolfe
Final Commendation Rites
Closing Hymn: ``Amazing Grace''
``Battle Hymn of the Republic''
We offer our sincerest condolences to the family members
of Officer Jacob Chestnut who are here with us today.
The Eucharist is the sign of our faith and unity,
therefore we ask only Catholics to come forward to receive
Holy Communion.
The family wishes to thank the Metropolitan Police Choir
for the music today, to all who joined here and to all who
have remembered and honored John, husband, loving father
and police officer who gave his all.