[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 102 (Monday, July 27, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9032-S9040]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING THE MEMORY OF DETECTIVE JOHN MICHAEL GIBSON AND PRIVATE FIRST 
    CLASS JACOB JOSEPH CHESTNUT OF THE UNITED STATES CAPITOL POLICE

  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

[[Page S9033]]

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 S aturday'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 and 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 and 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 and 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 
for 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, very proud of them. And 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, terrible act 
and 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, 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

[[Page S9034]]

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 their 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 day 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, stands 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.

[[Page S9035]]

       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.
  In behalf of John Gibson and Mr. Chestnut, J.J. Chestnut, my 
sympathies go out, on behalf of the people of Illinois and all of my 
friends and my staff, to their families. To think that 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

[[Page S9036]]

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 their 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 as 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 a profession 
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 saddening is that being of 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 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 thin, 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 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 three 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 a 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

[[Page S9037]]

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 officer's 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 Swaggered whose 
statute 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 and every 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's 
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.

[[Page S9038]]

  The fact of the matter is that 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 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 nowhere 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

[[Page S9039]]

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 harms 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 Jock 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 cliched 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

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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 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 capital?'' 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 Nations Capital. 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 where other officers that 
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 insure 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.

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