[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 103 (Tuesday, July 28, 1998)]
[House]
[Pages H6492-H6493]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         A PART OF AMERICA DIED

  (Mr. RAHALL asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  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, placing them in 
the comforting arms of God, asking his blessings upon them.
  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.
  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

[[Page H6493]]

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.

       There is a Poem--one that is very fitting--about fallen 
     heroes, entitled: ``A Part of America Died Today,'' and its 
     author is unknown to me. But I reprint it here 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 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 a part of America died.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of myself, my staff, and the people of the 3rd 
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, placing them in the comforting 
arms of God, asking His blessings upon them.

                          ____________________