[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 103 (Tuesday, July 28, 1998)]
[House]
[Page H6496]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                               IN TRIBUTE

  (Mr. WICKER asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  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 which 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 fed 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.

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