[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 103 (Tuesday, July 28, 1998)]
[House]
[Page H6499]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING THE BRAVERY OF DETECTIVE JOHN GIBSON AND OFFICER J.J. CHESTNUT

  (Mr. SKEEN asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  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, and for this 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.

                              {time}  1400

  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.

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