[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 103 (Tuesday, July 28, 1998)]
[House]
[Page H6502]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




IN HONOR OF OFFICER JACOB J. CHESTNUT AND DETECTIVE JOHN M. GIBSON WHO 
               SACRIFICED THEIR LIVES IN THE LINE OF DUTY

  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. 
It could have been any one of us. 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 of these men. We saw their courage and saw their deeply 
selfless impulse to protect life and to protect 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 asked and was given permission to revise and 
extend her remarks.)
  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.

                              {time}  1430

  May God bless them and us, and may our beloved officers rest in 
peace.




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