[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 103 (Tuesday, July 28, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9130-S9134]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           TRIBUTE TO OFFICERS JOHN GIBSON AND JACOB CHESTNUT

  Mr. ROTH. Mr. President, I rise to express my profound respect and 
appreciation for Officers John Gibson and Jacob Chestnut, two men whose 
lives were tragically cut short on Friday as they stood watch in the 
Capitol--a building that is, as we have constantly been reminded this 
weekend, ``the People's House.'' Officer Chestnut was 58--a loving 
husband, a veteran of Vietnam, the father of five children, and the 
grandfather of another five.
  Officer Gibson was 42--a bright young man, full of energy and good 
works, who had dedicated his life to protecting others. Like Officer 
Chestnut, he, too, was a loving husband and the father of three.
  Today, both men are gone. We mourn their loss and express our deepest 
condolences to their families. We acknowledge that we will never fully 
understand what would motivate such a heinous act of violence against 
the innocent in a building that is the icon of Democracy, but we know 
that in stopping such brutality--in saving the lives of how many 
tourists, staff members and Congressmen we will never know--the names 
of John Gibson and Jacob Chestnut are etched forever in the pantheon of 
heroes.
  All who are indebted to them--myself included--will from this day 
forward speak their names in reverence. Their courage will inspire 
those who will hear told the tale of their sacrifices. While their 
children, their grandchildren and great grandchildren will stand tall--
living legacies of extraordinary men.
  In expressing our gratitude to these brave officers, we also 
acknowledge the skill, professionalism and dedication of the other 
1,250 members of the United States Capitol Police force. They are among 
the most highly trained and well-respected law enforcement officers in 
the world.
  Members of Congress, congressional staff, tourists, and all those who 
come and go through these buildings are blessed to have these men and 
women on the ramparts. Our hearts are with them as well, as they mourn 
the loss of their two distinguished colleagues and friends.
  It is never easy, Mr. President, to weather a tragedy of this kind. 
There is little, if anything, that can be done to console loved ones 
and to reassure the children of men whose lives were lost that the 
principles and sense of duty for which their fathers stood are the very 
virtues which sustain life's goodness. But in time, they will be 
assured.
  They will come to discover--as we all discover--that such principles 
are eternal: service, selflessness, sacrifice. Their meanings resonate 
beyond mortality. And we come to acknowledge the simple truth written 
more than 2,000 years ago: Greater love hath no man than that he lay 
down his life for a friend.


   TRIBUTE TO OFFICER CHESTNUT, OFFICER GIBSON AND THE CAPITOL POLICE

  Mr. WELLSTONE. Mr. President, I guess what I will say on the floor of 
the Senate, in part, is an effort to speak to the families of Officer 
Chestnut and Officer Gibson, but I guess it is also an effort on my 
part not only to speak to their families, but also to speak to the 
Capitol Hill Police.
  Early Monday morning, Sheila, my wife, and I were walking from our 
apartment, which is near the Hart Senate Office Building, over to the 
doctor's office. Usually that takes about 7 minutes. It took about 40 
minutes because of all of the officers who we ran into and all of the 
embraces, the hugs and the tears, just the embrace of real pain that 
people feel.
  I want to say--I don't really have any words--this is a very, very 
sad day in Washington, DC, but I want to say to all of the Capitol Hill 
Police that all of us in the Senate--but I am now speaking for myself 
as a Senator from Minnesota--want you to know of our love and our 
support. We want Officer Chestnut and Officer Gibson's families to know 
that their husbands and fathers, sons, brothers were so courageous. I 
wish personally that there is something I can do to change everything. 
I wish that none of this had happened. It is horrifying. It seems 
senseless.
  They were two wonderful men. I only knew them to say hello. I know 
the Capitol Police much better on the Senate side. It never should have 
happened, but these men deserve all of our praise. Their families 
deserve all of our love and support.
  Especially as a U.S. Senator, I say to the other police officers--I 
guess that is mainly the one thing I want to do today--I want them to 
know how much

[[Page S9131]]

I appreciate what they do. I want them to know how sorry I am that this 
happened. I want them to know that I hope and pray it will never happen 
again. And I want all of my colleagues to know, Democrats and 
Republicans alike, that I think today we are all together. Everybody 
can feel this, everybody can understand this, and I think probably the 
best thing we can do in memory of two very brave police officers is to 
understand how precious each day is, understand how precious people 
are, understand how important life is, appreciate the people who help 
us and go out of our way to make sure we live our lives in the most 
honest way possible.
  To the Capitol Hill Police, thank you for some of you being really 
great friends to Sheila and me. I know how much pain you are in, but 
please know that you have our support.


                       REMEMBER THE FALLEN HEROES

  Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, last week's deadly violence in the Halls 
of the United States Capitol touched the conscience of a nation. From 
coast to coast, Americans gathered to talk about the shootings. The 
coverage has dominated television, has dominated our newspapers, as 
well it should. There has been much discussion about who the assailant 
was, where he was born, where he lived, what might have caused him to 
do this dreadful deed.
  I must say, Mr. President, with deep regret, that this assailant 
spent a part of his life in my home State of Montana. We in Montana are 
even more grieved, even more touched, and find this tragedy even more 
tragic than others in the Nation--if that is possible.
  This man was not from Montana. We pride ourselves that those of us 
from our State have a great sense of honor, pride, duty, sense of 
family, sense of community. This person, unfortunately, spent some time 
in our State before he perpetrated this dreadful, violent, evil act.
  We are deeply grieved. We are very deeply sorry. I am speaking for 
the people of my State of Montana.
  Mr. President, there has been some conversation, too, about why 
things like this happen. Did somehow the system allow a person like 
this with some mental illness to fall between the cracks? The system we 
have for treating mental illness, was it somehow not adequate?
  Frankly, I believe that the system is inadequate. That is, there are 
many people who are homeless. We are not properly treating people who 
are mentally disturbed, some of whom are paranoid schizophrenic. They 
are not receiving medication. They are not being properly treated, 
because our system is not paying enough attention to people who have 
this illness. I think if we do not remedy the situation, we will have 
continued troubles on our hands. I hope we do remedy it very quickly.
  Remember more than anything else the real heroes here. The real 
heroes are the officers who were shot performing their duty. Talking 
about the assailant and talking about how we correct the system is 
meaningless--because the real lesson here is the lesson of Jacob 
Chestnut and John Gibson.
  All of us here personally know many of the Capitol Police. We live 
with them. We see them daily. We talk with them. They talk with us. We 
know many by their first names. We know something about them 
personally.
  Tony, for example. Tony D'Ambrosio was a plainclothes detective, 
first a uniformed policeman, on Capitol Hill for many years. It wasn't 
too many years ago I received several death threats--regrettably, in my 
home State of Montana. Tony came out to Montana with me and we ran a 
marathon together. I got to know Tony quite well and have the highest 
regard for him.
  There is Steven out there. Many know Steven. Steven stands by the 
door to the entrance of the Senate. We talk with him, we joke with him. 
He is part of our family.
  Then there is Henry. Henry Turner. Henry Turner is a policeman 
originally from Alabama, who is also stationed out here at the front 
door. I often talk to Henry about legislation on the floor. ``This is a 
good bill to vote for,'' or ``This is not a good amendment to vote 
for.'' Henry would know more about the legislation before the Senate 
than a lot of Senators, on occasion. A great man to talk to. Very wise. 
A very wise, very thoughtful man from Alabama.
  The same is obviously true for John and for Jacob. I did not 
personally know them nearly as well as I know other Capitol Police, but 
they are men, they are fathers, they are parents. They have family just 
like all of us do, all of us in the Senate, all of us in the country. 
We are all bound together by the community of brotherhood, the 
community of sisterhood, the community of family. We are all together.
  Many people have said it in many, many ways, and I want to share my 
deepest sympathy for them, John and Jacob, for their families, and I 
want them to know that we all are with them. We are now and we will 
always be.


                   HEROISM IN THE PERFORMANCE OF DUTY

  Mr. BIDEN. Mr. President, it is with some reluctance that I rise this 
afternoon to speak of the tragic occurrence, where two fine officers 
were gunned down here in the Capitol. The reason I say it is with 
reluctance is because, like many of us in this Chamber, I know from 
personal experience that when a wife or husband or son or daughter is 
taken from a family as a consequence of a totally unexpected violent 
event, that there is little that anyone can say or do, no matter how 
well intended we may be, that can in any way ease the pain of the 
family members who survive--the children, the spouses, parents.
  So I debated with myself today whether or not to say anything at all. 
Much has been said about the heroism displayed in the performance of 
duty, and much more will be said about the lives that these two men, in 
giving theirs, probably saved. All that need be said, but none of that 
in any way is likely to produce any sense of relief on the part of the 
children of the officers, on the part of their spouses, on the part of 
their families. As a matter of fact, it is likely to produce, 
initially, a sense of anger; a feeling of ``Why my father?'' a feeling 
of ``Why did it have to be my husband?''
  So, in a few moments each of us in our own ways will, as we attend 
the memorial service, demonstrate our high regard for and pay respects 
to the families as well as the deceased officers. But I also note one 
other thing from personal experience. Notwithstanding the fact nothing 
that we say today can ease that horrible void that seems to occupy the 
chest of the family members who can't fathom why this occurred to their 
father or to their husband--nothing we do will make them feel any 
better today--but, as time goes on, they will find a sense of comfort 
knowing that so many people held their father, their spouse, in such 
high regard. It will not occur for months, but it will occur. It will 
occur. And when it does, it will at that time help ease, ever so 
slightly, that sense of loss. The pain will never go away. The sense of 
loss will never be completely abated. But it will become easier to live 
with. So, as I said, although a lot of us in this Chamber know from 
similar experiences the feeling, it is hard when you are going through 
it to know one other thing that occurs and that is that time, time will 
not erase the pain, but time will make it livable.
  At this moment, I expect, family members feel that nothing--nothing--
nothing that will happen to them from this point on will make life as 
worth living as it has been for them. But, again from personal 
experiences, all of us know, who have gone through similar things, that 
the time will come when the memory of J.J. or John, the memory of their 
father or husband, will bring a smile to their lips rather than a tear 
to their eyes. My only prayer, on behalf of my wife Jill and me--we 
talked a lot about this morning before I came down--my prayer for the 
family members is that moment will come sooner than later. It will 
come. It will come. But that it will come sooner than later.
  We ask a lot of those who serve this Nation. But few of us, few of us 
ever have to give what these two officers gave. Even fewer family 
members have to live with the sacrifice they have made, the void that 
is created and the pain that will endure for some time, like the 
families of the two fallen officers. So, again, I have no illusions 
that my words, as inadequate as they are, or the words of any of us, 
will at this moment give much comfort. But in time, in time I hope they 
will find some refuge in what has been said, in the outpouring of 
respect, the outpouring of

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emotion, the outpouring of just simple, plain gratitude on the part of 
the staff, the Senators, and all Americans for what these two men did.
  They did their duty. They did their duty. And, in doing so, they 
clearly saved the lives of other innocent people. That is no comfort 
now, but it will, in time, be some comfort.
  Let me close by saying, once again, in time the pain will ease. In 
time, when they think of their father, when they think of their 
husband, they will, in fact, smile rather than cry. All that we can 
hope is that time will come sooner than later.
  I yield the floor.


          TRIBUTE TO OFFICERS JOHN GIBSON AND JACOB CHESTNUT.

  Mr. HAGEL. Mr. President, I rise this afternoon to add my tribute and 
honor to our fallen comrades and colleagues, Officers Chestnut and 
Gibson, whose bodies lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda just down the 
hall, where Members of the House and Senate paid tribute this morning.
  I am not nearly eloquent enough to express the feelings, certainly, 
that all of us have about what these two men did mean to us, what all 
of our officers, protectors, men and women who guard over us and our 
population that visits this great and magnificent Capitol, this Capitol 
that represents free men and women, this Capitol that represents the 
best hope for mankind, mean to us.
  What I would like to offer is a saying that I have found comforting 
over the years and I believe applies very much to our fallen heroes. 
And that saying goes like this--that man is a success who has lived 
well, laughed often, and loved much; who has gained the respect of men 
and the love of children, who leaves the world better than he found it, 
whether through an improved poppy, a perfect poem or a rescued soul, 
who never failed to appreciate the beauty of nature, and always gave 
the best he had. Officers Chestnut and Gibson gave the best they had 
and the America they leave behind is a better place.
  Mr. President, I thank the Chair. I yield the floor.


                TRIBUTE TO SLAIN CAPITOL POLICE OFFICERS

  Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I rise to express my deep regret over the 
deaths of the two capitol police officers slain in the line of duty 
last Friday. Officers John Gibson and Jacob Chestnut were family men; 
each was married with three children. They also were dedicated 
professionals and, as shown by their final acts, heroes.
  Officer Chestnut confronted the lone gunman whose weapon set off the 
metal detector at the ``document door'' entrance to the main Capitol 
building. Officer Chestnut was fulfilling his duty to protect the 
people's building and the thousands upon thousands of Americans who 
visit their building, from violence. He paid for his dedication with 
his life.
  The gunman mortally wounded Officer Chestnut, then went into the 
building, firing his weapon and finding his way to the office of the 
distinguished Majority Whip, Congressman Tom DeLay. Congressman DeLay 
and his staff were in mortal danger from this gunman. I know that every 
one of them thanks God for the acts of Officer Gibson, whose bravery 
and perseverance brought down the gunman at the office door, even as 
Officer Gibson himself lay mortally wounded.
  Each of us who serves in the United States Senate depends on the 
bravery and dedication of men and women like Officers Gibson and 
Chestnut. Every day they put their lives on the line to protect the 
safety and well-being of Members of Congress and the public. Many of us 
have become friends with particular officers over the months and years 
we have served in this body, and that is only right. But it certainly 
doesn't make it any easier when we have to say goodbye to two such 
dedicated public servants and members of our Capitol Hill family.
  My condolences go out to the families of these brave men. It is my 
hope that they will derive comfort from the knowledge that Officers 
Gibson and Chestnut died protecting people from a mad gunman, 
sacrificing themselves for the greater good--a greater good to which 
they had devoted their careers and their lives.


             HONORING JACOB J. CHESTNUT AND JOHN M. GIBSON

  Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I rise to join the people across our Nation 
paying tribute to the heroic actions of Officer Jacob J. Chestnut and 
Detective John M. Gibson. These two men, who were killed during a 
senseless act of violence last Friday, gave their lives in order to 
protect the American people and their Capitol. They died fulfilling 
their sworn duty to protect the men and women who work in the Capitol 
compound and the multitudes of visitors who tour each day. The loss of 
J. J. Chestnut and John Gibson is like a death in the family. However, 
despite the great loss that will feel, our thoughts and prayers are 
first with their families, who will bear the greatest burden of this 
tragic event. We hope that they may find some solace in knowing that 
the Nation joins them in their grief.
  These fallen protectors were true heroes. They faced gunfire and 
death in the line of duty. It is fitting that we are able to pay our 
final respects to them today in the very place where they worked and 
gave their lives. The Capitol Police serve with pride, efficiency and 
good humor. They handle the enormous task of allowing the multitude of 
people who visit our Capitol, the symbol of freedom and democracy the 
world over, access to it without a feeling of having to cross a 
barricade. This openness and accessibility have a heavy price, as we 
mourn the loss of these brave men.
  Today, J. J. Chestnut and John Gibson are being given an 
extraordinary honor by the Congress when their caskets are placed in 
the Capitol rotunda. It is an honor that has been bestowed upon very 
few of our Nation's exemplary public servants and one which is entirely 
fitting for J. J. Chestnut and John Gibson. They were public servants 
in the most fundamental sense. Their sense of duty and service were 
unmatched, and as we mourn the deaths of these two outstanding men we 
can also feel a sense of pride in the great sacrifice they made in the 
defense of democracy, our Capitol, and its visitors.
  Mr. President, I know my Senate colleagues and Americans everywhere 
join in honoring these two fallen heroes: Jacob J. Chestnut and John M. 
Gibson.


            in memory of officer gibson and officer chestnut

  Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, today, in a place where President's have 
laid, Officers J.J. Chestnut and Detective John Gibson lay in state 
under the Capitol Dome, the very symbol of freedom and democracy that 
they died to protect.
  On Friday, July 24th, Mr. Gibson and Mr. Chestnut laid down their 
lives for the people visiting their Capitol, for our staffs, and for 
us. These two brave men are true public servants. Their actions 
protected American lives and our cradle of freedom, the Capitol.
  Even though I never had the opportunity to meet Mr. Gibson and Mr. 
Chestnut, I do know many like them. They are both husbands, fathers--
Mr. Gibson has 3 children, and Mr. Chestnut has 5, and J.J. Chestnut is 
a grandfather. I also know them from the friendships that I and my wife 
Joan have formed with the committed and selfless Capitol Hill Police. I 
want to thank them for their service to me, my family, my staff, and 
every visitor that enters this Capitol.
  Mine, my wife's, and my staff's hearts go out to the families of 
these two loved family men and the Capitol Hill Police for their two 
fallen respected colleagues. They are heroes. While no words can ever 
express the sorrow felt, our prayers go out to their families, friends, 
and the Capitol Hill Police.
  Thank you Officer John Gibson and Officer J.J. Chestnut for your 
service to all of us and to this country. God bless their memory and 
their families.


        TRIBUTE TO FALLEN HEROES--J.J. CHESTNUT AND JOHN GIBSON

  Mr. CLELAND. Mr. President, I rise today to honor two fallen heroes--
U.S. Capitol Police Officer J.J. Chestnut and U.S. Capitol Police 
Special Agent John Gibson--who gave their lives to protect us. When I 
say ``us,'' I do not refer only to members of Congress, to the tourists 
who visited the Capitol last Friday, or to staff members working that 
afternoon, I refer to all Americans. J.J. Chestnut and John Gibson gave 
their lives to protect our house, the people's house, and our freedom.
  J.J. Chestnut, 58, joined the Capitol Police force in 1980, following 
20 years of service in the United States Air

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Force. He earned numerous commendations and awards for both his 
military and police service, including a Vietnam Service Medal, the 
Bronze Star for Meritorious military service and countless letters of 
appreciation from citizens and staff for assistance provided and 
attention to duty. Officer Chestnut is survived by his wife, Wen Ling, 
and five children.
  John Gibson, 42, also joined the Capitol Police force in 1980, and 
also earned numerous commendations. In 1988, Gibson was commended for 
going to the aid of a citizen, and saving their life by administering 
CPR. Special Agent Gibson is survived by his wife, Evelyn, and three 
children.
  It is horribly ironic to me that one of the fallen officers, J.J. 
Chestnut, was a Vietnam Veteran who survived combat only to fall at the 
hand of a fellow American. As a veteran he served his country so that 
we could all have our freedom, a freedom which the gunman who walked 
into the United States Capitol last Friday and opened fire, did not 
understand, did not honor and certainly did not respect.
  In 1862, Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote: ``It is natural enough to suppose 
that the center and heart of America is the Capitol.'' He stated that 
the Capitol's combination of dignity, harmony, and utility made it a 
fit embodiment of the highest traits of our nation. A year later, 
Sculptor Thomas Crawford's 19\1/2\ foot, 7\1/2\ ton Statue of Freedom 
was lifted and placed atop the Capitol Dome.
  Nearly every President since Andrew Jackson has been inaugurated on 
its steps. The Capitol has hosted a cast of American legends, as great 
Senators and great members of the House have presided and debated in 
each of two houses over the years, including John Calhoun, Daniel 
Webster, Henry Clay, Robert Lafollette, George Norris, Richard Russell, 
John F. Kennedy, Sam Rayburn, Carl Vinson, Robert Byrd.
  The Capitol has also been home to so many milestones in American 
history. The Capitol was where the Civil Rights Act was passed in 1964, 
and where women were granted the right to vote. It was where war was 
declared after the invasion of Pearl Harbor following upon the famous 
``Day of Infamy'' speech. It was where the Social Security Act was 
enacted, and where legislation was passed to limit child labor.
  More than anything, our Capitol has stood as a symbol of our 
democracy, of our liberty, and of our freedom since President George 
Washington laid the cornerstone for the building in 1793.
  Let us not let the actions of the gunman last Friday threaten our 
freedom, or our belief in our democracy. Instead, let us focus on the 
heroic actions of officers J.J. Chestnut and John Gibson, who last week 
gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country.
  I am reminded of a passage from Thucydides' ``Funeral Oration of 
Pericles'':

       So they gave their bodies to the commonwealth and received, 
     each for his own memory, praise that will never die, and with 
     it the grandest of all sepulchers, not that in which their 
     mortal bones are laid, but a home in the minds of men, where 
     their glory remains fresh to stir to speech or action as the 
     occasion comes by. For the whole earth is the sepulcher of 
     famous men; and their story is not graven only on stone over 
     their native earth, but lives on far away, without visible 
     symbol, woven into the stuff of other men's lives. For you 
     now it remains to rival what they have done and, knowing the 
     secret of freedom a brave heart, not idly to stand aside from 
     the enemy's onset.

  We have a lot to learn from the selfless bravery and public service 
displayed by these two men. Our thoughts and prayers are with their 
families and friends at this difficult time. God bless.


  THE MURDERS OF U.S. CAPITOL POLICE OFFICERS JACOB CHESTNUT AND JOHN 
                                 GIBSON

  Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, my heart goes out to the families of 
the two officers slain in Friday's brutal shooting. These two men will 
be forever known for their bravery, courage and heroism in laying down 
their lives to protect all of us who pass through the halls of the 
United States Capitol.
  The Capitol police officers, Jacob Chestnut and John Gibson, made the 
ultimate sacrifice that any person can give in laying down their lives 
so that others would be spared. Their actions demonstrated the highest 
form of bravery, selflessness, and professionalism.
  We must all remember that the price of democracy is indeed, a high 
one. At times, the openness of our government is sometimes challenged 
by events like those that took place this past Friday. But even though 
our democracy sometimes seems fragile when challenged by senseless 
violence, we must all do our part to ensure that this type of violence 
never happens again. I am confident we will take those steps as a 
nation.
  I had just landed in Colorado when I learned what had happened in the 
Capitol building. When my plane arrived, I received an emergency call 
from my office informing me of the tragic events. In an instant, my 
mind fell back to November 28th, 1978 when in City Hall in San 
Francisco the double assassination of Mayor George Moscone and 
Supervisor Harvey Milk took place. I knew the terrible anguish--even 
anger--that accompanies events like this one.
  This event also shows the depth to which America's infatuation with 
weapons can lead to tragedy. Not only do we now see youngsters shooting 
other youngsters, but also the unthinkable slayings in what should be 
one of the safest places in our nation, the United States Capitol. In 
this very difficult time, I am proud to say that Officers Jacob 
Chestnut and John Gibson will always be remembered as American heroes.


   recognition of sacrifices of jacob j. chestnut and john m. gibson

  Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I rise humbly to pay tribute to Officers 
Jacob Chestnut and Special Agent John Gibson--and all of their fellow 
Capitol Police officers and law enforcement officers across the nation 
and world.
  As I filed past the bodies of our slain officers in the rotunda this 
morning, I was overwhelmed by the sacrifice they made to protect us, 
our families and fellow citizens. So many times, we take law 
enforcement for granted because we see them every day monitoring 
entrances, patrolling the Capitol, just being there. And, thankfully, 
we don't often see events like the tragedy that occurred on Friday.
  But events like those on Friday do happen. They happen every day 
across this great nation. Law enforcement officers sacrifice their 
lives so we can live more safely and freely. Every time that happens, I 
remember the commitment they have made and I thank them.
  When such madness strikes at our nation's symbol of democracy, it 
should remind us even more that freedom comes at a price. Our citizens 
and people of all lands are welcome to visit our capitol and 
participate in the democracy that they help sustain. They can watch 
Members of Congress undertake the people's business from the galleries 
above the two house chambers. They can visit us in our offices. They 
can visit sacred monuments and historic sites.
  Just last Wednesday, at a coffee I held for visiting constituents 
from Washington State, one tourist exclaimed how impressed she was with 
the accessibility of the Capitol, with the openness of the process and 
the ability to meet and see her Senator and Representatives. I agreed 
that we have a wonderful system and I praised her for taking advantage 
of that openness and participating in our great democracy.
  But we have defenders of this democracy and openness. Those men and 
women are our police officers who try to find that perfect balance of 
an open society and a safe society. Sometimes that balance means lives 
are sacrificed to protect those noble goals.
  My thoughts and prayers are with the families of Officer Chestnut and 
Special Agent Gibson. This is such a tragedy. As I have read about 
their lives and families and commitment to their communities, their 
sacrifice was made even more real. They are true heroes.
  So, I thank them and I thank the Capitol Police. I honor their 
service. I will use this tragedy to make sure I remember the tremendous 
commitment our law enforcement officers have made to us: To keep us as 
safe and when we are in danger, to lay down their lives for us.


             Tribute to Slain Officers Chestnut and Gibson

  Mr. SANTORUM. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize and mourn the 
passing of two cherished members of our Capitol Hill community, Officer 
J.J. Chestnut and Officer John Gibson, slain Friday in the line of 
duty.

[[Page S9134]]

  As we mourn their deaths and pay tribute to them, perhaps we should 
recall the particular, even paradoxical, quality of who they were and 
what they did: They stood among us, as members of this community, but 
they also stood apart.
  As many have noted since their deaths, both officers were familiar to 
those of us who work in the Capitol. They stood guard in these halls--
and so they stood, literally, among us. And their lives resembled many 
of our own lives; they were husbands, fathers, sons, and brothers. They 
took pleasure from their families and pride in their work. If but for 
the sad events on Friday, they might have continued to live as so many 
of us do: simply but decently, content to be known and loved mostly by 
those closest to them.
  But they stood guard in these halls--and so they also stood apart. 
They belong to that small but remarkable group of people whose 
profession requires the willing forfeiture not just of their time and 
talent but, if necessary, of their very lives. Unlike most of us, their 
daily work was to offer their life in the place of another's. More 
dramatically and compellingly than most of us, they embodied the 
qualities that sustain our democracy: selflessness and courage. In 
this, they stood guard over our democratic tradition.
  As individuals and citizens, we are defined not only by who we stand 
with, but by when we choose to stand apart. I am honored that these men 
stood among us everyday and grateful that, when the critical moment 
came, they also freely chose to stand apart. In tribute, in these halls 
they guarded, we stand as one and grieve their deaths.


 TRIBUTE TO U.S. CAPITOL POLICE OFFICERS JACOB CHESTNUT AND JOHN GIBSON

  Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, I rise to pay tribute to Capitol Police 
Officers Jacob Chestnut and John Gibson who sacrificed their lives last 
Friday safeguarding our nation's Capitol, Members of Congress, our 
staffs and the thousands of Americans who were visiting the Capitol on 
that tragic day.
  We are privileged to work in these hallowed buildings that are 
central to the greatest democracy in the world. We are equally 
privileged that Officers Chestnut and Gibson and their colleagues are 
willing to risk their lives to defend us from harm and keep democracy 
alive.
  Capitol Police Officers protect more than 7 million visitors who come 
to our Nation's Capitol every year. Often, they are the first to 
welcome these visitors to our Capitol. I thank all the officers who 
secure our grounds and dedicate their lives to our safety.
  Officers Chestnut and Gibson and their families are in our thoughts 
and our prayers, but we also should remember to pray for the safety of 
hundreds of other men and women who protect us everyday as we do the 
business of the American people. This tragedy should remind all of us 
that our democracy and our nation's security are ultimately dependent 
upon the courage and commitment of individuals such as Jacob Chestnut 
and John Gibson.


 TRIBUTE TO U.S. CAPITOL POLICE OFFICERS JOHN GIBSON AND JACOB CHESTNUT

  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, honoring those who die in the service of 
others is a practice as old as life itself. From ancient times to the 
present day, those who survive pay tribute to those who have fallen 
with songs and symbols, flowers and ceremonies.
  And it is a good thing, for it is at times like these that words 
often fail us. Few memorial addresses have outlived those who uttered 
them--not because of the inadequacy of the speakers, but because of the 
inadequacy of words themselves. To quote General James A. Garfield, who 
spoke at the first memorial at Arlington National Cemetery--where 
Officers Gibson and Chestnut will be buried later this week--``If 
silence is ever golden, it must be here beside the graves of men whose 
lives were more significant than speech, and whose death was a poem the 
music of which can never be sung.''
  John Gibson and Jacob Chestnut were such men, as their countless 
friends and associates have testified, and so I add my small tribute to 
the hundreds that have already been offered in the hope that it may, in 
some small way, console the hearts of those they leave behind.
  Mr. President, long after these men are laid to their final rest, the 
memory of their warmth and their many kindnesses, their lives and their 
heroic sacrifice will live on in the hearts and minds of all of us--
indeed, of all who visit the soaring symbol of freedom and democracy 
they died to defend. From this day forward it will stand, like a silent 
sentry, guarding the memory of their valor and courage.
  May the Almighty god who watches over all of us, comfort and 
strengthen their wives and children in the days ahead, and may He 
protect all who place themselves in harm's way so that we may enjoy the 
blessings and benefits of freedom.
  Mr. President, I thank the chair and yield the floor.

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