[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 104 (Wednesday, July 29, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1460]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   IN TRIBUTE IN MEMORY OF OFFICER JACOB CHESTNUT AND DETECTIVE JOHN 
                                 GIBSON

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                             HON. RON KIND

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 28, 1998

  Mr. KIND. Mr. Speaker, I want to express my deepest sympathy to the 
families of Officer Jacob Joseph ``J.J.'' Chestnut and Detective John 
Michael Gibson. These fine men made the ultimate sacrifice for their 
government and their country. My wife, Tawni, and I will keep their 
loved ones in our prayers in this time of terrible pain and sadness.
  This is my first term in Congress. I have been impressed by how 
accessible the Capitol building, and all the buildings in the Capitol 
complex, are to the American public. I have also been impressed with 
the superb level of security provided to the Members of Congress, staff 
and the public by the Capitol police force.
  This senseless act of random violence will cause some people to call 
for closing the doors of the Capitol to the public--turning it into a 
fortress. This building has historically been the center of the 
People's government, housing the proceeding of the House, the Senate 
and the Supreme Court. The public has always been able to freely 
witness the proceedings under its roof. Millions visit the Capitol of 
the United States each year. They come from across the country and 
around the world for the chance to walk through the halls of what they 
know is the ultimate beacon of Democracy and freedom.
  Officers Chestnut and Gibson knew, as well as any of us, how 
important a visit to this Nation's Capitol is to so many people who 
pass through its doors. Their names have been added to the list of 
those who have died to preserve the freedoms we enjoy. Many of us 
forget all too often that freedom has a heavy price. Their astonishing 
bravery is becoming clearer as we learn the details of their struggle 
to stop the gunman last Friday. Their selfless instincts were to 
protect, at all cost, the innocent people working in and visiting the 
Capitol that day.
  Sealing off the Capitol to the public would sidestep the real issue 
that these Officers and police everywhere in America deal with every 
day--escalating gun violence. We should use this horrible incident to 
examine our society and consider what can be done to reduce this 
violence and keep guns out of the hands of those who would perpetrate 
such heinous crimes. When it comes to the point where children are 
shooting other children in our schools and a gunman shoots his way into 
the U.S. Capitol, we must recommit ourselves to finding real solutions 
to gun violence.
  We should honor the memory of Officer Chestnut and Detective Gibson 
by taking the steps necessary to reduce gun violence in our country. 
That is the challenge posed to us by their ultimate sacrifice. That is 
the legacy they deserve.

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