[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 104 (Wednesday, July 29, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1461]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                               IN TRIBUTE

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. JOSEPH R. PITTS

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 28, 1998

  Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise with my colleagues to pay 
tribute to the valiant work and lives of two fallen heroes--J.J. 
Chestnut and John Gibson. The whole community here in Congress is 
slowly recovering from the shock of the fatal shooting of two honorable 
Capitol Hill policemen just under a week ago. It is disturbing and sad 
that this happened.
  Just 10 short minutes after the House adjourned for the weekend last 
Friday, bedlam and terror engulfed the Capitol of the United States. An 
armed gunman entered the Capitol--and who knows what his intent was. 
Were it not for the valiant efforts of two brave Capitol Police 
Officers, many lives of staff, tourists, and Members of Congress could 
have been lost.
  We cannot quite fathom the implications of the bravery of these two 
men. Those of us who work here can attest to the commitment of the 
Capitol Police force. Yet, we're never really ready for something like 
this.
  Scripture tells us that ``there is no greater love than this, that a 
man would lay down his life for a friend.'' Where terror struck, these 
two men knew exactly how to respond. Officers J.J. Chestnut and John 
Gibson have paid the supreme sacrifice for their friends by giving 
their lives.
  They represent the finest among us--officers who protect our freedom, 
our Capitol, our system of government, our way of life. It is a great 
tragedy that they have been slain in the line of duty. But we honor 
them, we honor their memory, we honor their commitment. Their lives 
exemplify duty, honor and country.
  J.J. Chestnut and John Gibson are American heroes. Our thoughts and 
prayers are with their families and loved ones.

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