[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 105 (Thursday, July 30, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1471]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          PERSONAL EXPLANATION

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                          HON. XAVIER BECERRA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 29, 1998

  Mr. BECERRA. Mr. Speaker, on July 27, 1998, I was away from the House 
on official business during Monday's rollcall vote No. 340, on agreeing 
to the resolution honoring the memory of Detective John Gibson and 
Private First Class Jacob Chestnut of the United States Capitol Police. 
Had I been present for the vote, I would have voted ``yes.''
  As the official designee of the House Minority Leader, I was present 
in Albuquerque, New Mexico on July 27 along with three of my 
Congressional colleagues representing the Speaker of the House, the 
Senate Majority Leader, and the Senate Minority Leader to join the 
President of the United States as participants in ``The Great Social 
Security Debate #3.'' May I note for the record that immediately prior 
to the commencement of this debate President Clinton asked all in 
attendance, in person and via television, to observe a moment of 
silence in memory of the two heroic officers.
  I join with my colleagues in the House to express my deepest 
condolences to the families of Detective John Gibson and Private First 
Class Jacob Chestnut who sacrificed their lives for our nation. For 
their acts of courage, this country is forever grateful; their memory 
will never be forgotten.

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