[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 106 (Friday, July 31, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1498]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                               IN TRIBUTE

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. KAY GRANGER

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 28, 1998

  Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, many years ago a poet eulogized the 
sacrifice of hundreds of young men. The poet was Tennyson. The poem was 
the ``Charge of the Light Brigade.'' In this famous verse, Tennyson 
gave answer to those who wondered why so many young men would give so 
much. ``Theirs not to make reply,'' Tennyson explained. ``Theirs not to 
reason why. Theirs but to do and die.''
  The price of freedom has never been cheap. But in America, there have 
always been those willing to meet the demand, bear the burden, and pay 
the price to keep our nation free.
  Mr. Speaker, I believe that America will remain the land of the free 
only as long as it is the home of the brave. Andrew Jackson once said 
that one man with courage is a majority. Last Friday afternoon, not one 
but two courageous leaders formed a supermajority--and thereby saved 
the lives of others.
  When the moment of crisis arose last week, Officer Jacob J. Chestnut 
and Detective John M. Gibson were not found wanting. They were there. 
They responded. And they gave their lives.
  The thin blue line held firm last Friday--thanks to two heroes. Like 
the men of Tennyson's tribute, their sacrifice was complete. It was 
theirs to respond. It is ours to remember. Mr. Speaker, I hope America 
never forgets that freedom isn't free. And I know that the prayers and 
thoughts of every American are with the Chestnut and Gibson family.
  May God Bless them. And May God Bless America.




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