[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 127 (Tuesday, September 22, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S10727-S10728]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 120--TO REDESIGNATE THE UNITED STATES 
 CAPITOL POLICE HEADQUARTERS AS THE ``ENEY, CHESTNUT, GIBSON MEMORIAL 
                               BUILDING''

  Mr. SARBANES (for himself, Ms. Mikulski, Mr. Robb, and Mr. Warner) 
submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to 
the Committee on Rules and Administration:

                            S. Con. Res. 120

       Whereas the United States Capitol Police force has 
     protected the Capitol and upheld the beacon of democracy in 
     America;
       Whereas 3 officers of the United States Capitol Police have 
     lost their lives in the line of duty;
       Whereas Sgt. Christopher Eney was killed on August 24, 
     1984, during a training exercise;
       Whereas officer Jacob ``J.J.'' Chestnut was killed on July 
     24, 1998, while guarding his post at the Capitol; and
       Whereas Detective John Gibson was killed on July 24, 1998, 
     while protecting the lives of visitors, staff, and the Office 
     of the Majority Whip of the House of Representatives: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That the United States Capitol Police 
     headquarters building located at 119 D Street, Northeast, 
     Washington, D.C., shall be known and designated as the 
     ``Eney, Chestnut, Gibson Memorial Building''.

 Mr. SARBANES. Mr. President, today I am submitting a 
concurrent resolution to redesignate the United States Capitol Police 
Headquarters as the ``Eney, Chestnut, Gibson Memorial Building'' in 
honor of the three brave United States Capitol Police Officers who have 
been killed in the line of duty since the inception of the Capitol 
Police.
  The United States Capitol Police are a very special breed. They have 
a very special duty and a special trust. They guard our nation's 
Capitol and keep it safe and secure for the citizens of the world. When 
Officers Gibson and Chestnut were killed on July 24, 1998, I joined my 
colleagues on the floor to express my profound shock, and to express my 
very heartfelt sympathies to their families. I quoted an editorial in 
Roll Call then and I want to read from it again because I think it sums 
up the nature of our Capitol Police Force:

       Sometimes, given the comparative low level of violence 
     around the Capitol complex and given that Capitol Police 
     Officers are usually seen cheerfully directing traffic or 
     gently herding tourists, it's forgotten that ours--meaning 
     the Capitol Hill Police Force--is a real police force. We who 
     live and work around the Capitol know--but others don't--that 
     our police also fight crime in the neighborhood as well as 
     watch the Capitol. But now all America understands that the 
     Capitol Police do not just stand guard, but

[[Page S10728]]

     also stand ready to be heroes. That knowledge was derived 
     last week at a heartrending cost.

  So Mr. President, the purpose of this concurrent resolution is not 
just to memorialize these three officers, but to honor in perpetuity 
the bravery, and acknowledge the sacrifice of the men and women who put 
their lives on the line daily to protect this symbol of democracy. I 
urge my colleagues to join me in support of this measure.

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