[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 132 (Monday, September 28, 1998)]
[House]
[Pages H9150-H9151]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SENSE OF CONGRESS THAT MEMBERS SHOULD FOLLOW EXAMPLES DISPLAYED BY
JACOB CHESTNUT AND JOHN GIBSON
Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on
House Oversight be discharged from further consideration of the
concurrent resolution (H.Con.Res 317), expressing the sense of Congress
that Members of Congress should follow the example of self-sacrifice
and devotion to character displayed by Jacob Chestnut and John Gibson
of the United States Capitol Police, and asks for its immediate
consideration.
The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Ohio?
[[Page H9151]]
Mrs. MYRICK. Mr. Speaker, reserving the right to object, this past
July, the United States Congress and our entire nation were gripped by
a terrible tragedy, the deaths of the Capitol Police Officers Jacob
Chestnut and John Gibson. Officers Chestnut and Gibson gave their lives
defending the United States Capitol, all of us who work in this complex
and the American people who visit it to see their democracy in action.
They died heroically while defending our democracy.
The outpouring of affection and gratitude for these two men was as
deep and genuine as any I have witnessed, and I am certain that the
many tributes to them served as a comfort to their families.
{time} 1800
Of course, no words or tributes can replace their loss. In the
aftermath of this tragedy and the heartfelt sympathy of the American
people, we in this body were briefly changed. We came together as one
family to pay our respects, to reflect on the almost surreal tragedy of
that July afternoon and, for a time, respect, civility and comity ruled
the day.
In fact Pastor Marcom, in delivering Officer Chestnut's eulogy,
remarked on the change that tragedy had on our relations with one
another, and he speculated that probably the next week it would be
business as usual. In the weeks and months since this time, I have
thought long and hard about what we all experienced. I am convinced
that what we admired about Officer Gibson and Officer Chestnut and what
made them heroes is not the way they died but the way in which they
lived.
Officers Chestnut and Gibson were honest, genuine, hard-working
family men who loved their jobs and loved their country. In an age
where too many people seem consumed by life's most superficial
pleasures, they showed us that America is populated by common men of
the most substantial and admirable character.
Of course, the great tragedy is that it took their deaths for us to
recognize what heroes they had been all along.
Mr. Speaker, there is a lesson here. We would do well to learn it.
While we too often argue, bicker and consume ourselves with political
maneuvering and intrigue, the Nation cries out for real leadership, not
in words but in deeds. These complicated times demand a Congress
dedicated to integrity, good works and behavior that reflects
admirably, not just on ourselves but on our sacred rights and
responsibilities as constitutional officers. But that is too rarely the
case.
Simply put, Mr. Speaker, we are too much like a caricature of
ourselves and too little like Officers Jacob Chestnut and John Gibson.
We are too much like adversaries and too little like we were in the
days after the gun fire erupted in the Capitol.
This resolution asks that we honor those officers by living our lives
and performing our duties with the same dignity, love and respect with
which these men lived their lives and performed their duties.
This resolution asks us to honor them by honoring the people they
protected and the people we represent, by living up to a standard of
service and behavior that we can be proud of, as much as we were proud
of the service of these two men. This resolution asks us to exemplify
what is best in America, to lead rather than follow. If one thinks
about it, it is really not much to ask, and it is long, long overdue.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the honorable gentleman from
Georgia (Mr. Lewis), my friend, for his assistance with this
resolution, as well as the gentleman from Texas (Mr. DeLay), the
honorable majority whip, for his continued courage in the aftermath of
a tragedy that struck him so close to home.
Mr. Speaker, in drafting this resolution, we consulted the United
States Capitol Police and the Chestnut and Gibson families, who believe
it to be appropriate and fitting.
Mr. Speaker, I withdraw my reservation of objection.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Fossella). Is there objection to the
request of the gentleman from Ohio?
There was no objection.
The Clerk read the concurrent resolution, as follows:
Whereas Jacob Chestnut and John Gibson of the United States
Capitol Police laid down their lives for their country and
all of us;
Whereas beyond the devotion of Jacob Chestnut and John
Gibson to duty, honor, and country was their commitment to
respect;
Whereas Jacob Chestnut and John Gibson were simple, humble,
private men who deeply moved this nation simply by doing
their jobs;
Whereas the focus on their exemplary personal character
could not have come at a time of greater need as many in our
country seem more and more dedicated to self-indulgence; and
Whereas the Members of Congress have an unparalleled
opportunity to be urgently needed role models of respect and
dignity with no loss of personal principles: Now, therefore,
be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring), That Members of Congress should follow the
example of Jacob Chestnut and John Gibson by living lives of
love, respect, and integrity every day at all times,
including on the floor of the Senate and House of
Representatives, and should deserve the title ``Honorable''
by setting an example so that Jacob Chestnut and John Gibson
did not die in vain.
The concurrent resolution was agreed to. A motion to reconsider was
laid on the table.
____________________