[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 141 (Friday, October 9, 1998)]
[House]
[Pages H10313-H10315]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               JACOB JOSEPH CHESTNUT POST OFFICE BUILDING

  Mr. McHUGH. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 4516) to designate the United States Postal Service building 
located at 11550 Livingston Road, in Oxon Hill, Maryland, as the 
``Jacob Joseph Chestnut Post Office Building''.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 4516

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. DESIGNATION.

       The United States Postal Service building located at 11550 
     Livingston Road, in Oxon Hill, Maryland, shall be known and 
     designated as the ``Jacob Joseph Chestnut Post Office 
     Building''.

     SEC. 2. REFERENCES.

       Any reference in a law, map, regulation, document, paper, 
     or other record of the United States to the building referred 
     to in section 1 shall be deemed to be a reference to the 
     ``Jacob Joseph Chestnut Post Office Building''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. McHugh) and the gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Meek) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York (Mr. McHugh).

[[Page H10314]]

                             General Leave

  Mr. McHUGH. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks 
on H.R. 4516.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New York?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. McHUGH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  H.R. 4516, Mr. Speaker, was introduced by our distinguished 
colleague, the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Wynn), on August 6 of this 
year. The legislation is cosponsored by the entire House delegation of 
the great State of Maryland, as is pursuant to the policy of the 
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight.
  This bill does indeed designate the United States Postal Service 
Building located at 11550 Livingston Road in Oxon Hill, Maryland, as 
the Jacob Joseph Chestnut Post Office Building.
  Mr. Speaker, in July of this year the entire Congress, indeed, the 
entire Nation, was stunned by the sudden and senseless random killing 
of two of our own Capitol Hill Police, Officer Jacob Joseph Chestnut 
and Detective John Michael Gibson. These brave men laid down their 
lives in defense of this building, in defense of all this building 
stands for and, of course, in the line of duty for the protection of 
these hallowed halls and the people who work and visit them.
  I want to thank and commend the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Wynn), 
whom I have had a chance as recently as today to talk about this 
measure with, for introducing this bill honoring this true American 
hero. The naming of the post office in Oxon Hill, Maryland, will enable 
family and friends and neighbors of Mr. Chestnut to continue to 
remember him in a very special way.
  I am sure we all heard the eulogies that were offered to both of 
these brave men as their bodies lay in state in the Capitol. We heard 
the beautiful words expressed by his daughter, Officer Chestnut's 
daughter, as she spoke of her beloved father, and we felt the love that 
Officer Chestnut had for his family, his friends, his community and, 
perhaps most of all, his country.
  His career was a storied one. He served 20 years as a member of the 
Military Police in the United States Air Force, and he served on the 
Capitol Police Force for 17 years doing his duty. He was just 2 years 
away from retirement.
  The gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Meek) spoke earlier about local 
heroes, community heroes. I think John Jacob Chestnut was all of that. 
I know he was a hero to his family, but we have here as well someone 
who, as he was just doing his duty, I am sure, in his eyes, was thrust 
into the light and into the glare of being a national hero.
  We have named dozens of these facilities in the last several years, 
Mr. Speaker, but I honestly can tell the Members I do not think we have 
ever named one more appropriately than the one we seek today to name 
after the hero, John Jacob Chestnut. I want to thank the gentleman from 
Maryland (Mr. Wynn) particularly for his efforts in bringing this to 
the floor today.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to join the gentleman from New York (Chairman 
McHugh) in bringing to the House floor H.R. 4516, legislation 
introduced by my friend and colleague, the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. 
Albert Wynn).
  H.R. 4516 names a post office, a United States Post Office located at 
11550 Livingston Road in Oxon Hill, Maryland, as the Jacob Joseph 
Chestnut Post Office Building, an honor for a man who gave his life, 
who laid down his life for all of us.
  As of July 26, 1998, the Washington Post reported, on a clear, sunny 
day like yesterday, Jacob J. Chestnut would have been tending the 
squash, cucumbers, and red and green peppers in his vegetable garden, 
sharing the bounty with his family and neighbors. Instead, Officer J.J. 
Chestnut, an 18-year veteran of the Capitol Police Force, was killed 
when an armed intruder rushed past the security checkpoint in the 
Capitol. He was shot without warning near the visitor's entrance.
  Officer Chestnut is remembered by friends and neighbors, and it is a 
very high honor that his own representative, the honorable gentleman 
from Maryland (Mr. Albert Wynn), is introducing and is going to name 
this post office for this honorable slain hero.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman 
from Maryland (Mr. Wynn), the sponsor of H.R. 4516.
  Mr. WYNN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding time to 
me, and let me thank the chairman, the gentleman from New York (Mr. 
McHugh), for his cooperation and support in moving this matter forward 
to the body. Also, I would like to thank the gentlewoman from Florida 
(Mrs. Meek) for her kind words on behalf of my former constituent. Her 
comments were most moving.
  Mr. Speaker, we are here today in an effort to memorialize the 
sacrifice of Officer J.J. Chestnut. This proposal is supported by the 
entire Maryland delegation on a bipartisan basis, and I think it 
reflects the bipartisan sentiments of this entire body in support of 
this outstanding Officer.
  The legislation redesignates the United States Postal Service 
Building located at 11550 Livingston Road in Oxon Hill, Maryland, 
presently known as the Fort Washington Post Office, as the Jacob Joseph 
Chestnut Post Office Building.
  United States Capitol Police Officer Jacob Joseph Chestnut, along 
with United States Capitol Police Special Agent John Gibson, gave their 
lives in the line of duty on Friday, July 24, 1998, while guarding the 
visitors and staff in the United States Capitol; some would say, in our 
home.
  Officer Jacob Joseph Chestnut, an 18-year-Capitol Police veteran and 
a retired United States Air Force Officer, was a gentle giant of a man 
who touched many lives with his friendly smile and his quiet competence 
in his short 58-year journey on this earth. A husband and father of 
five children, J.J. Chestnut was a pillar of his community, a respected 
leader, and a mentor to his fellow officers.
  Following this tragedy, his widow, Wen Ling, said, ``It is amazing to 
think that the death of a man so simple, so humble, so family-oriented, 
and yet so private, can rock the Nation and the world for simply doing 
his job.''
  The tragedy of J.J. Chestnut's death teaches us that life is 
fleeting. It teaches us that it is not the quantity of what you do in 
life, but it is the quality of what you do. This small piece of 
legislation is a grateful community's attempt to memorialize the 
sacrifice this American has made.
  Although the bill does not request it, we are hopeful that in future 
years a bust and a picture and a plaque commemorating Officer Chestnut 
will also be placed in this post office, so that future generations 
will be able to see the man and understand the sacrifice he made.

                              {time}  1645

  Mr. Speaker, this is the story of an American hero that gave his all 
for his country. It is a story of what makes our country great. J.J. 
Chestnut knew that freedom is not free. He understood that there is a 
price to be paid.
  We ask men and women like J.J. Chestnut to defend and protect our 
freedom every day. We ask them to confront those who would violently 
attack the safety of individuals and of our most cherished 
institutions. They ultimately risk their lives and they too often lose 
their lives. But for Officer Chestnut's selfless actions, we may have 
lost many other innocent lives on that unfortunate day.
  In Officer Jacob Joseph Chestnut we find an extraordinary individual 
who served his country and made the ultimate sacrifice in the 
performance of his duty to protect the lives of others in the Capitol. 
I thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle. I thank my colleagues 
from the State of Maryland for their support in recognition of a great 
American whose gentle smile and helpful spirit will truly be missed.
  Mr. McHUGH. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman 
from Maryland (Mr. Cummings).
  Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this legislation 
because I think it is extremely important, as the gentleman from 
Maryland (Mr. Wynn)

[[Page H10315]]

has stated, that we take time to memorialize those who have played 
significant roles in our lives.
  As a fellow resident of Maryland, along with the gentleman and, of 
course, the man who we honor with this legislation, J.J. Chestnut, I 
think what we send out to the world is a memorial which will be there 
for a very, very long time that says to the world that he was one who 
gave his life so that others might live, bringing a hope and a sense of 
dedication to the area in Maryland where this post office is.
  Also, I want to take a moment to thank the gentleman from Maryland 
(Mr. Wynn). Throughout this entire unfortunate situation, the gentleman 
was there with the family. He constantly made it clear that he would do 
everything, and did do everything that he could to uplift the family.
  I think that one of the most fitting things that could possibly be 
done is this way of memorializing this great man. So, when people come 
into that post office and see that name there and know that he is one 
who stood up for us, and for many when they could not stand up for 
themselves, and even the children who will come in and say who is that 
man? Who was he? For some person to be able to say that was J.J. 
Chestnut. He was an officer with the Capitol Police and he gave his 
life so that others might live, I think that that will be a very, very 
fitting memorial.
  So, Mr. Speaker, I would ask that the entire House support this 
wonderful, wonderful resolution and ask that all of my colleagues vote 
for it.
  Mrs. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for 
time, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. McHUGH. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Fox).
  Mr. FOX of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for 
yielding me this time.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the legislation that the gentleman 
from Maryland (Mr. Wynn) has brought forward. It is very fitting 
legislation. Officer Chestnut was someone well-loved in this Capitol, 
who represented the finest in law enforcement and certainly he is an 
individual who we will miss as a result of his tragic murder that took 
place here in the Capitol.
  This individual represented the best in law enforcement. His family 
and his friends certainly miss him greatly. We all do. The Nation does. 
But to have, therefore, a post office named in his honor is certainly 
appropriate. It is certainly a small token of the affection, respect, 
and admiration that all of us here in the Capitol and across the Nation 
felt for Officer Chestnut.
  Many officers come to this institution and have a chance to serve 
their Nation. Officer Chestnut was so near retirement. He had brought 
to many people the opportunity to see their Capitol firsthand. He was 
professional. He was a policeman's policeman; one who was well trained, 
who dealt with the public in a very friendly, professional manner. He 
really was the best of the best.
  So, having this post office be named for one of our own who was one 
of law enforcement's best is a symbol, a reflection of this House and 
this Congress saying ``thank you'' to a great man whose life was cut 
far too short.
  We join with the family and friends and the men and women in blue all 
across this country who have lost one of their own, who stood up for us 
all the time, and who make a real difference for this country. This is 
certainly a unanimous vote that should be the forthcoming result, and I 
am sure the Senate and the President will agree that this is certainly 
a tribute that is appropriate and I hope that the House will join the 
gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Wynn) in making this a unanimous vote.
  Mr. McHUGH. Mr. Speaker, with a final word of praise to the gentleman 
from Maryland (Mr. Wynn) and great thanks to him, I urge all our 
colleagues to support this, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from New York (Mr. McHugh) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 4516.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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