[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 104 (Tuesday, July 24, 2001)]
[House]
[Page H4434]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    REFLECTING ON OUR FALLEN FRIENDS

  (Mr. DeLAY asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.
  Mr. DeLAY. Mr. Speaker, 3 years ago have now passed since the hot, 
sad day that an act of senseless violence took our friends, Detective 
John Gibson and Officer J.J. Chestnut, from us. The tragic shock of 
their loss is gradually receding and the weight of their absence is 
settling on us more deeply. It weighs on us because of the special men 
that they were.
  And when we reflect back on our lost friends, their bearing, conduct 
and commitment reminds us of David's words to Solomon. He said, ``Be 
strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid nor 
discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you.''
  As we know, David charged his son Solomon to build a great temple for 
the Lord. Officer Chestnut and Detective Gibson were the protectors of 
a great tradition: open and accessible democracy.
  Our fallen fellows and friends served their country and the cause of 
freedom in the United States Capitol, a building that stands as the 
world's foremost temple of liberty. But the Capitol could never have 
been built without an older American tradition of sacrifice and defense 
of the core freedoms that support our society. No less than other 
heroes who fell far from American soil, J.J. Chestnut and John Gibson 
are a part of that noble group.
  Three years ago, hundreds of people were in grave danger. And as they 
operated under dire circumstances, Officer Chestnut and Detective 
Gibson stood tall for all of us. When America needed them to be 
courageous and strong, they were. And I know that they are with the 
Lord now.
  They have our deepest respect and our deepest gratitude. We will 
never forget them or the values that they embodied. Today our hearts 
and prayers go out to the Chestnut and Gibson families. God bless them.

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