[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 62 (Tuesday, April 29, 2003)]
[House]
[Pages H3420-H3422]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    CONGRATULATING UNITED STATES CAPITOL POLICE ON 175TH ANNIVERSARY

  Mr. LINDER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 156) extending congratulations to 
the United States Capitol Police on the occasion of its 175th 
anniversary and expressing gratitude to the men and women of the United 
States Capitol Police and their families for their devotion to duty and 
service in safeguarding the freedoms of the American people.

[[Page H3421]]

  The Clerk read as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 156

       Whereas the United States Capitol Police traces its origins 
     to 1801, when Congress moved from Philadelphia to Washington, 
     D.C., and a lone watchman, John Golding, had the 
     responsibility of guarding the Capitol facility and its 
     functions;
       Whereas the United States Capitol Police has grown from 
     these humble beginnings to a first rate highly 
     professionalized, equipped, and trained operation which 
     provides vital services in the areas of law enforcement, 
     protective and security services, and emergency preparedness, 
     with nearly 1,700 sworn and non-sworn employees;
       Whereas the United States Capitol Police has developed 
     specialized and expert units, including K-9, Intelligence, 
     Emergency Preparedness, Civil Disturbance, Criminal 
     Investigation, Threat Assessment, Dignitary Protection, 
     Physical Security, Technical Security, Electronic 
     Countermeasures, Hazardous Devices, and the Containment and 
     Emergency Response Team, as well as a skilled and 
     professionalized administrative support function;
       Whereas the United States Capitol Police, as the first line 
     of the defense of the Nation's Capitol, has shared in the 
     ultimate sacrifice in law enforcement with the tragic deaths 
     in the line of duty of Sergeant Christopher Eney, Private 
     First Class Jacob J. Chestnut, and Detective John Michael 
     Gibson;
       Whereas the United States Capitol Police continues to be in 
     the forefront of protecting the core elements of our 
     democratic process with selfless dedication and commitment; 
     and
       Whereas the United States Capitol Police was officially 
     established in 1828 and is celebrating its 175th anniversary 
     in 2003: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring), That Congress and the American people extend 
     heartfelt congratulations to the United States Capitol Police 
     on the occasion of its 175th anniversary, and express the 
     sincerest gratitude to the men and women of the United States 
     Capitol Police and their families, and in particular the 
     Eney, Chestnut, and Gibson families, for their devotion to 
     duty and service in safeguarding the freedoms of the American 
     people.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Georgia (Mr. Linder) and the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Larson) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Linder).
  Mr. LINDER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, today I rise to express the gratitude of the United 
States Congress to its men, women, and families of the United States 
Capitol Police as they celebrate its 175th anniversary. The selfless 
dedication of the United States Capitol Police and their commitment to 
safeguarding not only us but the freedoms of the American people do not 
go unappreciated.
  Officially established in 1828 under the direction of President John 
Quincy Adams, the U.S. Capitol Police has grown from its humble 
beginnings into a first-rate, highly-professional force of over 1,700 
officers and employees.
  Over the course of its existence, U.S. Capitol Police has developed a 
number of specialized units, including K-9, Intelligence, Emergency 
Preparedness, Civil Disturbance, Criminal Investigation, Threat 
Assessment, Dignitary Protection, Physical Security, Electronic 
Countermeasures, Technical Security, Hazardous Devices, and the 
Containment and Emergency Response Team, as well as a skilled 
administrative staff.
  We all know, however, that freedom has its sacrifices, and the U.S. 
Capitol Police have certainly paid its share of this price. We remember 
that as the first line of defense for the Nation's Capital, the United 
States Capitol Police Force has endured the tragic deaths of Sergeant 
Christopher Eney in 1984, Private First Class Jacob J. Chestnut, and 
Detective John Michael Gibson, both of whom were killed in 1998. All of 
these men were slain in the line of duty.
  Mr. Speaker, every day these brave men and women put their lives on 
the line to protect us and this institution; and while these dangers 
are an unfortunate reality of their jobs, I would like for them to know 
that their efforts do not go unnoticed; nor are they forgotten.
  Today, however, we stand here not only to recognize the sacrifice of 
the U.S. Capitol Police, but also to celebrate the efforts of the 
thousands of men and women who have served with this organization. As 
such, on behalf of the United States Congress, I would again like to 
extend a heartfelt thanks and congratulations to the men and women of 
the United States Capitol Police, past and present, for their 175 years 
of courage, strength and commitment to serve and protect the people of 
this country.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise to associate myself with the remarks of the 
gentleman from Georgia.
  Mr. Speaker, the operative clause of this resolution says simply that 
``Congress and the American people extend heartfelt congratulations to 
the United States Capitol Police on the occasion its 175th anniversary, 
and express the sincerest gratitude to the men and women of the United 
States Capitol Police and their families, and in particular,'' as the 
gentleman from Georgia mentioned, ``the Eney, Chestnut and Gibson 
families, for their devotion to duty and service in safeguarding the 
freedoms of the American people.''
  It is hard to imagine that in the vaunted history of the Capitol 
Police, that we went from a single watchman in 1801 to the force that 
we now have today; from the perils of the War of 1812 to the perils of 
the war against terror. The men and women who wear the uniform here in 
the Capitol have served us extraordinarily well.
  I want to rise and commend the efforts of Chief Gainer and what they 
have been able to accomplish here in the Capitol, protecting the 
Members this body, the staffs, and the many tourists who come here on a 
regular basis. It was not lost on any Member of Congress that during 
the events of September 11 that it was the men and women who wear the 
uniform who were our first responders. The fact of the matter is that 
the Capitol Police are our first responders and have performed 
extraordinarily well over their 175-year career.

                              {time}  1530

  Again, I just would like to echo the words of my esteemed colleague, 
the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Linder), in saluting the men and women 
of the Capitol Police who have done an extraordinary job on all of our 
behalves.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.


                             General Leave

  Mr. LINDER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks 
and include extraneous material on the subject of this concurrent 
resolution.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Georgia?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, when Congress moved from Philadelphia to 
Washington, DC in 1801, a lone watchman by the name of John Golding had 
the responsibility of guarding the Capitol facility and its functions. 
In 1828, the United States Capitol Police was officially established to 
safeguard the freedoms of the American people, and to protect the 
Nation's Capitol and the United States Congress. Now, 175 years later, 
and despite an ever-changing environment, these core functions of the 
United States Capitol Police are still the defining tenets of its 
mission. Today, on behalf of the United States Congress and the 
American people, I am very pleased to extend heartfelt thanks and 
congratulations to the United States Capitol Police on its 175th 
anniversary.
  From its humble beginnings until today, the Capitol Police has 
remained true to its mission, and has grown to meet new challenges and 
responsibilities. It has developed specialized and expert units, and 
these specialized units are complemented by a skilled and professional 
administrative support staff. The challenges of the new century have 
shown the United States Capitol Police to be dedicated, selfless, and 
highly flexible. The Capitol Police force, which now numbers over 1,700 
sworn and civilian personnel, is a highly professionalized force 
essential to the protection of the core elements of our democratic 
process.
  The history of the United States Capitol Police has not been without 
sacrifice. After the terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001, the 
Capitol Police were asked to work incredible hours in defense of the 
Capitol, visitors, staff, and members, often working 12 hour shifts for 
six days a week. Sadly, the sacrifices of the Capitol Police have not 
been without tragedy. As the first line of defense of the Nation's 
Capitol, Sergeant Christopher Eney, Private First Class Jacob J. 
Chestnut, and Detective John Michael Gibson each made the ultimate

[[Page H3422]]

sacrifice, tragically dying in the line of duty. This dedication to the 
safety and well being of others exemplifies the commitment of the men, 
women, and families of the United States Capitol Police.
  On the occasion of its 175th anniversary, the United States Congress 
and the American people express the sincerest gratitude to the men and 
women of the United States Capitol Police and their families for their 
devotion to duty and service in safeguarding the freedoms of the 
American people.
  Mr. LINDER. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Boozman). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Linder) that the House 
suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 
156.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of 
those present have voted in the affirmative.
  Mr. LINDER. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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