[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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