[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 84 (Thursday, June 17, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S6985]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO THE CAPITOL POLICE

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, today I want to take a moment to both thank 
and commend our U.S. Capitol Police for their outstanding actions 
during the evacuation of the Capitol complex last week.
  As we now know, the decision to evacuate was made on a moment's 
notice when a private airplane flew into restricted airspace and could 
not be contacted. Our Capitol Police put the lives of the people who 
work in Congress ahead of their own. The Capitol and surrounding 
buildings were vacated within minutes.
  In addition to thousands of employees and Members of Congress, 
hundreds of dignitaries from around the world had come to the Capitol 
last Wednesday to pay their respects to President Ronald Reagan. The 
Capitol Police executed the evacuation with efficiency and 
professionalism.
  Fortunately, the threat proved to be a false alarm, and it was again 
the Capitol Police who screened and helped each individual as they 
reentered the buildings.
  Only a few weeks ago I had the honor of speaking at the re-dedication 
ceremony of the Capitol Police headquarters. This would be an honor for 
any Senator, but it is especially so for me, because I served as a U.S. 
Capitol Policeman years ago.
  The Capitol Police force has changed quite a bit over the years. It 
was founded in 1828 with three nonuniformed watchmen. Before that, only 
one guard protected the Capitol.
  Today, more than 1,300 professionally trained men and women serve as 
Capitol Police officers. Their challenges have obviously become more 
formidable, but their main focus still lies in protecting life 
throughout the complex of congressional buildings, parks, and streets.
  I would like to take a moment to recognize 3 Capitol Police officers 
who have been killed in the line of duty: Sgt. Christopher Eney was 
killed on August 24, 1984, during a training exercise; Jacob ``J.J.'' 
Chestnut was killed on July 24, 1998, while guarding his post at the 
Capitol; and John Gibson was killed on July 24, 1998, while protecting 
the lives of visitors, staff, and the Office of the House Majority 
Whip.
  The police headquarters building is now named in honor of these 3 
fallen heroes. A few weeks ago, at the rededication ceremony, I had the 
opportunity to meet some of the children of these men, now grown. 
Speaking with them reminded me of the sacrifice that these officers and 
their families had made.
  Likewise, the events of last week reminded me that our U.S. Capitol 
Police officers put their lives on the line every day, to protect all 
of us. For that we can never thank them enough.




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