[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 121 (Wednesday, July 23, 2008)]
[House]
[Pages H6838-H6839]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING AND COMMEMORATING ACTS OF HEROISM OF THE LATE DETECTIVE JOHN 
  MICHAEL GIBSON AND PRIVATE FIRST CLASS JACOB JOSEPH CHESTNUT OF THE 
                    CAPITOL POLICE ON JULY 24, 1998

  Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1360) honoring and commemorating 
the selfless acts of heroism displayed by the late Detective John 
Michael Gibson and Private First Class Jacob Joseph Chestnut of the 
United States Capitol Police on July 24, 1998.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 1360

       Whereas Detective Gibson, born March 29, 1956, was killed 
     in the line of duty while protecting the office complex of 
     the House Majority Whip;
       Whereas Private First Class Chestnut, born April 28, 1940, 
     was killed in the line of duty while guarding the Document 
     Room Door entrance of the Capitol;
       Whereas Detective Gibson and Private First Class Chestnut 
     were the first police officers to lie in honor in the rotunda 
     of the Capitol;
       Whereas Private First Class Chestnut was the first African-
     American to lie in honor in the rotunda of the Capitol;
       Whereas Detective Gibson was married to Evelyn and was the 
     father of three children;
       Whereas Private First Class Chestnut was married to Wen 
     Ling and was the father of five children; and
       Whereas 10 years have passed since Detective Gibson and 
     Private First Class Chestnut sacrificed their lives to 
     protect the lives of hundreds of tourists, staff, and Members 
     of Congress on July 24, 1998: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) honors and commemorates the selfless acts of heroism 
     displayed by the late Private First Class Jacob Joseph 
     Chestnut and Detective John Michael Gibson of the United 
     States Capitol Police on July 24, 1998; and
       (2) expresses its condolences to the wives, children, and 
     other family members of Private First Class Chestnut and 
     Detective Gibson on the 10 year anniversary of their passing.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Brady) and the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Ehlers) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Pennsylvania.


                             General Leave

  Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent 
that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and 
extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the resolution 
under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Pennsylvania?
  There was no objection.

                              {time}  1130

  Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as 
I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, 10 years ago on July 24, 1998, a gunman entered the 
Capitol and shot to death two Capitol Police officers, Detective John 
Gibson and Private First Class Jacob Chestnut. As they lay in honor in 
the rotunda, Congress and the whole community mourned the loss of the 
men who gave their lives defending the Capitol.
  Madam Speaker, we continue to mourn the loss of these fine, dedicated 
members of our Capitol community. At the 10th anniversary of that 
tragic day, we commemorate the passing of Private Chestnut and 
Detective Gibson. We honor their memories and once again offer the 
House's condolences to their widows and to their families.
  I thank our colleague from Maryland (Ms. Edwards) for introducing 
this resolution.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. EHLERS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise today in support of H. Res. 1360, which would honor and 
commemorate the selfless acts of heroism displayed by the late 
Detective John Michael Gibson and Private First Class Jacob Joseph 
Chestnut of the United States Capitol Police.
  It is hard to believe that it has already been 10 years since the 
tragic chain of events that took the lives of two heroes, Jacob Joseph 
Chestnut and John Gibson, who were killed in the line of duty when a 
deranged gunman stormed this very building on July 24, 1998. And how 
well I remember that day. I had just left the Capitol, gone to the 
airport to fly back to Michigan, and as I entered the airport building, 
I saw on TV the ambulances, the gentlemen being carried out, and what a 
sad event that was.
  Jacob Joseph Chestnut, who was affectionately known as ``J.J.,'' was 
an 18-year veteran of the Capitol Police force, just months away from 
retirement. A husband and father of five and a Vietnam vet, Chestnut 
was remembered at the time of his passing to have been extremely proud 
to be able to continue to serve his country by working in the United 
States Capitol. After a 20-year career in the Air Force, he carried his 
discipline and military training with him to Congress when he joined 
the Capitol Police in 1980, but

[[Page H6839]]

was also known for his big smile and warm demeanor.
  John Gibson, who was stationed outside the office of then House 
Majority Whip Tom DeLay, was also a husband and father of three and an 
18-year veteran of the Capitol Police. He was a die-hard fan of all of 
Boston's sports teams and often requested a copy of the Boston Globe 
from the whip's office to see how his teams had done. He had become 
extremely close to Representative DeLay's staff and in the end saved 
their lives through his selfless act of heroism. He was remembered for 
tirelessly accompanying the Congressman even when the day would stretch 
into night, until his job was done.
  This bill is only a small tribute to those two exceptional men who 
gave their lives in defense of their country. We owe them a great debt, 
and in honoring their memory, we honor all those Capitol Police 
officers who routinely put themselves in harm's way to protect us each 
day.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H. Res. 1360.
  Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back 
the balance of my time.
  Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, once again I thank the 
gentlewoman from Maryland for introducing this resolution remembering 
these brave officers and their families. It is important that we 
remember their sacrifice, and I urge an ``aye'' vote.
  Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Brady) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1360.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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