[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 121 (Wednesday, July 23, 2008)]
[House]
[Pages H6839-H6840]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      EXPRESSING GRATITUDE AND APPRECIATION TO THE CAPITOL POLICE

  Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 645) expressing the gratitude and 
appreciation of the House of Representatives to the professionalism and 
dedication of the United States Capitol Police, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 645

       Whereas the United States Capitol Police force consists of 
     over 1,600 officers who are dedicated to the protection and 
     security of the Capitol Complex and its employees and 
     visitors;
       Whereas the United States Capitol Police continually 
     sacrifice to provide safety and security to the Members, 
     staff, and nearly 3 million visitors each year to the Capitol 
     Complex;
       Whereas the officers of the United States Capitol Police 
     face the danger of physical and verbal assaults and continue 
     to provide courteous, responsible, and diligent services in 
     an unbiased and nonpartisan manner;
       Whereas the United States Capitol Police face many threats 
     to their safety and must remain constantly alert for 
     suspicious actions or for any failure to respond to requests 
     and instructions;
       Whereas the United States Capitol Police are on the front 
     lines of the War on Terrorism and remain on constant alert 
     against unauthorized access to Capitol buildings, terrorism, 
     and other threats to the Capitol Complex;
       Whereas Capitol Police officers stationed throughout the 
     Capitol Complex act in a professional manner and treat 
     Members, staff, and visitors with dignity and respect;
       Whereas the United States Capitol Police consistently apply 
     security and safety measures to all, including Members of 
     Congress; and
       Whereas the United States Capitol Police is one of the best 
     trained, most highly respected law enforcement agencies in 
     the United States: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) expresses its gratitude and appreciation for the 
     professional manner in which the United States Capitol Police 
     carry out their diverse missions;
       (2) expresses appreciation for the dedication United States 
     Capitol Police officers display in protecting the Capitol 
     Complex; and
       (3) commends the United States Capitol Police for their 
     continued courage and professionalism in protecting the 
     Capitol Complex and its employees and visitors.

  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 matter on the resolution 
now under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Pennsylvania?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as 
I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I am delighted to offer this motion. The Capitol 
Police earn and deserve our gratitude every day of the year as they 
work hard under unique and trying circumstances. They are constantly 
here, even when we are not, making the Capitol complex and all who work 
in and visit these hallowed halls safe.
  Under the leadership of Chief Phillip Morse and his team, with the 
support of officers represented by Matt Tighe of the Fraternal Order of 
Police, and of civilians led by Karen Gray-Thomas of the Teamsters 
unit, the Capitol Police work wonders, enabling us to conduct our 
business without worry. Beyond their day-to-day shifts, the Capitol 
Police routinely demonstrate their dedication, as recently when 600 
officers reported one weekend to cope with a political demonstration.
  The Capitol Police perform such feats daily, without comment or 
complaint. It is an honor to chair the subcommittee that oversees this 
fine organization and to support them as they discharge their mission 
every day of the year.
  I thank the gentleman from Florida 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.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 645, which 
expresses the gratitude and appreciation of the House of 
Representatives for the professionalism and dedication of the United 
States Capitol Police.
  As long ago as 1801, when John Goldman, the Capitol's first watchman, 
was appointed, there have been brave men and women charged with risking 
their own lives to protect Members of Congress. With the passage of 
time, the threat to the Congress has evolved, and with it so too have 
the Capitol Police become a world-class law enforcement body.
  Over the years the development of the Internet and various 
telecommunications devices that have proved revolutionary to all 
Americans have had the unintended consequence of providing new ways for 
criminals to communicate with each other in order to plan more 
elaborate attacks. As their attacks have become more sophisticated, the 
Capitol Police have had to adjust their protocols and skills to stay a 
step ahead of the perpetrators.
  As discussed with the previous resolution, tomorrow is the 10th 
anniversary of a tragic accident that took the

[[Page H6840]]

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. Their deaths are a stark reminder of the great peril that 
Capitol Police officers face each day. With the terrorist attacks of 9/
11 came new threats and heightened awareness that there are those for 
whom destruction of the Capitol and its inhabitants would be cause for 
celebration.
  This sobering reality is one that the Capitol Police must live with 
each day. Yet even with the burden they carry, the Capitol Police greet 
members, staff, and visitors alike with a welcome demeanor and 
reassuring presence. They are often the first face we see when we a 
arrive at the beginning of the day and the last person we say goodnight 
to as we leave. This resolution serves as a tribute to each of those 
men and women who bravely stand between us and those who would do us 
harm.
  For these reasons I urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 645.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests 
for time, and I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. EHLERS. Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Mario Diaz-Balart), the sponsor of the resolution.
  Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Madam Speaker, I want to first 
thank the ranking member and the chairman for bringing this resolution 
forward.
  All of us in this great body are fortunate to have great police 
officers in our home districts, in our home communities, in our 
hometowns. Our local police departments keep our communities and our 
families safe, and all of us greatly appreciate their hard work and 
their sacrifice.
  But we must also always recognize and always remember the officers 
who keep this Capitol community safe. Nearly 3 million tourists from 
across the country and across the globe visit this Capitol every single 
year. The Capitol Police keep the Capitol complex safe and secure for 
our constituents, for our staffs, for our families, and for all of us 
who have the privilege to work here every day. And among their stated 
mission is to protect and support the Congress in meeting its 
constitutional responsibilities, and they do so every single day with 
great courage, with great courtesy, with great dignity.
  The United States Capitol Police are on the front lines of the war on 
terrorism as well, and they remain on constant alert against multiple 
threats to the Capitol complex and all of those who work and visit this 
complex.
  Unfortunately, as we have already heard before, tomorrow marks the 
10th anniversary of the deaths of Officer Jacob Chestnut and Detective 
John Gibson, who lost their lives protecting the Capitol and other 
people inside from an armed attacker. This is a very solemn reminder, 
Madam Speaker, of the dangers that the Capitol Police face on a regular 
basis on our behalf. I call on this body to express its gratitude and 
appreciation to their professionalism and all of the officers as we 
remember the horrible events of 10 years ago. These officers put their 
lives on the line and, unfortunately, paid the ultimate price. We could 
not do our jobs effectively without them.
  So as the chairman said, let's not only support this resolution and 
thank the Capitol Police today. Every single day that we are here, 
let's remember the job that they do for all of us, for our country. 
Let's thank them. Let's appreciate them.
  Mr. EHLERS. 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 
gentleman from Florida for introducing this resolution. I also thank 
the Capitol Police for the fine job they perform for us every day of 
the year, making our work in Congress possible.
  It's great that we offer a resolution today commending them, and it's 
sad that we have to have a 10-year anniversary tomorrow for the two 
police officers who made the ultimate sacrifice.
  I think the most befitting thing we can do for them and for our 
police officers is to say hello to them, say ``How are you? How's your 
day?'' instead of running by them for a vote, running out, leaving, 
going to our offices. They're people, too. They're great men and women. 
They do a great job. We do thank them for their job. But we should take 
a moment or two to have a little conversation with them and let them 
know, not only one day a year, not today, not tomorrow, but every time 
we pass by them, to thank them for keeping us safe.
  We walk in this building through metal detectors, dogs. They check 
our cars and we're safe as can be and we're safe as can be because of 
them. When there's a problem and we have to evacuate, we're running out 
and they're running in. We ought to let them know every single day that 
we appreciate them.
  With that, 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. 645, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution, as amended, was agreed to.
  The title was amended so as to read: ``A resolution expressing the 
gratitude and appreciation of the House of Representatives to the 
professionalism and dedication of the United States Capitol Police as 
the House honors the 10th Anniversary of the tragic deaths of Officer 
Jacob Chestnut and Detective John Gibson, who lost their lives 
protecting the Capitol and the people inside from an armed attack''.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________