[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 117 (Thursday, July 24, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4851-S4852]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          REMEMBERING OFFICERS JOHN GIBSON AND JACOB CHESTNUT

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, many years ago I came to Washington, DC, to 
go to law school. I came back here because Nevada did not have a law 
school. Although I had opportunities to go other places, I came back 
here because it was kind of the thing Nevadans did. I got a job through 
my Nevada Congressman--we only had one at the time--Walter S. Baring. I 
had what was called a patronage job. I was a Capitol police officer. I 
was assigned here to the Capitol, assigned to the House side. That is 
what I did. My badge is still in my conference room. I worked the 
evening shift--from 3 to 11, as I recall.
  When I was a member of the Capitol Police Force, as I have said here 
on the floor, I did not do anything that was very dangerous. The most 
dangerous thing I did was direct traffic out on Constitution Avenue. At 
that time they had subway tracks in the road, and cars would bounce 
around. I did not do anything that was very dangerous; but I was a 
police officer. I am very proud of that.
  In this Senate Chamber, as we speak, there are people who are 
assigned to take care of us, staff, and all of the tourists who come 
in. We have tourists in the galleries. The police officers are assigned 
everyplace. Some have uniforms; most of them do not. Their job

[[Page S4852]]

is to do everything they can to make sure this magnificent Capitol 
Complex is safe. Every day there are people who, if they could, would 
do damage to this Capitol and to the people who work here.
  In 1998 two of our Capitol police officers were on duty. A crazed 
man--16 years ago--came into the Capitol and shot Jacob Chestnut cold 
dead, right there at what we call the Memorial Door. John Gibson heard 
this commotion and saved many tourists and staff from this crazed man, 
but in the process he was also killed. Both officers died that day. 
They had served a combined 36 years on the force protecting all of us 
and all of the many people who come to this Capitol Complex.
  I know the families of these two officers. I have met with them on a 
yearly basis. I know nothing can make up for the loss of these two fine 
men 16 years ago, but I hope their families and friends take comfort in 
knowing that those of us who were here that day hold them in our 
memories and in our hearts.
  While it is little solace to their families, the tragedy that day 
made the Capitol a safer place. It was because of them that we finally 
were able to make this a safer place. We had worked on it for well more 
than 10 years. We now have a visitor center. You walk outside; you see 
a beautiful lawn. Under that is a visitor center. There is as much 
underground there as on top of the ground.
  Now people can come into the Capitol. They can be safe and secure. 
There are places to go to the bathroom. There is food and wonderful 
viewing in that complex. So because of these two men, we were able to 
get that done and make the Capitol a safer place. We have a Capitol 
visitor center now which prevents a madman like the one who shot these 
two police officers from entering the Capitol. We are grateful for 
their sacrifice. We are grateful every day to the devoted men and women 
like them who guard these hallowed halls.
  As I remember, we had a Senate retreat in southern Virginia. My wife 
became ill. As I have said a number of times before, Agent Gibson 
rushed to her side. He had to run a long way from where they were. I 
can remember how he was perspiring when he came in. So I have fond 
memories of these two police officers and recognize the sacrifice they 
made for us.

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