[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 106 (Friday, July 1, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1018]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 IN REMEMBRANCE OF CAPITOL HILL POLICE OFFICERS JOHN GIBSON AND JACOB 
                                CHESTNUT

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, July 1, 2016

  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, 18 years ago, the world tragically lost 
two Capitol police officers when a gunman shot his way into the Capitol 
and, in a barrage of violent chaos, took the lives of Officers John 
Gibson and Jacob J. Chestnut.
  I rise today to commemorate the tragic deaths of these two courageous 
officers, in the hopes of remembering that the safety we often take for 
granted here on Capitol Hill is both delicate and precious.
  On July 24, 1998, at a time when the Capitol was packed with tourists 
and staff alike, a gunman sparked mass panic and chaos when he shot his 
way through a security checkpoint, killing two Capitol police officers.
  The shooting was the first in the Capitol in nearly fifty years, and 
the worst since Congress first met in the Capitol in 1800.
  In just a moment, the tranquility of the Capitol was transformed into 
a scene of chaos and pandemonium, as staffers and tourists alike ran 
for their lives.
  After the shooter failed to bypass a security checkpoint's metal 
detector, he immediately shot and killed Officer Chestnut, and later 
exchanged gunfire with Officer Gibson before fatally shooting him as 
well.
  Having been wounded by Officer Gibson before he managed to fatally 
hit the Officer, the gunman was overwhelmed by Capitol officers soon 
thereafter.
  I rise today to remember and honor the lives of these fallen 
officers, who tragically died in true service of public safety, 
democracy, and the United States of America.
  While our beloved Capitol has fortunately not seen such a violent 
disregard for life since, it is important to remember that we are all 
united in the fragility and beauty of human life, and that it is easy 
to take for granted our basic safety in our day-to-day lives.
  As President John F. Kennedy once said, ``A man does what he must in 
spite of personal consequences, in spite of obstacles and dangers and 
pressures, and that is the basis of all human mortality.''
  The lives of officers Chestnut and Gibson exemplified and embodied 
this idea in the most sincere way possible.
  They gave their lives in protection of ours, so that we may continue 
to effect positive change on our country.
  In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, the reaction of the 
Capitol was one of sadness, shock, and outrage.
  As we have said here before, however, ``The worst thing we can do is 
cower in fear. We will not shut down the Capitol.''
  It is this attitude of remembrance and respect without any trace of 
fear or cowardice that we must take from the tragic deaths of these 
officers.
  As members of Congress, we must continue to remember the lives of the 
men who gave theirs for ours.
  But we must also learn from them.
  We must take with us the importance of continuing to stand for our 
country without fear or cowardice, as Officers Gibson and Chestnut once 
did for us.
  Today, we pause to commemorate and remember the brave officers who 
passed away eighteen years ago.
  Tomorrow, we take up the mantle that they once did for us.

                          ____________________