[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 17590]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



             DESIGNATING THE CHESTNUT-GIBSON MEMORIAL DOOR

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. STENY H. HOYER

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 20, 1999

  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, one year ago this Friday, the Capitol 
Building was shaken by a maniacal and senseless shooting spree. This 
day reminds us once again that the risk is always present for those we 
ask to defend this free society. The vagaries of life are such that 
there are those, either demented or angry or for whatever reasons, that 
take unto themselves the opportunity to commit violence.
  We lost Officer Jacob J. Chestnut and Detective John Gibson so that 
many others might be safe and to indicate that the Capitol of the 
United States, freedom's house, will not only be accessible, but also 
protected.
  This past May we rededicated the Capitol Police headquarters in honor 
of Officer Chestnut, Detective Gibson, and Officer Christopher Eney, 
the first Capitol Police officer killed in the line of duty during a 
training accident in 1984. This resolution complements the renaming of 
the headquarters building. Henceforth, every tourist, staffer, Member 
or head of state that uses the ``memorial door'' will remember the 
public service of these three men and the ultimate sacrifices that each 
of them made.
  While this resolution renaming the document door specifically honors 
Officer Chestnut and Detective Gibson, the memorial door is a tribute 
to all of the men and women of law enforcement who leave their homes 
each day and take to their duties to defend America's principles, to 
defend Americans, and to defend an orderly society.
  Just down the street from this building stands the Law Enforcement 
Officers Memorial. Since last year's tragedy, the names of Officer 
Chestnut and Detective Gibson have been added to a long list of fallen 
officers including their colleague, Officer Eney and others from 
departments around the Nation.
  In the last year we have taken some very positive steps in insuring 
that this type of incident does not happen again. While we can never 
guarantee that there is not another shooting, the security enhancement 
plan is an important step in the right direction. With additional 
officers, acquisition of new equipment, and a restructuring of the 
department, we can work to decrease the chances of another shooting 
while retaining the accessibility that the American public and the 
World over have come to know.
  Let us not forget the ultimate sacrifice that these two brave 
officers made. I thank my colleague Representative Delay, for bringing 
forward this resolution and I urge my colleagues to join with me in 
paying tribute to Officer Chestnut and Detective Gibson on this solemn 
one-year anniversary by passing this resolution.

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