[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 10]
[House]
[Page 14270]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



        TRIBUTE TO FALLEN OFFICERS J.J. CHESTNUT AND JOHN GIBSON

  (Mr. GEPHARDT asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. GEPHARDT. Mr. Speaker, I rise first to thank the Speaker of the 
House and the majority whip and all of the Members of the House who 
today, with one voice, rise on this floor to pay tribute to the brave, 
courageous heroes who gave their lives so that others could live: 
Officers Gibson and Chestnut. I rise today in sorrow at the loss that 
occurred here in the people's House 3 years ago today.
  In the aftermath of this event, as we gathered around the families of 
both officers Gibson and Chestnut, we voted never to forget their acts 
of bravery and to memorialize what they did for us and their country on 
that day.
  Officers Gibson and Chestnut literally saved the lives of countless 
Members of Congress, our staffs, and countless visitors who pass 
through our halls every day to visit this shrine to our American 
democracy. We owe them a gratitude for which words alone do no justice.
  These two men, strong and decent, rank in the legion of honor of 
those who died so that freedom may live in the everyday lives of all 
Americans. They remind us that all of the officers who work in this 
building are real heroes of our democracy; they are guardians of our 
way of life. They are the men and women who face danger every day, and 
who are pledged to protect this citadel of freedom so that the people's 
business can be conducted, and so that people can visit this site of 
our government and take part in our democracy.
  Mr. Speaker, let me say that I have the honor of being served by two 
similar plain-clothes officers, and I want to again, as I did 3 years 
ago, take this opportunity to thank them and all of their colleagues 
who protect this building and all of us on a daily basis. We will never 
forget the sacrifice of these two officers. We will always cherish them 
and their families, and we will never forget that they died so that 
others could live and be free.

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