[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 10]
[House]
[Page 14241]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           REMEMBERING OFFICER CHESTNUT AND DETECTIVE GIBSON

  (Mr. DeLAY asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. DeLAY. Mr. Speaker, another year has passed since we lost our 
dear friends, Officer J.J. Chestnut and Detective John Gibson. They 
were struck down as they stood tall for everyone that works in this 
building that we love so deeply.
  This past year brought forth a renewed appreciation across America 
for the virtues that both of these men showed all of us 4 years ago: 
bravery, fortitude, tenacity, and commitment. Officer Chestnut and 
Detective Gibson inspired all of us with unflinching devotion.
  They now stand at the proud formation of the New York firefighters 
and police officers and the soldiers and sailors that also died saving 
lives on September 11.
  Mr. Speaker, Churchill once said, ``Courage is rightly esteemed the 
first of human qualities because it is the quality which guarantees all 
others.''
  The courage of citizens like J.J. Chestnut and John Gibson has always 
been and will always be the true, firm foundation of American 
democracy.
  The willingness of millions of Americans to place themselves between 
danger and freedom over the years has always been the most powerful 
natural force for change in history.
  Some may have thought that our sense of gratitude and our love for 
these men would have been dimmed with the passage of time, but the 
opposite is true. We are now even more sharply aware of the danger 
present in our world and the enormous debt we owe the men and women who 
protect us.
  Our hearts and our prayers go out to the families of Officer J.J. 
Chestnut and Detective John Gibson. They can be certain that we will 
always cherish the memories of their loved ones, we will always 
remember their sacrifice, and we will always defend the freedom that 
they loved.

                          ____________________