[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 8]
[Senate]
[Page 11845]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             OFFICERS JACOB J. CHESTNUT AND JOHN M. GIBSON

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, every day people from across this great 
Nation around the globe come here to visit the Capitol--to see the seat 
of American democracy. Every day, those of us who are fortunate to have 
been elected by our home States to serve in Congress also come here to 
represent this Nation and the American people in that democracy. Every 
day a brave and dedicated group of men and women come here to serve as 
Capitol police officers, to ensure that whether we are here to work or 
to visit, we are safe from harm. In 1998, two of those dedicated police 
officers gave their lives protecting this Capitol and the people in 
this Capitol. They were Special Agent John Gibson and Officer Jacob 
Chestnut. Thirteen years ago yesterday, a man entered the House side of 
the Capitol building with a gun, shot officer Chestnut at point-blank 
range.
  Agent Gibson warned tourists and staff to take cover and then 
confronted the gunman. Although Agent Gibson was also shot, he 
prevented anyone else from being killed. Both officers died that day. 
They served a combined 36 years on the force, protecting their fellow 
men and women.
  When I first came to Washington, I worked the night shift--the swing 
shift--as a Capitol police officer. That is why I feel a particular 
closeness to the Capitol police. When I worked, I was never in danger. 
I was never called on to put my life on the line. I only hope I would 
have shown the bravery Agent Gibson and Officer Chestnut displayed that 
afternoon they were killed.
  I was a Member of the Senate when Agent Gibson and Officer Chestnut 
gave their lives to save the lives of others. I know nothing can make 
up for the loss of a cherished loved one. We hope their families and 
friends take some comfort in knowing those of us who were here that day 
hold them in our memories and in our hearts. While I know it is little 
solace to their families, the tragedy of that day made the Capitol a 
safer place. It led to the construction of the Capitol Visitor Center 
which prevents a madman such as the one who shot Agent Gibson and 
Officer Chestnut from entering the Capitol. We are all grateful for 
their sacrifice, and we are grateful that every day devoted men and 
women like them guard these hallowed halls.

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