[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 34, Number 31 (Monday, August 3, 1998)]
[Pages 1483-1484]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks on Departure for Norfolk, Virginia, at Andrews Air Force Base, 
Maryland

July 25, 1998

Shootings at the Capitol

    Good morning. The shooting at the United States Capitol yesterday 
was a moment of savagery at the front door of American civilization. 
Federal law enforcement agencies and the United States Attorney's Office 
are working closely with the DC police and the Capitol Police to ensure 
that justice is pursued.
    Meanwhile, I would ask all Americans to reflect for a moment on the 
human elements of yesterday's tragedy. The scripture says, ``Greater 
love hath no man than this: that he lay down his life for his friends.'' 
Officer Jacob ``J.J.'' Chestnut and Detective John Gibson laid down 
their lives for their friends, their co-workers, and their fellow 
citizens, those whom they were sworn to protect. In so doing, they saved 
many others from exposure to lethal violence.
    Every day, a special breed of men and women pin on their badges, put 
on their uniforms, kiss their families goodbye, knowing full well they 
may be called on to lay down their lives. This year alone, 79 other law 
enforcement officers have made the ultimate sacrifice. Every American 
should be grateful to them for the freedom and the security they guard 
with their lives, and every American should stand up for them and stand 
against violence.
    Officer Chestnut was a Vietnam veteran, a member of the Capitol 
Police for 18 years, just months away from retirement. Detective Gibson 
was a deeply religious man, beloved by his co-workers and, being from 
Massachusetts, devoted to the Red Sox and the Bruins. Both leave behind 
loving wives and children, the affection of neighbors, friends, and co-
workers, and the deep gratitude of those who are alive today because of 
their bravery.
    In this one heartless act, there were many acts of heroism, by 
strangers who shielded children with their bodies, by officers who 
fanned across the Capitol, by Dr. Bill Frist, a renowned heart surgeon 
before his election to the Senate from Tennessee, who had just put down 
his gavel when he rushed to tend the injured. To all these and others 
who stood for our common humanity, we extend the thanks of our Nation.
    To the families of Officer Chestnut and Detective Gibson, nothing we 
say can bring them back. But all Americans pray that the power of a 
loving God and the comfort of family and friends will, with time, ease 
your sorrow and swell your pride for loved ones and the sacrifice they 
made for their fellow citizens.
    To Angela Dickerson, the young woman who was injured in the 
shooting, we extend our prayers and hope for your speedy recovery.
    To every American who has been shaken by this violent act, to the 
millions of parents who have taken your children through those

[[Page 1484]]

very same doors, I ask you to think about what our Capitol means. All 
around the world, that majestic marble building is the symbol of our 
democracy and the embodiment of our Nation. We must keep it a place 
where people can freely and proudly walk the halls of their Government. 
And we must never, ever take for granted the values for which it stands 
or the price of preserving them.
    Thank you very much.

Note: The President spoke at 9:10 a.m. at the Air Force One departure 
site.