E PL UR UM IB N U U S Congressional Record United States th of America PROCEEDINGS AND DEBATES OF THE 105 CONGRESS, SECOND SESSION

Vol. 144 WASHINGTON, MONDAY, JULY 27, 1998 No. 102 House of Representatives The House met at 10:30 a.m. and was our colleagues who gave their lives so Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I would called to order by the Speaker pro tem- others would live. ask all Members and guests to join me pore (Mr. COBLE). From this time onward the names of in pledging allegiance to the flag, f Jacob Chestnut and John Gibson will which stands for the principles for be remembered with honor and dignity which Detective Gibson and Officer DESIGNATION OF SPEAKER PRO and praise and thanksgiving. O loving Chestnut have so recently given their TEMPORE and eternal God, whose mercies are lives. The SPEAKER pro tempore laid be- without end, we ask Your blessing upon Mr. HOYER led the Pledge of Alle- fore the House the following commu- the families of these men. Comfort giance as follows: nication from the Speaker: them in their sorrow, strengthen them I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the in their need, grant solace and peace in United States of America, and to the Repub- WASHINGTON, DC, lic for which it stands, one nation under God, July 27, 1998. their hearts. You have promised, O indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. I hereby designate the Honorable HOWARD God, that though we walk through the f COBLE to act as Speaker pro tempore on this valley of the shadow of death, You are day. with us with Your grace and Your AUTHORIZING USE OF ROTUNDA NEWT GINGRICH, promise of eternal life. OF CAPITOL FOR MEMORIAL Speaker of the House of Representatives. We also remember in our prayer An- SERVICE FOR DETECTIVE JOHN f gela Dickerson and offer our prayers MICHAEL GIBSON AND PRIVATE RECESS for her recovery. May Your spirit be FIRST CLASS JACOB JOSEPH with her and her family and sustain CHESTNUT OF UNITED STATES The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- them in the days ahead. CAPITOL POLICE ant to clause 12 of rule I, the Chair de- We pray, O loving God, that your clares the House in recess until 12 noon Mr. DeLAY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unan- strong hand will give a special blessing imous consent that the Committee on in lieu of morning hour debates. to those men and women who have de- House Oversight be discharged from Accordingly (at 10 o’clock and 31 voted their lives to the protection of further consideration of the concurrent minutes a.m.), the House stood in re- all of us who work in our Capitol, and resolution (H. Con. Res. 310) and I ask cess until 12 noon. also the many who visit this place. For for its immediate consideration and f all the police who serve with faithful- adoption by the House. AFTER RECESS ness and dedication and who mourn the The SPEAKER pro tempore. The loss of two of their own, we ask for Clerk will report the concurrent reso- The recess having expired, the House Your healing presence. Be with them in lution. was called to order by the Speaker pro their grief. The Clerk read as follows: tempore (Mr. SHIMKUS) at 12 noon. May your peace, O God, that passes H. CON. RES. 310 f all human understanding, be with all Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), PRAYER who mourn, now and evermore. Amen. f SECTION 1. AUTHORIZING USE OF ROTUNDA OF The Chaplain, Reverend James David THE CAPITOL FOR MEMORIAL SERV- THE JOURNAL ICE FOR DETECTIVE JOHN MICHAEL Ford, D.D., offered the following pray- GIBSON AND PRIVATE FIRST CLASS er: The SPEAKER pro tempore. The JACOB JOSEPH CHESTNUT. Let us pray. Chair has examined the Journal of the The rotunda of the Capitol is authorized to We gather together for prayer as we last day’s proceedings and announces be used for a memorial service and proceed- do every day when we ask for guidance ings related thereto for Detective John Mi- to the House his approval thereof. chael Gibson and Private First Class Jacob and blessing for the day ahead. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Jour- Joseph Chestnut of the United States Capitol But on this day, O God, we come with nal stands approved. Police on Tuesday, July 28, 1998, under the hearts that are saddened and with f direction of the United States Capitol Police souls distressed with the knowledge Board. that violence has been done to our PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE SEC. 2. PLACEMENT OF PLAQUE IN CAPITOL IN community. As we gather for our pray- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Will the MEMORY OF DETECTIVE GIBSON AND PRIVATE FIRST CLASS CHEST- er we come as people who have the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. HOYER) NUT. honor of service in this special place, come forward and lead the House in the The Architect of the Capitol shall place a but today we mourn the loss of two of Pledge of Allegiance. plaque in honor of the memory of Detective

b This symbol represents the time of day during the House proceedings, e.g., b 1407 is 2:07 p.m. Matter set in this typeface indicates words inserted or appended, rather than spoken, by a Member of the House on the floor.

H6457

. H6458 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 27, 1998 John Michael Gibson and Private First Class gentleman joining me in this resolu- John Gibson and J.J. Chestnut were Jacob Joseph Chestnut of the United States tion. members of this Capitol Hill commu- Capitol Police at an appropriate site in the Mr. Speaker, this resolution will do nity. One of the most gratifying things United States Capitol, with the approval of several things. I want Members to un- that I know the families have received, the Speaker of the House of Representatives derstand that this is not the only reso- and the President Pro Tempore of the Sen- as well as me and my staff, who have ate. lution we will be doing today. Later on had a very difficult weekend, is all the SEC. 3. PAYMENT OF FUNERAL EXPENSES FOR today, when Members come back and calls from all across the country hon- JOHN GIBSON AND JACOB JOSEPH get into town, they will be able to ex- oring these two wonderful men as he- CHESTNUT. press themselves when we will have an- roes. They are leaving behind many (a) IN GENERAL.—The Sergeant at Arms of other resolution honoring Detective grieving friends and associates here in the House of Representatives is authorized Gibson and Officer Chestnut. this Capitol Hill community. and directed to make such arrangements as Mr. Speaker, this particular resolu- may be necessary for funeral services for De- I saw J.J. Chestnut every night when tective John Michael Gibson and Private tion establishes some very real prin- I left this building. He was always First Class Jacob Joseph Chestnut of the ciples. First of all, it authorizes the use standing there by the document door. United States Capitol Police, including pay- of the Rotunda for a memorial service He was always grinning, and he was al- ments for travel expenses of immediate fam- for Detective Gibson and Private First ways giving me, in a very warm, open- ily members, and for the attendance of Mem- Class Chestnut. It also, for the first hearted way, a hearty, hearty, sincere, bers of the House of Representatives at such time that I know of, authorizes the ‘‘Good night, Congressman. You take services, including payments for expenses in- placement of two plaques in honor of care of yourself.’’ And every night I curred by Members in attending such serv- Detective Gibson and Officer Chestnut ices. would respond with, ‘‘J.J., you be care- (b) SOURCE AND MANNER OF MAKING PAY- in the general area where they lost ful.’’ MENTS.—Any payment made under sub- their lives, commemorating those two He was careful, but, unfortunately, section (a) shall be made from the applicable spots in the Capitol. not enough, and this shooter comes in accounts of the House of Representatives, We also want to obviously pay for and shoots him. But my enduring vi- using vouchers approved in a manner di- their funeral expenses. This resolution sion of J.J. will be of a professional of- rected by the Committee on House Over- allows us to do that. We also want to ficer who loved his job, loved his post, sight. make sure that their surviving widows fought to keep his post, and he was SEC. 4. PAYMENT OF SURVIVOR’S GRATUITY TO are taken care of and make sure that WIDOWS OF JOHN GIBSON AND dedicated to his duty in protecting the JACOB JOSEPH CHESTNUT. they do not have any concerns about Nation’s Capitol and everyone that was (a) IN GENERAL.—In accordance with the their future and the future of their in it. first sentence of the last undesignated para- children, and, therefore, we authorize John Gibson was a member of my se- graph under the center heading ‘‘HOUSE OF one year’s annual salary to be paid to curity detail, and, therefore, he was a REPRESENTATIVES’’ in the first section of the widow of Detective Gibson and to member of my staff. But, as impor- the Legislative Branch Appropriation Act, the widow of Officer Chestnut. We also tantly, my wife and my daughter and I 1955 (2 U.S.C. 125), the Chief Administrative establish a Capitol Police Memorial Officer of the House of Representatives is au- feel very strongly that he was a mem- thorized and directed to pay, from the appli- Fund that will be used for whatever the ber of our family. John and I went ev- cable accounts of the House of Representa- needs may be of the families of Detec- erywhere together. We had many long tives— tive Gibson and Officer Chestnut. talks about life, about family, about (1) a gratuity to the widow of Detective Later on today, as I said, we will con- duty and about country. John Michael Gibson of the United States sider a concurrent resolution that hon- John loved his detective badge. In Capitol Police in the amount of $51,866.00; ors the memory of these two officers, fact, he would get in trouble for wear- and of these two fine, fine gentlemen. ing it, but he wore it because he was so (2) a gratuity to the widow of Private First Some, probably cynically, are already proud about the fact that he was a de- Class Jacob Joseph Chestnut of the United asking why we are using the Capitol States Capitol Police in the amount of tective in the Capitol Police Corps, $47,280.00. Rotunda to honor these two brave men. that he had made detective, that he (b) TREATMENT AS GIFT.—Each gratuity After all, police officers are slain in the was a man that believed in duty, and paid under subsection (a) shall be held to line of duty all over the country; why that he knew that it would be possible have been a gift. should these two particular men re- some day that he would have to throw SEC. 5. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING ESTAB- ceive special treatment? Is it simply his body in front of me or someone like LISHMENT OF CAPITOL POLICE ME- because they died defending Members me and my staff. MORIAL FUND. of Congress and their staff? It is the sense of Congress that there b 1215 should be established under law a United Besides their personal bravery, these States Capitol Police Memorial Fund for the men died defending the Capitol of the One never thinks that that is really surviving spouse and children of members of United States of America, the symbol going to happen, but it happened on the United States Capitol Police who are of freedom across this world. They are Friday, and John did throw his body slain in the line of duty. the first Capitol Police officers to die between my staff and a shooter, and he The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there in the line of duty since the Capitol Po- lost his life for it. The President said it objection to the request of the gen- lice Department was created 170 years so well, because it is in scripture, that tleman from Texas? ago. They died saving lives. They died ‘‘No greater gift is there than the gift Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, reserving doing their job. They died being profes- of laying down your life for another,’’ the right to object, obviously I will not sionals and representing a fine, fine and John gave the ultimate gift. object, but at this time I yield to the law enforcement group of officers that He loved his country, John did. He distinguished gentleman from Texas protect this Capitol and everybody in loved sports. John Gibson was a solid (Mr. DELAY), the majority whip, who it, whether they be tourists, Ameri- man. He was a patriot. He exemplified lost a good and true friend, as all of us cans, people from other nations or everything that was good about Amer- lost two good and true friends. Members of Congress and their staffs. ica. Mr. DELAY. Mr. Speaker, will the I just feel that it is absolutely fit- Both John Gibson and J.J. Chestnut gentleman yield? ting, and I greatly appreciate the lead- are also members of another commu- Mr. HOYER. I yield to the gentleman ers of both the House and Senate in nity, and that is the Nation’s commu- from Texas. agreeing to use the Rotunda to pay nity of police officers. As such, their Mr. DELAY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the tribute to these two officers. By paying sacrifice represents the sacrifices of gentleman from Maryland for yielding, tribute to their sacrifice, we all pay thousands of police officers across the and I appreciate the gentleman’s ex- tribute to the sacrifices of law enforce- Nation who do their duty to serve and pression of sympathy. The gentleman ment officers all across this country. protect the public, sometimes under has always shown a true regard for the What more fitting place to pay tribute great abuse, sometimes under great Capitol community and the people that to law enforcement officers than in the disregard, and many times people take work here, and particularly the Capitol Rotunda of the building that is the them for granted. It all comes together Police that protect us. I appreciate the symbol of freedom across the world? when an incident like this happens and July 27, 1998 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6459 we realize how much we owe to police Detective Gibson died defending the RECESS officers all across this country. principles for which it stands. That was The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- So I think by using the Rotunda to literally and figuratively true. Every ant to clause 12 of rule I, the Chair de- honor these fallen heroes we are honor- morning those whom we ask to bear clares the House in recess until ap- ing not only the specific acts of cour- the responsibility of maintaining order proximately 5 p.m. age that have saved so many other in a civil society, without which we Accordingly (at 12 o’clock and 25 Americans and we are not only honor- would not have freedom and justice and minutes p.m.), the House stood in re- ing them because of the fact that this the rule of law, they put on their uni- cess until approximately 5 p.m. was their building and they were pro- form or their plain clothes and they f tecting it, we also honor them, all fall- put on a badge, and most of them at- en law enforcement heroes who have tach a gun to their hip or to their b 1702 died defending the American people shoulder. They and their families know AFTER RECESS from evil. that daily they risk their lives. In this So my heart goes out to the families instance, of course, because no pre- The recess having expired, the House of John Gibson and J.J. Chestnut, and vious Capitol police officer has lost his was called to order by the Speaker pro particularly those young kids that or her life in a confrontation, that risk tempore (Mr. ARMEY) at 5 o’clock and 2 have lost a father. We have lost two seemed remote. minutes p.m.) wonderful heroes who have saved so Mr. Speaker, Friday, July 24 reminds f many from harm. We have lost two he- us once again that the risk is always roes who were dedicated husbands and present for those we ask to defend this HONORING THE MEMORY OF DE- wonderful fathers, and I urge all my free society. The vagaries of life are TECTIVE JOHN MICHAEL GIBSON colleagues and the American people in such that there are those, either de- AND PRIVATE FIRST CLASS general to pray for these families as mented or angry or for whatever rea- JACOB JOSEPH CHESTNUT OF they try to cope with this great loss. sons, take onto themselves the oppor- THE UNITED STATES CAPITOL Mr. Speaker, I will just add at the tunity to commit violence. POLICE FOR THEIR SELFLESS end, if people around this country want In this instance, Officer Chestnut, ACTS OF HEROISM AT THE to donate to the memorial fund created Detective Gibson and, indeed, the hun- UNITED STATES CAPITOL ON by this resolution, they can send their dreds of Capitol police officers who re- JULY 24, 1998 contributions to the United States sponded to this crisis, gave their lives Mr. GINGRICH. Mr. Speaker, I offer a Capitol Police Memorial Fund, United that many others might be safe and, concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 311) States Capitol, Washington, D.C., 20515. more importantly, to indicate that the honoring the memory of Detective Let me also add, if the gentleman Capitol of the United States, Free- John Michael Gibson and Private First will further yield, something that real- dom’s House, if you will, will, in fact, Class Jacob Joseph Chestnut of the ly touched me just a while ago. One of be accessible, but it will also be pro- United States Capitol Police for their the pages came up to me and handed tected. selfless acts of heroism at the United me this, and I want to put it in the Our community on this Hill is a States Capitol on July 24, 1998, and ask RECORD, from the pages that serve here grief-stricken community, and it is a unanimous consent for its immediate in the United States House of Rep- reflection of a country that shares that consideration. resentatives. grief. I have had the opportunity of The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there Mr. Speaker, the Pages would like to talking to family members of these of- objection to the request of the gen- say that ‘‘We salute these two fallen ficers. I and so many others on this tleman from Georgia? heroes who gave their lives for ours. In floor know the personal grief that they There was no objection. the line of duty, these men stood are experiencing. They have lost a The SPEAKER pro tempore. The strong and brave for their country. For loved one. They have lost a friend. Clerk will report the concurrent reso- that, we all owe a great debt of grati- They have lost a dad or brother or an lution. tude. uncle or a friend and a neighbor. They The Clerk read the concurrent reso- ‘‘We are all aware of their courageous have a very personal grief. lution, as follows: sacrifice, and we hold these officers But our country has a collective H. CON. RES. 311 deep in our hearts. God bless their fam- grief, and it is appropriate that we ilies, and God bless America.’’ Whereas the Capitol is the people’s house, honor these men, both as individual and, as such, it has always been and will re- Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the gen- American heroes, but as well, as the main open to the public; tleman yielding, and I include for the majority whip has indicated, as two Whereas millions of people visit the Cap- RECORD the tribute by our Pages. members of a group of some 700,000 itol each year to observe and study the FROM THE PAGES OF THE U.S. HOUSE OF Americans who daily leave their homes workings of the democratic process; REPRESENTATIVES and take to their duties to defend Whereas the Capitol is the most recogniz- We salute these two fallen heroes who gave able symbol of liberty and democracy America’s principles, to defend Ameri- throughout the world and those who guard their lives for ours. In the line of duty, these cans, to defend an orderly society. men stood strong and brave for their coun- the Capitol guard our freedom; try. For that, we all owe a great debt of grat- These men and women of law enforce- Whereas Private First Class Jacob ‘‘J.J.’’ itude. ment, like those we ask to join the Chestnut and Detective John Michael Gibson We are all aware of their courageous sac- Armed Services and defend freedom sacrificed their lives to protect the lives of rifice, and we hold these officers deep in our abroad, are equally responsible for us hundreds of tourists, staff, and Members of hearts. God bless their families, and God being able to meet in this body in a so- Congress; bless America. ciety that honors the peaceful resolu- Whereas if not for the quick and coura- Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, under my tion of disputes. We are the land of the geous action of those officers, many innocent reservation, I sadly join the majority people would likely have been injured or free because we are the home of the killed; whip, whose comments are both per- brave. This resolution honors two of Whereas through their selfless acts, Detec- sonal but express as well the senti- those brave who ensure that this will tive Gibson and Private First Class Chestnut ments of his colleagues. be, in fact, the land of the free. underscored the courage, honor, and dedica- Over 14,622 law enforcement officers Mr. Speaker, I withdraw my reserva- tion shown daily by every member of the have lost their lives in the history of tion of objection. United States Capitol Police and every law our country. The first one lost his life The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. enforcement officer; in 1794. Since that time, we have asked SHIMKUS). Is there objection to the re- Whereas Private First Class Chestnut, a some of our fellow citizens to take quest of the gentleman from Texas? Vietnam veteran who spent 20 years in the Air Force, was an 18-year veteran of the Cap- upon themselves the responsibility and There was no objection. itol Police, and was married to Wen Ling and the risk of defending freedom here at The concurrent resolution was agreed had five children, Joseph, Janece, Janet, home. to. Karen and William; When I began the Pledge of Alle- A motion to reconsider was laid on Whereas Detective Gibson, assigned as giance, I said that Officer Chestnut and the table. Rep. Tom DeLay’s bodyguard for the last H6460 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 27, 1998 three years, was an 18-year veteran of the the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. GEP- tors, it reminded you that they are Capitol Police, and was married to Evelyn HARDT), and the majority leader, the both our protectors and our ambas- and had three children, Kristen, John and gentleman from Texas (Mr. ARMEY), be- sadors, and how much they do to make Daniel; cause together we have made a series this Capitol a better place, and how Whereas Private First Class Chestnut and tragic their deaths are. Detective Gibson were the first United of decisions that are without prece- States Capitol Police officers ever killed in dent, because frankly, this is an event Let me also thank all of the visitors the line of duty; without precedent. who Marianne and I saw on Saturday Whereas Private First Class Chestnut and In all the history of the United when we walked over to the Capitol. Detective Gibson, and all those who helped States, no one had ever been killed de- Because of their commitment, the visi- apprehend the gunman, assist the injured, fending the Capitol. In all the history tors have said it is important not to let and evacuate the building, are true heroes of of the Capitol Police, never before had madmen or terrorists frighten us away democracy, and every American owes them a officers been killed in the line of duty. from freedom; it is important to come deep debt of gratitude: Now, therefore, be it I believe that it drove home to all of to our House, the people’s House, to Resolved by the House of Representatives (the us, certainly to me and those Members our building, the people’s building. Senate concurring), That— Tourists were there as an act of patri- (1) Congress hereby honors the memory of I have talked to, to the staffs I have Detective John Michael Gibson and Private talked to, how real and how serious the otism, not just to visit in the normal First Class Jacob Joseph Chestnut of the process of security is, and how much sense but to deliberately go there the United States Capitol Police for the selfless we are a Capitol Hill family; that the day after the shootings to say that acts of heroism they displayed on July 24, larger family of freedom has within it they were going to show their solidar- 1998, in sacrificing their lives in the line of a smaller family of individuals who ity, and I was moved to tears walking duty so that others might live; and work together every day. up the main steps and seeing a set of (2) when the House of Representatives ad- flowers that had already been there at journs on this date and when the Senate ad- In a few minutes, the majority whip, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. DELAY) 9:30 that morning, that had wrapped journs or recesses on this date, they shall do around it, ‘‘To our heroes who save our so out of respect to the memory of Detective will talk, and he will talk from the John Michael Gibson and Private First Class heart about Detective John Gibson. freedom.’’ I think no person who has a Jacob Joseph Chestnut. But I was very struck, both that Mrs. heart could have passed those flowers without having tears come to their Mr. GINGRICH. Mr. Speaker, I ask DeLay said to me when I called to chat with her that John Gibson had become eyes, because they captured it. unanimous consent that the concur- These two men are genuine heroes. like family because they are so close; rent resolution be debatable for 2 hours They did their job. The system worked and then when I went out to the hos- and 30 minutes, equally divided and but at terrible personal cost. We are pital, Mrs. Gibson, Evelyn, said how controlled by myself or my designee safe because of their sacrifice. and the minority leader or his des- proud John Gibson was to have worked It is totally appropriate that we have ignee. with the gentleman from Texas (Mr. suspended any other business for today The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there TOM DELAY), and how much he enjoyed in honor of their memory. It is totally objection to the request of the gen- his assignment; how close they had be- appropriate that for the first time in tleman from Georgia? come. history, two officers will be lying in There was no objection. To further drive home how much a honor in the Rotunda tomorrow. It is The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- family this is, I learned later that Eve- totally appropriate that we recognize tleman from Georgia (Mr. GINGRICH) is lyn Gibson is the niece of the gen- them both for what they have done recognized for 1 hour and 15 minutes. tleman from Massachusetts (Mr. JOE here at the Capitol and for the re- Mr. GINGRICH. Mr. Speaker, I yield MOAKLEY), so it becomes an ever tight- minder that safety and freedom come myself such time as I may consume. er and more human tying together of at a very human cost; that there are Mr. Speaker, let me first thank ev- families. uniformed personnel in the police, in eryone who rose to their duty or went Let me also thank President Clinton, the Border Patrol, in the military, who beyond their duty in the last few days: who responded immediately with con- even as I speak are putting their lives the Capitol Police, the various emer- cern on Friday afternoon; who on Sat- on the line in order that this civiliza- gency teams, the medical centers, the urday helped the Nation come to grips tion can continue. Washington Metropolitan Police, the with this tragedy; and who has been ex- I want to say to Officer Chestnut’s Federal Bureau of Investigation, staffs traordinarily cooperative in making family, to Wen Ling, his wife, to Jo- here in the Congress, Members of the arrangements for Arlington Cemetery seph, Janece, Janet, Karen and Wil- House and Senate. and in agreeing to be at the memorial liam, that you can be very, very proud An awful lot of people, including, let service tomorrow. of your father. He served his country in me say, the visitors to the Capitol, an When I talked with staff members, the Air Force and he served his coun- awful lot of people responded in a and I was with the various staff mem- try in the Capitol Police. He was a man human way to a human need. For my- bers who had been in the whip’s office I saw every day, as did most Members self, I particularly want to thank Sen- at the time that the Capitol was at- of the leadership, because that was the ator CONNIE MACK, who voluntarily tacked, at the time that Detective Gib- door we went in and out of every day. called and went around with me on Fri- son gave his life saving their lives, I He was always courteous. He was al- day night to visit the family of officer think anybody who talked with them ways firm. He was always disciplined. J.J. Chestnut and the family of John and heard from those staff their feel- He always did his job. He will be very Gibson, and also to visit the family of ings, their sense of the degree to which sadly missed, but your family can be the visitor that had been injured, An- John Gibson rose to the occasion, the proud that your father is a genuine gela Dickerson, and her family, who degree to which he immediately told hero. were visitors to the Capitol. them to protect themselves, told them Let me say to Detective John Gib- Because I think had every American to be safe, the degree to which he then son’s family, to his wife Evelyn and to been able to visit those families in this literally placed his body between dan- his three children, Kristen and John time of shock, of pain, of loss, and to ger and innocent people, cannot help and Daniel, that Detective Gibson had have seen the courage, the dedication, but be moved by this level of dedica- made a real mark here. At one point he the pride that the families felt, I think tion. had helped me a number of years ago. it was a very humbling experience. I If you had talked to the visitor who Then he was assigned to help the whip, know that for me and for them, it was was standing next to Officer J.J. Chest- TOM DELAY. He was an active sup- enriched by Senator MACK taking the nut when he was killed and you learned porter of Heroes, which is a nationwide time to be with them, to express his that, literally, Officer Chestnut was in program which helps families of offi- concern on behalf of the entire Senate. the process of giving directions to the cers who are killed in the line of duty. Let me also say that I have been very subway to help visitors to the Capitol, He was a man dedicated to law enforce- grateful to Senator LOTT for respond- and then you learn that his partner ment and a man who for 18 years had ing again and again, and for Senator was a few feet away because he was served this Capitol and this country DASCHLE, and to the minority leader, getting a wheelchair to help other visi- very well. July 27, 1998 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6461 While you cannot replace him, I hope John Michael Gibson and Officer Jacob ways a twinkle of compassion, a twin- that your memory of him as a genuine Joseph Chestnut. And tomorrow, as I kle of love. hero is a memory that will bring you have said, we must live our lives know- ‘‘When you remember John, remem- some warmth in these difficult times. ing that this country was a better ber his honesty, his willingness to ex- I think I speak for every Member of place because of the dedication and the press his opinions, whether you agreed the House and Senate and for every courage of these two men. with him or not. Yes, that was John. staff person who works here in saying It is, after all, the lives of these two He always spoke from his heart. to these two families that our hearts men that we celebrate today. Both ‘‘When you remember John, remem- go out to you; that we were proud to were family men who loved their jobs ber his outstanding character, his com- announce on Saturday the establish- and loved their country. Both gave mitment to his family, his commit- ment of a memorial trust fund at the their lives defending the United States, ment to his friends, to his work, and Capitol Police; that we believe that the Capitol, and the people who either his overall commitment to excellence every citizen who wants to have an op- worked here or visited here. in all of his pursuits. portunity to participate should have John Gibson was especially close to ‘‘When you remember John, consider that opportunity and that these fami- my staff and to me and my family, as yourself lucky to have crossed paths lies deserve an outpouring of concern everyone knows. And as I have said be- with such a fine man. Remember John and of affection because they have lit- fore, John was part of my family and in with a smile. Cherish the precious mo- erally given the highest full dedication many ways he was and is our guardian ments, the precious memories, of which to their country that anyone can give. angel. there are many. Everyone knows what There are so many stories to talk a hero is, the many qualities that de- b 1715 about John. I have said already prob- fine such a unique person. John Gibson We will continue to protect the Cap- ably anything and everything I could is not only a hero, but an angel. He was itol and to protect freedom. We will say, so I decided to take this time not our angel on earth and is now our angel not allow terrorists or madmen to for me to speak about John, but to in heaven.’’ block this from being the People’s allow my staff to speak about John. Lindsey Darrah, who was just 10 feet from John, her desk 10 feet from John, House and the People’s building. We This is the day I asked my staff, any- says, ‘‘Officer Chestnut, the watchdog. recognize with sadness and a clearer one who wanted to say something He was the officer that recognized us as sense of duty just how vital the role is about John, to put it in words; and if I staff, but regardless, made us show our of the Capitol Police, and I believe may, I will take a little time so that IDs. He was the officer that was never every citizen who comes to this build- people understand how important John quite convinced the silver tins were in ing will, for many years to come, rec- Gibson and J.J. Chestnut were to our fact filled with Popeye’s Fried Chick- ognize that the men and women who family. en. Oftentimes, we would bring in five are protecting this building are truly Tony Rudy said that, ‘‘My fondest or six loads from the car. Yes, he not doing a vital job if freedom is to sur- memory of John is when we used to only made us open every single tin to vive. rush to get the 4 o’clock mail and try see what was inside, but then he would Mr. Speaker, I now yield such time as to get the Boston Herald and the Bos- make us put the chicken on the con- he may consume to the distinguished ton Globe. We would talk UMass hoops veyor belt just to make sure it was gentleman from Texas (Mr. DELAY), and about the Bruins. He worked very really and truly that chicken from the majority whip. hard to get TOM to understand and Mr. DELAY. Mr. Speaker, I greatly Popeye’s. You can imagine that we enjoy hockey.’’ were always highly annoyed with sweet appreciate those words. I really want John Russell said, ‘‘Officer Chestnut Officer Chestnut, and I am sure he to thank the Speaker and the gen- would scold me whenever I walked past knew it. But he was just doing his job, tleman from Missouri (Mr. GEPHARDT), him entering the building after I had a the minority leader; the gentleman and he would say so and we would all cigarette outside, and said it was his laugh every time.’’ from Michigan (Mr. BONIOR), the mi- mission to get me to quit and be as Joe Connolly, who is the young man nority whip; the gentleman from Texas healthy as he was.’’ who sat just across the desk from John (Mr. ARMEY), the majority leader; and Frank Maguire, ‘‘With both John and and who John, on hearing the shots the majority leader in the Senate, Sen- I being Irish Catholic with a Massachu- being fired, knew that it was coming ator LOTT; and the minority leader of setts heritage, we exchanged family our way and told Joe to get under his the Senate, Senator DASCHLE; for stories about growing up and found desk. The shooter fell right beside Joe quickly understanding the import of many similarities that we could laugh as John took him down. Joe says, ‘‘I what happened on Friday around 3:40 about. I had described John to my wife just want people to realize how close p.m. and how important it is to the Na- as my vision of what a Catholic priest everyone in our office really is. Most tion, as well as to the Capitol commu- would be like who was allowed to people may think, oh, he was just a nity, to honor these two heroes. marry and raise a family. I will never cop. But it was definitely more than They understood the importance, un- forget that mental