Asa Hutchinson: “Mr. Speaker, last month we honored two men whose sacrifices right here in the Capitol were both shocking and supreme.…”

“Mr. Speaker, last month we honored two men whose sacrifices right here in the Capitol were both shocking and supreme. Our two heroic Capitol Hill police officers, Detective John Gibson and Officer Jacob Chestnut, could never have imagined that tragic Friday morning that a violent gunman would take away their lives and destroy their families' dreams. The terrible truth is that each and every day a police officer dons that familiar blue uniform could be that officer's last day. In our hearts we all know this, and yet we allow ourselves to be lulled into complacency and to forget. But the spouses and children of a police officer can never forget. They must live with the daily fear of the sudden and painful disintegration of their family. When those greatest fears are realized and an officer is slain, we rightly honor him or her for that final sacrifice. Every year, we set aside one week to celebrate the lives and work of police officers slain, and we forever pay tribute to their memories by adding their name to the memorial wall. But is that enough? I believe that we can and should do more.”