Jack Kingston: “Last Friday America's family room was invaded. I call the Rotunda in the United States Capitol America's family room…”

“Last Friday America's family room was invaded. I call the Rotunda in the United States Capitol America's family room, because this is where American tourists come and Americans come to see their government in action. The thin line between them, between safety and danger, safety and disaster, is the Capitol Hill Police. Last Friday, Officers Jacob Chestnut and John Gibson made the ultimate sacrifice to protect the sanctity of America's living room. The system worked. They protected the tourists, they protected Members of Congress, they protected the staff, and they were able to protect everyone but, unfortunately, themselves. Every day hundreds if not thousands of tourists and employees and Members of Congress walk by these brave men and women, and often we take them for granted, not necessarily in a negative sense, but you know they are there, you know they have got a job to do, and you are doing yours and you do not really think about it, but over time they become family. You know them by face, not necessarily every time by name. You know them, you like them, you exchange greetings and so forth. Then suddenly something like this happens, and it divides their job from your job and how important their job is and how ultimately their job endangers their lives as it protects our lives. I salute these brave men, I pray for their family, and our hearts and prayers are with them.”