Patsy T. Mink: “I join a mournful Nation to express my deepest sympathy to the families and loved ones of Officer Jacob Joseph Chestnut…”

“I join a mournful Nation to express my deepest sympathy to the families and loved ones of Officer Jacob Joseph Chestnut and Detective John Michael Gibson. These two brave and courageous officers gave their lives to the protection of Members of Congress, our staff and visitors who come to see the Capitol from all over the country. On behalf of the people of the Second Congressional District of the State of Hawaii, I stand to pay tribute to the gallantry and bravery of these two men who lost their lives in the line of duty. Many people from Hawaii visit the Capitol each year and have felt the assurance of safety provided by the dignified and diligent service of our Capitol Police. To learn that two of them died in the line of fire is shocking news everywhere in America. I returned home to Hawaii the next day after the event to find that all of the people I saw received word of this terrible loss with a sense of personal loss. Everyone felt that their safety had been compromised with such an assault upon our House. The feeling of warmth and compassion for the families of the slain officers was deep and very moving. As we reflect on these events, I realize how guilty we all are in taking for granted officers like Chestnut and Gibson who stand in the line of fire every day that they serve us here and in our home communities. I pray for their eternal peace and for the life and safety of every one of their colleagues who serve us here in the Nation's Capitol.”