Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick: “on Friday, July 24, 1998, a Congress, a City, a Nation was shaken to its very foundation. The people's house, the U.S.…”

“on Friday, July 24, 1998, a Congress, a City, a Nation was shaken to its very foundation. The people's house, the U.S. Capitol Building, was violated when two of Capitol Hill's finest were killed in the line of duty: Officer Jacob J. Chestnut and Special Agent John Gibson. The ultimate and supreme sacrifices of these officers prevented the deaths of untold other constituents, citizens, and colleagues. Not only do we owe the memory of these men and their families our thanks, but we owe them our eternal gratitude. We must ensure that their memory will live on forever. As a Member of the House Oversight committee, my colleagues and I have the duty to ensure that Congress remain accessible to all, and safe to ensure the democratic and timely debate of issues of the day. In our Committee rooms and offices, sometimes it is easy to forget the very difficult duty and burden that we place on the police officers of Capitol Hill everyday.”