Jim Ramstad: “this is a somber and solemn day for Congress and our Nation. Our Capitol Hill family has suffered great loss with the…”

“this is a somber and solemn day for Congress and our Nation. Our Capitol Hill family has suffered great loss with the deaths of Officers Jacob ``J.J.'' Chestnut and John Gibson. The entire country was both shaken by violence at our Capitol and inspired by the ultimate heroism of these two men. Mr. Speaker, how can we adequately thank our heroes? How do we comfort their wives and children who suffered the ultimate loss? I have no answers to those questions, Mr. Speaker. I only know that we owe two law enforcement heroes more than words can express. I hope everyone listening will pray tonight for the families and friends of these two brave fallen officers. As Co-Chair of the House Law Enforcement Caucus, I know that senseless tragedies are not new. Since our nation's founding, nearly 15,000 police officers have been killed in the line of duty. Their names are etched in the walls of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, just blocks from here. Sadly, we now know two new names that will be added to the wall next year. In this Capitol, we are protected by nearly 1,300 sworn officers and security aides. Their presence is so steady and reassuring that at times people have forgotten to notice. And the Capitol Police are joined by hundreds of thousands of law enforcement officers across America, who get up each morning and put on their badge, committing to protect people whose names they may never know. They have taken an oath to die for us.…”