Rodney Frelinghuysen: “in this hallowed Chamber we are often separated by differences in policy and politics, but today we stand together as a…”

“in this hallowed Chamber we are often separated by differences in policy and politics, but today we stand together as a family, bound in honor of two men who will always be remembered in this Chamber and in this Nation as heroes. While the horror of Friday's events will be blurred sadly by still other tragedies and the passage of time, the bravery and devotion to duty of Capitol Hill Police Officers John Gibson and Jacob Chestnut will become as lasting as the very democracy contained within these walls. We will not forget them. This Capitol, the People's House, is honored by the service of each of our Capitol Police Officers, and to all of them today I offer praise and gratitude. By these two fallen heroes the People's House is venerated more so than the presence of any one of us here who have meant liberty, for Officers Gibson and Chestnut surrendered theirs in protection of ours. To the Gibson and Chestnut families, on behalf of New Jersey's 11th Congressional District, my deepest, most profound sympathies go to them. They should know we share their grief and we also share their tremendous pride of these two men who have given their lives in the preservation of the sanctity of our Nation's Capitol.”