Political Quotes

“Mr. President, every day people from across this great Nation around the globe come here to visit the Capitol--to see the seat of American democracy. Every day, those of us who are fortunate to have been elected by our home States to serve in Congress also come here to represent this Nation and the American people in that democracy. Every day a brave and dedicated group of men and women come here to serve as Capitol police officers, to ensure that whether we are here to work or to visit, we are safe from harm. In 1998, two of those dedicated police officers gave their lives protecting this Capitol and the people in this Capitol. They were Special Agent John Gibson and Officer Jacob Chestnut. Thirteen years ago yesterday, a man entered the House side of the Capitol building with a gun, shot officer Chestnut at point-blank range. Agent Gibson warned tourists and staff to take cover and then confronted the gunman. Although Agent Gibson was also shot, he prevented anyone else from being killed. Both officers died that day. They served a combined 36 years on the force, protecting their fellow men and women. When I first came to Washington, I worked the night shift--the swing shift--as a Capitol police officer. That is why I feel a particular closeness to the Capitol police. When I worked, I was never in danger. I was never called on to put my life on the line. I only hope I would have shown the bravery Agent Gibson and Officer Chestnut displayed that afternoon they were killed.…”