Political Quotes

“What happened next was anything but routine; sad, tragic, heartbreaking. I do not think there is any description that quite does it justice. Capitol Police Officers J.J. Chestnut and John Gibson gave their lives stopping a deranged gunman who tried to blast his way into the people's Capitol. Working only a few dozen steps down the hall from Majority Whip Tom DeLay's office, my staff and I heard the shots. Like millions of others shaken by this tragic event, we feel we owe these two fallen heroes an almost unimaginable debt. Officers Chestnut and Gibson made the ultimate sacrifice for our Nation in keeping the Capitol safe and accessible for about 22,000 people who come to our Capitol every day to have an opportunity for direct contact with their legislators. That kind of openness is unheard of in societies that place a lesser value on human freedom. It is an important feature of American democracy that Officers Chestnut and Gibson gave their lives in its defense.”