Political Quotes

“8 years ago today, two brave men gave their lives in defense of the U.S. Capitol. A plaque in this building commemorates their bravery, their names have been etched indelibly upon the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial a mile from here, and the headquarters of the U.S. Capitol Police now bears their names. These memorials are fitting and proper. But they do not do these men full justice. We must also remember them in our words and our actions. All Members of Congress, all congressional staff, and, indeed, all Americans owe a great debt of gratitude to Officer Jacob Joseph Chestnut and Detective John Michael Gibson. For a few moments, I would like to reflect upon the enormous bravery of these two men. Officer Chestnut and Detective Gibson were both hardworking family men. Gibson had three children; Chestnut, five. Gibson found great happiness in the exploits of the Boston Red Sox and Boston Bruins. He knew their rosters by heart. Chestnut loved working in his garden. I knew both men by sight. I passed Officer Chestnut most every day on my way in to work. On Friday, July 24, 1998, both men were nearing the end of a busy work day. But events unfolded with a quick and horrible speed. At about 3:40 p.m. police and prosecutors allege that Russell Eugene Weston entered the Capitol through the East Entrance. He attempted to evade a metal detector and Chestnut stepped into his path to stop him--to protect all of us. Weston shot him at point-blank range.…”