III 

110TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. RES. 621 

Honoring and commemorating the selfless acts of heroism displayed by the 

late Detective John Michael Gibson and Private First Class Jacob Joseph 

Chestnut of the United States Capitol Police on July 24, 1998, and 

expressing the gratitude and appreciation of the Senate for the professionalism and dedication of the United States Capitol Police. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

JULY 23, 2008 

Mr. REID (for himself, Mr. MCCONNELL, Mr. AKAKA, Mr. ALEXANDER, Mr. 

ALLARD, Mr. BARRASSO, Mr. BAUCUS, Mr. BAYH, Mr. BENNETT, Mr. 

BIDEN, Mr. BINGAMAN, Mr. BOND, Mrs. BOXER, Mr. BROWN, Mr. 

BROWNBACK, Mr. BUNNING, Mr. BURR, Mr. BYRD, Ms. CANTWELL, Mr. 

CARDIN, Mr. CARPER, Mr. CASEY, Mr. CHAMBLISS, Mrs. CLINTON, Mr. 

COBURN, Mr. COCHRAN, Mr. COLEMAN, Ms. COLLINS, Mr. CONRAD, Mr. 

CORKER, Mr. CORNYN, Mr. CRAIG, Mr. CRAPO, Mr. DEMINT, Mr. DODD, 

Mrs. DOLE, Mr. DOMENICI, Mr. DORGAN, Mr. DURBIN, Mr. ENSIGN, Mr. 

ENZI, Mr. FEINGOLD, Mrs. FEINSTEIN, Mr. GRAHAM, Mr. GRASSLEY, 

Mr. GREGG, Mr. HAGEL, Mr. HARKIN, Mr. HATCH, Mrs. HUTCHISON, 

Mr. INHOFE, Mr. INOUYE, Mr. ISAKSON, Mr. JOHNSON, Mr. KENNEDY, 

Mr. KERRY, Ms. KLOBUCHAR, Mr. KOHL, Mr. KYL, Ms. LANDRIEU, Mr. 

LAUTENBERG, Mr. LEAHY, Mr. LEVIN, Mr. LIEBERMAN, Mrs. LINCOLN, 

Mr. LUGAR, Mr. MARTINEZ, Mr. MCCAIN, Mrs. MCCASKILL, Mr. 

MENENDEZ, Ms. MIKULSKI, Ms. MURKOWSKI, Mrs. MURRAY, Mr. NELSON of Florida, Mr. NELSON of Nebraska, Mr. OBAMA, Mr. PRYOR, Mr. 

REED, Mr. ROBERTS, Mr. ROCKEFELLER, Mr. SALAZAR, Mr. SANDERS, 

Mr. SCHUMER, Mr. SESSIONS, Mr. SHELBY, Mr. SMITH, Ms. SNOWE, Mr. 

SPECTER, Ms. STABENOW, Mr. STEVENS, Mr. SUNUNU, Mr. TESTER, 

Mr. THUNE, Mr. VITTER, Mr. VOINOVICH, Mr. WARNER, Mr. WEBB, Mr. 

WHITEHOUSE, Mr. WICKER, and Mr. WYDEN) submitted the following 

resolution; which was considered and agreed to 

RESOLUTION 

Honoring and commemorating the selfless acts of heroism 


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•SRES 621 ATS 

displayed by the late Detective John Michael Gibson 

and Private First Class Jacob Joseph Chestnut of the 

United States Capitol Police on July 24, 1998, and 

expressing the gratitude and appreciation of the Senate 

for the professionalism and dedication of the United 

States Capitol Police. 

Whereas Detective Gibson, born March 29, 1956, was killed 

in the line of duty while protecting the office complex of 

the House Majority Whip; 

Whereas Private First Class Chestnut, born April 28, 1940, 

was killed in the line of duty while guarding the Document Room Door entrance of the Capitol; 

Whereas Detective Gibson and Private First Class Chestnut 

were the first police officers to lie in honor in the rotunda 

of the Capitol; 

Whereas Private First Class Chestnut was the first AfricanAmerican to lie in honor in the rotunda of the Capitol; 

Whereas Detective Gibson was married to Evelyn and was 

the father of 3 children; 

Whereas Private First Class Chestnut was married to Wen 

Ling and was the father of 5 children; 

Whereas the United States Capitol Police force consists of 

over 1,600 officers who are dedicated to the protection 

and security of the Capitol Complex and its employees 

and visitors; 

Whereas the United States Capitol Police continually sacrifice 

to provide safety and security to the Members, staff, and 

millions of visitors each year to the Capitol Complex; 

Whereas the men and women of the United States Capitol 

Police join with their colleagues in local law enforcement 


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•SRES 621 ATS 

from urban to rural areas coast to coast to perform their 

duties with honor and courage; 

Whereas while the United States Capitol Police endure physical and verbal assaults in some extreme cases, the officers continue to provide courteous, responsible, and diligent services in an unbiased and nonpartisan manner; 

Whereas the United States Capitol Police face many threats 

to their safety and must remain constantly alert for suspicious actions or for failure to respond to requests and 

instructions; 

Whereas the United States Capitol Police, as the first line of 

the defense of the Capitol, has shared in the ultimate 

sacrifice in law enforcement; 

Whereas the United States Capitol Police are on the front 

lines of the War on Terrorism and remain on constant 

alert against unauthorized access to Capitol buildings, 

terrorism, and other threats to the Capitol Complex; 

Whereas Capitol Police officers stationed throughout the Capitol Complex act in a professional manner and treat 

Members, staff, and visitors with dignity and respect; 

Whereas the United States Capitol Police consistently apply 

security and safety measures to all, including Members of 

Congress; 

Whereas 10 years have passed since Detective Gibson and 

Private First Class Chestnut sacrificed their lives to protect the lives of hundreds of tourists, staff, and Members 

of Congress on July 24, 1998; and 

Whereas the United States Capitol Police is one of the best 

trained, most highly respected law enforcement agencies 

in the United States: Now, therefore, be it 


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•SRES 621 ATS 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) honors and commemorates the selfless acts 

3 of heroism displayed by the late Private First Class 

4 Jacob Joseph Chestnut and Detective John Michael 

5 Gibson of the United States Capitol Police on July 

6 24, 1998; 

7 (2) expresses its condolences to the wives, chil8 dren, and other family members of Private First 

9 Class Chestnut and Detective Gibson on the 10-year 

10 anniversary of their passing; 

11 (3) expresses its gratitude and appreciation for 

12 the professional manner in which the United States 

13 Capitol Police carry out their diverse missions; 

14 (4) expresses appreciation for the dedication 

15 United States Capitol Police officers have for pro16 tecting the Capitol Complex; and 

17 (5) commends the United States Capitol Police 

18 for their continued courage and professionalism in 

19 protecting the Capitol Complex and its employees 

20 and visitors. 

Æ 


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