Chestnut, left, and Gibson

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Federal lawmakers on Monday paid tribute and expressed their gratitude to the two police officers who were killed in the line of duty in Friday's shootout at the U.S. Capitol.

Rep. Tom DeLay presented a resolution to establish a Capitol Police Memorial Fund to honor Capitol Police Officer Jacob Chestnut, 58, and Special Agent John Gibson, 42, who were shot to death by a man who ran through a metal detector and started firing a handgun.

The policemen also were to be honored by two plaques to be set up near the area where they lost their lives, DeLay said.

CNN's Candy Crowley reports on plans to honor the two Capitol Police officers
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Furthermore, if the resolution is approved, each of the widows will receive an amount equal to one year of their slain husband's salary.

"They died saving lives, they died doing their duty," said DeLay, whose office was a site of the gunfight.

"It was a death in the family," Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott said following a moment of silence in the chamber.

DeLay, who praised both the humane and professional sides of the shooting victims, said the men deserved to lie in honor in the Capitol's Rotunda, because they not only had served the nation but were also the first Capitol Police officers ever killed in the line of duty.

President Clinton, who was speaking on Social Security issues in Albuquerque, New Mexico, paused to honor the slain officers with a moment of silence.

The bodies of the two policemen will lie in honor in the Capitol Rotunda from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, said Capitol Police Chief Gary Abrecht.

Those who want to pay their respects may file past the remains of the fallen officers, Abrecht said. However, at 3 p.m. the Rotunda will be closed for a half-hour tribute attended by the officers' families, the Capitol Police force and members of the House and Senate. Clinton and Vice President Al Gore also were expected to attend.

The bodies of Chestnut and Gibson are to lie in honor in the Capitol Rotunda on Tuesday

The Army granted a waiver Monday so that Gibson can be buried at Arlington National Cemetery. Chestnut already was eligible because of his service in Vietnam.

The waiver was in response to a letter sent by House Speaker Newt Gingrich and House Democratic minority leader Richard Gephardt.

By lying in the Capitol Rotunda, the two men are receiving an honor normally accorded to presidents and other high-ranking officials. The two men are not lying in state, as that honor is given only to those who are entitled to a state funeral.

Numerous high-ranking government officials have lain in state in the Rotunda since Abraham Lincoln's casket was brought there in 1865. Others similarly honored include Presidents John F. Kennedy and Dwight Eisenhower, as well as Gens. John J. Pershing and Douglas McArthur.

Weston

Abrecht said the department appreciated the expressions of sympathy from the American public.

"On behalf of the families of these fallen heroes and the members of the United States Capitol Police, I wish to express my gratitude to the public for reaching out to us and consoling us in our time of sorrow," he said. "Your donations, your offers of assistance and expressions of sympathy show that these officers did not die in vain."

The funeral for Gibson will be held Thursday in Lake Ridge, Virginia, with the place of burial to be announced later.

Chestnut's funeral will held in Fort Washington, Maryland, on Friday. He will be buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

The suspect, Russell E. Weston Jr., 41, of Rimini, Montana, was in stable condition Monday at D.C. General Hospital. Hospital spokeswoman Donna Lewis Johnson said Weston was now off a ventilator and was communicating with his doctors. Weston had undergone emergency treatment for bullet wounds to his chest, arm, thigh and buttock.

Weston also spoke with his court-appointed lawyer, A.J. Kramer, for the first time Monday. His case was moved to federal court Monday afternoon.

Weston, who authorities said has a history of mental illness, will continue to be held without bond until he is able to appear for a hearing.

Weston was charged with one count of killing a federal officer. Additional charges are pending.

He could face the death penalty.

Correspondent Candy Crowley, The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.

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