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Live Coverage of Brian Sicknick at the Capitol; Invocation by House Chaplain Margaret Grun Kibben, Speeches by Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY), Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Benediction by Senate Chaplain Barry C. Black; Brian Sicknick to Be Buried at Arlington National Cemetery. Aired 10:30-11a ET

Aired February 03, 2021 - 10:30   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

[10:30:00]

POPPY HARLOW, CNN ANCHOR: He just gave everything, it seems, for his whole life.

JOSH CAMPBELL, CNN SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: He did, a public servant through and through. Everything we hear about this former officer, this was someone who was dedicated to serving and protecting others. And obviously on that day, on January 6th, as he and his colleagues were trying to protect members and protect staff there at the Capitol, they were injured. His injuries, obviously, leading ultimately to his death.

But someone obviously who not only wore the badge, but someone who, you know, made that decision to put himself in harm's way in order to protect others.

And I think it's also important to note that what we're seeing right now is really the first manifestation of the loss that took place, the visceral loss that took place on that day. We've seen pictures of injuries, we've seen, you know, some of the videos. But now, what we're seeing right now is emptiness.

We know that his family has gathered, they gathered there about two or three minutes ago. And because of that insurrection, they now have this gaping hole, this loss. And it's just hard to look at these images and not have that front of mind, that this is someone who would have been there on the job, who would still be guarding this building but for that deadly incident on January 6th.

JIM SCIUTTO, CNN ANCHOR, NEWSROOM: We saw Mitch McConnell, Senate minority leader, Republican; Chuck Schumer, Senate majority leader, Democrat, joining the crowd honoring the late Officer Brian Sicknick just moments ago.

And you also see, this is a ceremony of the age -- right, Poppy? You see the social distancing there, a result of course of the ongoing threat from COVID, and yet still a beautiful, a solemn moment, the ashes of Brian Sicknick and a flag there, honoring him right in the center of the Rotunda. HARLOW: Josh, what are your other thoughts as you look at this

gathering? And you think about this moment, because it also comes less than a week before former President Trump will face his second impeachment trial. But this is moment not about politics, this is a moment about humanity and civility.

CAMPBELL: Indeed. And you know, as Jim mentioned, this is a sign of the ages here, where you have people spread out. What is so sad here is, you know, obviously an officer that lost his life, but this may be a new normal. And that's what people can't see right now. That is, outside that building, there are still members of the National Guard that have that building locked down from the public.

The reason why there's social distancing and people are spread out is because of COVID, but there are a lot fewer people there obviously because the public can't come in to pay their respect.

(CROSSTALK)

SCIUTTO: Josh, stand by, let's take a moment to observe Brian Sicknick's family arriving here, their chance to say goodbye. Let's listen in.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ladies and gentlemen, please remain standing for the invocation, delivered by House Chaplain Margaret Grun Kibben.

MARGARET GRUN KIBBEN, HOUSE CHAPLAIN: Would you pray with me? Still our hearts, oh God, in this moment as overwhelmed as we are with grief, shock, uncertainty, even anger and all the other emotions that invade this hallowed occasion, sanctify this place with your holy presence.

Then send upon us the comfort of your spirit that as we mourn a life too quickly taken from us, we may find joy in knowing that in the time we were privileged to share with Brian, living, loving and laughing, you have indelibly touched our hearts by his kind and unassuming manner as son, brother, beloved, friend and colleague.

Send upon us your peace, which is beyond our understanding, but which allows us to believe that in Brian's sacrifice, we are given the courage to look for and safeguard its purpose so that it was not in vain. May your steadfast love be ever with us and abide with us in these days and those that follow. May Brian's memory forever be a blessing to his family, to his friends, his compatriots, and to this country.

[10:35:16]

We offer this prayer to you, in your strong and holy name, Amen.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Please be seated.

Ladies and gentlemen, the honorable Charles E. Schumer, majority leader of the United States Senate.

SEN. CHUCK SCHUMER (D-NY): Fellow congressional leaders, Mayor Bowser, officers of the Metropolitan Police Department, the United States Capitol Police, Officer Brian Sicknick's commanders.

The book of Matthew reminds us, blessed are the peacekeepers for they shall be called the children of God. Today, we gather to honor Officer Brian Sicknick, a New Jersey native, a National Air Guard veteran, and a 12-year member of the Capitol Police force. A peacekeeper, not only in duty but in spirit.

Talk to his colleagues, and they will tell you that Brian was a kind and humble man with profound inner strength, the quiet rock of his unit. They will tell you that Brian was dependable, never missed a radio call. They will tell you that he took great pride in his job, never more so than when he became a mountain bike officer on the First Responders Unit.

And they will tell you that Brian wouldn't have liked this attention. And that if he were here, he'd be the first to puncture the somber moment with his sharp sense of humor.

Brian was a peacekeeper who loved his dogs and his girlfriend Sandra, and his family, and the New Jersey Devils. He was caught in the wrong place at the wrong time, on a day when peace was shattered.

I had the honor of meeting Officer Sicknick's family last night, and I learned that Gladys, his mom, had graduated from James Madison High School two years before me, and that his aunt, Brian's aunt, had graduated a few years after me. We spent about 25 minutes, Brian's mom, dad, aunt and other relatives, just reminiscing about Brooklyn and about Brian.

And I said to them at the end, with a bit of a lump in my throat, you are such good, decent, fine people. I didn't know Brian, but knowing you, I'm sure he was exactly that way too. And all you have to do is look at his picture in the memorial book, the little program here, and you could see it, what a good, kind, decent man he was.

That Brian and his family were made to pay such a high price for his devoted service in the Capitol was a senseless tragedy, one that we are still grappling with. It has left deep scars here in this building among his friends and his colleagues, as have the tragic deaths of two of Brian's fellow officers in the days since his passing: Officer Liebengood, Officer Smith.

Let us be a comfort to all who continue to recover from injuries, seen and unseen, from the attack on January the 6th. We have mental health counseling for officers and staff. Anyone who needs help, or just someone to talk to, should know there are services available, and that we are all here for you, just as Brian was always there to take a young officer under his wing and help them get used to their new unit.

Blessed are the peacekeepers like Brian. Let us be peacekeepers now, in his memory.

[10:40:25]

THE SINGING SERGEANTS, AIR FORCE BAND : O beautiful for spacious skies, for amber waves of grain. For purple mountain majesties, above the fruited plain! America! America! God shed his grace on thee, and crown thy good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea!

O beautiful for heroes proved in liberating strife, who more than self their country loved, and mercy more than life! America! America! God mend thine every flaw, confirm thy soul in self-control, thy liberty in law!

And crown thy good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea!

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ladies and gentlemen, the honorable Nancy Pelosi, speaker of the United States House of Representatives.

REP. NANCY PELOSI (D-CA): It is my official and sad honor to welcome Officer Brian Sicknick and many who loved, respected and were protected by him, to the United States Capitol Rotunda for a recognition of his life.

To Brian's parents, Gladys and Charles, his partner Sandra, his brothers Ken and Craig, and the entire Sicknick family and the Capitol Police force, thank you for giving Congress this privilege of honoring Brian with this ceremony.

We have heard from you, from Brian's brothers Ken and Craig, that he was the kindest of all, the fittest of all, just a very special person. And again, we heard from his entire family, as the distinguished leader said, what a special person he was, how kind he was. And we know, from his service on the Capitol Police force, how patriotic he was.

We gather today, united in grief, gratitude and solemn appreciation for the service and sacrifice of Officer Brian Sicknick. Respect his service, certainly as a member of the Capitol Police force, but also as a patriot to his country in other arenas.

In 1997, he joined the New Jersey Air National Guard, under which he was deployed twice to defend our national security. And in 2008, he continued that commitment when he joined the United States Capitol Police.

We saw last night how Brian's patriotic service commanded the respect with a visit by the president of the United States and the first lady, who came to pay their respects to Brian.

[10:45:06]

Now, today, the presence of distinguished guests is a testament to the great respect that so many have for Brian and for the Capitol Police force. As we are joined by the Capitol Police force, members of Congress, the secretary of Defense, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, our mayor of the District of Columbia, and members of the Metropolitan Police, and we thank them for their service. Again, members of the Capitol Police and other law enforcement leaders.

Our promise to Brian's family is that we will never forget his sacrifice. We must be vigilant, as what President Lincoln referred to as the harsh artillery of time. We will never forget. With your permission, may we be worthy to carry Brian in our hearts. We will never forget.

Each day, when members enter the Capitol, this temple of democracy, we will remember his sacrifice and then (ph) others that day who fought so hard to protect the Capitol and the Congress.

And throughout our nation's history, including Officer Jacob Chestnut and Detective John Gibson, and we are blessed to be joined today by Officer Chestnut's wife Gwenling.

The courage of these heroes brings honor -- brings luster to our Constitution and our democracy. It is fitting, this day, that we have been graced (ph) by a performance of "America the Beautiful," as you can see by the program, by the Air Force Band Singing Sergeants. Appropriate because, again, Brian was a member of the Air Force National Guard.

And they sang, "O beautiful for heroes proved in liberating strife, who more than self their country loved, and mercy more than life (ph)."

Through the heroism of Officer Sicknick and all who defend our great country, God has truly shed his grace on us, on America, from sea to -- brotherhood from sea to shining sea.

May it be a comfort to Officer Sicknick's family that so many mourn with them and pray for them during this sad time. May it be a blessing for us to have -- many of us who have known Brian Sicknick, those of us who now admire him -- that we say to his friends and family, may it be a comfort to you that so many mourn your loss. May he rest in peace.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ladies and gentlemen, please rise for the benediction, delivered by Senate Chaplain Barry C. Black.

BARRY C. BLACK, SENATE CHAPLAIN: Let us pray. Eternal God, for whom no dawn arises and no evening sun sets, we turn to you for light when our minds are dark, and for strength when our days are long. We honor you.

For the life of Officer Brian D. Sicknick, a hero proved in liberating strife, Lord, Brian indeed, more than self, his country loved, and mercy more than life. Bless those who fought for freedom with him, prepared also to give their last full measure of devotion.

Comfort the Sicknick family. Comfort all who mourn. Help us to see death as you see it: not the end, but the beginning; not a wall, but a door; not a dark road, but a path that leads to eternal light.

May Officer Sicknick's sacrifice prompt us to ensure that this nation, conceived in liberty, will have a new birth of freedom. Grant that our eternal vigilance will keep this government of the people, by the people and for the people, safe and secure. We pray, in your sovereign name. Amen.

[10:50:39] UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ladies and gentlemen, please be seated and remain at your seats until escorted by the sergeants at arms' staff to pay your respects.

HARLOW: You're watching the family of the late Officer Brian Sicknick, escorted out of the ceremony honoring his life in the Capitol Rotunda. As Jim said, a really great honor to lie in honor, as he is today.

Our colleagues are with us as well. Josh Campbell, I was so struck when Senator Schumer said he was a peacekeeper, not only in duty but in spirit.

CAMPBELL: That's right. You look at the profession that he chose, which is a dangerous one. We know that across the country, the vast majority of people in law enforcement do it for the right reasons. They wake up every morning, putting on that gun, putting on that badge, understanding that that day might be their last because of the profession they have chosen, yet they do it anyway.

And that is what occurred there, after that Capitol riot, where Officer Sicknick was one of many Capitol Police officers who were trying to protect that building as this violent mob stormed their way inside. We know that these injuries that he received ultimately led to his death.

And what we're seeing now are his brothers and sisters in arms, coming together to remember him -- as well as the lawmakers that he was charged with protecting. So this is the final thank you.

It is also worth noting that this honor that we are seeing right now, lying in honor inside the United States Capitol, is not the only honor this nation will bestow upon him. In fact, the honor will be eternal because after this ceremony, his remains will be taken across the bridge into Virginia, where he will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery.

SCIUTTO: You know, as you see the lawmakers there pay their respects -- as you said, Josh -- Officer Sicknick stood between them and the violent mob on that day, and paid with his life. He's survived by his parents, by his girlfriend of 11 years, Sandra Garza, and as -- the majority leader Chuck Schumer said, he loved his girlfriend, he loved his dogs and he loved the New Jersey Devils. Speaker Pelosi said, "We will never forget."

I always think in these moments of the people who knew him well and who are -- get their final chance to say goodbye.

CAMPBELL: That's right. And this loss is something that they will continue to feel, you know, long after this ceremony, long after the Capitol returns to some sense of normalcy. They will continue to carry that loss because of what occurred on that day.

[10:55:00] And you know, it -- as we look at these images though, one thing that it's hard not to overlook -- and I'm obviously, you know, I'm not prone to hyperbole, but if the goal of these insurrectionists was division and they were motivated by division, what came about was the opposite of that. You see Republicans and Democrats gathered here, inside the Capitol Rotunda, in unity.

Now there are obviously Republicans who have soul-searching to do. We know that the impeachment trial of President Trump is coming up, and those who incited this riot, there are those wanting to hold them accountable.

But for those who actually stormed the building, if they were looking for division, again, what they got here today was unity as a nation comes together to celebrate this officer who gave his life in the service of his nation.

HARLOW: And, Josh, look who remains there as the lawmakers and the family have filed out, it's his former colleagues and comrades, it's the fellow Capitol Police officers. You have to think what this moment is like for them.

CAMPBELL: Exactly. And I think it was Senator Schumer who said that, you know, the injuries and what was inflicted upon those people in the Capitol, it was not just physical loss. Obviously Officer Sicknick lost his life, but there are so many other victims, from those who still carry the wounds mentally of what they endured, the members and their staff, but also these police officers.

And I think we just have to go back and honor the service of the U.S. Capitol Police. Because, as we sit here watching this, they are grieving the loss of one of their own as they are also in a building that remains under threat, a building that has guards outside from the Capitol Police as well as the National Guard. And they have to continue to do their job even while carrying this huge burden.

SCIUTTO: Well, let's go out with a moment of silence, then, for Officer Brian Sicknick as he lies in honor there at the Capitol. His family has left. As Josh said, he will go on for his final resting place -- another place of honor, Arlington National Cemetery.

[11:00:00]