[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 72 (Wednesday, May 3, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E942]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                       THE OKLAHOMA CITY TRAGEDY

                                 ______


                        HON. PATRICIA SCHROEDER

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 3, 1995
  Mrs. SCHROEDER. Mr. Speaker, I would like to talk about several 
Coloradans impacted by the Oklahoma disaster.
  A Fort Carson soldier spoke yesterday of the bitter irony that sent a 
good friend to a deadly work detail in Oklahoma City instead of him.
  Sfc. Lola R. Bolden, 40, died in the bombing attack last Wednesday 
that killed at least 80 people in the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building 
in Oklahoma City.
  It could just as easily have been Sfc. Bobby Thornton who was killed.
  ``I wish I had taken the assignment, and she stayed here,'' Thornton 
said sadly yesterday. ``It's hard to take.''
  But, he said, ``If I had gone to Oklahoma City, my kids would have 
been in that day care--where 13 children were killed--that's what I've 
always been thinking, and it hurts the most.''
  Bolden, 40, formerly of Widefield, transferred to Oklahoma City in 
January. She and Thornton had been promoted at the same time, and one 
had to leave Fort Carson.
  But Bolden was quicker making telephone calls, and she beat Thornton 
to the Army recruiting assignment in Oklahoma City.
  ``Everyone liked here. She would always get the job done, no matter 
what,'' Thornton said. ``This really hurts a lot.''
  Thonrton said he talked to Bolden a month ago. She had spotted a good 
job assignment that he could have applied for, and she wanted to pass 
on the tip.
  ``That's the kind of person she was,'' he said.
  When he heard of the bombing, ``Chills went through my body. I kept 
calling her home that day. I finally got a neighbor and told him, `Tell 
me it's not true.'''
  But it was.
  Lola Bolden was divorced and is survived by three children. Two of 
them, ages 11 and 13, lived with her in Oklahoma City. An adult 
daughter lives in Birmingham, AL.
  Meanwhile yesterday, another former Colorado man struggled with 
dimming hopes that his wife of 25 years would be found alive.
  ``There's been no word yet. Not a word,'' said Michael Meek, now of 
Moore, OK.
  Claudette Meek, 43, graduated from Widefield, CO High School in 1969. 
She and Michael met there and had been together ever since. She worked 
at the Federal credit union in Oklahoma City.
  Michael Meek had bought her 25 roses and was set to meet her for 
lunch Wednesday to celebrate his birthday.
  He never got to give her those roses.
  The Meeks have two children, ages 21 and 25.
  ``She (Claudette) touched a lot of people. That's the type of person 
she is,'' he said. ``Her challenge is to serve people.''
  These wonderful Americans were just trying to serve their country 
when they died. My deepest sympathy goes out to their survivors.
  Mr. Speaker, let me put some biographical sketches of Special Agents 
killed in Oklahoma City. We must not forget them.
                         Biographical Sketches

   Mickey B. Maroney, Special Agent, October 29, 1944-April 19, 1995

       Mickey was appointed as a special agent on June 14, 1971, 
     in the Forth Worth Office. Prior to his assignment to 
     Oklahoma City, he served with the Johnson Protective 
     Division. He is survived by his wife, Robbie, and children, 
     Alice Ann (age 27) and Mickey Paul (age 23).
                                                                    ____


      Linda G. McKinney Office Manager, body recovered on April 30

       Linda was appointed to the Secret Service on June 28, 1981, 
     in Oklahoma City. Linda is married to Danny McKinney and has 
     a son, Jason Derek Smith (age 22). Linda's mother, Ms. Minnie 
     J. Griffin, resides in Fittstown, Oklahoma.
                                                                    ____


Alan G. Whicher, Assistant Special Agent in Charge, July 12, 1954-April 
                                19, 1995

       Al was appointed to the Secret Service on April 12, 1976, 
     in the Washington Field Office. His career included 
     assignments to the Vice Presidential Protective Division, New 
     York Field Office, Liaison Division, and the Presidential 
     Protective Division. He is survived by his wife, Pamela Sue, 
     and three children, Meredith Sue (age 16), Melinda Therese 
     (age 15), and Ryan Gerald (age 13). Al's mother, Mrs. 
     Elizabeth Whicher of Boonsboro, Maryland, also survives him.
                                                                    ____


 Kathy L. Seidl, Investigative Assistant, November 13, 1955-April 19, 
                                  1995

       Kathy was appointed to the Secret Service on March 17, 
     1985, in Oklahoma City. She is survived by her husband, 
     Glenn, son Clinton Glenn Seidl, age 7, and stepson, Marcus 
     Glenn Seidl, age 15. Kathy's parents, Dallas and Sharon Davis 
     of Mustang, Oklahoma, also survive her.
                                                                    ____


     Donald R. Leonard, Special Agent, June 27, 1944-April 19, 1995

       Don was appointed as a special agent on November 16, 1970, 
     in Oklahoma City. His career included assignments in the 
     Tulsa Resident Agency, the Protective Support Division, the 
     Vice Presidential Protective Division, and the St. Louis 
     Field Office. Don is survived by his wife, Diane, and sons, 
     Bradley Eugene (age 26), Jason Ray (age 23), and Timothy 
     Gordon (age 22).
                                                                    ____


     Cynthia L. Brown, Special Agent, April 15, 1969-April 19, 1995

       Cindy was married to Special Agent Ron Brown of the Phoenix 
     Field Office. She was appointed as a special agent on March 
     21, 1994, and assigned to Oklahoma City. In addition to her 
     husband, she is survived by her parents, Linda Campbell of 
     Rantoul, Illinois, and Gary Campbell of Sherman, Texas.
     

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