[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 51 (Friday, April 19, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E583]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   IN REMEMBRANCE OF APHIS EMPLOYEES

                                 ______


                           HON. E de la GARZA

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 18, 1996

  Mr. de la GARZA. Mr. Speaker, 1 year ago, on April 19, 1995, 168 
people were murdered in the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal 
Building in Oklahoma City. The explosion killed scores of innocent 
children and adults, injured hundreds, and devastated thousands of 
lives. We remember and honor them all.
  I took part in a ceremony in South Texas in which the Kika de la 
Garza Elementary School in the La Joya school district planted a tree 
in memory of the children who died in the Oklahoma bombing to link 
themselves to the loss. I was particularly moved by this ceremony 
because although they did not know any of the children personally, they 
had a common bond in that they were children also.
  I, too, have a common bond with some of the victims. In this case the 
bond is the agricultural community.
  Among the victims were seven employees of the Department of 
Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service--dedicated 
workers who left a legacy of service and believed that protecting 
American agriculture was a goal worth achieving.
  These were people who were loved by their families and friends and 
respected by their colleagues. Today, we especially remember and honor 
these APHIS employees.
  We honor as well the survivors and the many people who gave of 
themselves to aid in rescue efforts and reach out with helping hands 
and loving hearts. In their hope, we found hope: in their strength, we 
found strength; in their actions, we found the power to act. In 
adversity, America came together.
  Robert Green Ingersoll said ``in the night of death hope sees a star 
and listening love can hear the rustle of a wing.'' We remember those 
who lost their lives in Oklahoma. We embrace those who were left 
behind, and we hope our caring helps soothe their grief.
  Together, we all listen for the rustle of a wing that whispers of 
hope.

                          ____________________