[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 51 (Friday, April 19, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3695-S3697]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE SENATE ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE OKLAHOMA 
                              CITY BOMBING

  Mr. DOLE. I send a resolution to the desk and ask that its title be 
read.
  The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Secretary will read the resolution.
  The Secretary of the Senate read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 249) expressing the sense of the 
     Senate on the anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing.

  Mr. DOLE. I ask unanimous consent that the resolution and its 
preamble be agreed to.
  The PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 249) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, the resolution just agreed to expresses the 
sense of the Senate on this first anniversary of the tragic Oklahoma 
City bombing that took 168 lives. One of the provisions of the 
resolution is that the Senate join with the Nation in observing a 
moment of silence at 9:02 a.m. central daylight time. That moment now 
having arrived, I invite all Senators to join with me and with the 
staffs of Senators Nickles and Inhofe who are in the gallery in 
observing 168 seconds of silence.
  [A period of silence.]
  Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, I now ask that the entire resolution be 
read.
  The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The resolution will be read.
  The Secretary of the Senate read as follows:

       Whereas, on Wednesday, April 19, 1995, at 9:02 a.m. Central 
     Daylight Time, a bomb exploded at the Alfred P. Murrah 
     Federal Building in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, collapsing the 
     north face of this nine-story building, killing 168 men, 
     women, and children and injuring scores of other innocent 
     victims;
       Whereas, today, Friday, April 19, 1996, marks the one-year 
     anniversary of this tragic event which is without equal in 
     our nation's history;
       Whereas, in the words of the Reverend Billy Graham to the 
     families and survivors, ``Someday the wounds will heal, and 
     someday those who thought they could sew chaos and discord 
     will be brought to justice. The wounds of this tragedy are 
     deep, but the courage and the faith and determination of the 
     people of Oklahoma City are even deeper'';
       Whereas, this was the deadliest terrorist attack ever on 
     U.S. soil; and
       Whereas, the United States Senate passed by an overwhelming 
     margin the Comprehensive Terrorism Prevention Act on 
     Wednesday, April 17, 1996; Now therefore be it
       Resolved, That the Senate of the United States:
       Observes a moment of silence at 9:02 a.m. Central Daylight 
     Time in remembrance of the innocent children and adults who 
     lost their lives or were injured in this heinous attack one 
     year ago;
       Remembers the families, friends, and loved ones of those 
     whose lives were taken away by this abhorrent act;
       Salutes the people of Oklahoma for the courage, faith and 
     determination they have exhibited throughout the past year;
       Commends the rescuers, federal agencies and countless 
     volunteers who gave of themselves and their resources to 
     provide aid and relief;
       Commends the federal employees from across the nation who 
     came to the aid of their co-workers during this crisis; and
       Reaffirms its trust in our system of justice to ensure that 
     the perpetrators of this heinous crime be convicted and 
     appropriately punished so that justice may be served and 
     carried out swiftly.

  Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, I have long been inspired by the Kansas 
State motto: ``To the Stars Through Difficulties.''
  The people of Oklahoma have persevered this past year through almost 
unimaginable difficulties with grace, with grit, and with courage. Our 
thoughts and prayers will remain with them as they continue to reach 
for the stars.
  (At the request of Mr. Dole, the following statement was ordered to 
be printed in the Record.)

[[Page S3696]]

 Mr. NICKLES. Mr. President, today, we look back from the 
distance of a year's time to a tragic event without equal in our 
Nation's history. It is still almost impossible to believe that it 
actually happened--that such an abhorrent, evil act could have been 
committed in the heartland of America.
  However, Oklahomans did not suffer through this tragedy alone. The 
sheer enormity of it drew the entire Nation to our side. People 
thought, ``If something like this could happen in Oklahoma City, it 
could happen anywhere.''
  It was that awareness, I believe, coupled with the innate goodness of 
the American people that brought the flood of rescuers from all corners 
of the Nation. They came as strangers and left as friends. We will 
never forget them. They made us know we were not alone.
  I know for many this first awful anniversary brings back the pain 
with a fresh intensity. But we should also recall the words of the 
Reverend Billy Graham who, at a memorial service in the aftermath of 
this evil deed, gave us hope.
  He said, ``Someday the wounds will heal, and someday those who 
thought they could sow chaos and discord will be brought to justice. 
The wounds of this tragedy are deep, but the courage and the faith and 
determination of the people of Oklahoma City are even deeper.''
  He was right.
  We are introducing this sense-of-the-Senate resolution today because 
we remember. This resolution calls for a moment of silence at 9:02 a.m. 
central daylight time in remembrance of the innocent children and 
adults who lost their lives one year ago.
  We remember the families, friends, and loved ones of those innocent 
victims, and we send you our sincerest prayers.
  We remember the countless hundreds who were injured, physically and 
emotionally by the blast.
  We remember the many more from all corners of the state and all 
corners of the Nation who came together to help in the rescue process 
and then in the healing process.
  And we also are introducing this resolution because we recognize and 
pay tribute to the spirit of recovery, courage, and faith that has been 
an example and an encouragement to everyone.
  I have never been more proud to be an Oklahoman.
  In honor of those who lost their lives, I ask that their names be 
printed in the Record at this point.
  The names are as follows:

                  Victims of the Oklahoma City Bombing


        Names                                                      Ages
Charles E. Hurlburt..................................................73
John Karl Vaness III.................................................67
Anna Jean Hurlburt...................................................67
Donald Lee Fritzler..................................................64
Eula Leigh Mitchell..................................................64
Donald Earl Burns, Sr................................................63
Norma Jean Johnson...................................................62
Calvin C. Battle.....................................................62
Laura Jane Garrison..................................................61
Olen Burl Bloomer....................................................61
Luther Hartman Treanor...............................................61
Kathy Cregan.........................................................60
Rheta Ione Bender Long...............................................60
Raymond Johnson......................................................59
Juretta Colleen Guiles...............................................59
Robert Glen Westberry................................................57
Carolyn Ann Kreymborg................................................57
Leora Lee Sells......................................................57
Mary Anne Fritzler...................................................57
Virginia Mae Thompson................................................56
Peola Y. Battle......................................................56
Peter Robert Avillanoza..............................................56
Richard Leroy Cummins................................................55
Ronald Vernon Harding................................................55
LaRue Ann Treanor....................................................55
Ethel Louise Griffin.................................................55
Antonio C. Reyes.....................................................55
Thompson Eugene Hodges, Jr...........................................54
Alvin Junior Justes..................................................54
Margaret Goodson.....................................................54
Oleta Christine Biddy................................................54
David Jack Walker....................................................54
James Anthony McCarthy...............................................53
Carol L. Bowers......................................................53
Linda Coleen Housley.................................................53
John Albert Youngblood...............................................52
Robert Nolan Walker, Jr..............................................52
Thomas Lynn Hawthorne, Sr............................................52
Robert Chipman.......................................................51
Dolores Marie Stratton...............................................51
Jules Alfonso Valdez.................................................51
John Thomas Stewart..................................................51
Mickey Bryant Maroney................................................50
John Clayton Moss III................................................50
Carole Sue Khalil....................................................50
Emilio Tapia-Rangel..................................................50
James Everette Boles.................................................50
Donald R. Leonard....................................................50
Castine Deveroux.....................................................49
Clarence Eugene Wilson...............................................49
Wanda Lee Watkins....................................................49
Michael Lee Loudenslager.............................................48
Carrol June Fields...................................................48
Frances Ann Williams.................................................48
Claudine Ritter......................................................48
Ted Leon Allen.......................................................48
Linda Gail Griffin McKinney..........................................47
Patricia ``Trish'' Ann Nix...........................................47
Betsy Janice McGonnell...............................................47
David Neil Burkett...................................................47
Michael George Thompson..............................................47
Catherine Mary Leinen................................................47
Sharon Louise Wood Chesnut...........................................47
Ricky Lee Tomlin.....................................................46
Larry James Jones....................................................46
Richard Arthur Allen.................................................46
Harley Richard Cottingham............................................46
Lanny Lee David Scroggins............................................46
Gilberto Martinez....................................................45
George Michael Howard................................................45
Jerry Lee Parker.....................................................45
Judy Joann Fisher....................................................45
Diane Elaine Hollingsworth Althouse..................................45
Michael D. Weaver....................................................45
Robert Lee Luster, Jr................................................45
Peter Leslie DeMaster................................................44
Katherine Ann Finley.................................................44
Doris Adele Higginbottom.............................................44
Steven Douglas Curry.................................................44
Michael Joe Carrillo.................................................44
Cheryl E. Bradley Hammon.............................................44
Aurelia Donna Luster.................................................43
Linda L. Florence....................................................43
Claudette Meek.......................................................43
William Stephen Williams.............................................42
Johnny Allen Wade....................................................42
Larry Laverne Turner.................................................42
Brenda Faye Daniels..................................................42
Margaret Louise Clark Spencer........................................42
Paul Gregory Broxterman..............................................42
Paul Douglas Ice.....................................................42
Woodrow Clifford ``Woody'' Brady.....................................41
Clause Arthur Medearis...............................................41
Teresa Lea Lauderdale................................................41
Terry Smith Rees.....................................................41
Alan Gerald Whicher..................................................40
Lola Renee Bolden....................................................40
Kathy Lynn Seidl.....................................................39
Kimberly Kay Clark...................................................39
Mary Leasure Rentie..................................................39
Diana Lynn Day.......................................................38
Rebecca Anderson.....................................................37
Robin Ann Huff.......................................................37
Peggy Louise Jenkins Holland.........................................37
Victoria Jeanette Texter.............................................37
Susan Jane Ferrell...................................................37
Kenneth Glenn McCullough.............................................36
Victoria Lee Sohn....................................................36
Pamela Denise Argo...................................................36
Rona Linn Chafey.....................................................35
Jo Ann Whittenberg...................................................35
Gilbert Xavier Martinez..............................................35
Wanda Lee Howell.....................................................34
Saundra Gail ``Sandy'' Avery.........................................34
James Kenneth Martin.................................................34
Lucio Aleman, Jr.....................................................33
Valerie Jo Koelsch...................................................33
Teresa Antionette Alexander..........................................33
Kim Robin Cousins....................................................33
Michelle Ann Reeder..................................................33
Andrea Y. Blanton....................................................33
Karen Gist Carr......................................................32
Christi Yolanda Jenkins..............................................32
Jamie Lee Genzer.....................................................32
Trudy Rigney.........................................................32
Ronota Ann Woodbridge................................................31
Benjamin Laranzo Davis...............................................29
Kimberly Ruth Burgess................................................29
Tresia Jo Mathes-Worton..............................................28
Mark Allen Bolte.....................................................28
Randolph Guzman......................................................28
Sheila R. Gigger Driver..............................................28
Karan Denise Shepherd................................................27
Sonja Lynn Sanders...................................................27
Derwin Wade Miller...................................................27
Jill Diane Randolph..................................................27
Anita Hightower......................................................27
Carrie Ann Lenz......................................................26
Cynthia Lynn Campbell Brown..........................................26
Cassandra K. Booker..................................................25
Shelly Deann (Turner) Bland..........................................25
Scott Dwain Williams.................................................24
Dana LeAnne Cooper...................................................24
Kathry Ridley........................................................24
Julie Marie Welch....................................................23
Frankie Ann Merrell..................................................23
Christine Nicole Rosas...............................................22
Lakesha Levy.........................................................21
Cartney J. McRaven...................................................19
Aaron M. Coverdale....................................................5
Ashley Megan Eckles...................................................4
Zackary Taylor Chavez.................................................3
Kayla Marie Haddock...................................................3
Peachlyn Bradley......................................................3
Chase Dalton Smith....................................................3
Anthony Christopher Cooper II.........................................2
Colton Smith..........................................................2
Elijah Coverdale......................................................2
Dominique R. London...................................................2
Baylee Almon..........................................................1
Jaci Rae Coyne........................................................1
Blake Ryan Kennedy....................................................1
Tevin D'Aundrae Garrett...............................................1
Danielle Nicole Bell..................................................1
Tylor S. Eaves.................................................8 months
Antonio Ansara Cooper, Jr......................................6 months
Kevin Lee Gottshall II.........................................6 months
Gabreon Bruce..........................................4 months
  (At the request of Mr. Dole, the following statement was ordered to 
be printed in the Record.)
 Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, the 1-year anniversary of the 
bombing of the Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City reminds us of 
many things. We recall the emotional shock and grief. We visualize the 
physical destruction and devastation. We revisit the still unanswered 
questions: Why this terrible deed and why Oklahoma, of all places?
  But at the same time, we must also remember the remarkable flowering 
of

[[Page S3697]]

the true spirit of our great Nation. In the wake of unspeakable pain 
and adversity, there came extraordinary acts of heroism, compassion, 
and voluntarism. There came a unity of purpose and strength of faith 
few would have believed possible.
  We were moved beyond words by the outpouring of help and assistance 
which came without solicitation from friends far and wide, from caring 
individuals, public servants, private organizations, and communities 
throughout Oklahoma and throughout America. We were reminded what a 
truly great country this is and how blessed we are here in the land of 
the free and the home of the brave.
  On behalf of all of us in Oklahoma, thank you, America. Thank you for 
helping. Thank you for caring. Thank you for being there in this most 
difficult time of need.
  Nothing anyone can do will erase the indelible scars, pain, and loss 
that innocent citizens in our State have suffered. But the memories of 
the generosity and compassion displayed by so many will live in our 
hearts forever.
  Mr. DOLE. Let me now yield to my distinguished colleague from 
Illinois.
  Ms. MOSELEY-BRAUN. I thank the Senator.
  I join my colleague, the majority leader, in his prayers for the 
families of the victims of the Oklahoma City bombing and the entire 
American family for the great tragedy that event caused to all of us.

                          ____________________