[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 44 (Monday, April 10, 2000)]
[House]
[Pages H1965-H1966]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




EXPRESSING SENSE OF HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN CONTINUED SYMPATHY FOR 
  VICTIMS OF OKLAHOMA CITY BOMBING ON OCCASION OF 5TH ANNIVERSARY OF 
                                BOMBING

  Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 448) expressing the sense of the House of 
Representatives in continued sympathy for the victims of the Oklahoma 
City bombing on the occasion of the 5th anniversary of the bombing.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 448

       Whereas on April 19, 1995, as the result of an act of 
     terrorism, a bomb exploded in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 
     collapsing the north face of the 9-story Alfred P. Murrah 
     Federal Building;
       Whereas April 19, 2000, marks the 5th anniversary of this 
     tragic event;
       Whereas the explosion killed more than 168 people, 
     including 19 children, and injured more than 700 others in 
     the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building and in and around 
     surrounding buildings;
       Whereas the explosion destroyed a childcare facility 
     located in the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building, killing 15 
     children;
       Whereas 320 surrounding buildings were impacted from the 
     explosion;
       Whereas flying glass and debris from the explosion were a 
     major cause of injury; and
       Whereas greater awareness and sensitivity to the safe 
     design and operation of buildings could help make the people 
     who live and work in and around the buildings safer: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) recognizes the countless acts of goodwill by the 
     thousands of volunteers (including those who donated goods 
     and services), rescue workers, and Federal, State, and local 
     officials who assisted in the rescue and recovery efforts 
     following the bombing in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, on April 
     19, 1995;
       (2) sends continued condolences to the families, friends, 
     and loved ones who still suffer from the consequences of the 
     bombing;
       (3) pledges to make Federal buildings safer, while still 
     maintaining a level of openness to the citizens served by the 
     buildings;
       (4) pledges to create an awareness of the dangers of flying 
     glass and debris resulting from an act of terrorism, an 
     explosion, or a natural disaster; and
       (5) pledges to support efforts to make buildings more 
     secure for people from flying glass and debris and to promote 
     the use of available technology to protect people from such 
     glass and debris.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Ohio (Mr. LaTourette) and the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Traficant) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette).
  Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  House Resolution 448 expresses the sense of the House of 
Representatives in continued sympathy for the victims of the Oklahoma 
City bombing on the occasion of the fifth anniversary of that bombing.
  On April 19, 1995, one of the worst acts of terrorism in the United 
States took place. A bomb exploded in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 
collapsing the north face of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. The 
explosion resulted in the death of 168 people, including 19 children, 
and injuring more than 700 other people in the area.
  This resolution recognizes the countless acts of goodwill, of 
thousands of volunteers, including those donating goods and services, 
who aided in rescue and recovery efforts following the bombing. It also 
sends continued condolences to the family, friends, and loved ones who 
still suffer from the consequences of that act. It also pledges to make 
Federal buildings safer while maintaining a level of openness to its 
citizens.
  This resolution also pledges to create an awareness of the dangers of 
flying glass and debris in the case of such tragedies.
  Finally, it pledges to support efforts to make buildings more secure 
for people by promoting the use of available technology to protect 
people from flying glass and debris.
  Two weeks ago, Mr. Speaker, our subcommittee received testimony from 
Aren Almon-Kok, a young mother who lost her 1-year-old daughter, 
Baylee, in this senseless act. This woman has put aside her grief over 
this loss to speak out on the dangers of flying glass and to promote 
safety in child care centers.
  Ms. Almon-Kok has also established a Web site for individuals 
concerned about flying glass and child safety at 
www.protectingpeople.com.
 This awareness is slow in coming to the government; but with the help 
of citizens like Aren, those who attend child care centers can be made 
safer through conscious efforts on our part. I wholeheartedly support 
this resolution. I urge our colleagues to do the same.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to echo the comments and associate myself with 
the words of the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette) whom I believe 
has spoken the predicate elements of this particular resolution.
  I would just like to add that the events of April 19, 1995 have 
forever changed the ways in which we shall view the safety of American 
citizens and all visitors in public places. The tragedy of the bombing 
of the Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City has regrettably become 
part of an American history we would prefer not to have to remember.
  In the aftermath of this senseless act, however, we saw numerous acts 
of great bravery and countless acts of sacrifice and goodwill by many 
people. Thousands of volunteers, including Federal, State, and local 
personnel and workers, as well as rescue teams from all across this 
great Nation, provided immediate help and support. Even today as 
Congress convenes, condolences continue to be sent to the victims and 
their families.
  We are here today to join once again in offering our sympathy and our 
prayers to the victims of this tragic bombing.
  Mr. Speaker, I close by saying that the Committee on Ways and Means 
is working to better secure and make our buildings safe for the 
visiting public.
  I urge an ``aye'' vote, and I compliment my neighbor, the gentleman 
from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette) for his efforts in this regard as well.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

                              {time}  1430

  Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, 5 years ago on April 19, America was 
glued to radio and TV broadcasts for the latest news, sights and sounds 
for Oklahoma City. The minutes, hours, and days that followed the 
senseless destruction of the Murrah Federal

[[Page H1966]]

Building filled our citizens with shock, horror, anger, rage, and 
sadness. Each story of pain and loss was shared by everyone in America, 
each story of heroic rescue by Federal and State safety officials made 
us proud, and each memorial service caused us to pause and mourn as a 
Nation.
  The character and resilience of the Federal workforce posted in the 
Murrah Federal Building and the people of Oklahoma City remain a symbol 
of courage for the Nation, and it is only fitting and appropriate that 
the Congress of the United States remember, honor, and commemorate the 
5th anniversary of this insane act of terrorism.
  And since I have so much time left, Mr. Speaker, if it is not 
inappropriate, I ask my neighbor and colleague from Ohio to join me in 
a moment of silence for the victims in Oklahoma City.
  Mr. WATTS of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, on April 19, 1995 the greatest 
act of domestic terrorism occurred in my home state of Oklahoma. This 
heinous bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah building was supposed to strike 
fear and terror into the hearts of every Oklahoman and every American. 
168 people were killed. Including 19 innocent children. To this day the 
image of little Baylee Almon lying lifeless in the arms of an Oklahoma 
City firefighter brings tears to my eyes.
  However, despite this tragic loss of life, the men who were 
responsible for this bombing did not succeed in terrorizing America. In 
the aftermath of the bombing, Oklahomans and Americans did not show 
signs of fear or terror, they showed signs of love and compassion. I 
saw Americans respond not as Republicans or Democrats, not as rich or 
poor, not as black or white, not as man or woman, but I saw this 
country respond in a difficult time as unified Americans. When I look 
back on that terrible day 5 years ago, the first thing I remember is 
not the pain, I remember the compassion.
  Today, this House stands together to let you know we will never 
forget. We will never forget the events that transpired on April 19, 
1995, we will never forget the pain we felt, but most importantly we 
will never forget the overwhelming love that overcame the pain.
  Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of the resolution. And, 
Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the 
balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Nethercutt). The question is on the 
motion offered by the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette) that the 
House suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, House Resolution 
448.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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