[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 63 (Thursday, April 19, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E805]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   OFFERING HEARTFELT CONDOLENCES TO THE VICTIMS AND THEIR FAMILIES 
   REGARDING THE HORRIFIC VIOLENCE AT VIRGINIA TECH AND TO STUDENTS, 
  FACULTY, ADMINISTRATION AND STAFF AND THEIR FAMILIES WHO HAVE BEEN 
                                AFFECTED

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. MARY FALLIN

                              of oklahoma

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 18, 2007

  Ms. FALLIN. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to discuss something that 
is neither Democrat nor Republican in nature, but simply American. 
That, Mr. Speaker, is the greatness of this nation and of the American 
community, the extraordinary ability of American men and women to 
overcome tragedy and to be stronger for it.
  Twelve years ago today, the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building was 
destroyed by an explosion that claimed the lives of 168 men, women and 
children, and that left over 800 injured. At the time, it was the 
deadliest terror attack ever carried out on American soil.
  Like everyone else in Oklahoma, I can remember exactly where I was 
when I heard the news. I remember seeing the carnage on television, and 
later that day, in person, and thinking ``How can this have happened? 
What kind of person would do this?'' And I saw the acts of one deranged 
mad man bring our city to a standstill, while the nation watched and 
grieved.
  But even before the smoke and rubble had been cleared, I saw 
something wonderful. I saw complete strangers coming together, praying, 
and comforting each other. I saw a state and then an entire nation 
rally behind the families who had lost their loved ones. And rather 
than a group of victims, the men and women of Oklahoma became a group 
of heroes, facing down terrorists and rebuilding both their city and 
their lives.
  Twelve years later, we still bare the scars of that awful day. We 
will never forget. And today, the Oklahoma City Bombing Memorial stands 
as a reminder of our pain and our heartbreak in the days and months 
after that attack.
  But the memorial stands for more than that. It reminds us of the 
strength of our community. It reminds us of a city and a state that 
came together after a devastating attack to heal itself and to rebuild. 
And finally, it reminds us of the greatness of this country and of the 
power of American hope, even in the face of the most heartbreaking of 
tragedies.
  Our memorial is a monument to our sadness. But it is also a monument 
to our hope and ultimately to our strength. Today we are a thriving 
city. We have a new federal building which is stronger and safer than 
the one that was destroyed. And after facing tremendous adversity, we 
became a stronger people.
  On Monday, the nation and the state of Virginia suffered another 
terrible tragedy, when a crazed gunman shot and killed 33 men and women 
on the Virginia Tech campus. It is yet another tragedy of almost 
unimaginable proportions--innocent students living in what they thought 
was a peaceful sanctuary, only to have their lives cut short by a mad 
man.
  In a time of sadness, I believe that the story of the Oklahoma City 
Bombing can deliver a message of hope to the families and friends of 
the victims, and indeed to the nation.
  Twelve years ago today we saw tragedy and death. But we also 
witnessed the healing power of prayer and the strength of friendship 
and community. We found God in the most trying of times and we found 
ourselves stronger for it.
  My message to the students and faculty of Virginia Tech is this: your 
community and your faith are more powerful than the destructive urges 
of one crazed gunman. Again and again the people of this great nation 
are faced with adversity and tragedy, and again and again we overcome 
that tragedy and grow stronger. So will you.
  And while you struggle to find meaning in this calamity and to deal 
with the pain and sadness of that terrible event, you should know that 
all of America stands with you, and prays with you, and will ultimately 
heal with you.

                          ____________________