[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 4]
[Senate]
[Pages 5740-5741]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           REMEMBRANCE OF VICTIMS AND SURVIVORS OF TERRORISM

  Mr. AKAKA. Madam President, I rise today in honor of National Day of 
Service and Remembrance for Victims and Survivors of Terrorism. Today 
marks the 15th anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing, one of the 
deadliest acts of domestic terrorism on American soil. This cowardly 
act of terrorism killed 168 people, 19 of them children. The victims 
were mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, grandparents, grandchildren, 
friends, and coworkers. Today we pause to reflect on their lives and 
accomplishments, and offer our thoughts and prayers to their families 
and loved ones.
  The bombing in Oklahoma City was a direct attack against the 
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men and women of the Federal Civil Service. The Alfred P. Murrah 
Federal Building housed 14 Federal agencies, and nearly 100 Federal 
employees lost their lives that morning.
  We must honor their sacrifice by remaining steadfast in our 
commitment to prevent future attacks on the Federal government, Federal 
employees, and other acts of domestic terror. I am deeply troubled by 
recent threats of violence against government employees. This February, 
an attack on Federal offices threatened the lives of 200 IRS workers 
and took the life of Vernon Hunter, a 20-year Army veteran who served 
two tours in Vietnam, a loving husband, father, grandfather, and mentor 
to coworkers at the IRS. The Oklahoma City bombing anniversary and this 
recent attack serve as stark reminders that threats against Federal 
employees may pose real dangers. They remind us of our solemn duty to 
protect our public servants.
  After the Oklahoma City bombing, President Bill Clinton directed the 
Department of Justice to assess the vulnerability of Federal office 
buildings. Prior to this study, no formal government-wide standards 
existed for Federal buildings. With the creation of the Department of 
Homeland Security, the responsibility to protect our Federal facilities 
was transferred to the Federal Protective Service, FPS.
  FPS is full of dedicated men and women who work hard to keep our 
Federal buildings secure and those of us who work in them safe. 
However, critical reforms are needed to improve their effectiveness. 
The Government Accountability Office has repeatedly highlighted 
troubling shortfalls in FPS training, staffing, contract guard 
oversight, and many other facets of the Federal building security 
structure. It is long past time to address these critical gaps. We must 
make sure that all Federal employees and members of the public are safe 
and secure in any Federal building.
  As we remember the victims and survivors of the Oklahoma City bombing 
and other acts of terrorism, let us all take a moment to reflect upon 
the dedication and sacrifices of our Nation's public servants. These 
are honorable men and women who provide critical services to the 
American people, including policing our streets, ensuring our food and 
drugs are safe, caring for our wounded warriors, and responding to 
natural disasters. America's public servants deserve our gratitude and 
respect. I thank them for their dedication.

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