[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1995, Book II)]
[August 9, 1995]
[Page 1233]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



[[Page 1233]]


Memorandum on the President's Oklahoma City Scholarship Fund
August 9, 1995

Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies

Subject: The President's OKC Scholarship Fund

    The tragic bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Building in Oklahoma City 
took 168 lives and permanently damaged many more. The families of the 
dead and injured, even witnesses and rescue workers, had their lives 
changed by that irrational and despicable act of violence.
    In the aftermath of this national tragedy, however, we can be proud 
of the abiding strength and resilience demonstrated by the American 
people. The days and weeks that followed the explosion witnessed an 
outpouring of love and support for the victims and their families as 
Americans of every age, region, and background rallied to assist them.
    A number of Federal agencies and public charities established funds 
to provide emergency assistance for the bombing victims and their 
families. However, in addition to the provision of relief for the 
immediate needs of the victims, I am concerned about providing for the 
education of the children whose parent or parents died or were severely 
disabled as a result of the bombing. Consequently, I have asked the 
Federal Employee Education and Assistance Fund (the ``FEEA''), a private 
charity, to establish the President's OKC Scholarship Fund (the 
``Scholarship Fund''), which will be administered as part of its 
existing Oklahoma Fund, solely for the provision of educational needs of 
those children.
    The Scholarship Fund will accept donations from all sources and 100 
percent of all contributions will be distributed for the benefit of the 
eligible children. The FEEA will establish an Advisory Board to help 
direct financial assistance from the Scholarship Fund, to advise the 
FEEA concerning eligibility criteria, and to provide such information 
and advice as the Board of Directors of the FEEA may require. As set 
forth in a Memorandum of Understanding Between the Director of the 
Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and the FEEA, either I or my 
designee will recommend persons for appointment to the Advisory Board.
    Those who wish to contribute to the Scholarship Fund should send 
donations to the FEEA; checks should be earmarked ``The President's OKC 
Scholarship Fund.'' The FEEA's mailing address is: Suite 200, 8441 West 
Bowles, Littleton, Colorado 80123.
    The Federal family has again come together in the aftermath of the 
Oklahoma City bombing, with contributions of money, clothing, annual 
leave, and even blood. I hope we will be just as generous in supporting 
the education of the innocent children whose parents were killed or 
disabled in this terrible act.
    I urge each of you to support the Scholarship Fund and encourage 
your employees to do likewise.

                                                      William J. Clinton