Lankford, Mullin, Oklahoma Reps Remember Murrah Building Bombing

Members of Oklahoma’s Congressional delegation joined their constituents Wednesday in remembering the 168 lives lost and countless others changed forever in the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City 28 years ago.

"This day is forever ingrained in our lives," said Rep. Stephanie Bice, whose Oklahoma City-area district includes the bomb site. "We continue to pray for those who were senselessly lost and the lives that were changed forever."

While Congresswoman Bice (R-OK5) offered a remembrance on the House floor, Senator James Lankford (R-OK) gave a touching tribute in the Senate, culminating with the observance of 168 seconds of silence.

"Today, we honor those who were killed, those who survived, and those who were changed forever," Sen. Lankford concluded, borrowing from the Oklahoma City National Memorial's mission statement.

"Every anniversary, I take a deep breath like a whole lot of people," said Congressman Frank Lucas in an interview Wednesday, "and I think about a whole lot of good folks."

For Rep. Lucas, the only one in the state's delegation who was in Congress 28 years ago (and whose district, at that time, included downtown Oklahoma City), those 'good folks' include, not just the people killed or the first responders, but people across the country.

In particular, Lucas recalls going to a small town in New Jersey at the request of their congressman, because the people there had raised some money on behalf of the bombing victims and wanted to give it someone who could make sure it went where it would help.

"And I go in," said Lucas said, his voice choking, "and they present me with a check for $100,000 dollars."

For Lucas and many others, it’s emotional remembering April 19, a tragedy perpetrated by the worst in humanity, but spurring inspiring acts of kindness and love.

"The response of people, the community, across the country, around the world, it helped restore my faith in the good of humanity, too," Lucas explained.

“[We] have not forgotten the 168 innocent lives that were senselessly taken, nor the pain and suffering of those left injured and heartbroken,” said Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK4) in a statement. “Though this tragic day changed our lives and left a mourning community, Oklahomans showed their strength of character. I will always be grateful for the courage and dedication of our first responders and the outpouring of support from citizens across the country.”

“As we mourn this anniversary, we also reflect on the term coined on April 19, 1995: the Oklahoma Standard,” said Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) in a statement. “We have shown the world that Oklahomans will always rally together to support one another and help their neighbors. From the ashes of tragedy, Oklahomans built a message of hope and love.”

Also releasing a statement in Washington Wednesday was Attorney General Merrick Garland, who played a critical role on the federal government's successful prosecution and pursuit of justice in the case. Garland said, in part: "Today, here at the Justice Department, we recommit ourselves to doing everything we can to prevent a tragedy like this from ever happening again. We remain vigilant in the face of the threat posed by domestic terrorism. And we remain committed to pursuing accountability for those who perpetrate such attacks and to pursuing justice for the victims and survivors.

“We will never forget what happened in Oklahoma City on April 19. We will never stop telling and retelling the story of that day, and of how the Oklahoma City community responded to hatred and division with compassion and unity. And we will never stop working to honor the memories of those we lost.”