TULSA, Okla. — Leaders across the state have begun sharing their thoughts on the 28th anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing.
Governor Kevin Stitt released this statement:
"We remember the 168 individuals who lost their lives, including 19 children, and the more than 850 others who were injured that Wednesday morning, as well as the hundreds of first responders who risked their lives to rescue, treat, and serve the survivors," said Gov. Stitt. "As the world watched, Oklahomans banded together in a community-wide display of noble humanity, known as The Oklahoma Standard. Today, Oklahomans remember anew the compassion of those from around the world who were involved in the rescue and recovery, and the tremendous outpouring of goodwill by countless others."
Senator Markwayne Mullin
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland said this:
“Today, we mark 28 years since a domestic terrorist bombed the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City on April 19, 1995.
“Today, we remember the 168 people, including 19 children, whose lives were taken and the hundreds who were injured. We send our deepest condolences to the families who are still mourning an unspeakable loss. We commemorate the extraordinary resilience and grace that the Oklahoma City community continues to demonstrate in the wake of that loss.
“And 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.”
Congressman Tom Cole released this statement:
“Twenty-eight years ago today, Oklahoma City was struck by an unconscionable act that shocked the world,” said Cole. “Since then, we have not forgotten the 168 innocent lives that were senselessly taken, nor the pain and suffering of those left injured and heartbroken. 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. Today, we remember those we lost, remain grateful for those who helped us in our time of need and resolve to never let evil overcome the good and decency intrinsic to our Oklahoma values.”
WATCH LIVE:
The Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum is holding a remembrance ceremony for the 28th anniversary of the OKC bombing Wednesday.
2 News Oklahoma will stream the ceremony live on our Facebook, website and app. The ceremony begins at 8:45 a.m.
On April 19th, 1995, an ex-soldier and security guard parked a rental truck in front of the Alfred P. Murrah federal building. Just after 9 in the morning a bomb inside that truck exploded.
That left downtown Oklahoma City looking like a war zone. At the time, it was the deadliest act of domestic terrorism in U.S. history.
168 people were killed and hundreds more were injured. 19 of those who were killed were children in a daycare center.
One of those children, Baylee Almon, would have been 29 years old this year. She had just turned a year old the day before she died in the bombing. Her death became a powerful symbol in the days after the tragedy.
In 2000, congress passed "Baylee’s law” named after her to make sure parents get more information about the safety of child care centers in public buildings controlled by the federal General Service Administration. The law means before enrolling a child in a federal child care center a parent must be notified of tenants in the building and how secure the building is. Also, it requires a facility to notify parents of each child of any threat that could affect safety and security of the children.
Two former U.S. Army soldiers, Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols, were convicted of the attack.
They were associated with the extreme right-wing and militant patriot movement which rejects the legitimacy of the federal government and law enforcement.
The attack was viewed by them as retribution for the deadly federal raid on the Waco compound of David Koresh and the Branch Davidians on the same date two years before.
McVeigh was convicted and executed by lethal injection in 2001. Nichols was also convicted and is serving the rest of his life in a federal super-maximum security prison.
168 seconds of silence will be observed at 9:02 a.m. to honor those who lost their lives that day in 1995.
Retired Chief Justice Steven Taylor will be the keynote speaker, "Seek Justice, Repair the Breack."
Governor Stitt and OKC Mayor David Holt will also deliver brief remarks.
In addition, entrance into the OKC Memorial Museum is free on Wednesday, April 19.
To watch live on our Facebook starting at 8:45 a.m., click here.
To download and watch on our app, click here.
Stay in touch with us anytime, anywhere --
- Download our free app for Apple, Android and Kindle devices.
- Sign up for daily newsletters emailed to you
- Like us on Facebook
- Follow us on Instagram
- Follow us on Twitter
