Oklahoma state House remembers the victims who died in Murrah Bombing

OKLAHOMA CITY – As observance of those who died and were changed forever in the A.P. Murrah Federal Building bombing on April 19, 1995 the Oklahoma House of Representatives honored the 168 victims that were lost at the hands of domestic terrorists.

House Resolution 1014 was introduced and passed this week in remembrance of the victims, their families and the heroism of emergency responders and citizens who ran to aid those who were hurt and trapped in the destruction.

“We must never forget the lives that were lost, those who survived and those whose lives were changed forever,” said House Speaker Pro Tem Lee Denney, R-Cushing. “In the aftermath, our values persevered and became what is known as the Oklahoma Standard, an outpouring of compassion and strength that ensured aid and comfort would be quickly brought to those who were harmed and vulnerable and that justice would prevail.”

During the reading of HR 1014, the House stood in silence for 168 seconds, one second for every person who died.

Former House Speaker Pro Tem Susan Winchester was also in attendance. Winchester lost her sister, Dr. Margaret “Peggy” Clark, in the bombing. She was an employee of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and had stopped at the Murrah Federal Building to pick up some things from her office when the bomb went off.

“That was 168 normal people going to work that day,” said Winchester. “They were just like you and me, people going to work. They had families. They had husbands. They had wives.

“We immediately jumped up, took charge and showed the world what we’re like in Oklahoma. That we are a strong people who will persevere. We have in the past, and we will do so in future.”