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Skriven 2005-04-19 23:32:58 av Whitehouse Press (1:3634/12.0)
Ärende: Press Release (050419) for Tue, 2005 Apr 19
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Vice President's Remarks at Day of Remembrance Ceremony
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For Immediate Release
April 19, 2005

Vice President's Remarks at Day of Remembrance Ceremony
First United Methodist Church
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma



9:21 A.M. CDT

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much. (Applause.) Thank you, Frank.
Governor Henry, President Clinton, Governor Keating, Congressman Istook,
Mayor Cornett, Pastor Crosby, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen: I
want to thank you very much for the welcome, and for the invitation to join
all of you this morning.

I especially want to recognize the survivors and family members who are
with us today. All of us respect you for the way you have borne tragedy
over the last decade, and for your great devotion to the memory of those
who died here on Wednesday, April 19th, 1995. I am honored to be in your
presence, and I bring personal regards to all of you from our President,
George W. Bush.

This morning we recall an event that changed this community forever, and
profoundly touched our entire nation. We recall as well the legacy of
courage and hope that has characterized Oklahoma City from that day to
this.

The United States has known times of sadness, both before and after the
Murrah Federal Building was attacked. Yet that spring morning 10 years ago
is still deeply etched in our memories. Across the nation, Americans were
going forth to start the new day. And just steps away from where we gather
now, federal offices were opening; men and women were sitting down to work;
and children were sitting down to their breakfast.

To some who heard it, the sound of the blast seemed like a clap of thunder
over Oklahoma City. Others, as many as 30 miles away could feel the tremor
in the ground. Within a few minutes, the news from Oklahoma was received by
a nation that listened and watched in disbelief. I remember hearing the
coverage on a car radio, and trying to picture in my mind all that the
announcer was describing -- then later seeing that it was far worse than
anything I had imagined. All that was left was a remnant of a building --
unstable and towering over the heads of survivors and rescuers. Our nation,
and much of the world, looked on as emergency teams and recovery workers
ignored their own grief and labored into the night. Volunteers assembled by
the thousands; citizens of all ages stood in line for six hours to give
blood. Many professionals arrived from across the country to aid in
disaster relief; among them were nine members of New York Task Force One --
men whose own lives would end on another day of terror in 2001.

As this community came together, the nation shared in the sorrow and the
outrage over the violence directed at innocent and unsuspecting men, women,
and children. One hundred and sixty-eight had been killed, more than 800
injured. Two hundred and nineteen children lost at least one parent, and 30
were orphaned. And a few days after the attack, a minister of the Gospel
officiated at the funeral of his own grandsons.

Among the images from those desperate early hours, Americans remember the
skill and the fearlessness of the rescue and recovery workers. We also
remember the calm strength and firmness of Oklahoma's Governor, Frank
Keating. And on a day of mourning shared by all citizens, we were comforted
by a leader who gave compassionate and eloquent voice to the nation's
grief, President Bill Clinton.

To gather at this time of reflection is to feel once again the impact of
April 19th, and to admire once again the resolve that came through almost
immediately in Oklahoma City. As Judge Fred Daugherty said -- the U.S.
District Court, "We're a strong and simple folk. We'll rebuild and roll
with this thing."

Oklahoma City did rebuild, but it was not easy. More than one in every
three persons in this community knew someone who had been killed or
injured. In sadness you have looked after each other, cared for each other,
and become like family. And you have raised up a beautiful and dignified
memorial -- marking a moment in time, and affirming the truth that there is
far more good than bad in this world. All humanity can see that you
experienced bottomless cruelty and responded with heroism. Your strength
was challenged, and you held firm. Your faith was tested, and it has not
wavered.

I was struck by the words of one survivor, who said, "We cannot ever
forget. We don't even want to forget." That's the spirit of Oklahoma City
National Memorial, and it so perfectly reflects the character of the United
States. This nation is decent and just, fair-minded and good-hearted. When
sadness comes, when fellow citizens know suffering and loss, we do not want
to forget what happened, or to whom it happened. We uphold the value of
innocent life by pursuing justice until justice is done. We find comfort in
the knowledge that our created universe has a moral design, and the forces
of darkness will not have the final say.

We want to remember April 19th, 1995 -- not merely because great evil
appeared that day, but because goodness overcame evil that day. We want to
remember -- not only a single act of malice, but also ten thousand acts of
kindness, and mercy, and bravery. And we want to remember -- because of the
innocent lives that ended here, and all the families that were harmed by
strangers who had no right to harm them.

President Clinton, Governor Keating, and so many others here today were
also present 10 years ago, when in the aftermath of violence the Reverend
Billy Graham came to this city. Dr. Graham declared, with great confidence,
that "The wounds of this tragedy are deep, but the courage and the faith
and the determination of the people of Oklahoma City are even deeper."
These 10 years have proven him right. For your unbending strength, your
unity, and the great love you have shown one another throughout a decade of
hope, the entire nation feels enduring pride and respect for the people of
Oklahoma City.

END 9:28 A.M. CDT
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