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In Remembrance of the Oklahoma City Bombing and Other Victims and Survivors of Terrorism
Congressional Record Statement of Senator Daniel K. Akaka
Mon, April 19, 2010
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka, Chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Oversight of the Federal Workforce, made the following statement today in the Congressional Record:
I rise today in honor of National Day of Service and Remembrance for Victims and Survivors of Terrorism. Today marks the 15th Anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing, one of the deadliest acts of domestic terrorism on American soil. This cowardly act of terrorism killed 168 people, 19 of them children. The victims were mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, grandparents, grandchildren, friends, and co-workers. Today we pause to reflect on their lives and accomplishments, and offer our thoughts and prayers to their families and loved ones.
The bombing in Oklahoma City was a direct attack against the dedicated men and women of the Federal Civil Service. The Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building housed 14 Federal agencies, and nearly 100 Federal employees lost their lives that morning.
We must honor their sacrifice by remaining steadfast in our commitment to prevent future attacks on the Federal government, Federal employees, and other acts of domestic terror. I am deeply troubled by recent threats of violence against government employees. This February, an attack on Federal offices threatened the lives of 200 IRS workers and took the life of Vernon Hunter, a 20-year army Veteran who served two tours in Vietnam, a loving husband, father, grandfather, and mentor to co-workers at the IRS. The Oklahoma City bombing anniversary and this recent attack serve as stark reminders that threats against Federal employees may pose real dangers. They remind us of our solemn duty to protect our public servants.
After the Oklahoma City bombing, President Bill Clinton directed the Department of Justice to assess the vulnerability of Federal office buildings. Prior to this study, no formal government-wide standards existed for Federal buildings. With the creation of the Department of Homeland Security, the responsibility to protect our Federal facilities was transferred to the Federal Protective Service (FPS).
FPS is full of dedicated men and women who work hard to keep our federal buildings secure and those of us who work in them safe. However, critical reforms are needed to improve their effectiveness. The Government Accountability Office has repeatedly highlighted troubling shortfalls in FPS training, staffing, contract guard oversight, and many other facets of the Federal building security structure. It is long past time to address these critical gaps. We must make sure that all Federal employees and members of the public are safe and secure in any Federal building.
As we remember the victims and survivors of the Oklahoma City bombing and other acts of terrorism, let us all take a moment to reflect upon the dedication and sacrifices of our nation's public servants. These are honorable men and women who provide critical services to the American people, including policing our streets, ensuring our food and drugs are safe, caring for our wounded-warriors, and responding to natural disasters. America's public servants deserve our gratitude and respect. I thank them for their dedication.
I rise today in honor of National Day of Service and Remembrance for Victims and Survivors of Terrorism. Today marks the 15th Anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing, one of the deadliest acts of domestic terrorism on American soil. This cowardly act of terrorism killed 168 people, 19 of them children. The victims were mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, grandparents, grandchildren, friends, and co-workers. Today we pause to reflect on their lives and accomplishments, and offer our thoughts and prayers to their families and loved ones.
The bombing in Oklahoma City was a direct attack against the dedicated men and women of the Federal Civil Service. The Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building housed 14 Federal agencies, and nearly 100 Federal employees lost their lives that morning.
We must honor their sacrifice by remaining steadfast in our commitment to prevent future attacks on the Federal government, Federal employees, and other acts of domestic terror. I am deeply troubled by recent threats of violence against government employees. This February, an attack on Federal offices threatened the lives of 200 IRS workers and took the life of Vernon Hunter, a 20-year army Veteran who served two tours in Vietnam, a loving husband, father, grandfather, and mentor to co-workers at the IRS. The Oklahoma City bombing anniversary and this recent attack serve as stark reminders that threats against Federal employees may pose real dangers. They remind us of our solemn duty to protect our public servants.
After the Oklahoma City bombing, President Bill Clinton directed the Department of Justice to assess the vulnerability of Federal office buildings. Prior to this study, no formal government-wide standards existed for Federal buildings. With the creation of the Department of Homeland Security, the responsibility to protect our Federal facilities was transferred to the Federal Protective Service (FPS).
FPS is full of dedicated men and women who work hard to keep our federal buildings secure and those of us who work in them safe. However, critical reforms are needed to improve their effectiveness. The Government Accountability Office has repeatedly highlighted troubling shortfalls in FPS training, staffing, contract guard oversight, and many other facets of the Federal building security structure. It is long past time to address these critical gaps. We must make sure that all Federal employees and members of the public are safe and secure in any Federal building.
As we remember the victims and survivors of the Oklahoma City bombing and other acts of terrorism, let us all take a moment to reflect upon the dedication and sacrifices of our nation's public servants. These are honorable men and women who provide critical services to the American people, including policing our streets, ensuring our food and drugs are safe, caring for our wounded-warriors, and responding to natural disasters. America's public servants deserve our gratitude and respect. I thank them for their dedication.
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