Week 11 is a bit somber. On Monday, the Legislature held a joint session recognizing the upcoming 30th anniversary of the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City.
I believe everyone alive on April 19, 1995, remembers exactly where they were when the bombing happened. I do. I was driving down Highway 412 heading to Blackwell, enroute to the Post Office to do a routine audit of some aspect of their operations when it came on the radio that some type of explosion had occurred in downtown Oklahoma City. By the time I arrived, we were more aware of the severity of the explosion. That was all we could concentrate on. The audit lost its importance. Now, every year, my heart breaks as I hear Secretary of Agriculture Blayne Arthur relive her story about how her mother left for work that morning, never to return. This senseless act of terror took the lives of 168 individuals. It is considered the deadliest act of domestic terrorism in United States History.
Yet, from this darkest day a ray of light emerged that came to be known as the Oklahoma Standard. Oklahomans began to help each other, and they showed that same spirit to those who came to help us with our recovery efforts. Then-Gov. Frank Keating told how he met firefighters from other states who showed him dollar bills they had in their pockets when they came to the state to help. They were leaving with those same dollars because Oklahomans wouldn’t let them pay for anything while they were here. We bought their meals. We washed their clothes or bought them new ones. We were so grateful for their help, we didn’t know how else to express our gratitude.
As this 30th anniversary approaches, we remember those lost in the bombing, but we vow to teach the younger generation to seek better solutions going forward and to never let anger become hatred that leads to violence.
I think it’s fitting that the same week we recognized the anniversary of the bombing, we will celebrate Easter. Just like the day of the bombing, the day the Lord was crucified was the darkest of days. Evil thought it won. But God brought light from the darkness. When His Son rose again, He defeated darkness. We still die a physical death, but for those who believe, we gain eternal life in heaven where there is no more pain or tears or death like that we’ve experienced.
Workers at the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum are encouraging people to be the light. As we look to Easter, we have a beautiful picture of what the true Light of the world really looks like. Happy Easter House District 17.
As always, thank You for allowing me to serve you. I can be reached at (405) 557-7381 or by email at jim.grego@okhouse.gov.
Jim Grego serves District 17 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. His district includes Latimer County and part and Pittsburg County.
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