OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Legislature remembered the 30th Anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing in a Joint Session Monday, April 14, 2025.

The Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum is traveling to all 77 counties across Oklahoma. This Journey of Hope will carry the 30th anniversary message “A Day of Darkness – Years of Light” throughout the state.

“Thirty years later, we are not merely looking back — we are moving forward with purpose,” Rep. Ellyn Hefner, D-Oklahoma City said. “Today, both the House and Senate stand in support as we join the Oklahoma National Memorial in remembrance. The Memorial continues to offer comfort and strength, while the Journey of Hope carries that spirit into every corner of our state, reminding us that from the deepest wounds, the brightest lights of hope can emerge.”

The ceremony featured talks from former reporter during the Oklahoma City bombing Carrie Hulsey Emerson, former Oklahoma Governor Frank Keating, and CEO & President of the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum Kari Watkins.

Rep. Rick West, R-Heavener, carried House Concurrent Resolution 1010 to remember those who died and were wounded during the Oklahoma City bombing, acknowledge the debt of gratitude owed to the many first responders – ‎including local, state, and federal law enforcement personnel, ‎firefighters, search and rescue teams, public and private medical ‎personnel, other emergency services personnel, and thousands of ‎volunteers from the community – who immediately answered the call of ‎helping to rescue the living and recover the dead‎, and renounce these despicable acts of terrorism.

“I feel a debt each year to make sure to remember those I personally knew who lost their lives in this horrible, terroristic act,” West said. “I want to make sure their memories stay with us and all the lessons they taught us. We’ll never forget the loss we suffered, but we can choose to embrace forgiveness and hope as we move forward.”

The Oklahoma City bombing on April 19, 1995, is considered the deadliest act of domestic terrorism in United States History. It resulted in the deaths of 168 people, 19 of which were children, and with hundreds of people injured.

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