HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 95-4689, by Representatives Talcott, Skinner, Goldsmith, Sheahan, Ogden, Mason, Poulsen, Smith, Campbell, Koster, Chandler, McMorris, Stevens, Jacobsen, Cody, Huff and Clements

     WHEREAS, In the early hours of Wednesday, April 19, 1995, the citizens of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, suffered a devastating car bomb attack on the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building; and

     WHEREAS, This brazen act of premeditated and unconscionable terror directly murdered and maimed innocent men and women and the children who were entrusted by their parents to the heretofore safety and security of the facility's day care center; and

     WHEREAS, This cowardly and horrifying act has imposed immeasurable pain and sorrow not only on citizens in Oklahoma City but throughout this nation with the numbers of those who were killed or injured continuing to rise at this very hour; and

     WHEREAS, The wrenching and indescribable suffering, anguish, and grief suffered by the overwhelming personal loss to mothers, fathers, husbands, wives, and families as a result of this atrocious and heinous act is shared by all the citizens of the state of Washington; and

     WHEREAS, Such outrageous criminal acts against helpless and unsuspecting innocent people for whatever reason and by whatever means can never be justified and those who commit such terrorist acts, regardless of their political or social philosophy, must be punished to the fullest extent of the law; and

     WHEREAS, We must remain ever vigilant against those who would inflict this sort of suffering on innocent people and ensure that we never succumb to terrorist acts, that we are never deterred from justice, and that we are resolute in our commitment to condemn such terrible acts against our people;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the state of Washington express its utmost sorrow for the loss caused by the events of April 19, 1995, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and extend our heartfelt prayers to the victims, families, and citizens of our sister state for healing, comfort, and recovery; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution be immediately transmitted by the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives to the Mayor of Oklahoma City and to the Governor of the State of Oklahoma.

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