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Oklahoma
State Senate
Communications Division
State Capitol
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73105
For Immediate Release: March 30, 2010
Sen. Ron Justice
Bill to Include OKC Bombing in Oklahoma History Curriculum Approved
Unanimously in State Senate
The State Senate voted unanimously Tuesday in support
of legislation to ensure Oklahoma students will be taught about
the Oklahoma City Bombing. House Bill 2750, by Senator Ron
Justice, R-Chickasha, and Rep. Lee Denney, R-Cushing, now moves
to Governor Brad Henry for consideration.
While 168 lives were lost in the bombing 15 years ago, the terrorist
attack deeply impacted people throughout the state. Justice pointed
out people in communities throughout Oklahoma lost friends and family
members the morning of April 19th, 1995.
“My son-in-law’s 18-month-old nephew, Blake Kennedy,
died in the day care center in the Murrah Building. I remember very
distinctly the day it happened, and I know how important this is
to all the families involved,” Justice said. “I’m
honored to have carried this bill in the Senate.”
The legislation directs the State Board of Education to incorporate
information about the bombing into the Oklahoma history social studies
core curriculum. Denney said she was very happy the bill would soon
be on the governor’s desk. The lawmaker and veterinarian lost
a close friend in the Oklahoma City Bombing.
“We absolutely cannot allow this day in Oklahoma history to
ever be forgotten,” Denney said. “We must teach Oklahoma’s
young people what happened and the ramifications of that event in
the hopes this event in history will not be repeated.”
Denney’s friend was a fellow veterinarian and
employee of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Dr. Margaret “Peggy”
Clark. Clark was the sister of former State Representative Susan
Winchester who now serves as secretary of the board of the Oklahoma
City National Memorial. She thanked Denney and Justice for their
work in securing passage of HB 2750.
“For those of us that were here in 1995, we remember what
happened very, very clearly—as clearly today as we did then
but there are so many young people who have no idea what happened
and the significance of the bombing,” Winchester said. “Hopefully
that will be changed as of today.”
Keri Watkins is the executive director of the Oklahoma City National
Memorial and was very gratified that both chambers moved quickly
and unanimously to approve HB 2570.
“I’m very pleased the legislature has seen the importance
of including information about the Murrah bombing in the state’s
history curriculum,” Watkins said. “It’s important
to ensure that this pivotal event in Oklahoma history is never forgotten.”
If signed by the governor, the legislation will take effect on July
1, 2010. Watkins and Winchester said educators can receive curriculum
material at any time by contacting the Oklahoma City National Memorial
and Museum by calling 405-235-3313 or at their website at www.okcnationalmemorial.org.
For more information contact:
Sen. Justice: 405-521-5537
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