Press Releases

FORMER PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON NAMED TO MEMORIAL’S HONORARY NATIONAL BOARD OF TRUSTEES

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
May 2, 2009

MEDIA CONTACT: Nancy Coggins, APR
405.235.3313 or 405.760.9053
nc@oklahomacitynationalmemorial.org

FORMER PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON NAMED TO MEMORIAL’S HONORARY NATIONAL BOARD OF TRUSTEES
President Clinton Presented with ‘Beacon of Hope’ Award at Special Event

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum today announced former President Bill Clinton will join other prominent figures from around the country on an honorary National Board of Trustees for the Memorial and Museum. The announcement was made at a special presentation at the Memorial Museum honoring President Clinton for his support, following the former President’s first tour through the Memorial Museum.

The Honorary National Board of Trustees will work with the Memorial’s own board and Memorial staff to further the Memorial’s mission of remembrance and education on a national level.

“President Clinton has a deep and personal history with this event, and his presence on the national board will provide both historic perspective and the committed passion of someone who bore witness to both the tragedy and to the hope this place represents for future generations,” said Bill Scheihing, Oklahoma City National Memorial Foundation Chairman.

Joining President Clinton on the Memorial’s Honorary National Board of Trustees are former Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge; Rev. Billy Graham, who led the inspirational and healing National Prayer Service on April 23, 1995; Gov. Frank and Cathy Keating, whose leadership at the time of the bombing showed the nation what Oklahomans are made of, and Lee Woodruff, author and Family/Life Contributor to Good Morning America, whose own journey as a family member of someone critically injured in a bombing incident gives her unique perspective.

President Clinton was also given a Beacon of Hope Award for the “extraordinary support” he has given the Memorial. The piece is made of wood turned from a branch trimmed from the Survivor Tree last spring, placed on a base of granite salvaged from the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. Oklahoma woodworking artist and program director at the Forest Heritage Center of Oklahoma Doug Zook crafted the piece.

Hours after the Oklahoma City bombing, President Clinton, just two years into his first term of office, told an anxious nation, “The United States will not tolerate this. I will not allow the people of this country to be intimidated by evil cowards,” setting the tone for a nation that would not be defeated by terrorism. Since that day 14 years ago, President Clinton has made four visits to Oklahoma City to attend events at the Memorial site.

During an address to commemorate the 10^th anniversary, President Clinton said, “In this life, Oklahoma City has changed us all. It broke our hearts. It lifted our spirits and brought us together and reminded us of what is truly important in life. Because of how you responded and what you did, you changed us all and gave us a great and enduring gift.”

The Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum is privately owned and operated, and does not receive any annual operating funds from the federal, state or local government. Museum admissions, store sales, the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon, earnings from an endowment and private fundraising allow the Memorial and Museum to be self-sustaining.

The Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum was created to honor “those who were killed, those who survived and those changed forever” by the 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City. The Memorial and Museum are dedicated to educating visitors about the impact of violence, informing about events surrounding the bombing, and inspiring hope and healing through lessons learned by those affected.

For more information on the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum, call 888.542.HOPE or visit www.oklahomacitynationalmemorial.org.

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