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15 Projects for the 15th Anniversary of the OKC Bombing

15 PROJECTS FOR THE 15TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE OKC BOMBING
Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum describes projects to highlight progress made

Contact: Kari Watkins, 405.235.3313 or 405.830.6114

April 7, 2010
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK----This week's ceremonial bill signing to add the Oklahoma City bombing history to school curriculum is just one of the 15 projects scheduled for the 15th Anniversary.

House Bill 2750 by Representative Lee Denney and Senator Ron Justice directs the State Board of Education to incorporate information about the bombing into the Oklahoma history social studies core curriculum.

"We are obviously thrilled with the Governor's support and appreciate the legislators' dedication to ensuring this significant part of our state's history is taught for many years to come," said Kari Watkins, Executive Director of the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum. "We look forward to working with the State Department of Education in providing the appropriate resources to history teachers so they can teach the important lessons learned from the bombing."

Other projects listed to help commemorate the 15th Anniversary of the April 19, 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City include

Strategic Orienteering - the staff, committees and Board of Trustees are going through a six-month process to develop a plan of action moving forward from the 15th Anniversary of the bombing to ensure the relevance and importance of the Memorial Mission and the site that hosts nearly 500,000 people each year. Through this process, Lessons Learned from the bombing have been identified and will provide an engaging educational experience - with video, exhibits and programs utilizing a range of media and technology at the Memorial and Museum.
A Virtual Meeting was held for the Families, Survivors and Rescue Workers in late February. This brought members of the core constituent group together from coast-to-coast for an important update.
Leadership in a Time of Crisis: President Clinton and the Oklahoma City Bombing - The exhibit is now open through June 1, 2010, at the Clinton Presidential Center in Little Rock, Arkansas. On April 19, 2010 at 9:02 a.m., the names of the 168 people who were killed will be read at the Clinton Presidential Park. At noon that day, Outdoor Symbolic Memorial designers Hans and Torrey Butzer will share their vision and symbolism behind the Memorial in a special lecture at Sturgis Hall at the Clinton Presidential Complex. For more information, contact Joy Secuban, Clinton Foundation Communications Director at jsecuban@clintonfoundation.org
House Bill 2750 - incorporates the lessons of the bombing into Oklahoma and US History Core Curriculum in Oklahoma schools. (More details above). This bill ensures this story will be taught in Oklahoma schools beginning in the fall 2010. Watch for materials becoming available for history teachers in the coming days.
3rd Annual Motorcycle Run - Saturday, April 17th -This event will start at the Hogwash Café' at 1-40 and Council at 11:00 a.m. It makes a brief and meaningful stop at the Memorial at 11:30 where retired and active firefighters lead the effort in making this a special ride around Oklahoma City.
Family Member, Survivor and Rescue Worker Open House - Saturday, April 17th 5:00-7:00 p.m. ---those most affected by the bombing will gather for a special private time to see and experience the Memorial Museum. Press interviews can be made available by appointment. Contact Kari Watkins at kw@oklahomacitynationalmemorial.org.
15th Anniversary Memorial Concert will be held at the First Christian Church. This is the same church where families gathered 15 years ago to learn the fate of their loved ones. The Oklahoma Master Chorale, Scola Cantorum and the First Christian Church cathedral choir will perform for this special afternoon. For more information, contact Nette Williams, Music Director, First Christian Church, Williams.n@fccokc.org.
Annual Remembrance Ceremony, April 19, 2010, the ceremony will start shortly before 9:00 a.m. on the grounds of the Oklahoma City National Memorial. The final program will be released on Monday, April 12, 2010. Retired State Trooper and current Noble County Sheriff Charlie Hanger will read the Memorial Mission Statement and begin the 168 seconds of silence. Ford Bell, President and CEO of the American Association of Museums will be addressing the importance of remembering history through objects and focusing on the work of the Memorial Museum. Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano will deliver remarks about the Department's efforts to combat and protect against evolving threats of home grown terrorism. The Mid-America Air Force Band will be performing on site during this special ceremony. The traditional reading of the 168 names will be read to conclude the ceremony.
- Set up for this event is at 4:00 p.m. or after on Sunday, April 18th. News trucks and riser set up will be held at the same time. First come first claimed---Rehearsal for 4/19 will be held on Sunday at 4:30 p.m. See the Press Page for full details on this event at OklahomaCityNationalMemorial.org/media
Cox Community Day, Monday, April 19, 2010, Thanks to Cox Communications the Museum is free and open to the public on this special day from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
National Media Symposium - April 19, 2010, 1:30 p.m. - Featured moderator Mark Halperin, Editor-at-Large, TIME, will join Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and well known national correspondent and Gaylord Visiting Professional Professor at the University of Oklahoma, Mike Boettcher in discussing "The Public's Right to Know?" Seating is limited; don't miss this dynamic trio giving us this insight into how news is delivered.
Responding to Children in Crisis Workshop, Tuesday, April 20, 2010, will feature renowned child psychologist Dr. Robin Gurwitch. She will work with educators to ensure they have the tools in place to deal with children in crisis and offer insight into issues involving violent behavior at an early age. Reservations are required for educators. This workshop is currently FULL and a waiting list has been started. Educators should contact Lynne Roller, lr@oklahomacitynationalmemroal.org, media inquiries should be directed to Kari Watkins, kw@oklahomacitynationalmemorial.org
Reflections of Hope Award - April 21, 2010 at 6:00 p.m. -reception, 7:00 p.m. dinner ---President Bill Clinton who has helped rebuild Oklahoma City and has had an impact teaching hope around the world will be honored with the sixth annual Reflections of Hope Award. The dinner will be held at the Sam Noble Special Events Center at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum. Tickets may be purchased at www.reflectionsofhopeaward.org. Information regarding the media will be released the week of April 12, 2010.
10th Annual Memorial Marathon - more than 23,000 runners are expected to take to the streets of Oklahoma City as part of the Run to Remember. This is the Memorial's largest fund raiser and generates thousands of dollars each year. Register to run, relay, walk or volunteer at www.okcmarathon.com -a separate credential is needed for this, please contact kw@oklahomacitynationalmemorial.org or rswan@cox.net.
New Marketing Campaign - new ads, billboards, web site and television advertisements are in place around the city and state using family members, survivors and rescue workers as the real "heroes" in these advertisements...Experience a Moment and 15 Years Later.
Memorial and Museum enhancements - throughout the year and each year, changes will be made to videos, artifacts will be rotated to preserve each unique piece and other updates will be made to other important elements including technology, lighting and other core components to ensure the site is maintained to the standard it was built and to help keep all components relevant in today's world.

For more media information or if you have interest in covering any of these events, please visit OklahomaCityNationalMemorial.org/media, submit your information, a password will be sent to you and all the information is available online to help answer any questions. If you need further assistance or ideas for a story or contact information, please contact Kari Watkins, 405.235.3313 or 405.830.6114 or kw@oklahomacitynationalmemorial.org.

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