On April 19, 1995, at exactly 9:02 a.m., a bomb weighing 5,000 pounds was detonated outside the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City. This explosion caused extensive damage to the building and sadly resulted in the loss of 168 lives, including 19 children (Rosenburg, 2011).
Just four days later, on April 23, President Bill Clinton delivered a powerful speech addressing the public. His main objective was to respond appropriately to the Oklahoma City bombing and offer support to those who had suffered losses. Additionally, he discussed necessary actions that America as a nation should take in order to prevent similar incidents from occurring again.
President Clinton extended his sympathies to the victims of the tragedy, recognizing their immense pain but reassuring them that they have not lost everything and that America will stand by them. He underscored the significance of opposing fear, hatred, and violence and urged everyone to voice their opposition against these harmful influences.
President Clinton is urging individuals to confront their fears and embrace life, even in the face of death. He emphasizes the significance of continuous improvement and encourages people to provide support for one another. Reflecting on the Oklahoma City Bombing tragedy, Clinton proposes that we should live our lives as a tribute to those who lost theirs. To exemplify this idea, he shares a poignant tale about a young widow whose spouse was killed in the Pan Am 103 shooting, demonstrating that grief should not halt our own personal growth.
According to Clinton (2008), rather than letting our loved ones’ deaths be in vain, it is important to honor them by carrying on their unfinished work. The speech was effective because Clinton started by establishing credibility, expressing sympathy, relating to the audience, and transitioning into the main points he wanted to discuss. Throughout the speech, Clinton reiterated the importance of learning from the event, uniting as a nation, standing up for what is right, and teaching moral values to children.
Clinton concludes the speech by expressing that goodness will arise, the deceased have found solace, and it is essential for us to endure. Additionally, Clinton expresses gratitude towards the audience for their attention. Following a tragic incident, it is customary for the President to address it and provide guidance to the American people regarding appropriate actions and thoughts. Consequently, President Clinton fulfills this responsibility by articulating these notions in his address and establishing a connection with fellow citizens.
Clinton states in the introduction that he and his wife Hillary, not only represent the American people, but also identify with them as ordinary individuals – husbands, wives, parents, and neighbors. By approaching the level of an average American, Clinton creates a sense of connection and empathy. In his speech, Clinton effectively conveys believability through his conversational tone and choice of words. He achieves this by incorporating quotes, such as the one from a widow who lost her husband in the Pan Am 103 tragedy.
Clinton relies on scripture to establish credibility, citing Romans 12:21: “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Clinton, 2008). In addition, he quotes St. Paul and a young girl who suggested planting a tree in memory of the bombing victims. By incorporating quotations and personal anecdotes, President Clinton effectively communicates his message and connects with the audience in a relatable and informal manner, appealing to the average American citizen.
Using quotes from individuals in similar circumstances, such as the widow, as well as authoritative sources like the Bible and St. Paul, President Clinton incorporated diverse perspectives to strengthen his message. One instance where he employed a quotation was when he recounted a story about a little girl during his speech. The purpose of sharing this anecdote was to illustrate the respect he and his wife had for the affected children and their families. The girl’s words were particularly impactful as she suggested that everyone should plant a tree in remembrance of the children who were lost. President Clinton felt so moved by this suggestion that before leaving for their destination, he planted a tree at the White House in honor of the Oklahoma children.
President Clinton delivers a message in Oklahoma City, comparing the life of a good person to a dogwood tree. He emphasizes the tree’s wonderful spring flower and enduring roots, suggesting that the life of a good person is like a tree whose leaf does not wither (Clinton, 2008). The speech is directed towards the community affected by the bombing and American citizens as a whole. It was recorded and televised, though President Clinton does directly address the audience present in Oklahoma City by quoting the governor’s wife, Mrs. [source].
Keating, in his speech during the Oklahoma bombings, refuted the notion that Americans are mostly mean and selfish, saying that people should visit Oklahoma to witness the compassion and bravery of its residents (Clinton, 2008). I found President Clinton’s speech very impressive as he effectively communicated his main points, displayed credibility, relatability, maintained a suitable vocal rate, and supported his arguments with sources (Clinton, 2008). Thus, his speech was highly effective in conveying his message to the audience (Rosenburg, 2011).
The address delivered by William Jefferson Clinton at the Oklahoma Bombing Memorial Prayer Service on April 23, 1995 in Oklahoma City, OK was discussed in an article retrieved from About.com. In his speech, Clinton expressed his gratitude to Governor Keating and Mrs. Keating, Reverend Graham, the families of the victims and survivors, the resilient people of Oklahoma City, and all Americans present at the event.
Clinton acknowledged that he and Hillary attended as parents, spouses, neighbors who cherished their time in this state. He emphasized how the nation stands united with Oklahoma City in mourning for those lost and injured during this tragedy. Despite challenging circumstances, there is a shared hope that some may still be found alive.
The article also extended appreciation to individuals who demonstrated heroism in saving lives and investigating this crime – both local heroes from Oklahoma as well as those who left their own lives behind to offer assistance from across the country.
We commit to helping the injured recover, reconstructing this urban area, and ensuring that those responsible for this terrible act are held accountable. This horrific crime resulted in the deaths of our fellow Americans – innocent children in that facility simply because their parents were trying to be responsible caregivers and diligent workers. It also claimed the lives of citizens going about their daily lives and many individuals who dedicated themselves to serving our society. These individuals were committed to assisting the elderly and disabled, supporting our farmers and veterans, upholding our legal system, and protecting all of us.
We are grateful for the exceptional service they provided to us, and we acknowledge that for many of you, they went beyond their duties as they also became our neighbors and friends. You would come across them at church or PTA meetings, civic clubs, and the ball park. Your connection with them is personal, something that the rest of America does not have. To all the family members present who have endured loss, we understand your grief and recognize that your pain is impossible to describe. We cannot undo what has happened since it falls under God’s responsibility. Our words may seem insignificant compared to the immense loss you have experienced; nevertheless, I would like to share a few thoughts today.
During these awful days, I have received numerous letters, including one from a young widow and mother of three who tragically lost her husband in the Pan Am 103 tragedy. In her letter, she emphasized the importance of not allowing anger to consume us but rather using it as motivation to seek justice. She urged us not to let the pain turn into hatred and reminded us that despite our overwhelming loss, we mustn’t be immobilized in our own lives.
Instead of focusing on the grief caused by your loss, pay tribute to your loved ones by completing the tasks that they were unable to finish. By doing so, you ensure that their lives had purpose and significance. These wise words come from someone who also understands the pain of losing someone dear. Even though you have suffered a great loss, it is important to remember that you have not lost everything. Above all, you have not lost the support of America. We will stand by your side for as long as it takes.
Governor and Mrs. Keating demonstrate this when they stated, “If anyone believes that Americans are primarily selfish and unkind, they should visit Oklahoma.”
If anyone believes that Americans have lost the ability to love, care, and have courage, they should visit Oklahoma. To my fellow Americans outside of this hall, I declare that we owe those who have made sacrifices the responsibility to rid ourselves of the negative influences that caused this evil. These influences endanger our collective peace, freedom, and way of life. We must educate our children that the comforting God is also the just God: Those who cause turmoil will suffer the consequences. Justice will ultimately triumph.
Let us teach our own children that we will resist fear and stand against hatred and violence. In the face of death, let us honor life. As St. Paul suggests, instead of giving in to evil, we should overcome it with acts of kindness.
Yesterday, Hillary and I had the privilege of speaking with children whose parents work for the government — children who are similar to those who were lost here. One young girl shared a sentiment that will always stay with us. She said, “We should all plant a tree in memory of the children.” So this morning, before coming to this place, we planted a dogwood tree at the White House as a tribute to Oklahoma’s children. It was decorated with beautiful spring blossoms and strong roots, symbolizing the lesson from the Psalms that a virtuous person’s life is like an everlasting leaf on a tree.
My fellow Americans, trees take time to grow and wounds need time to heal. But we must begin this process. Those who have been lost now belong to God and one day we will be reunited with them. But until then, their legacy must be evident in our lives.
Thank you all and may God bless you.
