Exhibit Honors President Clinton's Leadership During Murrah Building Bombing

By Rusty Surette, NEWS 9

LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas -- Oklahomans impacted by the 1995 Murrah Bombing helped unveil a new exhibit in Arkansas honoring former President Bill Clinton.

To mark the opening day of its newest exhibit, "Leadership in a Time of Crisis: President Clinton and the Oklahoma City Bombing," the William J. Clinton Presidential Center in Little Rock held a program titled "First Person: Stories of Hope."

Panel members from Oklahoma shared their personal stories from April 19, 1995, and reflected on the 15 years that have passed since the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in downtown Oklahoma City.

"What happened at the federal building on that horrific April 19, 1995 was an attack on my federal family," said former Gov. Frank Keating.

Former Gov. Frank Keating and his wife, retired fire chief Gary Marrs, survivor Richard Williams, and Donna Weaver, a widow, were among those explaining how Oklahoma recovered and rebuilt.

"What helped me and what kept me walking forward was the support and that's the other part of the Oklahoma story, support that came in immediately for me and my family," Weaver said.

"I learned not only the devastation of the tragedy that one or two people can do something so horrifically evil, but what came from this were a million acts of kindness," said former First Lady Cathy Keating.

In partnership with the Oklahoma City National Memorial, the exhibit focuses on President Clinton's leadership during the tragedy.

The 42nd President was at the White House speaking with Turkey's Prime Minister when he learned of the attack at 9:30 that morning. What the President did in the hours, months, event years following the blast are now displayed and documented in a temporary exhibit.

"We've had things in several presidential libraries before but to have a whole exhibit dedicated to the bombing, the recovery, and the healing of Oklahoma City, and to have President Clinton's story weaved throughout it, is remarkable. It shows how important this event was in his eight years and how important it continues to be for him even today," said Kari Watkins, Executive Director of the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum.

President Clinton was in Oklahoma City less than a year ago. Back in May he was at the National Memorial and Museum to accept a position on the organization's national board.