WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Congressman Frank Lucas applauded President Clinton's signing of the legislation which appropriates the $5 million of federal funding for the Oklahoma City National Memorial. The bill was signed over the weekend on Saturday by the President. Previously it had been passed in the U.S. House on October 24 and in the U.S. Senate on October 28.

"I think many of us who have been so closely involved with this Memorial site, have been walking on pins and needles up until this point," Lucas said. "Although I and others were quite confident this money would be granted to help develop the Memorial, it sure feels better when you see it in writing."

Although the designation of the Oklahoma City National Memorial as a national site was accomplished through a bill authored by Lucas and signed by the President on October 9 of this year, the funding for the Memorial had to be appropriated through a separate piece of legislation.

The $5 million will be used for the design implementation and construction of the Memorial. Additional private funding will be raised for the upkeep and daily operations of the site. The Memorial will cost $24 million.

"This may serve as a real shot in the arm for the citizens of Oklahoma City and of the state as they continue to participate in and observe the development of a national site to memorialize their family members and friends," Lucas said.

Construction is presently scheduled to begin in the fall of 1998.