Washington, D.C.--Oklahoma Senators Don Nickles and Jim Inhofe and Congressman Frank Lucas (6th) today introduced legislation establishing a national memorial on the site of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building.

The bill establishes the Oklahoma City National Memorial as a unit of the National Park System and authorizes $5 million in federal funding.

"This memorial will be a monument to those who lost their lives and will honor the bonds that drew Oklahomans closer together as a result," Nickles said. "It will stand as a testament to the hope, generosity, and courage shown by Oklahomans and fellow Americans across the country following the Oklahoma City bombing."

Inhofe added, "We seek to memorialize the spirit of community and decency represented by the victims of this tragedy and by those across America who responded so selflessly in Oklahoma City's hour of need. Generosity, kindness, compassion and courage; May we always remember, and may we always be proud."

Lucas, who is introducing the bill in the House, said, "A national memorial will allow us to remember our loved ones with great honor and allow visitors from across the nation and around the world to be reminded of the magnitude of the loss felt in Oklahoma on that day and every day that has followed since April 19, 1995. It will also remind us all of the outpouring of service, strength, humanity, and true patriotism that was shown by the people of Oklahoma and many, many others."

The memorial will encompass the Murrah building site, Fifth Street between Robinson and Harvey, and the sites of the Water Resources and the Journal Record buildings. Both Park Service and non-Park Service personnel will staff the grounds. In addition to the proposed federal money, the Oklahoma City Memorial Foundation is seeking $5 million from the Oklahoma State Legislature and $14 million in private donations.