Dick Durbin: “today, the 19th, marks the anniversary of one of the worst terrorist attacks ever to hit the United States. On April 19…”

“today, the 19th, marks the anniversary of one of the worst terrorist attacks ever to hit the United States. On April 19, 1995, at 9:02 a.m., a rented truck filled with fertilizer and diesel fuel exploded in front of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City. The impact of the blast was devastating. One-third of the Federal Building was destroyed, and 168 men, women, and children lost their lives, with several hundred seriously wounded. At that time, it was the deadliest terror attack ever to take place on American soil. The Oklahoma City bombing shocked America. In the days after April 19, Americans mourned the lives which were lost and called for those who committed this evil act to be brought swiftly to justice. It was in this context that the U.S. Department of Justice sent one man to head this investigation and prosecution. His name is Merrick Garland. Merrick Garland was the Principal Associate Deputy Attorney General. He had volunteered to lead this investigation, telling his boss, Deputy Attorney General Jamie Gorelick, he had to do it. Garland would stay in Oklahoma City for a long period of time. By all accounts, he worked around the clock, coordinating the efforts by law enforcement to gather evidence, building the case against Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols. Every step along the way, Merrick Garland was meticulous. He made sure no corners were cut in the investigation or the prosecution. There was so much at stake.…”