Frank Lucas: “I stand before you today in a position that I never would have envisioned for myself when I was elected to Congress. I…”

“I stand before you today in a position that I never would have envisioned for myself when I was elected to Congress. I am here today as a champion of habeas corpus reform. This is not because I have had a change of heart, but because of the heartbreak of the people of my State. April 19, 1995, the day of the ruthless bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal building in Oklahoma City, will be etched in the minds of all Americans for years to come. To the people of Oklahoma, and especially to the families of the 168 people that died in the bombing, this year has been especially long and difficult as we have tried to begin the process of healing and putting our lives back together. An important part of the healing process for the survivors will be to see that those who committed this heinous crime are punished. The habeas corpus reform that is included in this bill will ensure that those who committed this crime will not be able to delay punishment through endless appeals.”