This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated.

OKLAHOMA CITY -Oklahomans are honoring the lives lost 21 years ago at the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building.

On April 19, 1995, a bomb exploded outside the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building, destroying much of the nine-story structure and claiming the lives of 168 innocent people.

On the 21st anniversary of the attack, many people remember the images from that day.

However, others are also focusing on the aftermath that came during the trials of Terry Nichols and Timothy McVeigh.

On Tuesday, prosecutors, law enforcement personnel and victim advocates came together to send a message to Congress regarding President Obama’s Supreme Court nominee, Merrick Garland.

“We are a diverse group: we live in different parts of the country and work in a variety of fields, we have no common political affiliation, and indeed some of us are occasionally adversaries in court. But despite those differences we are united today, as we were united two decades ago, in our respect and admiration for the integrity, brilliance, leadership, and judgement of Merrick Garland. Twenty years ago, the nation could not find a better lawyer to manage the investigation and prosecution of what was then the worst crime ever committed on American soil. Today, our nation could not find a better judge, nor a more honorable man, to join its highest court. On April 19, 1995, while first responders were still searching for the the injured and the dead in the ruins of the Alfred [P.] Murrah Federal Building, Merrick Garland worked with the folks on the ground to provide the best federal resources, personnel and counsel to assist with the investigation and prosecutions. He knew that the best thing he could do was to leave Washington and travel to Oklahoma City to ensure that the investigators, the prosecutors, the victims and the survivors had the full support of the Justice Department. He arrived to find the largest and most complex crime scene anyone in American law enforcement had ever encountered. He helped to ensure that the many different local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies worked together as a team, despite their sometimes differing ideas about how best to build a case. At the same time, he made sure the victims, the survivors and their families had the critical resources they needed to deal with the unspeakable losses they had suffered.”

The group says Garland “meticulously oversaw every step of the prosecution’s initial proceedings” and made sure that the bombers would pay for their crime.

“From the day of the Oklahoma City bombing until his judicial appointment at the start of the first of the trials, Merrick Garland provided our team with leadership, confidence, determination, and hope. If confirmed, he will bring to the Supreme Court the same humanity, talent, and judgment that we have seen in him for two decades.”

President Obama nominated Garland to fill Antonin Scalia’s seat in March.

However, Republicans have said they will not confirm Garland, adding that they believe the next president should choose the nominee.

At this point, no confirmation has been made.