Reactions are flying fast and furious from all over the world to the announcement that al Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden was killed. Virginia politicians are among those who have released statements.
Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell:
“This is a great and historic moment for America and the world. I applaud President Barack Obama, his Administration and the brave men and women of our military for this successful operation. The death of Osama Bin Laden brings final justice to the evil perpetrator of the attacks of 9/11. Justice has truly been served. While we celebrate this news, we must also remember that The War on Terror is not over. We cannot rest until our nation is secure, and all threats to our freedom and our people are eliminated. On this day, and every day, we continue to remember those we lost on that tragic day in September 2001, the brave service men and women who have died defending our nation in the years following that attack, and the family and friends they have left behind. We will never forget.”
U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va.:
“The confirmation by President Obama that Osama Bin Laden was killed by a secret U.S. government operation is a significant development in our war against Al Queda. We have cut off the head of the evil terrorist organization that killed more than 3,000 Americans and thousands more across the world.
I hope the news of Bin Laden’s death brings some measure of comfort to the families of those who perished in the September 11 attacks on the Pentagon, the World Trade Center, and Shanksville, Pennsylvania, as well as the American military families who have lost sons and daughters in the war against terrorism.
Justice has been served.
President Obama made it clear from his first days in office that bringing down Bin Laden was a top priority. I applaud his persistence and that of our nation’s military and intelligence community in seeking out Bin Laden. I’m confident our forces will continue to aggressively pursue other Al Queda leaders and weaken this vile terrorist organization.
While bring this chapter of the war to closure is welcome news, the United States and other nations around the globe must remain vigilant to protect ourselves from future terrorist attacks and to further weaken Al Queda.”
U.S. Rep. Frank Wolf, R-Va.:
“Justice, indeed, has been served. The killing of Osama bin Laden is critically important in the United States’ fight against terrorism and I want to congratulate and thank the hard working men and women in our Armed Services and in the intelligence community who have dedicated themselves day-in and day-out to bringing our enemies to justice. I also want to congratulate President Obama and President Bush for their leadership. Hopefully the demise of Osama bin Laden will bring closure to the families who lost loved ones on 9/11. We must remain vigilant, however, as we continue to fight terrorists around the globe. The threat remains very real and we should not let down our guard.”
U.S. Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va.:
“I want to commend our military and intelligence professionals for the coordinated and painstaking work that was responsible for tracking down Osama bin Laden.
Bin Laden was behind the tragedies in New York, Pennsylvania and at the Pentagon in Northern Virginia on September 11th, 2001, the bombing of the Norfolk-based USS Cole in 2000, and countless other acts of terror that have killed thousands of innocent people.
His death does not mean that the threat posed by terrorism to our nation has passed. We must remain vigilant.
But bin Laden’s death does provide a sense of justice, and hopefully a measure of comfort, for those who have given so much in America’s fight against international terrorism.”
U.S. Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va.:
“I applaud our military and intelligence community and all those who have worked so hard to bring Osama bin Laden to justice. This operation sends a clear signal that America will pursue the perpetrators of international terrorism wherever they may hide.”
U.S. Rep. Jim Moran, D-Va.:
“I congratulate President Obama, our military and intelligence communities, and in particular the servicemembers who carried out this operation. Nearly ten years ago, our nation was forever changed by the 9/11 attacks. I hope Bin Laden’s demise brings significant closure for all Americans, particularly to families of victims of that vile attack. This was a major strategic and psychological blow to what’s left of al-Qaeda.
“Bin Laden’s death further raises serious concerns about Pakistan’s role in the war on terror. The location of the operation, just outside their nation’s capital and in range of a major military facility, calls into question key aspects of our strategic alliance.”
