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PA Delegation Responds to bin Laden’s Death

By Keegan Gibson, Managing Editor

Pennsylvania’s political leaders responded with jubilation, resolve, and somber gratitude to American troops in light of the death of Osama bin Laden. The vocal bipartisanship is truly heartwarming.

Here are their statements.

Bob Casey:
“On September 11, 2001, the United States was viciously attacked in a cowardly terrorist plot masterminded by Osama bin Laden.  Today, U.S. forces have killed bin Laden and exacted justice for his terrible crimes which killed thousands.  I thank our troops, the intelligence community and diplomats who have worked today and since September 11th to bring Osama bin Laden to justice.

“On September 11th, Pennsylvania was directly impacted by Al Qaeda when Flight 93 was downed over Shanksville.   In the nearly ten years after September 11th, Pennsylvania has lost 68 troops in Afghanistan and hundreds have been injured.   The sacrifice of those families who lost loved ones on September 11th and in the following years can never be made whole, but I hope that the death of bin Laden can help to bring some closure.

“While today’s development does not mean an end to terrorism or the need to remain relentlessly vigilant, the death of bin Laden has enormous significance in American and world history.”

Pat Toomey:
“Osama bin Laden’s death is heartening news and an important event for our nation and the war on terror. I commend the president, his national security team and our military forces for this successful operation. I also want to thank the U.S. intelligence community and its operatives who have spent years hunting down this terrorist. Osama bin Laden is responsible for the deaths of thousands of innocent lives, and his death is a testimony that America will not tolerate brutal acts of terror on its people,”

Tom Corbett:
“Last night, American justice was vindicated alongside American bravery when Special Forces located, did battle with, and killed the terrorist Osama bin Laden.

“Nothing we say today can come close to matching the eloquence with which the actions of our armed forces spoke last night. Americans remember. There is no waiting them out. What happened on Sept. 11, 2001, will not be forgotten. The message remains: the injustice of terror will be answered by the justice of American response.

“Pennsylvanians today are very proud of American forces for taking out the mastermind of the 9/11 attacks, which not only scarred our nation, but also Pennsylvania soil. We will never forget the brave heroes of Flight 93, who gave their lives in a field near Shanksville and thwarted an attack on the U.S. Capitol.”

Tom Ridge, from the Tribune Review:
Ridge said the announcement of bin Laden’s death was sobering, “in the sense that while we have kept our commitment to ourselves and the families and to those who wanted us to kill Osama, we know it’s still not the end of this radical ideology.”

“This is a dramatic close to a painful 10-year chapter in America, and we made good on our promise to bring him to justice,” he said. Ridge cautioned that Americans should not let their guard down.

“We killed this evil man, but we did not destroy the evil ideology that attracts people to Islamic terrorism.” he said al Qaida has new leaders, locations and tactics.

Rick Santorum:
“This is extraordinary news for all freedom loving people of the world, and I commend all those involved for this historic triumph.  Americans have waited nearly ten years for the news of Osama bin Laden’s death.  And while this is a very significant objective that cannot be minimized, the threat from Jihadism does not die with bin Laden. As we were vigilant in taking him out we need to demonstrate we will continue to be vigilant until the enemy has been subdued.”

Congressional Delegation:

Chaka Fattah, PA-2
“Justice has been served. Osama bin Laden, the man responsible for the murder of thousands of innocent Americans is dead, thanks to the relentless efforts of President Obama and American security forces. Our thanks to the brave men and women who serve in our military and security forces who put their lives on the line in the successful pursuit of the mastermind of the 9/11 terror attacks.

“The President kept his word pledging in 2007 to send American forces to hunt down this heinous terrorist wherever he was hiding even in Pakistan if need be. I join with all Americans in thanking the President for making the demise of Osama Bin Laden his number one priority in the war on terror.”

Mike Kelly, PA-3
“Osama bin Laden’s death represents a victory for all Americans and for freedom-loving people everywhere. It is the fulfillment of the world’s call for justice after the devastating terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, during which nearly 3,000 innocent American lives were lost at the hands of bin Laden and his al-Qaida terrorist network.

“Ever since that tragic day, our brave men and women in the Armed Forces and throughout our intelligence and diplomatic communities have sustained a long and unwavering campaign to bring bin Laden to justice, and I commend them all for their courage,service and sacrifice.

“With bin Laden’s death, I pray that his victims find comfort, his supporters take heed, and his legacy of hatred, intolerance, and tyranny is forever overshadowed by the triumph of truth, justice, and enduring freedom.”

Jason Altmire, PA-4
“All of America is proud of the brave men and women of our military and intelligence community who have once again proven that they are the most highly skilled, well trained forces the world has ever seen. America’s relentless pursuit of Osama bin Laden has come to a successful conclusion, but we must remain vigilant and continue the fight against terrorist extremists, wherever it leads. At this moment of great military success and achievement, we will continue our equally important mission of protecting our citizens at home.”

Glenn “GT” Thompson, PA-5
“I commend and thank our military, intelligence community, and special operation forces for their hard work and determination over the years that led to this success.  I also want to commend President Obama and his team, as well as former President Bush and his Administration, for their steadfast efforts to bring Osama bin Laden to justice. This demonstrates that America will not tolerate terrorism in any form and remains on the offense in the fight against global terrorist networks.”

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families who lost loved ones at the hands of Bin Laden and his terrorist organization.  Let this event serve as solace to all Americans impacted by the horrific events of September 11th. We must remain vigilant, remembering that we continue to face real and evolving threats in the fight against global terrorism and radical extremism.”

Jim Gerlach, PA-6
“The success of this mission is a testament to the perseverance and professionalism of the courageous men and women serving and protecting our country in the military and intelligence operations. Every American should be proud of this accomplishment. It represents a significant victory in our constant battle against radical terrorists. Osama bin Laden has been held accountable for ruthlessly plotting the slaughter of nearly 3,000 of our friends and neighbors on Sept. 11, 2001 and several lethal attacks on U.S. troops and our allies. He was a calculating and callous terrorist whose victims came from all walks of life, religious faiths and nationalities.

President Bush and President Obama also deserve credit for their relentless pursuit of bin Laden and his extremist conspirators. Bin Laden’s heinous acts forever altered the lives of many families here in the 6th District. We always will remember the tremendous sacrifices these families have made and eternally owe a debt of gratitude to their loved ones who selflessly answered the call of duty.”

Pat Meehan, PA-7
“I am delighted to learn of the killing of al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.  Almost ten years after 9/11, justice for all Americans has finally been served.  I commend Presidents Bush and Obama for their steadfast resolve in this critical pursuit.  I also commend the men and women of our military, intelligence community, and law enforcement for their work in this effort.  A major blow has been dealt to al Qaeda and today is a great day in the history of our country.”

Mike Fitzpatrick, PA-8
“On September 11, 2001, Osama bin Laden and his terrorist organization perpetrated a devastating and cowardly attack on the United States and the world.  Now nearly a decade later, justice has been delivered to the mastermind of these attacks.

“While our nation may take a measure of solace from today’s development, it serves also as a painful remembrance of the thousands that were lost on September 11.  We also owe a debt of gratitude to our men and women in the armed forces who have fought bravely to keep our nation safe since September 11 and who carried out today’s mission.  Although Osama bin Laden will never again be able to attack our nation, we must continue to remain vigilant in our fight against terrorism throughout the world.”

Bill Shuster, PA-9
“It has been nearly ten years in the making, but justice has finally been done. Osama Bin Laden, the mass murdering mastermind of the 9/11 attacks has been killed by American Special Forces and members of our intelligence community on the ground in Pakistan.

This historic event is the result of years of dogged determination by two Administrations and members of our military and intelligence community. Their hard work and commitment has paid off resulting in a major structural and symbolic blow to the al Qaeda terrorist network.

Over the weekend, I was on the ground in Afghanistan where I met with General Petraeus and members of American Special Forces. Our Special Forces soldiers are second to none and their unique abilities and unwavering commitment to defending America was clearly evident during my visit.

I want to personally commend our soldiers and intelligence professionals who took part in this operation as well as all of our troops bravely serving in Afghanistan today.  I also commend President Obama for his commitment to continuing the effort President Bush began to bring Bin Laden to justice.

While last night’s announcement is unquestionably a major step in our battle against Islamic terrorism, we must continue our vigilance at home and abroad to deny al Qaeda and its affiliates the opportunity to threaten the United States.”

Tom Marino, PA-10
“This development is welcome news to our nation and the world and is a tribute to the strength and perseverance of our military and our intelligence community.

“Hopefully, this will provide some sense of justice to the families of the thousands of people who died at the hands of this terrorist and will help heal the wounds inflicted on 9/11.

“Let the word go forth that the elimination of this cold-blooded murderer sends a distinct message to the terrorists around the world that the United States of America will track down and eliminate those cowards who think they can create an atmosphere of horror and get away with it.

“We are Americans. We are united. We are determined.”

Lou Barletta, PA-11
“Like all Americans, I am pleased that, after a manhunt lasting more than a decade, Osama bin Laden is dead. For far too long, bin Laden evaded justice. But now, it seems as if justice has finally been meted out to Osama bin Laden.

“I hope this news brings some measure of solace to the families of the victims of September 11, the families of the victims of the U.S. Embassy bombings, the families of the victims of the USS Cole attack, and all the families of the victims of the Global War on Terror.

“This is a remarkable victory in the war against terror, but we must remain vigilant and cautious. Bin Laden was the most visible face of international terror, but he is not the only one who wishes to harm American citizens and interests both here and abroad. While Osama bin Laden’s death is a great victory for the United States, it is not the end of the war against terror.”

Mark Critz, PA-12
“The death of Osama bin Laden is a significant victory in our fight against al-Qaeda, and a true testament to the skill and determination of our military and intelligence communities.

“While this achievement provides some comfort to the families and friends who lost loved ones because of his horrific terrorist attacks, we must understand and recognize that the threat of terrorism still exists, and that our nation’s fight against it will continue.”

Allyson Schwartz, PA-13
“Osama bin Laden was directly responsible for the deaths of thousands of innocent Americans here at home and around the world. And, now today we can proudly say that through President Obama’s decisive and resolute leadership and the perseverance and hard work of our intelligence community and Armed Forces bin Laden has been brought to justice.

“As a nation we share a collective debt of gratitude for President Obama and our military and intelligence community’s unwavering dedication and commitment to this critical mission.

“For those who lost loved ones on September 11th, and for a nation which felt threatened as never before, the death of bin Laden brings a measure of comfort. It is also a reminder that we must stand ready, willing and able to fight and defeat America’s enemies.”

Mike Doyle, PA-14

“Justice has been done, and a threat to innocent people all over the world has been eliminated.

“We’ve been waiting ten years for this news. We never stopped looking for him, and we knew it would come, but knowing finally that bin Laden has been killed is still a relief.

“Osama bin Laden’s death should provide some closure for the families who have lost loved ones in 9/11 and the other attacks bin Laden has ordered, inspired, or planned.

“All Americans owe our deep thanks to the Navy SEALS who put their lives on the line and carried out the raid with bravery and skill. We also owe a great debt to the dedicated military and civilian personnel who worked tirelessly to track down bin Laden and make this operation possible. This historic moment is also a good time to thank all of the Americans – our military, first responders, and intelligence, justice, and foreign service personnel – who have made great sacrifices and often put their lives on the line to defend our nation in the years since 9/11.

“This is a day we’ve waited for. It doesn’t mean our efforts to stop terrorists and bring them to justice are over, but it is an important symbolic victory that will resonate around the world.”

Charlie Dent, PA-15
“The death of Osama Bin Laden represents a major victory in the global war on terror. I am extremely proud of our military and intelligence communities, whose unswerving determination and perseverance led to this important achievement.

“Thousands of innocent Americans lost their lives during the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks orchestrated by Osama Bin Laden, and many more sacrificed life and limb in the years following 9/11 working to bring the world’s most dangerous terrorist to justice. Today, we pay tribute to these individuals and reaffirm our commitment to ensuring the security of the American people.

“While the death of Osama Bin Laden is certainly a major step forward in international efforts to dismantle terrorist organizations like Al-Qaeda, it does not signal an end to the global war on terror.  We must remain dedicated to combating extremism and vigilant in working to prevent terrorist attacks in the United States and abroad.”

Joe Pitts, PA-16
“What Osama bin Laden perpetrated in 2001 took the lives of more Americans than Pearl Harbor did.  He was not only a symbol of evil, he was also its greatest living human architect.  President Bush began the hunt and President Obama saw it through.  The death of Osama bin Laden was not for satisfaction or for revenge.  It was a strike for justice, freedom and, ultimately, for peace.”

Tim Murphy, PA-18
“The death of Osama bin Laden at the hands of the United States military sends an unmistakable message to terrorists everywhere: America will not stop until the mission is complete. And we will continue this effort so long as terrorism remains a threat to freedom-loving people around the globe.

“As we approach the 10th anniversary of the events of September 11, 2001, we remember the lives lost and pray for the families who still struggle with the monumental loss but today may have a sense of closure knowing that the mastermind behind the attacks has had his day of reckoning.

“A grateful nation today commends the work of our armed forces for their service and sacrifice for a job well done. Both President Bush and Obama are to be commended for leadership in seeing this effort through to the end. But we must also recognize that terrorist groups like Al Qaeda, Hamas, Hezbollah and other terror cells remain active and engaged in terrorist activities, therefore, our vigilance to combating terrorism must remain. Now is not the time to let down our guard or to stop our pursuit of ending terrorism in all forms.”

Todd Platts, PA-19
“The death of Osama Bin Laden is a seminal moment in American history and a great victory for the causes of freedom and justice. Osama Bin Laden was directly responsible for the death of nearly 3,000 Americans on September 11, 2001 and he proudly led a campaign of terrorist attacks over the last two decades that killed thousands of other innocent civilians across the globe. He has met his well deserved fate. Justice has indeed been rightfully served.

I know all citizens join me in thanking the brave men and women of our Armed Forces, intelligence community, and law enforcement who have worked tirelessly for more than a decade to capture or kill Osama Bin Laden. These heroes, and their families, have made tremendous sacrifices in defense of our country and we are all indebted to them for their courageous service.

While Osama Bin Laden’s death is a major victory in the war against terrorism, America still faces lethal enemies who continue to target our citizens and our allies. We must remain vigilant in our efforts to keep America safe and secure and continue to support our fellow Americans who serve on the front lines against this determined enemy.”

Former Congressman Pat Murphy, in the Morning Call:
“It’s a very emotional day,” Murphy said. “It’s an overwhelming source of pride to be an American when our military came through to bring this murderer to justice.”

Murphy was in Iraq when Saddam Hussein was captured, but he said the feelings that day and today are “night and day.” The death of bin Laden is “much more emotional,” he said. He’s received calls from other military friends who he described as elated. He called his best friend — he lost his girlfriend in the attacks — who was happy, but also now reliving the pain of that terrible day nine and a half years ago.

Former Congressman Joe Sestak, via Pennsylvania Ave.

On the death of OBL… “This was truly appropriate justice.”

On the Arab Spring.. “We have to recognize that what we have happening from Yemen to Bahrain to Libya is an opportunity that we can capitalize on…we’ve got to align ourselves with these emerging governments if we really do want to improve conditions.”

On staying in Afghanistan… “If we are there, why are we there?”

3 Responses

  1. اذا استطعتم قتل ابن لادن اليوم فلعل هذا يشبع غريزتكم الدموية فهذا ما عهدناه على السياسة الأمريكية منذ ان تولى السي اى ايه جون دالاس ومن قبل يقتل آلاف الابرياء ولم يتحرك لكم جفن وكأن المسلمين حيوانات عندكم بل اقل هذا هي حقيقة الشعب الأمريكي المتحضر الذي يشفق عليه ان يموت الكلب منهم لايتورعون عن قتل المسلمون ويصفونهم بالارهاب يتحركون من اجل عيون اسرائيل ولايدافعون عن الشعوب المغلوبة على امرها فماذا فعلوا مع اهل غزة؟وماذا فعلوا مع الفلسطينيين وماذا فعلوا بقضية البوسنة والهرسك والشيشان واخيرا ليبيا فقد ظهرت حقيقتكم انتم تعملون حساب الأقوياء والعملاء فقط ولا تخافون في المسلمين الاً ولاذمةفانتظروا اسلامنا انتظروا اسلامنا انتظروا اسلامنا…..

  2. Why in the world did Tom Ridge (first Homeland Security Czar) go on national TV last night (2011-05-01)and thank Pakistan for its help in getting Osama bin Laden. Was Tom Ridge that “out of touch” that he did not know that Pakistan has been protecting bin Laden all along? Is that why in over seven years the previous administration couldn’t even come close – because they couldn’t even buy a clue?

  3. Google Osama Bin Laden death 2001. He must have died twice. This is a farce and just another atempt to boost Obama’s run for the presidency. His image is so tarnished that he is desperately grasping at straws to win favor with the voters in 2012. This is a deliberate fabrication and should be reported as such.

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