Our news department has received several statements released by elected officials commenting on the death of Osama Bin Laden.
We will add more comments as we receive them.
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(DES MOINES) – Gov. Terry E. Branstad Monday released the following statement on the death of Osama bin Laden:
“I am proud of our president, and our troops, who never lost their resolve in finding Osama bin Laden and bringing him to justice. While the world is no longer nervously looking over its shoulder for this ruthless murderer, Iowans must remain vigilant in our support of the nearly 3,000 Iowa National Guard members deployed overseas. Our thoughts, prayers and support are with our brave men and women who remain in harm’s way.”
The governor released the statement from North Carolina, where he is attending a meeting of the National Governors Association.
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WASHINTGON, DC- Congressman Loebsack issued the following statement after President Obama’s announcement that Osama Bin Laden has been confirmed dead.
“Tonight’s announcement is a testament to the men and women of our armed forces’ and intelligence community’s commitment to tracking down the man responsible for the death of thousands of innocent Americans. Tonight stands as a profound chapter in our nation’s fight against those who work every day to do harm to the American people. Even as we mark this day, however, we must remain vigilant – the threat against the American people remains and there are those who may seek revenge. The safety of our nation is paramount. Having just travelled to Islamabad to discuss critical counter-terrorism issues, and as a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I will continue to work to ensure the security of our nation.”
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WASHINGTON, DC – Immediately following news that Osama Bin Laden was killed in Pakistan today, U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill, D-MO, released the following statement.
“After a long and very bad chapter of world history, Osama Bin Laden is dead and justice delivered. Thank you to all of our intelligence and military personnel who have served and sacrificed to protect our freedoms and ensure our security."
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Waterloo, IA -- Sunday, Congressman Bruce Braley (IA-01) released the following statement after the announcement of Osama Bin Laden's death:
"Today the world is a safer place. Tonight's announcement that Osama Bin Laden has been killed by U.S. forces is good news for all Americans. Nearly ten years after his cowardly attacks on innocent Americans and citizens of the world, and on the eighth anniversary of declaring "Mission Accomplished," we can finally close a tragic chapter in our nation's history. Our troops have made tremendous sacrifices, with many lives lost and many changed forever, and we must never forget the real cost of this war on terror."
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In light of the news Sunday that Osama bin Laden has been killed by U.S. forces, please consider the following statement from U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.):
“Osama bin Laden’s death is a major victory for America. This development is the culmination of the sacrifices and dedication from our brave troops and intelligence professionals. After nearly a decade, it also brings a great measure of justice and closure for all Americans who lost loved ones as a result of the brutal attacks against our nation on 9/11. While this does not mean the end of our fight against global terrorism, bin Laden’s death is a major blow to al-Qaeda and the terrorist organizations that he financed.” – U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.)
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WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-9) issued the following statement on the death of Osama Bin Laden:
“This is a historic success in the war against terror, but the battle continues, and we must remain vigilant. The Middle East is a volatile region and it is critical that we continue to fight those who would do harm to Americans at home and abroad. This is a victory for our military and intelligence personnel who put their lives on the line every day to protect our citizens. This is also a day to remember those we lost on 9/11, and those who gave their lives in the ongoing battle against worldwide terrorism since that fateful day.”
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WASHINGTON – Senator Chuck Grassley Monday reacted to the death of al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden and commented on what it means for the fight against terrorism.
“On a sunny September 11, 2001, our nation learned of Osama bin Laden and the organization he led which killed 3,000 innocent people on that fateful day. His death is a symbolic victory and a significant achievement in the war against terror, but it isn’t an end,” Grassley said. “Al Qaeda and radical terrorists around the globe remain a grave threat to our country and its people. We must remain vigilant in our fight to maintain the security of the United States. As the memories of 9/11 come flooding back with the death of Osama bin Laden, we remember and honor the families of those who lost their lives that day, and we pay special tribute to the men and women of our military and national security teams who continue to protect this nation and have led the effort over the last 10 years to bring justice. More work remains, and we must remain vigilant against possible retaliatory attacks.”
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‘The Devil Has a Companion’
By Jim Talent
When it was announced that Hitler had died, my grandmother commented: “The Devil has a companion.” Thanks to our heroic American special operations forces, the Devil has yet another companion.
Many people are commenting that this event, while satisfying, portends no major change in what President Obama refuses to call the War on Terror. But it could portend such a change if it triggered a long overdue examination of America’s goal in this War.
Strategic war aims should be clear, should address the imperative that led to the war in the first place, and should be something that a broad cross section of people can support.
The War on Terror began with an asymmetric attack on the United States by a fanatical group of Islamic extremists. The interest at stake in this war is the most fundamental a nation can have: defense of the homeland against an existential threat.
I suggest we celebrate bin Laden’s demise by agreeing on the first and most important national war aim: eliminate the danger that bin Laden’s followers and friends can successfully use asymmetric weapons against the United States again.
Jim Talent is a distinguished fellow at the Heritage Foundation and served as a U.S. senator from Missouri.
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Missouri National Guard releases statement:
The death of al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden is a major victory for our forces in Afghanistan.
Right now our attention is focused squarely on southeast Missouri, where more than 760 Citizen Soldiers are fighting rising flood waters and have been fighting rising flood waters for the past week. We will continue our flood response operations until released by local authorities and our commander-and-chief, Gov. Jay Nixon.
The Missouri National Guard has implemented increased force protection measures at all its facilities. The increased security has been implemented today after the death of Osama bin Laden. Heightened security is indefinite and does not mean there is a threat or that any threat has been identified.
The increased force protection is Defense department-wide. The security measures were ordered by U.S. Northern Command, which is responsible for setting baseline force protection conditions for military installations in the United States.
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