Reaction to killing of Osama bin Laden

Here’s a sampling of statements from local, state and national political figures on the killing of Osama bin Laden:

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy:

“The news tonight that Osama bin Laden has been killed is 10 years in the making. As mayor of Stamford on 9/11, I remember waiting on the train platform there as scared, confused, and overwhelmed commuters made their way home, none of us fully understanding what had just happened. I also cannot forget the Connecticut residents we lost that day. Over the last decade, Connecticut men and women have served our country honorably, and some have made the ultimate sacrifice on our behalf. This news is a testament to the hard work, dedication and perseverance of our Armed Forces and our country.”

U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman (I-Conn).

“Nearly a decade after the attacks of 9/11, justice is done. I am deeply grateful to all those men and women whose service, struggle, and sacrifice across many years, three Administrations, and countless countries made this moment possible.

“The death of Osama bin Laden unfortunately does not mean the end of the al Qaeda network he built, the hateful ideology he helped propagate, or the threat against our homeland. Terrorists will continue to seek to murder Americans at home and abroad, and so too must our ever more determined global efforts to thwart their plots, destroy their networks, and defeat their ideology.

U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.)

“Striking down this enemy of democracy and freedom is an historic victory for our nation and marks a significant turning point in the war on terror. Osama Bin Laden orchestrated the killing of thousands of Americans including many from Connecticut and I hope his death provides their families and loved ones with some solace and closure. However, we must remain vigilant, vigorous and avoid complacency in the war against terror which continues since the enemies of democracy and freedom are greater than one individual.”

U.S. Rep Jim Himes (D-4th district):

“Tonight, we learned that U.S. Special Forces killed Osama bin Laden in Pakistan. He can no longer commit heinous crimes likes those of September 11, 2001. I hope this beings a sense of closure to the families of those taken from us that day nearly a decade ago.

This is a real tribute to the capability and persistence of our military and intelligence professionals. While we celebrate the success of this operation, we must remain vigilant. And I know that in in the fight against terrorism, the American people will always be united.”

U.S. Rep. Chris Murhpy (D-5):

“Nothing can ever restore the moral order undone by Osama bin Laden’s horrifying attack on the United States on September 11, 2001, but now Americans can sleep easier knowing that a man of true evil no longer walks this earth,” Murphy said. “The killing of bin Laden does not erase the damage he did, but it brings us one giant step closer to justice.”

Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch:

“As President Obama said during his address to the American people last night – justice has been with the death of Osama bin Laden. We all owe the members of our armed forces a great debt of gratitude for their work in helping to keep us safe at home and abroad. Please join me in saying a prayer for their safe return, and thank them for their service when they come home.”

Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton:

“I jumped on the Internet to see what I could find out. It’s one of those nights you’re going to remember forever. I congratulate the president all the way down to the soldiers on the ground. Al-Qaida has been disrupted for years. I don’t think they have the capability to respond” to pre-9/11 levels.”

Stamford public safety director Bobby Valentine, who was broadcasting Sunday night’s Mets-Phillies game on ESPN when the news broke and was manager of the Mets on 9-11-01:

“It was a great show of strength in the American spirit. We probably had the largest assembly of people in one place when the announcement occurred. I think it was rather ironic that it was a baseball game”

Former President George W. Bush:

“Earlier this evening, President Obama called to inform me that American forces killed Osama bin Laden, the leader of the al Qaeda network that attacked America on September 11, 2001. I congratulated him and the men and women of our military and intelligence communities who devoted their lives to this mission. They have our everlasting gratitude. This momentous achievement marks a victory for America, for people who seek peace around the world, and for all those who lost loved ones on September 11, 2001. The fight against terror goes on, but tonight America has sent an unmistakable message: No matter how long it takes, justice will be done.”

Former President Bill Clinton:

“I congratulate the President, the National Security team and the members of our armed forces on bringing Osama bin Laden to justice after more than a decade of murderous al-Qaida attacks.”

New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg:

“The killing of Osama bin Laden does not lessen the suffering that New Yorkers and Americans experienced at his hands, but it is a critically important victory for our nation – and a tribute to the millions of men and women in our armed forces and elsewhere who have fought so hard for our nation.

“New Yorkers have waited nearly ten years for this news. It is my hope that it will bring some closure and comfort to all those who lost loved ones on September 11, 2001.”

Senator John McCain (R-Ariz).

“I am overjoyed that we finally got the world’s top terrorist. The world is a better and more just place now that Osama bin Laden is no longer in it. I hope the families of the victims of the September 11th attacks will sleep easier tonight and every night hence knowing that justice has been done. I commend the President and his team, as well as our men and women in uniform and our intelligence professionals, for this superb achievement.

“But while we take heart in the news that Osama bin Laden is dead, we must be mindful that al-Qaeda and its terrorist allies are still lethal and determined enemies, and we must remain vigilant to defeat them.”

Ben Doody