“Today, we can turn the page in a very important chapter of
the country’s history.  The news of the
death of Osama bin Laden, the mass murderer at the head of the world’s most
infamous terrorist organization, brings relief to the United States and her
allies in the war on terror. The brave men and women of our armed forces who successfully
achieved their mission have sent a strong message to al-Qaeda, its affiliates,
and the many others who carry out such cowardly attacks, that justice, no
matter how long and difficult the pursuit, will prevail. 

Our thoughts and prayers are not only with the victims of
9-11 and their families today, but also with those soldiers who gave the
ultimate sacrifice in the years after the attacks to hunt down the world’s most
wanted terrorist. 

We should thank the Bush Administration for its clarity of
purpose in the aftermath of 9-11.  Their
relentless execution of the war on terror helped find, capture, and eliminate
scores of individuals posing a threat to freedom and liberty around the
world.  The Obama Administration, too,
deserves credit for its role in the continuation of national security policies
that make our country safer.  

Today, Americans should feel satisfied that bin Laden has
been brought to justice, but also be mindful that the death of one man does not
eliminate the global terrorist threat. 
Particularly now, as the world reacts to the news, we must remain
vigilant and resilient.  

Again, I commend the men and women who carried out their
mission.  They have done the United
States, her allies, and those around the world who believe in freedom, liberty
and justice a great service.”