Van Hollen Statement on President Obama's Announcement on Osama bin Laden

Statement

Today Maryland Congressman Chris Van Hollen issued the following statement on President Obama's announcement confirming that Osama bin Laden, the mastermind of the 9/11 attacks against the United States, has been killed:

"The death of Osama bin Laden represents a huge milestone for the United States in our fight against al-Qaeda and terrorists seeking to harm our country. My thoughts are with the families who lost loved ones at the World Trade Center, at the Pentagon, and on Flight 93. It is a major accomplishment for President Obama, our armed services, intelligence professionals, and American diplomats. Today we honor the troops killed in the fight against al-Qaeda and salute the public servants who have supported this effort over the last ten years.

"The fight against al-Qaeda is far from over and we must remain vigilant, but yesterday the terrorist network lost its founder and leader. It was a good day for America and for all those throughout the world who work for freedom, justice, and peace."

At 2:00 pm today, Congressman Van Hollen will deliver the Whittington Lecture at the Georgetown University Public Policy Institute. The Whittington Lecture Series honors the memory of Leslie Whittington, a Georgetown dean and professor, who along with her husband and two daughters, lost her life in the attacks of September 11, 2001.

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