Al-Awlaki May be Gone but Homegrown Terror Threat Continues

Statement

Below is a statement from Rep. Bill Keating, a member of the Foreign Affairs and Homeland Security Committees, on the death of American-born jihadist Anwar al-Awlaki.

From the recent arrest of Massachusetts-based Rezwan Matin Ferdaus to the heinous acts of Nidal Hussein at Fort Hood, homegrown violent extremists have been encouraged time and again by the propaganda of al-Qa"ida and associated organizations. Chief amongst the propagators of al-Qa"ida's message in the US was Anwar al-Awlaki. The most disturbing fact is not that al-Awlaki promoted jihad against American citizens, but that he was an American born citizen himself.

A simple search on Youtube yields thousands of videos by al-Awlaki illustrating how the freedoms we take for granted are being used to spread a message of hate. While the source of propaganda may be dead, the threat lives on. And the frightening truth is that we are now facing an enemy that is turning Americans against Americans.

Al-Qa"ida and its operatives look to recruit individuals both at home and abroad through a dogma of hate and violence. While our local and federal law enforcement agencies tackle these types of threats head on, we, as a nation, cannot merely be vigilant to suspicious activity. We also need to determine the circumstances that lead to young people to fall prey to these messages.

Examining and addressing the roots of homegrown terrorism must remain a priority.

On the Foreign Affairs Committee, Rep. Keating serves on the Middle East and South Asia Subcommittee, and on the Homeland Security Committee, he serves as Ranking Member of the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee.

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