McDonnell, Connolly React to Death of Bin Laden

Virginia lawmakers on Monday called the death of Osama Bin Laden a positive step in United States effort to weaken al qaida forces, but warned that the fight against terrorism is not over.

“We cannot rest until our nation is secure, and all threats to our freedom and our people are eliminated,” said Governor Bob McDonnell in a statement.

Rep. Gerry Connolly said in a statement that he hopes the death of Osama Bin Laden brings a sense “comfort” to American families who have lost loved ones in the 9/11 terrorist attacks and in the greater fight against terrorism abroad. 

Among those that lost their lives, were people from the Alexandria and Fort Belvoir areas, according to the Washington Post.  Spec. Craig S. Amundson, 28, was living in Fort Belvoir when he lost his life in the attacks against the Pentagon.

Diane M. Hale-McKinzy, 38, an Alexandria resident and civilian employee for the Army, also lost her life in the Pentagon attacks.

“We have cut off the head of the evil terrorist organization that killed more than 3,000 Americans and thousands more across the world,” said Connolly in a statement.

Both lawmakers applauded the persistence of the United States military and intelligence organizations in pursuing Bin Laden and other terrorist leaders. 

See their full statements here:

U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly:

The confirmation by President Obama that Osama Bin Laden was killed by a secret U.S. government operation is a significant development in our war against Al Queda.  We have cut off the head of the evil terrorist organization that killed more than 3,000 Americans and thousands more across the world.
 
I hope the news of Bin Laden's death brings some measure of comfort to the families of those who perished in the September 11 attacks on the Pentagon, the World Trade Center, and Shanksville, Pennsylvania, as well as the American military families who have lost sons and daughters in the war against terrorism. 
 
Justice has been served.
 
President Obama made it clear from his first days in office that bringing down Bin Laden was a top priority.  I applaud his persistence and that of our nation's military and intelligence community in seeking out Bin Laden.  I'm confident our forces will continue to aggressively pursue other Al Queda leaders and weaken this vile terrorist organization. 
 
While bringing this chapter of the war to closure is welcome news, the United States and other nations around the globe must remain vigilant to protect ourselves from future terrorist attacks and to further weaken Al Queda.

Governor Bob McDonnell:

 This is a great and historic moment for America and the world. I applaud President Barack Obama, his Administration and the brave men and women of our military for this successful operation. The death of Osama Bin Laden brings final justice to the evil perpetrator of the attacks of 9/11. Justice has truly been served. While we celebrate this news, we must also remember that The War on Terror is not over. We cannot rest until our nation is secure, and all threats to our freedom and our people are eliminated.  On this day, and every day, we continue to remember those we lost on that tragic day in September 2001, the brave service men and women who have died defending our nation in the years following that attack, and the family and friends they have left behind. We will never forget.