WASHINGTON — Rep. Sean Duffy was wrapping up a congressional delegation tour that included a stop in Afghanistan when news broke Sunday night that a U.S. Special Forces team had killed al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden, capping a 10-year hunt for the terrorist leader deemed responsible for the deaths of nearly 3,000 people at the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001.
Duffy, a freshman Republican lawmaker from Ashland, said in a statement Monday that Americans have every right to rejoice over the death of the man who had become the face of terrorism.
“The celebrations and the pride Americans feel today in their military, CIA and government for capturing the world’s most wanted terrorist are appropriate and justified,” Duffy said. Duffy was on his way home Monday from a weeklong congressional delegation trip that included stops in Azerbaijan, the Czech Republic and Georgia. He was joined by Reps. Adam Kinzinger, R-Ill.; Christopher Murphy, D-Conn.; Cedric Richmond, D-La.; Jon Runyan, R-N.J.; and Bill Shuster, R-Pa.
While in Afghanistan, Duffy saw the casualties of war up close. He was on the tarmac for the ceremony for Army Sgt. Matthew Hermanson of Appleton, who was killed last Thursday by enemy fire. He also attended a memorial service for nine Americans killed at the Kabul airport last week.
“It is fitting at this moment to remember those who perished on 9/11 and those who have sacrificed their lives in the defense of freedom,” Duffy said. “As our troops continue to keep us safe, it is comforting to know that the mastermind of 9/11 will never be able to harm us again.”
In Washington, D.C., and New York City, Americans gathered Sunday night and Monday in impromptu rallies, waving flags and chanting “USA,” after President Barack Obama announced late Sunday that a small assault team had killed bin Laden in a raid on a compound just outside Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan. Law enforcement officials issued security alerts as precautions against possible retaliation from al-Qaida and bin Laden sympathizers.
There was bipartisan unanimity to the reaction among Wisconsin’s congressional lawmakers as they cheered the news and cautioned that the war on terror is not over. The lawmakers also expressed relief for the families of those killed in the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon and on a terrorist-hijacked airplane that crashed in a field in Pennsylvania.
“Our Navy SEALs, the intelligence community and all military personnel involved deserve the utmost praise for courageously carrying out such a successful mission,” said Rep. Reid Ribble, R-Lawrence.
Ribble called it “a great day for America,” but added, “we must continue to remain vigilant as many who seek to harm us are still free.”
Rep. Tom Petri, R-Fond du Lac, congratulated the U.S. military and intelligence personnel and Obama “for dealing with this mass murderer after locating him near Pakistan’s capital, under the nose of Pakistan’s army.”
Lawmaker after lawmaker echoed Obama’s statement that “justice has been done.”
“We should be proud that we have brought an evil man to justice,” Sen. Herb Kohl, D-Milwaukee, said.
“Justice has finally been delivered to Osama bin Laden,” said Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Oshkosh.
While lawmakers warned that the threat of terrorism remains, the killing of bin Laden represents a crippling blow to al-Qaida, the most feared terrorist organization.
Rep. Gwen Moore called bin Laden “a dark presence” who “has held the world captive. His death ends a tragic chapter in a horror story where extremists target innocent civilians with murder, mayhem and fear.”
Duffy said he met with Gen. David Petraeus, commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan; Ambassador Karl Eikenberry; and local Afghan leaders while in Afghanistan. He said he was briefed by soldiers and commanders responsible for carrying out missions like the one in which bin Laden was killed.
Wisconsin’s lawmakers also agreed the successful raid on bin Laden’s compound was a testament to America’s perseverance and resolve to track down its enemies.
“I hope this will serve as a warning to all those who attack America,” Ribble said, “that no matter how long it takes, we will find you.”