Oklahomans React To Death Of Osama Bin Laden

NewsOn6.com

OKLAHOMA CITY -- State Senator Steve Russell, a retired U.S. Army infantry officer who was involved in the capture of Saddam Hussein, says Bin Laden's death is a "fitting end" to Bin Laden's reign of terror.

Russell also praised the actual operation.  "I don't know how it could have gone better," he said.  Russell based that on the fact that no Americans were killed in the operation and it's accomplished its objective.

"This monster is dead," said U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe, R-Oklahoma. 

Inhofe released a statement on the killing:

"For almost ten years, our men and women in uniform have faced hardships in the effort to capture or kill Osama bin Laden for of his role in the 9/11 attacks.  I congratulate our nation's finest for their tireless pursuit for justice. We rejoice that this monster is dead. While we have succeeded in taking out the head of al Qaeda, the effects of his death are yet unseen, and could span a broad range of possibilities. We must not let our guard down in the Global War on Terrorism, and we must remain ever vigilant in protecting our nation and its people."

Inhofe is a member of the Senate Armed Service Committee and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

First District Congressman John Sullivan released a statement regarding the death of terrorist leader Osama Bin Laden.

"Last night, the American people got the news we have longed to hear for almost ten years - Osama Bin Laden, the mass murderer responsible for 9/11 and numerous acts of terrorism against our nation, has finally been killed by US forces. Our nation will never forget the tragic events of 9/11 or the thousands of American lives lost.  Bin Laden's death at the hands of US forces sends a strong signal to the world that our nation will not tolerate terrorism or violence against our people. As we continue to remain vigilant against terrorism around the world, it is my hope that the families of 9/11 victims can take some satisfaction in the fact that the worlds most notorious terrorist is dead.  I also want to join the American people is sending our sincere thanks to members of our armed forces and intelligence community who so bravely serve to keep our country safe.  God bless America. "

Second District Congressman Dan Boren statement regarding the killing of Osama bin Laden:

"This is a wonderful day for the United States of America. Getting rid of Usama bin Laden has been priority number one for the intelligence community. Al Qaeda is still a threat to the nation, but its greatest symbol is gone. We must never forget the terrorist acts that Bin Laden committed on innocent Americans. Our thoughts are with their families today."

Governor Mary Fallin Statement on Bin Laden Death:

"Our military men and women and our intelligence officers have once again made the world a safer place. This is a great victory in the War on Terror and a defeat for Al Qaeda and all those who use terror as a weapon. It is also, I hope, a cause for relief and for closure among the many men and women who lost loved ones in the September 11^th attacks. I would encourage all Oklahomans and Americans to keep the victims of 9/11 and their families in our thoughts and prayers as we celebrate this important victory for the United States and all freedom-loving people."

U.S. Senator Tom Coburn released the following statement:

"The operation that brought Osama bin Laden to justice was a tremendous victory for our intelligence services and every branch of our armed forces. This was a team effort. Our service members ultimately denied bin Laden a safe haven and led him to a place where he could be discovered and eliminated. The Oklahomans who have put themselves in harm's way, and their families – some of whom have lost loved ones, should know that their service and sacrifice will never be forgotten."

Statement of Congressman Frank D. Lucas:

"The death of Osama Bin Laden marks a momentous occasion in our nation's fight against terrorism. For nearly a decade, al Qaida's number one man and America's highest counter-terrorism target has evaded justice after engineering the worst act of terrorism on our soil. For the victims of the September 11 attacks, their families, and the countless men and women in uniform who have sacrificed as a result, the death of Osama Bin Laden is an outstanding accomplishment. It symbolizes the unrelenting nature with which America will fight terrorism and pursue those who perpetrate it."