McKeon congratulates US military for long pursuit of bin Laden

Rep. Buck McKeon (R-Calif.), chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, congratulated the U.S. military for its efforts in the long pursuit of Osama bin Laden after President Obama announced Sunday that the terrorist leader had been killed.

“Our brave military forces and their civilian counterparts who have been working for more than a decade to capture or kill bin Laden have the gratitude of our nation. These warriors have paid tremendous sacrifices during this time, and tonight’s announcement should help ease some of those burdens," McKeon said in a statement.

“This is the news we have long waited to hear. As Americans picked themselves up after the terrorist attacks of September Eleventh, President Bush told us that we would get Osama bin Laden," McKeon said. "While it has taken longer than many expected, Osama bin Laden is dead.  Bin Laden’s death is proof to those terrorists who wish to harm us that they may be able to run and hide but we will get them eventually."

But he warned that the danger from al Qaeda was not over. 

“While we celebrate a major victory in one battle against evil, we should recognize that the larger war against terrorism continues.  Al Qaeda affiliates in Yemen, Africa and Asia remain dedicated to killing Americans and our allies."