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Elected Officials, Residents React to Death of Osama bin Laden

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Woodridge's elected officials are weighing in on the death of Osama bin Laden Sunday.

President Barack Obama that the al-Qaida leader was killed by U.S. forces in a fire fight at a compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan.

The news comes nearly 10 years after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the United States that killed thousands of men, women and children.

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In a statement released Monday morning, U.S. Rep. Judy Biggert (R-Ill.) called bin Laden's death "a welcome and long-overdue victory for justice."

She also thanked members of the intelligence and military community and advised Americans to stay vigilant. You can read the full statement below.

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"For ten years, one man has represented the face of terrorism for U.S. citizens and our allies around the world.  Osama Bin Laden was the mastermind behind the most vicious act of mass murder ever committed on U.S. shores.  Since then, he has spent years in hiding, spinning a web of violence and hatred that reaches across the globe.  Today, he is dead, and that’s a welcome and long-overdue victory for justice. 

Above all else, our men and women in the intelligence and military community deserve our thanks and our praise for all they do to make the world a safer place.  For the past decade, many of these brave individuals have put their lives on the line in pursuit of justice for the families of those killed by Al Qaeda, and with this victory, they have struck a major blow against the enemies of peace.  I couldn’t be more pleased or more proud of the men and women who accomplished this difficult mission.

Unfortunately, this isn’t an occasion where we can throw up our hats and take a victory lap.  Osama Bin Laden wasn’t alone, and the threat of terrorism remains as real now as it was yesterday.  We must stay vigilant.  And even as we mark this great achievement, we must continue to protect and defend the values and freedoms we hold dear.”

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) released the following statement on his website Sunday night:

“I was advised by Vice President Biden this Sunday evening that Osama bin Laden has been killed. Though this is not the end of the threat of terrorism, it is a clear warning to our enemies that when they threaten and kill Americans, they will be pursued and held accountable. Our nation owes a great debt of gratitude to our intelligence community and military for pursuing this manhunt for almost ten years and successfully eliminating the most high profile terrorist on earth. Those who believed bin Laden and his network were invincible will now awaken to a new reality.”

Woodridge Patch readers went to our Facebook page to share their thoughts:

Jodi Huntley: Surprised...

Lorie Bohacek Barber: Justice at last.


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