Today, Congressman Jerrold Nadler, the representative of Ground Zero, issued the following statement on the successful U.S. military operation against Osama bin Laden:

"President Obama’s announcement of the death of Osama bin Laden is important and long-awaited news.  One of the most evil men in history, bin Laden was responsible for murdering thousands of Americans and tearing an awful hole in the heart of my district on September 11, 2001.  Now he is finally dead.

“I congratulate President Obama and the United States military for an impressive and precise operation in Pakistan.  We owe a great debt of gratitude to our brave men and women in uniform and to our intelligence forces who carried out the daring mission to bring bin Laden to justice.  The Obama Administration deserves considerable credit for executing the mission so smoothly and for keeping its pursuit of bin Laden secret for many months.  In the end, bin Laden’s death represents simple justice for the thousands of New Yorkers, Americans and others who have been killed or victimized at his hands.  His death may provide a small measure of closure for one of the most terrible crimes in human history.

“Obviously the effects of the attacks are still with us, and many continue to suffer and die from their work at Ground Zero rescuing others and cleaning up after the destruction brought about by bin Laden.  I am pleased that my colleagues, Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, Congressman Peter King, Senator Gillibrand, Senator Schumer, and the entire New York delegation, were able to pass a bill in Congress to provide health care and compensation for those still suffering from the effects of the attacks of 9/11.  In the weeks and months ahead, we will continue to push for rapid implementation of that law so that we can properly honor, remember, and care for the victims of 9/11.

“Finally, with bin Laden dead and the CIA telling us that few terrorists remain in Afghanistan, the time has come to re-examine our military strategy in Afghanistan.  What yesterday’s successful strike proved, in dramatic fashion, is that a relatively small and well-trained strikeforce is capable of taking out the world’s most wanted man.  Why then do we need more than 100,000 troops in Afghanistan?  It is not clear that occupying a large country and engaging in nation-building is the best way to destroy, disrupt, or deter terrorism.  The fight against terrorism will go on, but it seems clear that precision strike teams designed to take out specific targets offer a viable alternative to massive military invasions and subsequent occupations.”

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