[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 5]
[Senate]
[Page 6356]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        DEATH OF OSAMA BIN LADEN

  Mr. TESTER. Mr. President, it was a little less than 10 years ago 
that I was in northern Wyoming driving home. It was the day of 
September 11, 2001. On that drive home that evening, I heard the press 
report saying that Osama bin Laden was behind the terrorist attack on 
the trade center, the Pentagon, and in that field in Pennsylvania where 
the plane went down. I said to myself then that it was just a matter of 
time before the United States would catch him and justice would be 
served.
  Mr. President, across the remote mountains and dingy suburbs of 
Afghanistan and Pakistan, thousands of American troops dedicated 
themselves to stamping out Osama bin Laden and the evil he defined. All 
of those Americans made painful sacrifices at home, and many still are. 
Many are struggling with injuries, seen and unseen, and thousands have 
given their precious lives.
  Of course, we will never forget the innocent lives taken in cold 
blood on that day of September 11, 2001. We all know how that day 
changed the course of world history. One man was behind it all. We have 
hunted him for the better part of a decade.
  Now, thanks to the hard, diligent work of America's Special Forces 
and intelligence agents, that man is dead. At long last, catching him 
in a corner, a handful of American troops delivered justice to the 
entire world.
  The price for Osama bin Laden's death was enormous. Although 
yesterday's precision strike was executed by the toughest, smartest, 
and most effective special operations force on Earth, its justice is 
the result of all the countless soldiers, marines, airmen, sailors, and 
intelligence agents and their families who went ``all in'' for us over 
the past decade.
  This country--now and among future generations--will never forget 
their sacrifices.
  Thirty-six Montanans have been killed in worldwide operations since 
9/11. Dozens more have been seriously wounded, and a few were longtime 
servicemembers, but many of them joined the military specifically 
because of that awful day and what happened on September 11, 2001.
  We are so thankful to them for all they gave and for all their 
families gave.
  While Osama bin Laden's death is a true victory, our vigilance in the 
worldwide fight against terrorism doesn't end here. The hundreds of 
Montanans still serving abroad today remind us of that every day.
  Yesterday we blotted out Osama bin Laden forever, and that will make 
our world safer. But working together with the international community, 
our Nation will continue to be steadfast in our commitment to security, 
safety, and opportunity for all Americans.
  Security and opportunity and freedom aren't just American values, 
they are human values. As Americans, we will never be afraid to fight 
for them.
  In the days and months ahead, I expect we will refine and recalibrate 
the future of U.S. involvement in Afghanistan. As this next chapter 
unfolds, my thoughts and prayers will always remain with the hundreds 
of Montanans serving there. We are grateful for their service. We are 
anxious to bring them home.
  With that, I yield the floor and suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. ENSIGN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the order for the 
quorum call be rescinded.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so 
ordered.

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