The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“OSAMA BIN LADEN” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Justice was published in the Senate section on pages S2559-S2560 on May 2, 2011.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
OSAMA BIN LADEN
Mr. REID. Mr. President, late last night, we learned the news we have been longing to hear since the worst morning in our memory: an American operation brought Osama bin Laden to justice. This was an American mission ordered by President Obama and accomplished by America's brave and brilliant military and intelligence professionals.
Last night's news stunned the world. But this operation's success should surprise no one. America's special forces and intelligence operatives are the best--the best trained, the best equipped, the best led.
Every day of every year they risk their lives for our sake, for our safety. They are the most professional and proficient forces on the planet. Yesterday, they brought down the most wanted mass murderer on Earth. Their success is the most significant victory yet in the fight against al-Qaida and terrorism and sends a strong and unmistakable message to terrorists who threaten our country, our people, and our interests.
This success is a direct result of President Obama's leadership and the national security priorities he outlined when he took office and the green light he gave our forces this weekend. President Obama insisted that we refocus on Afghanistan and Pakistan as the central battlefields in our fight against terrorism.
Those tremendous military, diplomatic, intelligence, and economic efforts are the reason we woke up this morning in a world that is no longer home to Osama bin Laden. But the end of his life is not the end of the fight. Yesterday's operation is indeed a measure of justice, but it is only one measure of justice. Absolutely it is a definitive victory, but it does not define absolute victory. America welcomes the success of our fellow citizens' extraordinary mission.
Even as we breathe a sigh of relief, though, we are not relieved of our duty to be vigilant, to be persistent and defeat our enemy and to make our Nation stronger. The leader of al-Qaida is gone, but his organization is not. We know our enemy is widespread and motivated. The truth is, it may be more motivated today then it was yesterday.
Our troops continue to fight. Our intelligence professionals continue to work. Their families continue to sacrifice. We continue to support all of them and support each other.
We also pause today to, once again, lend a shoulder to those whose grief never ends, not with time, not with bin Laden's demise, not ever. This significant measure of justice is but a small measure of comfort for those who lost loved ones in America and around the world, in New York and Virginia and Pennsylvania, aboard the USS Cole, and in American Embassies in Africa, on trains in London and Madrid, and in so many other places.
Bin Laden's death does not bring back the thousands of innocent people his thugs killed or make whole families who will be forever incomplete. But it is an important milestone that reminds the world America does not suffer the wicked and will not submit to evil. Our resolve is strengthened when it is challenged and our unity, though it too is often tested, is unbreakable.
Because of the hard work of courageous Americans and our military, intelligence, diplomatic, and law enforcement communities, a long evil chapter in our Nation's history closed yesterday. Today, we welcome the spring of a new optimism and renewed patriotism. The chapter now behind us ended with justice. We hope the chapter ahead of us will bring security and peace.
Work Continues
While the Nation and the world absorb this crucial development, the work of the Senate continues. Today, we begin a new month and a new work period and a new opportunity to come together to create jobs. I hope this month will be a productive month. There are several important and time-sensitive items on our plate. One, I hope to wrap up the small business jobs bill. This has been on the floor for weeks and weeks and weeks--far too long--and we need to resolve it so we can move on to other matters.
Two, we will have the same debate in the Senate that the American people are having at home; that is, the question of whether we should keep giving away money to oil companies that clearly do not need taxpayer handouts. That will be part of a larger debate we will continue having about how best to reduce our reliance on foreign oil and invest better and smarter in clean energy.
Three, we will vote on the House-passed budget. A majority of the House has embraced it, a majority of the American people have rejected it, and the Senate will soon have its say.
Finally, we will confirm judicial nominees, many of whom we have waited a long time for in the Senate. If the minority forces us to file cloture on those nominees in order to get a final vote, I will file cloture. I think it is too bad if we get involved in this with trial court judges. We cannot waste any more time or play these games for a longer period of time. The country needs these empty benches filled.
We also have other nominations to confirm, including the Attorney General's top Deputy, No. 1 Deputy, Jim Cole. The Deputy Attorney General runs the day-to-day operations of the Department of Justice. He is also the person who signs the critical warrants to permit our intelligence officials to conduct surveillance on suspected terrorists. But he cannot do that unless the Senate confirms him. So we must do that soon.
Especially given last night's developments, it is unthinkable that partisanship and legislative ploys would keep a well-qualified nominee out of this important national security role.
A moment ago we began this remarkable new day in the Senate the same way we begin every day in session. We begin it with the Pledge of Allegiance to our flag. Its closing words were the powerful closing words of President Obama's address to the Nation last night. Their meaning is even more profound today, the first day of this new era.
The words ``liberty and justice for all'' represent America's purpose. This weekend, in the name and pursuit of liberty, heroic Americans halfway around the world secured justice for an evil man's victims, for the survivors of his terror, for Americans, their allies, and the entire world. ``Liberty and justice for all.''
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