S*0861 Resolution, By Hutto, Alexander, Anderson, Bright, Bryant, Campbell, 
Campsen, Cleary, Coleman, Courson, Cromer, Davis, Elliott, Ford, Gregory, 
Grooms, Hayes, Jackson, Knotts, Land, Leatherman, Leventis, Lourie, Malloy, 
L. Martin, Massey, Matthews, McConnell, McGill, Nicholson, O'Dell, Peeler, 
Pinckney, Rankin, Reese, Rose, Ryberg, Scott, Setzler, Sheheen, Shoopman, 
Thomas, Verdin and Williams
 A SENATE RESOLUTION TO APPLAUD PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA AND THE UNITED STATES
 MILITARY FOR ELIMINATING OSAMA BIN LADEN AS A THREAT TO OUR COUNTRY.

   05/03/11  Senate Introduced and adopted (Senate Journal-page 15)

TO APPLAUD PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA AND THE UNITED STATES MILITARY FOR ELIMINATING OSAMA BIN LADEN AS A THREAT TO OUR COUNTRY.

Whereas, Osama bin Laden was the founder and leader of the terrorist organization al Qaeda; and

Whereas, under his leadership, al Qaeda led the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, attacks on United States Embassies in Africa, the attack on the U.S.S. Cole in Yemen, and the bombing of the World Trade Center in 1998, and conducted many other atrocities throughout the world; and

Whereas, the United States government pursued Osama bin Laden for more than a decade in an effort to bring him to justice and end his terrorist activities; and

Whereas, on Sunday, May 1, 2011, President Barack Obama gave the order for a small team of U.S. Navy SEALs in Afghanistan to conduct an assault on a compound in Abbottabad, a Pakistani city just north of the Pakistani capital; and

Whereas, late Sunday night local time, the SEALs stormed the compound and engaged in a firefight with bin Laden and his guards; and

Whereas, the SEALs successfully struck a blow against international terrorism by killing bin Laden during the courageous forty minute operation; and

Whereas, the SEALs that conducted the operation are true American heroes and their courageous actions will go down in the annals of American history; and

Whereas, the killing of bin Laden was the culmination of years of intelligence work and is testament to the dedication of America's fighting forces; and

Whereas, the decision by President Obama to launch the assault that killed bin Laden was one of the most courageous decisions made by any President in recent memory; and

Whereas, President Obama declared "Our country kept its commitment to see that justice is done. The world is a better place because of bin Laden's death, and the successful operation reminds Americans that there is nothing we can't do when we work together"; and

Whereas, in an address to the nation, President Obama called bin Laden's death "the most significant achievement to date in our nation's effort to defeat al Qaeda"; and

Whereas, President Obama has reiterated that the United States is not fighting Islam, stating "I've made clear, just as President Bush did shortly after 9/11, that our war is not against Islam. Bin Laden was not a Muslim leader; he was a mass murderer of Muslims"; and

Whereas, the President further stated, "We're reminded that we're fortunate to have Americans who have dedicated their lives to protecting ours .... We can say to those families who have lost loved ones to al Qaeda's terror: Justice has been done"; and

Whereas, the Nation owes a debt of gratitude to all the men and women in uniform that have tirelessly worked to fight the scourge of terrorism and keep our nation free and safe. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the members of the Senate, by this resolution, applaud President Barack Obama for his bold and decisive action.

Be it further resolved that members of the Senate thank the brave men who stormed the compound and brought some measure of closure for the families that lost loved ones at bin Laden's hands and a measure of closure to all the citizens of the United States who will forever have to live with the memories of his evil deeds.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to President Barack Obama and to the United States Secretary of Defense.