New Jersey Reacts: Osama bin Laden Dead

The news of Osama bin Laden's death spread rapidly across New Jersey on Sunday evening, despite the late hour.

Reaction was swift and almost universal: Exultation that one of the United States' most elusive foes was dead, and dead as a result of U.S. action.

In an extraordinary address, President Obama interrupted almost every U.S. TV channel to announce the news.

While he did not provide details, he said that the U.S. has been tracking bin Laden for months and finally located him in a residence in Pakistan. After a firefight, the president said, bin Laden was killed, with no loss of U.S. lives.

Sept. 11 claimed the lives of many local residents. The victims from around the area include:

• Danielle Kousoulis, Haddon Township
• Frank DeMartini, Haddon Heights
• Nicholas Brandemarti Jr., West Deptford
• John Rodak, Mantua
• Leroy Homer, Marlton
• Perry Anthony Thompson, Williamstown
• Gricelda E. James, Willingboro

Gov. Chris Christie commended the Obama administration for finally bringing Osama bin Laden to justice.

“There is hardly a life that has gone untouched in New Jersey by the horrifying assault on American soil that took place on September 11th and today, after years of waiting, justice has finally been delivered,” Christie said. “While our fight against terrorism continues, Osama bin Laden's reign of terror has come to an end, sending a clear signal that even in the face of immeasurable horror, democracy and freedom continue to prevail."

Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) echoed the themes of justice and loss.

"Like all Americans, New Jerseyans never forgot the heinous actions of those responsible, never forgot those whose lives were lost, never stopped asking questions of our government, and never ceased continuing the pressure on the importance of capturing bin Laden and bringing justice to those responsible," Menendez said in a statement. "My thoughts and prayers, along with those of all New Jerseyans, are with those who lost family and friends on 9/11. Hopefully they can find some solace and a measure of closure today."

Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) called bin Laden a "ruthless terrorist responsible for a savage mission that killed thousands of innocent Americans and others around the world."

"Now we must be particularly diligent and let the message get out that we we’ll do whatever is necessary to stop this kind of madness," Lautenberg said in a statement. "Osama bin Laden’s disciples must know that the free world is united against terror and will fight terrorists no matter who they are, where they hide and no matter who their protectors might be."

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