The news that Osama bin Laden was shot dead by a special forces team of US military personnel reverberated around the world on the evening of May 1, after President Barack Obama announced it on national television.

US authorities had been seeking to capture or kill bin Laden for years, since well before the infamous attack on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, and the accompanying fatal incidents at the Pentagon and on a field in Somerset County, PA. Bin Laden’s deeds against the country had earned him a spot on the home page of the FBI as the Most Wanted Terrorist.

Politicians in New York and Pennsylvania were quick to issue statements about the news.

Pennsylvania Senator Pat Toomey: “Osama bin Laden’s death is heartening news and an important event for our nation and the war on terror. I commend the president, his national security team and our military forces for this successful operation … Osama bin Laden is responsible for the deaths of thousands of innocent lives, and his death is a testimony that America will not tolerate brutal acts of terror on its people.”

Pennsylvania Senator Bob Casey: “Today, U.S. forces have killed bin Laden and exacted justice for his terrible crimes which killed thousands.” He added, "While today's development does not mean an end to terrorism or the need to remain relentlessly vigilant, the death of bin Laden has enormous significance in American and world history."

Congressman Tom Marino: “Let the word go forth that the elimination of this cold-blooded murderer sends a distinct message to the terrorists around the world that the United States of America will track down and eliminate those cowards who think they can create an atmosphere of horror and get away with it.”

Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett: "Nothing we say today can come close to matching the eloquence with which the actions of our armed forces spoke last night. Americans remember. There is no waiting them out. What happened on Sept. 11, 2001, will not be forgotten. The message remains: the injustice of terror will be answered by the justice of American response.

New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand: “I congratulate President Obama, our brave men and woman in uniform and our intelligence community for binging Osama bin Laden to Justice. This is a tremendous victory for the world community in the fight against Al Qaeda that it both deeply satisfying and historic. But we must remain vigilant. We can not take our eye off the ball in regards to security here at home or from emerging threats in other regions.”

New York Senator Chuck Schumer: "Because Bin Laden's evil dogma has poisoned the minds of so many others, we cannot let up in the war on terror. This successful mission sends a definitive message to those who would test the resolve of the people of the United States of America: do not doubt our resolve; if you do us harm, we will find you, we will mete out justice, and we will prevail."

Congressman Maurice Hinchey: "As we move forward, it is important to remember that our fight against terrorism is not yet over. We must continue to ensure that our military and intelligence officers have the tools they need to protect America from the threats posed by al Qaeda. As a member of Congress, I will continue working to ensure that we take every step necessary to keep Americas safe here at home and abroad."

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo: "The administration's vigilance and dedication to hunt down Osama Bin Laden has never wavered and I applaud their commitment to this cause. I also applaud our men and women in uniform who have fought tirelessly against terrorism and to defend freedom. The threat to our state and our nation unfortunately does not die with Osama bin Laden. We must remain vigilant in preventing terror acts and continue to do everything to keep our state and nation safe and secure."