As students broke football tradition and crowded Mirror Lake shortly after President Barack Obama’s announcement that Osama bin Laden had been killed in Pakistan, Ohio elected officials delivered more reserved messages.
“It is important that we remain vigilant in our efforts to confront and defeat the terrorist enemy and protect the American people,” said Speaker of the House John Boehner, R-Ohio. “I want to congratulate — and thank — the hard-working men and women of our Armed Forces and intelligence community for their tireless efforts and perseverance that led to this success.”
Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown echoed Boehner’s remarks: “This is a victory for all Americans and a testament to the sacrifice of our service members and their families.”
Republican Gov. John Kasich declined to comment, but sent a mass email thanking the men and women of the armed forces.
Ohio State spokesman Jim Lynch told The Lantern the university was not going to issue a statement on bin Laden’s death.
