Bin Laden Death "A Long Time Coming"

Sen. Jack Reed awoke to a flurry of messages this morning from colleagues, friends and others. Each message, though different in syntax and word choice, delivered the same news – news Americans have waited nearly a decade to hear.

Osama bin Laden is dead.

"I hope, like so many people out there, this will offer some solace to those who lost family on [9/11]," said the longtime senator and former Army Ranger.

Hours earlier Rep. James Langevin received a call from a staffer, informing him that the man who had sat atop the FBI's Most Wanted List was confirmed dead.

"I was elated," said Langevin. "It's been a long time coming. For years we've been seeking justice and it has finally been served. I hope this closes a painful chapter in American history."

In her home in North Kingstown, State Rep. Doreen Costa was grinning ear to ear as she watched the coverage on Fox News last night.

"I just kept thinking this was unbelievable," said Costa.

Once the news sunk in, Costa said her thoughts immediately jumped to the men in women who died in the line of duty fighting America's war on terror.

"I know now that they didn't die in vain," said Costa.

In the southern end of town, State Sen. Dawson Hodgson was shook awake at 3 a.m. to hear the news.

"I was very pleased," said Hodgson. "Like a lot of people, I lost a friend in 9/11."

After taking the weekend off from news, self-proclaimed news junkie and Town Councilwoman Carol Hueston was greeted by the news Monday morning. Shocked by the death, Hueston said she had to look at four different news sources before she could accept the news.

"You know it's not the end, but it gives those who have lost family some closure at least," said Hueston.

Though many officials expressed their pride and satisfaction with the news out of the White House, they admitted it's not the end of America's terrorism woes.

"We need to remember we still have a lot of people overseas and they will probably be there for a while," said Hodgson. "It's not over."

"He was such an iconic figure to [al-Qaida]," said Ehrhardt. "I know it's not over."

Ehrhardt added that he fears the former al-Qaida leader's death will enrage his followers and other terrorist cells. Ehrhardt wasn't alone in his sentiment as Town Council President Elizabeth Dolan said she shared the same concerns as she watched last night's coverage.

For Reed, who sits on the Senate Armed Services Committee, bin Laden's death is a success but "you have to build on success."

"We need to use this as an opportunity to strengthen our relations in the region, in Afghanistan and Pakistan," said Reed. "I think that will be the key test for us."